Swift Telescopes info needed

Hi,
I am looking to purchase a used telescope and have found an "Aerolite
Astronomical Telescope Model 859". I think the maker is Swift but I am
told the scope does not have the name Swift on it.
I haven't seen the scope in person as yet. I'm just going by what I was
told on the phone.
I was also told it's 910mm focal length. Does this sound familiar to
any Swift telescope anyone knows of?
Going by the description it's a refractor since the eyepiece is on the
end and it's on a tripod. There is a Swift 859D but it's a Dobs.
Any help appreciated,
Thanks,
James

wrote:

I was also told it's 910mm focal length. Does this sound familiar to
any Swift telescope anyone knows of?


My Meade 4500 reflector has a 910mm focal length so I don't know what
can be read into this. However, I don't believe I have ever seen a
Swift reflector.

Going by the description it's a refractor since the eyepiece is on the
end and it's on a tripod.

Well, the eyepiece certainly is not gonna be in the middle ;o)
but. . .get the guy to describe which end the ep is located.
and. . .ask him if there is a big lens closing off the tube or if the
tube is open.
then. . .you'll have a better understanding of what this pig in a poke is.


Martin

My Meade 4500 reflector has a 910mm focal length so I don't know what
can be read into this. However, I don't believe I have ever seen a
Swift reflector.

I am quite sure that I saw ads in Astronomy Mag back in the early 90's for
swift reflectors, 4.5 inchers on an EQ mount, similar to your Meade 4500.

jon

Jon Isaacs wrote:

I am quite sure that I saw ads in Astronomy Mag back in the early 90's for
swift reflectors, 4.5 inchers on an EQ mount, similar to your Meade 4500.


I do believe that you are correct, Jon.



Martin

On Wed, 08 Dec 2004 11:07:34 -0800, "Martin R. Howell"
wrote:

wrote:

I was also told it's 910mm focal length. Does this sound familiar to
any Swift telescope anyone knows of?


My Meade 4500 reflector has a 910mm focal length so I don't know what
can be read into this. However, I don't believe I have ever seen a
Swift reflector.

Many years ago, Swift used to sell refractors that were kind of
a poor man's Unitron, but quite serviceable. Now, I'm sure they
are just re-branding whatever junk they can find.
-Rich

Thanks for the help to all. I think I just need to go have a look at
this thing in person. It's about 70 miles away and I was just trying to
get an idea of what it was before commiting to the trip. It comes with
HM20mm, SR4mm, and HM6mm lens, a Barlow, and sun filter as well. He's
asking $200 but is open to trades for other items. I really wanted a
goto scope but I think this will get me started since it has setting
circles.
Thats a good idea about asking if the upper end is open. I asked him
many times where the ep was and he finally said on the end and not on
the side although I still wonder if I made myself clear. This is why I
figured it was a refractor and not a reflector.
Swift was the only maker I could find that had a model 859 although
it's an 859D and is a dobs.

thanks,
James

Thanks for the help to all. I think I just need to go have a look at
this thing in person. It's about 70 miles away and I was just trying to
get an idea of what it was before commiting to the trip. It comes with
HM20mm, SR4mm, and HM6mm lens, a Barlow, and sun filter as well.

He's
asking $200 but is open to trades for other items.

For $200 plus $40 shipping you can get yourself a much better scope. Those
eyepieces are the tip off.

Setting circles, on a small shaky EQ mount, not of really any use. Those
eyepieces, they are most likely 0.965 rather than the standard 1.25 and are of
the most inferior type. Most likely you could buy an equivilent new scope for
less.

Here's the place with the deal:

http://www.speednetllc.com/dbaastron...20December.htm

Check out the 6 inch Dob...

jon isaacs

Thanks for the link. One question I have always had about dobs is, How
do you point a dobs? Do they have setting circles? I have had a few
inexpensive refractors all with setting circles but never a dobs.
I forgot to ask him about the eyepiece size. I was aware that the
better eyepieces use the 1.25 form factor but forgot to ask. I'm going
to call him back tonight and try to clarify what were talking about. I
have a few items that I no longer need (or want) that I was going to
try and trade him with. Wouldn't hurt to try:-)

Thanks,
James

wrote:

Thanks for the link. One question I have always had about dobs is, How
do you point a dobs? Do they have setting circles? I have had a few
inexpensive refractors all with setting circles but never a dobs.

Dobs are (typically) an all-manual affair. You start by pointing them
roughly in the right direction with your knowledge of constellations
(or a map), you then use the telrad and/or finder to get closer,
likely aided by maps (if it's not an object you are familiar with),
then get to the eyepiece and star-hop to the right spot. To track you
nudge it every now and then to keep the target in the field of view,
or if you have a really smooth one track constantly with your hand or
nose. It's easier than it sounds, but not to everyones taste.

There are digital setting circles ("mechanical" setting circles aren't
possible as the axes of the mount aren't aligned with the rotation of
the earth/celestial coordinates) and goto for dobs, but they are less
common with dobs than other mounts.

This may be patronising, but... Incidentally, the singular is usually
"dob" (or "Dob"?). It's a contraction of "Dobsonian", a style of mount
invented by John Dobson. A search on the net should find you some info
on the man and the mount.


Tim
--
This is not my signature.

I spoke with the man again tonight and think I'm just going to back off
on this one. I think I will be happier saving up for a new Goto scope.
It does seem to be a refractor since he said there was a lens at the
upper end. That much he knew because he had cleaned it and oiled the
moving parts. ( Oh no...Oil??) When he said that I envisioned a
telescope with a dipstick:-) lol
Thanks to all for the help and support. I never had such a good
response from a news group request. There must be a bunch of great
people on here. (OK, OK, so I'm a suck up:-)

Thanks again,
James