Go Back   IceInSpace > Equipment > Eyepieces, Barlows and Filters

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread
  #1  
Old 12-11-2019, 02:22 PM
Startrek (Martin)
Registered User

Startrek is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Sydney and South Coast NSW
Posts: 5,990
Televue Apollo 11 Commemorative Eye Piece

Did anyone consider buying one of the Televue Apollo 11 commemorative eye pieces for an investment for the future
Only 300 made , I guess they were sold out in the first day , probably in the US
At $2000Aus they were ridiculously priced but hey only 300 in the world
I would have bought one for sure
Comments ?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-11-2019, 06:43 PM
Slawomir's Avatar
Slawomir (Suavi)
Registered User

Slawomir is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: North Queensland
Posts: 3,240
It would be uber-cool to buy a pair for a bino-scope
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 13-11-2019, 11:54 AM
gregbradley's Avatar
gregbradley
Registered User

gregbradley is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 17,877
What is it, a repackaged Nagler for US$1245?

Greg.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 13-11-2019, 12:45 PM
Startrek (Martin)
Registered User

Startrek is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Sydney and South Coast NSW
Posts: 5,990
I was thinking more of an historical iconic collector’s item in 20 or 30 years time for my grandkids , rather than a technical comparison to other eye pieces
Although it does have a larger AFOV and more eye relief than the Nagler , so it would be an excellent eye piece just the same
Yes of course I can’t justify the cost but ........
If I had one, it would be in my 12” Goto dob on the next clear night for sure
Bit like an old car , a restored 1971 GTHO ford falcon are pushing close to $100k today and in 30 years time maybe $250k???
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 13-11-2019, 04:16 PM
casstony
Registered User

casstony is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Warragul, Vic
Posts: 4,493
Astronomy gear is great fun, but I wouldn't think of it as an investment - more of a black hole financially
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 13-11-2019, 07:11 PM
GrahamL's Avatar
GrahamL
pro lumen

GrahamL is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: ballina
Posts: 3,263
True Tony once past the event horizon money never comes back out !
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15-11-2019, 12:14 PM
william123 (William)
Registered User

william123 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: U.S.A.
Posts: 17
"There's a sucker born every minute." -- attributed to P. T. Barnum
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 18-11-2019, 05:08 AM
Don Pensack's Avatar
Don Pensack
Registered User

Don Pensack is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 501
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregbradley View Post
What is it, a repackaged Nagler for US$1245?

Greg.
No, an entirely new design, 85°, long eye relief.
See the following from TeleVue (you can find pix on line):
While the Lunar landing of Apollo 11 inspired generations
of people in countless ways, a unique experience in
the development phase of the Apollo program inspired one
man on a journey which would eventually change amateur
astronomers’ views of the heavens. As an optical designer at
Farrand Optical Company, Tele Vue founder Al Nagler was
tasked to design an optical system for a simulator which the
Apollo astronauts would use to practice landing on the Moon.
When he finally stepped into the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM)
trainer to see how his optical system performed, the view out
of the craft’s iconic triangular window of the simulated Moon
below and stars above was breath-taking. Little did he realize
at the time, but that was the moment of inspiration that ultimately
resulted in the “Nagler” eyepiece. (See “The Eyepiece That
Changed Observing,” Astronomy, Dec. 2005.)
Tele Vue Apollo 11 Specifications
Development Team: Paul Dellechiaie, Al Nagler, David Nagler
F.L.: 11mm
A.F.o.V.: 85°
Eye Relief: 18mm
F.S. dia. (effective): 16.2mm
Coatings: Glass matched multi-coatings on all surfaces
Barrel dia.: 1.25” with 2” thread-on adapter
Filter Thd.: 1.25” and 2”
Length: 4.8”
Width: 2.13”
Weight (2”/1.25”): 21.9 oz. (1.37 lbs.) / 18.6-oz. (1.16 lbs.)
Total Production: 300
In recognition of the 50th anniversary of
the Apollo 11 Moon landing, Tele Vue is
proud to celebrate our founder’s contribution
to the greater effort that made the mission
possible and ultimately successful. The
special, limited edition commemorative Tele
Vue Apollo 11mm eyepiece pays tribute to
the simulator program that was invaluable to
astronaut training and to the direct influence
it had on the eyepieces we enjoy today.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 18-11-2019, 07:23 AM
Startrek (Martin)
Registered User

Startrek is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Sydney and South Coast NSW
Posts: 5,990
Don
Thanks for your comprehensive detailed history and background into the development of the Apollo 11 eye piece to mark a milestone in human space exploration and amateur astronomy
Well done !
I don’t think any of these eye pieces reached our shores , I’m surprised Televue only produced 300 , considering their total sales of eye pieces across the globe I would have thought at least 3000 might have been produced so at least countries around the world may have had some chance in securing one
But I suppose it is a commemorative eye piece with significant meaning
Thanks again
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 18-11-2019, 07:32 AM
Don Pensack's Avatar
Don Pensack
Registered User

Don Pensack is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 501
TeleVue is a small company. I think they invested well over a quarter million dollars in this one eyepiece. I doubt they would have had the capital for 3000 of them.
They told me they learned a lot when designing and producing this one. I'm hoping we see some "trickle down" in future offerings. Fingers crossed......
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 18-11-2019, 12:47 PM
UniPol's Avatar
UniPol
I Prefer Refractors

UniPol is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lithgow, NSW
Posts: 1,670
Quote:
Originally Posted by Startrek View Post
Don
Thanks for your comprehensive detailed history...........
I don’t think any of these eye pieces reached our shores , I’m surprised Televue only produced 300.................
Thanks again
Seems Bintel did have 6, their ad is a little unclear, says 2 left available, but down below says sold out due to popular demand and their main ad says Backorder 2-3 weeks. Sent three emails to them but no reply? Price $2099! See link : https://www.bintel.com.au/product/te...v=6cc98ba2045f
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 19-11-2019, 03:47 AM
dreamstation's Avatar
dreamstation (James)
Registered User

dreamstation is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Fraser Coast QLD
Posts: 159
Quote:
Originally Posted by UniPol View Post
Sent three emails to them but no reply?
I've sent Bintel two separate emails over the last 6 months or so on an unrelated topic and neither got a reply. Not sure what's happening with their online side of things but not a good look.

"Have a question about this product? Ask an expert!"

Right.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 19-11-2019, 03:16 PM
dreamstation's Avatar
dreamstation (James)
Registered User

dreamstation is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Fraser Coast QLD
Posts: 159
According to the "pre-Christmas sale" email that I received from Bintel today they still have 2 of these eyepieces for sale. They may or may not have sold since then, I don't know.

I should rephrase my last post about not receiving emails from Bintel. I get their advertising ones but not a response to the questions I send.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 19-11-2019, 06:48 PM
Startrek (Martin)
Registered User

Startrek is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Sydney and South Coast NSW
Posts: 5,990
Thanks James
I’ll ring Bintel in the morning
Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 20-11-2019, 11:30 AM
N1 (Mirko)
Registered User

N1 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Dunners Nu Zulland
Posts: 1,661
Quote:
Originally Posted by UniPol View Post
Price $2099!
You could get a ZAO for that and have enough change for the Docter 12.5.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 20-11-2019, 01:20 PM
Startrek (Martin)
Registered User

Startrek is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Sydney and South Coast NSW
Posts: 5,990
Ordered one today , arriving early to mid December
It will be a unique addition to my existing Televue collection
And yes my collection doesn’t include any Naglers
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 22-11-2019, 10:09 AM
SkyWatch (Dean)
Registered User

SkyWatch is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 400
It will be great to hear your first light report! I communicated with Bintel about these a few weeks back, but unfortunately the "finance department" wasn't impressed with the price... (From memory the response was "NO WAY!")

Only 4 in Australia so should hold its value for you fairly well: but will you be game to use it in case it gets scratched?

All the best,

Dean
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 22-11-2019, 08:04 PM
Startrek (Martin)
Registered User

Startrek is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Sydney and South Coast NSW
Posts: 5,990
Yes I was lucky to secure one as TV initially released 3 to Australia then after a second request another 3 were released
I will certainly be using this eye piece ( carefully) it’s not going to be in a trophy cabinet
Pending clear skies my first target during a 60% waxing moon will be the Apollo 11 landing site in the Sea of Tranquility for historical and personal reasons using my 12” Goto dob under Bortle 3 skies
Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 25-11-2019, 11:51 AM
sil's Avatar
sil (Steve)
Not even a speck of dust

sil is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Canberra
Posts: 1,474
Make sure you take observation notes with a Montegrappa Moon Landing Limited Edition Fountain Pen
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 25-11-2019, 12:53 PM
Startrek (Martin)
Registered User

Startrek is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Sydney and South Coast NSW
Posts: 5,990
I am extremely happy about purchasing this unique eye piece representing an important part of history. It is a high quality, well engineered optical instrument that will provide stunning views in any telescope ( not just a gimmick )
I certainly will respect other points of views on this eye piece

Maybe one day in the future when I’m long gone , my kids , grandkids and great grant kids will have something passed on that is unique , of some value and was a significant part of my later life to remember me by
Apologies for being sentimental......
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +10. The time is now 12:18 AM.

Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.7 | Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Advertisement
Testar
Advertisement
Bintel
Advertisement