NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Re: Back In Hobby: Some Questions, Please
From: Robert Eno
Date: 2007 Apr 25, 15:54 -0400
From: Robert Eno
Date: 2007 Apr 25, 15:54 -0400
Bob wrote: > > > a. Are full sized frame, metal, sextants still being manufactured > anywhere ? > > b. If so, by whom, please ? Robert responds: Yes. Cassens and Plath (German) Tamaya (Japanese) Astra (Chinese/American); Frieberger (East German); This is not the complete list; only the ones that I can think of off the top of my head. Bob wrote: > c. Irrespective of price, which are acknowledged as the "best" in > quality now ? Robert responds: A subjective question. I own a C.Plath. They are acknowledged to be the finest sextant ever made. I wouldn't part with mine for any price. Unfortunately, the company has long sinced ceased to exist. The late Frank Janicek, a sextant repairman and expert navigator, considered Cassens and Plath to be just as good as C.Plath and easier to repair. Used C.Plaths can be purchased second-hand and are usually in excellent condition. I purchased mine from Robert E. White out of Boston MA. They are a long time dealer and a reputable firm. You can purchase used sextants from them with complete confidence. Since Ken Gebhart (Celestaire) partnered up with the Chinese firm that manufactures the Astra, I am told that these sextants have come a long way and are considered by many to be an excellent buy. I cannot comment directly on them as I have never used one, however, Ken is a reputable guy who has been in the business for a very long time. Like Robert E. White, you can buy with confidence. Last I checked, Ken also carries Cassens and Plath sextants. Bob wrote: > Guess I should probably get myself a new copy of Bowditch. > Looking thru Google, it seems the Gov't does not print it anymore, > although, apparently it is available from some private publisher(s). > > I now have the single blue covered 1962 single volume edition with the > really nice plastic star insert pages. I guess they don't do it like > this anymore. Robert responds: I own 3 copies. You need not look any further. As an avid navigation bibliophile, it is my humble opinion that the 1966 reprint of the 1962 edition of Bowditch is the best they ever published. My Bowditch collection extends from the 1930's up until the two-volume 1984 edition. If I could only have one, it would be the 1966 reprint. And yes, you are correct: they don't do the nice star charts with the acetate overlay. Bob wrote: > > All in all, confusing, as to what's available, and from who. > > Where would you folks suggest I go to purchase the most complete, best > printed, and clearest, volume ? > > Guess I should also ask which on line source is the most complete for > navigation related texts, etc. (other than Amazon) ? Robert responds: Starpath and Celestaire come to mind. Both reputable, both very knowlegable and both staffed by affable and helpful people. The Nautical Mind out of Vancouver BC also carries a large stock of nautical/navigation pubs. Your other option is to go second hand to www.bookfinder.com If you cannot find it there, it doesn't exist. Hope this is of some help. Welcome to the cult....'er....fold. Robert --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ To post to this group, send email to NavList@fer3.com To , send email to NavList-@fer3.com -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---