Classic Refractor prices?

[The Mekon]

Just noted an old Unitron 75mm refractor on the alt/az mount went for $545 on ebay. What opinions on the price?? I think it was an 1980's model, not earlier.

Better value in my view was a mid 1990's Vixen Custom 60L which fetched $152.

From my experience, the Vixen optics are superior to the Unitron.

[DavidU]

There was a very nice Vixen 80mm in box that went for $350ish today.
The top end gear still get good $. The cheap stuff cannot be given away these days.

[torana68]

Unitron have a large following, Vixen not so much but that one probably a very good buy for someone

[astronut]

John,
The pre 1980's Unitron/Polarex scopes have a big following.
They command medium to high prices because of their workmanship, materials and great quality optics.
If you follow the car market at all, an eg is the Ford Falcon GTHO Phase 3, bought for $4500 in 1971. Cars in very good to excellent condition are fetching between $500,000 to $1,000,000 today.
Whilst there are a lot better cars for that money (new) it's the historic and nostalgic + scarcity that give them their value.
The Unitron/Polarex scopes are a similar example.

[DavidU]

I have been (very slowly) putting together my 110mm Unitron f12.
It's a thing people have with vintage quality things these days. A mate of mine just paid $400K for a 1959 Gibson Les Paul guitar. Some of my vintage watches are now fetching big bucks. It's all to do with a brand name, rarity and quality and of course fuelled by the boys toys mentality.
One nice thing for me is I get to work on all this expensive vintage music equipment.

[Max Vondel]

Those early unitrons looked very impressive when I was a kid.
And prices of $1000.00's for very modest aperatures! (like 90mm!)
(astro optic supplies in the early 80's!)
and before mike started bintel.

I still can't believe what people will pay for a 3.5" Questar!

[ballaratdragons]

speaking of mad collectors of Unitron.

I have a 2" 32mm Unitron EP and I will not part with it.

It is a Galaxy magnet, as well as being a work of art :)

[Geoff45]

4" Unitron refractor for $1280 -- In those days (1960's) it would have been close on a year's salary. Note how they did layers before PhotoShop!
Geoff

[The Mekon]

I do remember the Unitrons back in the 1960's. A 5" photo equatorial on a pier could set you back $2000 - a new Holden was not much more!

My point is that some of these Unitrons are over-rated. I consider the Vixens of the 1980s and 90s to be a better scope, and they can be had for cheaper prices.

[gts055]

Unitron telescopes look great, like my classic 75mm F16, but Vixen made some wonderful long achromats too :) Mark