If you can believe it, I found a 4" Unitron refractor at a yard sale. Not in good shape but I believe it can be restored. I have been in contact with Berry at D&G to evaluate the OTA and to check out the lens. On a quick look I find the lens dirty but it seems not to be damaged. What are my options?? Should I sell it off as parts or have the the Unitron restored ?? What is the best market out there ?? Restore the scope or sell off the parts ?? I would not be restoring it myself but would turn that chore over to the experts. Opinions would be appreciated.
Unitron Find
Started by scopeking, 05/15/2010 11:30PM
Posted 05/15/2010 11:30PM
Opening Post
Posted 05/16/2010 09:48AM
| Edited 05/16/2010 09:49AM
#1
Without knowing what you have there, its hard to give specific suggestions.
If you have a working telescope with all the components, the best option might
be to simply clean the parts yourself (get some advice from the Unitron
forums, being extremely cautions to not damage anything) and sell it that way.
Take lots of photos of good and bad aspects, and advertise it on Astromart.
I think many folks would be willing to accept some range of normal wear
(but not abuse) on these -- it need not look perfect.
If it is not a working scope (missing key parts, or parts broken) then its
a much more complex question. If you know a good restorer who can exactly
duplicate the missing/broken parts (indisinguishible from new) that path
would have a considerable amount of emotional appeal. And I feel it could
sell for numbers approaching a scope with all original parts. But if the
restore work will result in extra screws / mending plates / obvious repair patches,
then I think the value would be adversely impacted -- it would bring more
than selling it "as is", but far below a proper scope with all original
parts. There is some obvious economic risk in such a restore -- it might
be possible to spend a lot of money on the restore work, and not recoup it
at sale time.
As for selling it off as parts. I think the success of this will depend on
exactly which model and which year it is. These went through many variations
over their >40 years of production, and parts from one year do not necessarily fit
scopes from a different year or model. If it is one of the early or rarer
models, it may be hard to find a buyer for the parts (though they might be willing
to pay a lot). If it is one of the later versions, you might have good
success selling off any major components in good working condition (tripod assembly,
equatorial mount, motor drive, photo guide scope, OTA, etc.). Often people
will have an OTA but not a mount, or a tripod in bad condition, or need a drive, etc.
Regarding markets, Astromart is ideal in many ways -- you can post many pictures
and have a very targeted audience. In conjunction with this, you could mention
on the Unitron forums that you have the scope up for sale on Astromart. Another
approach, especially if it is an excellent restore and shows well, would be to take
it to conventions (NEAF, Stellafane, RTMC, etc.) and indicate on Astromart and forums
that you have it for sale, and well be at such-and-such convention with it.
This would give serious buyers a chance to look at it first hand and evaluate
the quality of the restore work, etc.
You are in an enviable position there. Good luck!
If you have a working telescope with all the components, the best option might
be to simply clean the parts yourself (get some advice from the Unitron
forums, being extremely cautions to not damage anything) and sell it that way.
Take lots of photos of good and bad aspects, and advertise it on Astromart.
I think many folks would be willing to accept some range of normal wear
(but not abuse) on these -- it need not look perfect.
If it is not a working scope (missing key parts, or parts broken) then its
a much more complex question. If you know a good restorer who can exactly
duplicate the missing/broken parts (indisinguishible from new) that path
would have a considerable amount of emotional appeal. And I feel it could
sell for numbers approaching a scope with all original parts. But if the
restore work will result in extra screws / mending plates / obvious repair patches,
then I think the value would be adversely impacted -- it would bring more
than selling it "as is", but far below a proper scope with all original
parts. There is some obvious economic risk in such a restore -- it might
be possible to spend a lot of money on the restore work, and not recoup it
at sale time.
As for selling it off as parts. I think the success of this will depend on
exactly which model and which year it is. These went through many variations
over their >40 years of production, and parts from one year do not necessarily fit
scopes from a different year or model. If it is one of the early or rarer
models, it may be hard to find a buyer for the parts (though they might be willing
to pay a lot). If it is one of the later versions, you might have good
success selling off any major components in good working condition (tripod assembly,
equatorial mount, motor drive, photo guide scope, OTA, etc.). Often people
will have an OTA but not a mount, or a tripod in bad condition, or need a drive, etc.
Regarding markets, Astromart is ideal in many ways -- you can post many pictures
and have a very targeted audience. In conjunction with this, you could mention
on the Unitron forums that you have the scope up for sale on Astromart. Another
approach, especially if it is an excellent restore and shows well, would be to take
it to conventions (NEAF, Stellafane, RTMC, etc.) and indicate on Astromart and forums
that you have it for sale, and well be at such-and-such convention with it.
This would give serious buyers a chance to look at it first hand and evaluate
the quality of the restore work, etc.
You are in an enviable position there. Good luck!
Posted 05/17/2010 06:22PM
#2
Clint "(aveman" on the yahoo forum, has restored or put together many of these 4" Unitron scopes. If you ask on the Unitron forum, you would probably get some good information on the availability of the parts you need.
Here is my 4" Unitron 152 that Clint restored.
Here is my 4" Unitron 152 that Clint restored.
Attached Image:
[SIZE="Large"][/SIZE][COLOR="Blue"][/COLOR] Floyd Blue
Amateur Imager
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