Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?

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helicon United States of America
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Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?

#1

Post by helicon »


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
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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?

#2

Post by Ylem »


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 amazing FOV, 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 of coma around the edges.

Nevertheless, it's a classic :)
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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?

#3

Post by Makuser »


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.
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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?

#4

Post by pakarinen »


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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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?

#5

Post by Bigzmey »


The optics is quite modest by modern standards, but if the price is right could be a fun piece for display or casual observing.
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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?

#6

Post by helicon »


Bigzmey wrote: Mon Jan 09, 2023 6:50 pm The optics is quite modest by modern standards, but if the price is right could be a fun piece for display or casual observing.
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
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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?

#7

Post by AstroBee »


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.
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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?

#8

Post by pakarinen »


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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?

#9

Post by helicon »


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
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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?

#10

Post by JimSpin »


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!
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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?

#11

Post by StarBru »


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!
Attachments
IMG_20210510_063621107.jpg
Bruce

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Re: Anybody like the Edmund Astroscan?

#12

Post by JayTee »


helicon wrote: Sat Jan 07, 2023 2:43 pm Curious if anyone on the forum had (or has) one?
No, but I've always wanted one!
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