Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?
- helicon
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Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?
I have a chance to pick up an old late 1970's red Astroscan. Curious if anyone on the forum had (or has) one? When I was a kid the boys down the street got one for Christmas but I only looked through it once. Iconic design to be sure....
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?
Back in highschool, my best friend and I beg his dad to take us to Edmond Scientific, and of course we brought one home.
At the time we both had Sears refractors, but with the amazingFOV , the Astroscan won our hearts, we would lie in the cow field till the wee hours.
I would buy one just for those memories, but if I recall there was a fair amount ofcoma around the edges.
Nevertheless, it's a classic
At the time we both had Sears refractors, but with the amazing
I would buy one just for those memories, but if I recall there was a fair amount of
Nevertheless, it's a classic
Clear Skies,
-Jeff
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-Jeff
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A big box of Plossls
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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?
Hi all. I remember how popular these little telescopes were back in their day. It is great to own a classic telescope from the past Michael so I would grab it up. Also, I recalled seeing a home made scaled-up version of the Astroscan in Sky&Telescope many years ago. I researched and found it here at:
http://www.jerryoltion.com/astroscan.htm
I hope that you enjoy this article and the best of wishes Michael in obtaining this original Astroscan.
http://www.jerryoltion.com/astroscan.htm
I hope that you enjoy this article and the best of wishes Michael in obtaining this original Astroscan.
Marshall
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>)))))*>
Sky-Watcher 90mm f/13.8 Maksutov-Cassegrain on motorized Multimount
Orion Astroview 120ST f/5 Refractor on EQ3 mount
Celestron Comet Catcher 140mm f/3.64 Schmidt-Newtonian on alt-az mount
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Orion 180mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain on CG5-GT Goto mount.
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>)))))*>
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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?
Never had or used one, but I did see an apparent clone recently on a vendor's site somewhere. I'd consider getting one for the grandkids if they showed interest in observing.
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I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do.
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I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do.
=============================================================================
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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?
The optics is quite modest by modern standards, but if the price is right could be a fun piece for display or casual observing.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
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- helicon
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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?
Yeah I am not sure that low f-ratio reflectors were that good at the time, plus the pane of glass at the working end of the scope might impede light. At any rate I could put it on my desk as a conversation piece...
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?
I had one as a kid in the late 70's and I'm not sure what happened to it since astronomy has been a hobby of mine since I was around 12 yrs old. A couple of years ago I had the good fortune of picking up another mint AstroScan from a neighbor that had bought it for his kids (Now adults with their own children.) His kids had no interest in it so he gave it to me. It came with all of the accessories, the sight-through finder, 2 eyepieces, a 2x Barlow, a tripod, and a strap. He even still had the original owner's manual and brochure for it!
I kept it for a year or so and ended up giving it to my best friend that has 2 small children. They love it and pull it out all the time to use it.
There's an interesting story behind that design and apparently, the only mold for the red plastic body broke which is why production came to a halt. It sure seems like in these modern times it would be easy enough to do a 3d scan of one and remake the molds.
I kept it for a year or so and ended up giving it to my best friend that has 2 small children. They love it and pull it out all the time to use it.
There's an interesting story behind that design and apparently, the only mold for the red plastic body broke which is why production came to a halt. It sure seems like in these modern times it would be easy enough to do a 3d scan of one and remake the molds.
Greg M.~ "Ad Astra per Aspera"
Scopes: Celestron EdgeHD14", Explore Scientific ED152CF & ED127 APO's, StellarVue SV70T, Classic Orange-Tube C-8, Lunt 80mm Ha double-stack solar scope.
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Filters: 36mm Chroma LRGB & 3nm Ha, OIII, SII, L-Pro, L-eXtreme
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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?
=============================================================================
I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do.
=============================================================================
AT50, AT72EDII, ST80, ST102; Scopetech Zero, AZ-GTi, AZ Pronto; Innorel RT90C, Oberwerk 5000; Orion Giantview 15x70s, Vortex 8x42s, Navy surplus 7x50s, Nikon 10x50s
I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do.
=============================================================================
AT50, AT72EDII, ST80, ST102; Scopetech Zero, AZ-GTi, AZ Pronto; Innorel RT90C, Oberwerk 5000; Orion Giantview 15x70s, Vortex 8x42s, Navy surplus 7x50s, Nikon 10x50s
- helicon
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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?
Miniature astroscan-like scope (76mm) , pretty interesting.
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?
I have both the Astroscan and the Bushnell clone. All the reviews I read say the Astroscan, with its parabolic mirror is better than the Bushnell's spherical mirror, but to be honest, my buddy and I both thought the Bushnell was sharper. Go figure.
Both were adequate for lunar observing. I didnt examine the Bushnell, but the Astroscan uses a "rubber hose" inserted on a focus axle that uses friction to engage the focus. I found this "rubber hose" tends to wear down or get slippery making focusing difficult.
It won't replace a full-blown tracking scope but this type of scope has great portability for shore or mountain trips.
Good luck!
Both were adequate for lunar observing. I didnt examine the Bushnell, but the Astroscan uses a "rubber hose" inserted on a focus axle that uses friction to engage the focus. I found this "rubber hose" tends to wear down or get slippery making focusing difficult.
It won't replace a full-blown tracking scope but this type of scope has great portability for shore or mountain trips.
Good luck!
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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?
I used to own an original Astroscan in the early 80's. I had the whole setup, plus a really heavy duty tripod. I really liked the low power rich field of stars and nebulae and scanned the skies with it quite a bit. That's what it's best at! High powers, not so much! It's a great little unique scope IMO.
The attached image is a copy of a photo showing my Astroscan and original orange Celestron 8" Schmidt Cassegrain taken with a film camera. I no longer own those two telescopes. I wish I still had them!
The attached image is a copy of a photo showing my Astroscan and original orange Celestron 8" Schmidt Cassegrain taken with a film camera. I no longer own those two telescopes. I wish I still had them!
Bruce
Refractors: Meade AR-5 127mm f/9.3, Meade ST-80 f/5 and Meade 60mm f/12, Jason 60mm f/15 #313, Jason 60mm f/12 #306 S7, Bushnell Sky Chief III 60mm f/15.
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Mounts: Skywatcher EQ6-R Pro & Meade LXD55 Equatorial mounts, ES Twilight II and Meade 2102 ALT/AZ mounts, a modified 10" SkyQuest Dobsonian mount, various 60mm EQ mounts.
Misc: Celestron 20x80mm binoculars, Revolution II Imager/accessories, & lots of optical accessories/eyepieces.
Projects: 8" f/2.9 and 65mm f/10 reflectors, Dobson-style binocular mirror mount.
Refractors: Meade AR-5 127mm f/9.3, Meade ST-80 f/5 and Meade 60mm f/12, Jason 60mm f/15 #313, Jason 60mm f/12 #306 S7, Bushnell Sky Chief III 60mm f/15.
Reflectors/Catadioptrics: Meade 10" F/4 Schmidt-Newtonian, Galileo 120mm f/8.3 Newtonian, Meade 2045D 4" f/10 SCT, Meade ETX-90EC f/13.8 & Sarblue 60mm f/12.5 Maksutov-Cassegrains.
Mounts: Skywatcher EQ6-R Pro & Meade LXD55 Equatorial mounts, ES Twilight II and Meade 2102 ALT/AZ mounts, a modified 10" SkyQuest Dobsonian mount, various 60mm EQ mounts.
Misc: Celestron 20x80mm binoculars, Revolution II Imager/accessories, & lots of optical accessories/eyepieces.
Projects: 8" f/2.9 and 65mm f/10 reflectors, Dobson-style binocular mirror mount.
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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?
No, but I've always wanted one!
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6R, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
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∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100 ∞ AP Gear: ZWO EAF and mini EFW and the Optolong L-eXteme filter
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°
Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6R, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100 ∞ AP Gear: ZWO EAF and mini EFW and the Optolong L-eXteme filter
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°
Searching the skies since 1966. "I never met a scope I didn't want to keep."
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