Tele Vue 4.8mm Naglers (2) - $140 & $125 **SOLD**

To the even the recently indoctrinated amateur astronomer Tele Vue is a name brand that needs no introduction. Tele Vue's optical accessories are regarded as the icing atop the astronomy heap. The popular Nagler line has been around for years and are essentially worshiped by masses of amateur astronomers and casual observers who demand the highest in contrast, sharpness and depth.

Scope Freaks has two great Tele Vue 1.25" eyepieces available. These are both powerful 4.8mm Naglers in almost new condition. The older of the two, seen at left above, hail from the early/mid 90s. The second was only recently acquired. Both are manufactured in Japan. In our tests we didn't see a great deal of visual differences between the two. Both eyepieces performed as expected and yielded the sort of stellar 82° views one expects from the experts at Tele Vue.

We've got boxes and end caps for both eyepieces. The price difference is merely based on our own costs.

Early 4.8mm  Nagler -  $125
Newer 4.8mm Nagler-  $140

Interested? Contact us: scopefreaks(at)gmail.com

Celestron CGEM Mount - $675 **SOLD**

We've got a used heavy duty CGEM series mount made by Celestron. This is a professional mount/tripod for the enthusiast and astrophotographer.

This one looks a bit rough around the edges but is sturdy and functioning smoothly. Includes hand controller, GPS unit, accessory tray, cables, two counterweights, polar scope. We've also got a adapter plate. We recommend only using this mount with an SCT type scope or a lighter weight newtonian scope under 30 lbs.

Detailed info on this mount here

The plastic hand controller holder that attaches to the tripod leg is missing as well as the left azimuth adjustment knob. This doesn't really make a huge difference as it relates to getting polar aligned however.

These mounts are $1350 new from Celestron. We'd rather not ship this item as its just too much weight. We can deliver within the LA/OC/Inland Empire region of California however, or meet buyer at an agreed location that suits us both.

Interested? Contact scopefreaks(at)gmail.com

2" BW-OPTIK 30MM 80° ULTRAWIDE Eyepiece - $72 ** SOLD**

Scope Freaks has this awesome 2" eyepiece for sale. The BW-Optik Ultrawide employs 5-element design (not Erfle). Ultrawide uses fully multicoated high index glasses producing high transmission. This high light transmission is visible when you push your telescope to its magnitude limit. The Ultrawide has 22mm of eye relief and no kidney bean effect. Scope Freaks has had this EP around for a few months and we've been wowed by its performance under dark skies. Images come through bright and clean and the field of view is spectacular. We found this eyepiece worked especially well on slower scopes. If you are looking for a good hunk of glass to show you some beautiful wide angle views, this is it. We're selling this bad boy for $70 and that includes shipping in CONUS.

Interested? Contact scopefreaks(at)gmail.com

Celestron CG-5 Computerized Mount $540 **SOLD**

Scope Freaks has an awesome computerized telescope mount and tripod for an amazing price. We acquired this from a gentleman who became disabled not long after purchasing the scope. He got all of one chance to use the set up, which came with a 10" reflector. We're hanging on to the telescope itself for the time being but offering this fantastic mount for more than $200 below what Celestron sells it for. Everything is included: mount head, tripod, cables, controller, counter weights and manual. We've put it through all the necessary tests and its as good as new. This is an opportunity to score a practically new professional telescope mount for well under retail.

Some features of this mount include:


- 40,000 object database with over 100 user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects
- Custom database lists of all the most famous deep-sky objects by name and catalog number, stars, solar system objects and asterisms
- DC Servo motors with encoders on both axes
- Flash upgradeable hand control software and motor control units for downloading product updates over the Internet
- Autoguider port for long exposure astrophotography
- RS-232 communication port on hand control to control the telescope via a personal computer
- GPS-compatible with optional SkySync GPS Accessory (93969)

We can ship at buyer's expense and as always, we deliver throughout Southern California in the LA, Orange County, Inland Empire region. Pick up is free or we'll meet you halfway at a reasonable distance. We accept PayPal(add 3% to cover fees), cash and money orders.

Interested? Contact scopefreaks(at)gmail.com

Celestron Comet Catcher - $300 *SOLD**

Nostalgia + Great Optics = Classic Scope

Anyone who is old enough to remember the 1986 visitation by Haley's Comet might also recall the telescope industry's rush to produce as many scopes as possible to make the event that much more exciting and accessible to the public. For some manufacturers this meant rushing production on some highly regarded models of telescopes. Reputations suffered as a result of poor quality control, and many experienced and aspiring amateur astronomers were left disgruntled. But for Celestron, their 5-5" Comet Catcher RFT was a hit and to this day it is remembered fondly by those who purchased or looked through one. The old Comet Catchers are a thing of the past now and its not easy to find one in the wild, but Scope Freaks recently acquired this gem of a scope and we're happy to offer it to the collector or first time scope buyer.

We were pleasantly surprised to discover how well cared for this scope was. Scopes this old and rare are not often found, especially in this condition. We took it out for a test run the day we found it and were astounded at the crisp and bright imagery. We focused on the moon and some bright stars, as well as the famous globular cluster M13 in Hercules. The moon really blew us away. The view was as good as any refractor we've tried out recently. 

Early 1980s Comet Catcher Ad

Apart from its great optics and reputation, the Comet Catcher is highly portable, light and easy to set up. The adjustable tripod appears to be of solid aluminum build. There was no accessory tray included with this one but those can be readily had at just about any scope dealer. We found that manual slewing was simple and smooth. There is some slight looseness in the focus knob but ultimately we were able to focus on all targeted objects. Both mirrors are in great condition encased behind the glass affixed to the front of the tube. We managed to locate a downloadable manual as well.

Some additional info and images:


Aperture: 140mm (5.5")
f Ratio: f/3.6
Focal Length: 500mm
Finder: 6x30mm

We're making this nifty little piece of telescope history available for only $300 + shipping in CONUS. We'll waive PayPal fees and accept cash and money order payments as well. As an added bonus we are including a 10mm plossl with this scope as well as the reprinted manual. We also welcome local pick-up in the Los Angeles area or offer delivery within 40 miles of the San Gabriel Valley.

Interested? Contact scopefreaks(at)gmail.com

Another handful of eyepieces! **SOLD**

Scope Freaks has a few more eyepieces to offer. They are:

Silvertop 20mm Plossl - $22 

Zhummel 12.5mm Plossl - $14 

Meade MA 9mm (1980s version) - $25 

Orion Ultrascopic (1990s version) 7.5mm - $62 

Silvertop 6.3mm Plossl - $20 

The Orion Ultrascopic is a real gem. Great contrast and eye relief and a true cluster buster. 

All EPs are in Excellent to good condition. The 1980s Meade MA has some wear on the barrel but glass is good.

Interested? Contact scopefreaks(at)gmail.com

SkyWatcher 200N w/ SynScan EQ5 GoTo Mount - $685 **SOLD**

Scope Freaks has this awesome SkyWatcher 8" Reflecting Telescope up for grabs. This was obtained in September of 2011 and used sparingly over the past several months. Optically speaking, this is our best scope. Absolutely spot-on images - crisp, bright and sharp as a tack. We did some lunar shots with this scope with stunningly good results. This makes not just a great observing scope but as an imaging one as well. Attach your DSLR to it or a good CCD imager and you'll score some great shots!

The GoTo mount makes locating sky objects a cinch. There are 13740 objects catalogued into the SynScan computer. Slewing is smooth and accurate. 

Everything on this scope is fully functional. At time of original purchase this scope sold for around $1100. SkyWatcher are highly regarded for their optics. Their line of scopes are largely sold in Canada and Europe so its not often you run across them at your local dealer.

The particulars:

Highest Practical Power (Potential): x400

Diameter of Primary Mirror: 200mm

Telescope Focal Length: 1000mm (f/5)

Dual-Fit 1.25"/2" Crayford Focuser

Parabolic Primary Mirror

0.5mm Ultra-Thin Secondary Mirror Supports

9x50 Finderscope

Direct SLR Camera Connection

EQ5 Deluxe Heavy-Duty Equatorial Mount

Includes Polar Alignment Scope

1.5" Stainless Steel Pipe Tripod with Accessory Tray

77% more Light Gathering than 150mm

A few more pictures:

 

 

Some Lunar shots we took with this scope and a Canon EOS XS DSLR:

This is a lot of weight to ship so we prefer to deal locally in the greater Los Angeles/Orange County/Inland Empire region unless buyer is willing to foot shipping costs.

Interested? Contact scopefreaks(at)gmail.com