Tasco telescope

[pompa]

Spoke with Mike last year about giving away my old Tasco 9-1/2" reflector.
I will give it away to a keen young or (not so young) amateur.
Firstly, I would like someone to show me how to use it.
The telescope is large has a timber mount and a few dings, caused by me trying to adjust it outside.
I have spoken with Tasco and it cannot be fitted with a new mount.
Despite my lack of usage I am fond of it and so want it to go where it will be used.
If there is an Iceinspacer in my area and would like to test it and or know of a good new home please contact me. I'm in Berkeley Vale, Central Coast NSW Australia.


Di (pompa)

[Ian Robinson]

When did Tasco make a 9.5" (newtonian) telescope ??

[matt]

Originally Posted by Ian Robinson

When did Tasco make a 9.5" (newtonian) telescope ??

Yeah

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Should that be 9.5cm?

[Ian Robinson]

Originally Posted by rmcpb

Should that be 9.5cm?

Tasco had a 4" refractor at one stage. I saw one on display in Ken Leech's department at The Store on Hunter Street in 1973 , when I met Mrs.Towers (she used to outreach in Newcastle).

[dsscse (David)]

Originally Posted by Ian Robinson

Tasco had a 4" refractor at one stage. I saw one on display in Ken Leech's department at The Store on Hunter Street in 1973 , when I met Mrs.Towers (she used to outreach in Newcastle).

I have an old TR114 (mm) Newt Reflector with GEM on wooden tripod [circ.1984] does that sound like it?
I think though it would ruin the hobby for anyone just getting started, but may give it to a good home if it is wanted and its limitations are understood

[Ian Robinson]

Originally Posted by dsscse

I have an old TR114 (mm) Newt Reflector with GEM on wooden tripod [circ.1984] does that sound like it?
I think though it would ruin the hobby for anyone just getting started, but may give it to a good home if it is wanted and its limitations are understood

No it was definitely a refractor , I had (and still have, can't kill it) a Tasco 60mm refractor that was a baby version of it and I knew the difference between newtonians and refractors by then. Can't help with a model number.
I'd been lusting over the 4" Unitrons for a few years at that stage and big Tasco looked smiliar , with the same kind of pedestal as their top of the line scope did those days.

[dsscse (David)]

Oh well, we will work it out eventually. I still cringe when thinking of the wonderful GEM EQ-.25 with soft wood Tri-Pod as the 4.5" reflector would take just less than 30 seconds to stop vibrating each time it was touched or I breathed on it

[Ian Robinson]

Originally Posted by dsscse

Oh well, we will work it out eventually. I still cringe when thinking of the wonderful GEM EQ-.25 with soft wood Tri-Pod as the 4.5" reflector when touched would take just less than 30 seconds to stop vibrating each time it was touched or I breathed on it

Those Tasco wood tripods really were (and still are) wobbly, but at least the optics and OTAs (in the 70s and 80s anyway) were good. Can't say the same now .
And the rubbish gems they came with really detracted from the experience of using them - I wonder how many amateurs have given up on astronomy and telescopes based on their experiences , disappointments and fustrations with Tasco (and the like) telescopes ?