C8 Manufacture Dating

[Bob_riggs]

I have a vintage orange tube C8, serial number 219214. I believe it was manufactured in the '75/'76 era, Any info you might have to pin this down would be much appreciated.

How about it C8 owner's, weigh in and tell us what you know about when your's was made.

Thanks, and Clear Dark Skies!
Bob

[BT Technologies]

Hello Bob.. I know that there is an X Celestron employee on this site so hopefully he will chime in and give you the answers that you are looking for.

Originally Posted by Bob_Riggs

I have a vintage orange tube C8, serial number 219214. I believe it was manufactured in the '75/'76 era, Any info you might have to pin this down would be much appreciated.

How about it C8 owner's, weigh in and tell us what you know about when your's was made.

Thanks, and Clear Dark Skies!
Bob

[Bob_riggs]

Originally Posted by BT Technologies

Hello Bob.. I know that there is an X Celestron employee on this site so hopefully he will chime in and give you the answers that you are looking for.

Thank you, Brian! I look forward to his input.

I know there's a lot of C8's in use out there, and probably far more not being used. Maybe, if there is suffieient interest, we could get a C8 owner's topic area of our own going. Could be fun and stir up some interest in this subject area, swapping info on their scopes; how they are being used, accessories they have found worthwhile, and so on...

In my case, I'm awaiting delivery on the Argo Navis dsc system. Interestingly enough, Wildcard has used and continues to use an orange tube C8 as a test bed for AN development. I'd love to hear from any who are using the AN on their's.

How about it, C8'ers, let's hear from you...

CDS!
Bob

[BT Technologies]

If you have disassembled a C8 or any Celestron SC OTA before you will note that there are serial numbers on various parts of the optics and secondary. I have called into Celestron on more than a "few" ocassions but could never get anyone to assist me in findiout out when the scope was produced based on the S/N's that I obtained.

There has to be some internal way that Celestron keeps track of these numbers for their own use so this is why I am hoping that this person let's us know if there is indeed a "secret" to deciphering this.

Originally Posted by Bob_Riggs

Thank you, Brian! I look forward to his input.

I know there's a lot of C8's in use out there, and probably far more not being used. Maybe, if there is suffieient interest, we could get a C8 owner's topic area of our own going. Could be fun and stir up some interest in this subject area, swapping info on their scopes; how they are being used, accessories they have found worthwhile, and so on...

In my case, I'm awaiting delivery on the Argo Navis dsc system. Interestingly enough, Wildcard has used and continues to use an orange tube C8 as a test bed for AN development. I'd love to hear from any who are using the AN on their's.

How about it, C8'ers, let's hear from you...

CDS!
Bob

[pizwiz]

I have also called the technical folks at Celestron to find out when my 8" SCT was made and we could only come as close as the late '90's. meaning '98 to 2000. That was done by me describing details of the optical tube to him over the phone.
He explained to me that 8" Celestrons were not serialized during certain years and that no records were kept of any serialized components used.
But that there were a few years during which serial numbers were assigned and that those could be traced.
If your scope has a serial Number they might be able to trace it. Give the tech support folks a call, you might get lucky.

Adolph

[Bob_riggs]

Originally Posted by BT Technologies

If you have disassembled a C8 or any Celestron SC OTA before you will note that there are serial numbers on various parts of the optics and secondary. I have called into Celestron on more than a "few" ocassions but could never get anyone to assist me in findiout out when the scope was produced based on the S/N's that I obtained.

There has to be some internal way that Celestron keeps track of these numbers for their own use so this is why I am hoping that this person let's us know if there is indeed a "secret" to deciphering this.

Good input, Brian. Thanks, again!

I'll cast my hopes with your's for the secret desciphering. Seems bizarre that better records were not kept. Surely, they have had "bean-counters" on staff right along. Go figger...

Bob

[Bob_riggs]

Originally Posted by pizwiz

I have also called the technical folks at Celestron to find out when my 8" SCT was made and we could only come as close as the late '90's. meaning '98 to 2000. That was done by me describing details of the optical tube to him over the phone.
He explained to me that 8" Celestrons were not serialized during certain years and that no records were kept of any serialized components used.
But that there were a few years during which serial numbers were assigned and that those could be traced.
If your scope has a serial Number they might be able to trace it. Give the tech support folks a call, you might get lucky.

Adolph

Hi Adolph,

Thanks for your confirmation of the mystery. Seems there were lots of inconsistencies in the manufacturing, too. When I contacted JMI to order my Argo Navis, I was told to pull the screws on my RA and DEC axes and determine the size and thread of both. This was so the hardware package would have the right screws for the encoders. Tom told me that a wide range of screws were used with no consistent pattern. It seemed to have more to do with what Celestron had on hand at the time. It's amazing that they produced such a good product with such vagaries.

I will give tech-support a try. Lucky would be good .

Bob

[pizwiz]

That was especially true during a period of the early 80's when both Meade and Celestron amongst others had some inconsistent quality control. A lot of stuff was produced during the Comet halley madness.
It took S&T's critical series of articles to get some of the manufacturers back on track.

Adolph

[3c8s]

You can sometimes gauge the older orange tubes age based on the finish of the tube, the style of the fork arms and the size of the focus knob.
If you have some pictures of your scope, we can see if we can determine an age. Quick things to look at: pre 1976 or post based on the focuser. Shorter, fatter ones 1" high and 1" diamter knob with a 2" diameter 3/4" high base ended mid 76. There were some that had almost no base height, which I believe came in the later mid 70's, then they made the version with about a 3/4" high 1.5" diameter base with a 1.25" long knob in the late 70's, early 80's. If it has a flat smooth finish on the tube, it was mid to late 70's. If it has the velvet finish, it was very early 70's. If it has the 'orange peel' finish, then very late 70's, early 80's. If the fork arm has ribs and not holes, later 70's. If it has holes, mid 70's. If your ra knob is to the side of the RA clamp instead of below it, VERY EARLY! (And also prone to failure on the clamp!).
How do I know this. I am looking at #458 (I had to replace the base in 1979 due to the RA clamp failure), a 1972 era scope, a 1980 model and a late 1985 model. I also worked with several others in the 1978-1982 time frame that were several years old at that time.

[Bob_riggs]

3c8s,

Welcome to AC, and thanks for your input!

I gather you presently own three C8's. You are a devotee! I understand your enthusiasm. These beauties are "keepers". What are the serial numbers on you 1980 and '85 scopes, please?

I just came across a review of Robert Piekiel's CD/DVD book "Celestron, the Early Years" on CN by Rod Mollise. Sounds pretty good, and for $40.00 is worth a try. I'll post my impressions.

Thanks again, and CDS!
Bob