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Gary-
 I've seen them selling for $1270 "standard" and $1380 "ultra" from one
source, but up to $1700 from other sources.
So, yes, someone on eBay was looking to save $424 to $800.

No guarantee? Well, that's the nature of used goods. There are some
guarantees available through eBay, PayPal, and escrow services, plus insured
shipping. And if you saw the picture--that looks new.  Many eBay sellers
will also offer a return privelege of some sort, i.e. you may have to pay
return shipping plus auction fees, but they'll stand behind their
representation.

<>
 That might well be all part of why he was selling it.  That lens is what
usually marks the Horizon Ultra, not the Horizon model. Looking at his
picture and my Horizon Ultra side by side, I think he sold a Horizon Ultra.
The split prism is the leftmost (THICK) filter in the group at the top right
of his picture.

 I got mine from an estate sale for somewhat less, and subsequently found
out that one of the trammels (triggers) was broken, and that there was
leaking in the battery area. The battery area turns out to be overbuilt, it
all stripped and cleaned back as new, too. Instead of a moden sealed bit of
plastic, it breaks down completely so it can be cleaned completely.

C&P were extraordinary, they air mailed back a new trigger, new manual,
personal engraved bronze plaque for the new owner, and two spare bulbs. (I
had enquired about how to find one.) All gratis.

Net result? I was inconvenienced, but not damaged. C&P weren't sure of the
age of mine, vaguely 1980, so I took the extra step of disassembling it,
removing all the old lubes, and replacing them with Krytox. (It should never
need to be lubed again in my life.) It did need routine adjusting, but any
old sextant will.

 I would suggest that is nothing is obviously bent or broken, when the
picture looks that big, sometimes you have to gamble. I'd be very unhappy to
sell mine for less, and would expect slightly more.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Harkins" 
To: 
Sent: Sunday, March 21, 2004 4:33 PM
Subject: Cassens and Plath Sextant


I just watched a Cassens and Plath sextant on ebay during the last few
minutes of frenzied bidding.  This sextant is 5 years old, the owner didn't
know
much about it (at least he couldn't tell me if it had the double prism
lens), and
went for $846.00.  What would make otherwise sane people (presumably) pay
2/3
of what they could buy new for a sextant that has no REAL guarantees?

   

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