Posts Made By: Blake Andrews

Greetings,
I'm new to this forum and I'm hoping someone here can shed some light on this little mystery. I've started filling out my collection of 1980's vintage Celestron Orthos by Vixen (Circle-V). So far, I have the 4mm, 7mm, 12mm and 18mm models (I am the original owner for three of these). Recently I added a 9mm, but discovered a different mark on the barrel. This one reads "JAPAN KD". The lettering on the beveled edge is not quite as good as on the Vixen models. I haven't had an opportunity to star test it yet. Can anyone share some info on the history of this interesting variant?
Regards,
Blake Andrews

Hi,

From the 5/82 Celestron Accessory Catalog, the specs for the 50mm 2" Pl are as follows:

AFOV = 43deg
Field Stop = 37mm

Note: This catalog pre-dates the formal introduction of the silver top series, but I think the specs stayed the same as these were purportedly all made by Vixen. Enjoy your eyepiece. I hope to find one for myself someday!

Regards,
Blake

In the Celestron Ortho by KD thread, Dave Simons wrote...

> HI Blake,
>
> Interesting info on the Ortho's.
>
> If you don't mind me diverting the
> thread a bit, what info do you have
> on the old Vixen Silvertop engraved
> satin-finish plossls. I have nearly a
> complete collection and really like
> them.
>
> -------------------------------------
>
> David Simons

so...

Let's start a new thread...

Hi Dave,

I am the first owner for the 10mm, 15mm, 26mm, and 45mm silver top plossls made for Celestron by Vixen. Mine were purchased in the mid 1980s. Technically, I have accumulated a complete set. I say "technically" because there are variations in this line as well. Mine are the all-silver variety, except for the 17mm which is black-capped with red lettering (see my explanation, below).

The early models introduced in the early/mid-1980s had an all-satin finish with florescent orange engraved lettering. The next evolution was a two-piece construction with a black cap around the eyelens. These also had engraved florescent orange lettering. The final evolution of this line was black-capped and had red painted lettering (not engraved). These were all 1.25" barrels.

Celestron also had a 50mm 2" Silvertop that went through some or all of these variations.

I would appreciate it if anyone out there can provide their specifics as to when any of these variations might have been purchased.

Best Regards,
Blake Andrews

Hi,

Here's a couple of trivia questions for owners of the Celestron 2" 50mm Plossl...

1) What is the part number? This can be found on the orange carton that the eyepiece came in. Look on the white label on the end for a 5-digit number.

2) Has anyone ever seen an all silver version of the 50mm Plossl? I am only aware of the original black body and the "Silver Top" with the black top.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Blake Andrews

Hi,

I have a very nice 1996 vintage Tele Vue 13mm Plossl. Would someone please share the specs on this rascal? I'm pretty sure AFOV is 50 degrees. I'm particularly interested in eye relief and if the eyepiece was considered parafocal with any others in the TV line.

Thanks!
Blake

I've re-discovered the joys of a small fast scope. I recently bought a Meade DS2000 PST mount and found that it works great with my Celestron Comet Catcher.

Any opinions as to which eyepieces might yield the best views in this very fast 5.5" f/3.64 scope? I've been playing around with a 19mm Panoptic, but even this eyepiece seems to display a bit of coma at the edges.

Thanks in advance for your ideas!!!

I've been using a Meade DS-2000 series mount to sport a PST by day and a Celestron Comet Catcher by night. During transport to a Boy Scout event, the whole thing found its way on an express ride to the ground.

Amazingly, the Comet Catcher survived the ordeal with only a "door ding" on its tube (it is still surprisingly well colimated in spite of the trauma).

The DS-2000 arm was less fortunante. Upon examination the pot-metal assembly in the arm appears to have broken. This is the assembly that the telescope ring or bracket mount is secured to with four small bolts. It interfaces with the large nylon gear in the arm. Can spare parts be purchased?

Regards,
Blake

Hi All,

I hear a bit now and then about the University Optics Klee 2.8x Barlow. I happen to have a University Optics Wide Field 3x Barlow. I bought this unit in either 1987 or 1988 and have always been very happy with it. It has the zebra striping around the barrel. The catalog I have indicates that it is a Pretoria air-spaced triplet. I suspect it pre-dates the Klee 2.8x.

Does anyone know the history behind these barlows? Thanks!

Blake

Since its cloudy, I have a question that's been a curiosity for some time, now. I'm a glasses wearer that has relatively astigmatic-free eyes. So I optionally wear glasses depending on the type of object I'm observing.

Has anyone considered what the "sweet spot" is with respect to eye relief with and without glasses? I know that 40mm eye relief provided by my 55mm Plossl is too long to be comfortable in either mode.

Anybody have an opinion they care to share?

Thanks!

I've been a casual buyer on AstroMart and have contributed to a number of eyepiece discussions. Recently, I've seen some interesting coincidences between A-Mart and that e-Something site. For example, compare ad #689096 on A-Mart to the following post...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110549212606&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_896

Looking for some guidance regarding appropriate behavior before I start selling. Thanks!

Blake