NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Re: Cassens & Plath Question
From: Scott Owen
Date: 2008 May 06, 18:25 -0500
From: Scott Owen
Date: 2008 May 06, 18:25 -0500
enoid@northwestel.net wrote: > Robert 11 wrote: > >> Really dumb that I didn't purchase a C. Plath back many years ago when >> it was still possible to do so. > > Robert(cheap seat occupant) responds: > > Not too late my friend. Check out Robert E. White & Sons of Boston, MA. I don't have the URL handy but if you do a google on them you will find the connection. This firm still deals with used sextants of high quality. I bought my C.Plath from them quite a few years ago and never regretted it. You will, however, end up paying big bucks as even the used ones fetch a high price due to their lasting quality. > > Robert 11 wrote: >> Anyway, there were post(s), I believe, that the Cassens and Plath >> offerings these days are not >> "the greatest" from a quality standpoint. >> >> If anyone might elaborate a bit as to why, and their perceived >> deficiencies, would be most appreciative. > > Robert responds: > > Here I have to be honest: I have not heard this before. I can only go on the Cassens and Plath that I owned 15 years ago and which I felt was superb in terms of quality and workmanship. In looking at the C&P's in the catalogues, they appear to have remained the same. As a bonus, the individual components are, for the most part, compatible with their C.Plath cousin. > > I am hoping Ken Gebhart will weigh into this thread as he carries C&P in his inventory. > > Robert Robert 11, From deep deep in the the back row... IMHO, C.Plath and C&P are at the top of the heap. The quality and workmanship for both is very high. I know there are some on this list who think that C.Plath and C+P are trash but I would respectfully disagree. I do not understand nor know where this bias comes from but it is here nonetheless. I own a new C&P and it is a very fine instrument of high quality. You can go to the C&P website and get all the specs on their different models if you want to compare it with other manufacturers. My C&P has two small features that I like quite a lot. The micrometer drum is adjustable for Height of Eye and there are 2 adjustable polarizing filters which is nice for both solar and lunar LOP sights. It has only ONE major fault. PRICE. From my limited blue water experience of roughly 900 days, I would suggest that any metal sextant in GOOD working condition would be adequate for practical navigation of a yacht/ship at sea. The one option you want to think over is the horizon mirror. There are basically two types "Split view" and "Full view". Most will recommend the split view mirror as it is easier to tell when the sextant is vertical when taking a sight and technically has a better image under low contrast conditions. If you want a new sextant Celestaire probably has the best prices and widest selection. Used sextants can be bought on ebay, Robert White and other places on the net. Pretty much boils down to whether you want new or used and how much money you have to spend. --Scott --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Navigation List archive: www.fer3.com/arc To post, email NavList@fer3.com To , email NavList-@fer3.com -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---