TheSkySearchers

While searching for some 0.965" accessories for my 60mm scopes, I happened upon a New Old Stock Bushnell Sky Chief III Model 78-5700, 60mm f/910mm OTA! Made by Towa, it is the same scope as the Jason Discoverer 454x Model #313, only the Jason has a silver tube.

I was hoping it would be perfect, but being in storage for 50 years or so, there are some imperfections aesthetically, though minor. There are 2 small scratches and a few pits in the finish and one very minor dent in the tube that I didn't even see until a few hours later. The focuser assembly will need to be degreased and regreased with some Super Lube synthetic grease. It also looks like a few tiny critters may have gotten into the tube and left a little debris on the objective, no biggie as it should be easy to clean out!

I also ordered and received an all metal 0.965" Celestron by Vixen Deluxe 2x barlow, a 0.965" Celestron 16mm Kellner eyepiece, a 0.965" Celestron LPR Nebula filter, a 0.965" Meade #21 orange filter, all Made in Japan N.O S. with boxes and caps where applicable. Also a Celestron Night Light variable red LED flashlight made in USA. All items from the same seller, and he has a lot of Celestron and other items. His name is Frederick Paulli at astroptx.com.

Wouldn't you know it, it's been cloudy ever since I started buying the accessories and received the telescope! Waiting for First Light!

Here are some more pics I couldn't fit in the first post. Note: the EQ-2 mount in the first post is one I already owned.

Very nice Bruce!
Beautiful scope

Can't wait to hear your first impressions. What a great find.

Awesome find Bruce; hopefully it's one of the "good" Towa's. I have seven scopes that have Towa glass/mirrors, and so far, so good. Nice finderscope as well; I've only seen that on red 80's model Tasco's. Should be a lot better than the usual straight through!

All the best,

That is really nice Bruce!
Antares still make 0.965" Plossl eyepieces: https://antares.space/eyepieces?q=Barre ... r-0.965%22
and Siebert Optics makes them as well and other accessories in this size: https://www.siebertoptics.com/Mono.html

Hi Bruce!
That is a very nice scope you picked up. I have wondered if any of the old Bushnell scopes were good, simply because some of the modern ones I have seen were far from it. I am curious about the attachment on top, which I assume is a finder. Would be interested in hearing how that works out for you as well. Looks like you are in the .965 business now in a big way!

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Fri Apr 16, 2021 5:19 am That is really nice Bruce!
Antares still make 0.965" Plossl eyepieces: https://antares.space/eyepieces?q=Barre ... r-0.965%22
and Siebert Optics makes them as well and other accessories in this size: https://www.siebertoptics.com/Mono.html

Gabrielle,
Thanks for those links! I have thought about buying a used zeiss 10x microscope eyepiece, but I am nervous about spending the money and finding out the glass isn't clear! I maybe just should take the plunge. Either that, or buy an eyepiece or two from Antares or Seibert.

I have a Meade 40mm MA and a Celestron 16mm Kellner in 0.965". With my Vixen .0965" 2x barlow with those eyepieces I can get 23x, 46x, 57x, and 114x. The zeiss 10x would convert to a 25mm for the scope, giving me 36x and with the 2x barlow- 73x. (All numbers rounded up!)

I really need to find a good .965" diagonal as the one I have is all plastic (an "economy" diagonal). Other than that, I have all the eyepieces I need in 1.25" and a choice of 3 hybrid diagonals to choose from.

MistrBadgr wrote: ↑Sat Apr 17, 2021 7:07 am Hi Bruce!
That is a very nice scope you picked up. I have wondered if any of the old Bushnell scopes were good, simply because some of the modern ones I have seen were far from it. I am curious about the attachment on top, which I assume is a finder. Would be interested in hearing how that works out for you as well. Looks like you are in the .965 business now in a big way!

Bill,
So far I am a little frustrated with the prism reflex finder on top of the scope. I have not been able to observe yet because of all the clouds (go figure!), but I tried aligning the finder to the scope on a distant object in the daytime and have mixed feelings about it. After the first precise alignment, it will supposedly keep that alignment for a long time, or so I've heard.

First of all, the knob on the finder that drops the prism down, blocks the view through the scope until the knob is turned to raise the prism back up. Where this becomes frustrating is the knob is a little stiff, and the 3 adjustment screws and 1 center lock screw used to collimate the finder (just like with a secondary mirror on a reflector) are very tight. As you know, to align the finder, you position the scope on the object, lock it in, and then adjust the secondary, or in this case, the prism to the object. Except in this case, you have to keep turning the stiff knob on and off while looking between the scope and the finder because the stiffness of the knob is causing the scope to move from the object! Whew!

I will eventually need to find a way to make the knob less stiff, but for now I don't want to mess with it. I am thinking the stiff knob is attributed to the scope being stored for what, 40 - 50 years or more? I don't know the exact date it was manufactured, but maybe late 60's?

Of course, if I had a better mount the scope would probably stay in position better. Anyway, I think I have it close and will need to adjust it again when I can finally get First Light, hopefully tonight looking at the almost first quarter moon.

I have a few .965" eyepieces and a good .965" Vixen 2x barlow for now and of course my 1.25" eyepieces and hybrid diagonals, but yes, I am thinking maybe some more .965" eyepieces would be nice!

Congrats on the interesting find Bruce! While you are figuring out included finder you could attached with sticky tape red dot or Rigel finder to start observing.