Polarex 60mm 900mm

[Cleo]

Can anyone please tell anything about this telescope and approximate value?

Thanks so much!

[torana68]

What did you want to know? there is a lot to say but Ill shorten the reply to , well made and very usable/collectable . Value is not a lot, less if there is mould or damage to the objective , put it on Ebay with postage included at a 99c start and it will sell.

[The Mekon]

Going on the photos, the scope may need a bit of restoration. I would guess between $100 and $200 on ebay. Mention the word Unitron as well as Polarex in the title, to aid those who search for these things.
The optical quality of these scopes is often not as high as their reputation.

[ZeroID]

They seem to attract a lot of attention under the Unitron name in the USA. There is quite a group of collectors on CloudyNights. I'd love to get one as both a display and grab and go planetary\lunar for home, they have such a classic look. There is a nice one (Polarex) over here being advertised at $495 but no takers yet.

[torana68]

probably because its in the wildly over priced category? they ask big numbers in the US but I don't think they get them , especially for the little 60.

[chris lewis]

It is Unitron / Polerax model 114.
['Google' that as there is much info on these].
Unitron was the US name while Polerax was for overseas markets.
I have had 3x 114 60 mm Unitron / Polerax scopes in various conditions over the years.
They do come up reasonable regularly still on international markets.
They came out in the early 50's and ran until the late 70's.
Most are now 50 to 60 years old, as yours looks to be.
They are well built scopes but unfortunately most of them have the fiddly and inferior .96 in. eyepieces.
The Alt-Az mounts they came on were reasonably solid.
Optically they have aged and more good quality refractors with improved lens coatings now give a better and brighter image.
Most 114’s have now deteriorated and it is rare to get a mint one.
Prices range from $A50-100, if in rough condition, to maybe $A200-400 if in good condition. A really mint one with all the accessories would be worth more.
Most are now bought by hobbyist to re-condition for nostalgic reasons.
US collectors seem to like them as Unitrons and Polerax's look like classic long white tube refractors.
If your scope and esp. the lens is in reasonable condition it will give you reasonable views with little Ca.
I have sold my 3x 114s and don’t regret selling them.

Chris

[dawziecat]

Much nostaligia surrounding these things! Many believe with religious fervor they are far better than they actually were . . . and will pay accordingly.
No point arguing with these souls as they throw money at you! ;)

In reality, they're just small refractors, not overly different than scads of others branded differently.

But Unitron advertised massively! And a cult was born! It's alive and well. Your telescope will sell!

For how much? More than it's worth!

Incidentally, written by a former Polarex owner . . . too many years ago.

BTW, The 114 went for $125US MSRP in the 60s and 70s.

[The Mekon]

OP has not been back since he was advised he did not have a treasure trove in the box.. Agree that it would probably sell for more than it is worth, which as a usable telescope and comparing with what else you could buy for that amount, would be around the $100 mark.