Cloudynights forums has a dedicated Classic scope section if you are looking for likeminded people? It is a bigger community (108k members vs 16k members here) so with a larger base it can support the more niche conversation areas.
It would be nice to have an Australian centred group though, there are far fewer classics here in Oz than in the US. The instruments forum would be the place to start, though. Plus not everyone agrees on what constitutes a 'classic'.
cheers,
Andrew.
As previously I'd suggest you head to CloudyNights for this as there are a LOT more users with "classic" scopes.
There is no reason why IIS should mirror established groups on CN when there is nothing to gain by doing so.
What qualifies as a "classic" scope is another matter.
1880 Thomas Cook 4.5" refractor on bronze clockwork mount ... definitely.
Anything brass that is a genuine antique pre 1920 - yes (not the fakes, which are many).
A 1960's Questar... yes.
Any Unitron/Polarex scopes - yes.
1970's Orange tube C8 - they were junk then and still are. "classic"... but still junk.
A 60mm Tasco from 1975 - fuggedaboudit, it was junk then and still is.
First I've heard of orange tube C8s from the 70s being junk. Mine's got diffraction limited optics and is no better or worse than the newer ones I've used at the observatory, and I don't think it is particularly special.
But if you're looking for help or parts refurbishing a classic - particularly if you want a 220V 50Hz motor, someone local with a lathe or a part you might want to copy, then you might have more luck here on IIS. Although I have found the Cloudy Nights folk to be a great resource, they are a long way away. Unfortunately since the OP is in Jo-berg it's not much help for him.
The awesome thing about the internet is; if you don't want to be involved, you don't have to!
I would rather we have "Classic Scopes" section than the "General Chat" one ..
I think there are actually more people interested than is apparent from the current equipment section.
What defines a "Classic", well that would be a minefield to navigate but suffice to say that a scope that was ahead of its time or had a major impact on this pastime..... Things like the Unitrons, Cave, Pentax refractors, early AstroPhysics, first generation Taks, Tasco..... Orange tube C8s
I understand the existence of this site is partly (or mostly?) thanks to people using it and the web traffic that this generates so I'm not sure referring local users elsewhere (or losing the obviously popular "general chat" section) would achieve much for keeping it up and running. I am sure there are Chinese, Argentinian or Swedish astro fora, yet we still have IIS, so a classics section on here would be perfectly fine by the same logic. Whoever doesn't see the benefit won't need to use it...simple.
I'd consider classic anything that has had a profound impact on the hobby/subject and 60mm refractors of yore have definitely done that, as have old SCTs and even the humble dob (preferably built in the spirit of John Dobson). I'd also like to see people's views on potential classics in that section.
Perhaps you could open a thread "Post photos of your classic scope here" in the equipment section and request the moderators to mark the thread sticky.
Alex
A classic scope is a scope that I would class made pre-2000. No need to be judgemental about it. I started with a 60mm Tasco (Toya) and loved it. Bought another recently and restored it and it performed very well. Whilst never owning an orange tube C8, I have looked through a few and classify them as ok. Not spectacular but not awful either.
Perhaps a classic also is a scope that appreciates in value and collectibility over the years.
I would include the Coulter sonotube dobs that made scopes of
unprecedented size available to amateurs. I have used their 17.5"
which was optically pretty good, and they did a 29" at the very cheap price
of approx. US$3000 in the mid eighties. I don't know why or when they
ceased production.
raymo
My old 1970's Mizar ( Japanese ) 80mm f 12 refractor in its beat up clothes as I got it off Gumtree locally for $150 , its only scrapes and scratches so easily fixed and optically its superb easily as good as my 90mm f10 Saxon but not as good as the 102mm f10 .
The eyepieces are ok for .965 Japanese supplied .
The mount is awesome , looks like those cheep chinese EQ,s ( EQ3.2 ? ) but trust me it is not the same ! its very solid , almost as good in use as my Vixen SP with a solid tripod holding it all up .
As a bonus it came with a brand new RA drive that had never been opened or fitted , quite the bonus on a $150 scope .
It will be my next project .
Brian.
Last edited by brian nordstrom; 23-04-2018 at 07:16 PM.
I would include the Coulter sonotube dobs that made scopes of
unprecedented size available to amateurs. I have used their 17.5"
which was optically pretty good, and they did a 29" at the very cheap price
of approx. US$3000 in the mid eighties. I don't know why or when they
ceased production.
raymo
I'll have a look through some of my old space magazines to see if I can the find 29" mirror add. I can remember dreaming about getting one of those big mirrors.
My old 1970's Mizar ( Japanese ) 80mm f 12 refractor in its beat up clothes as I got it off Gumtree locally for $150 , its only scrapes and scratches so easily fixed and optically its superb 
RA drive that had never been opened or fitted , quite the bonus on a $150 scope .
Here is the drive in its box.
