NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Re: What is a good sextant to buy?
From: Bruce J. Pennino
Date: 2019 Sep 04, 08:44 -0500
To: bpennino.ce@charter.net
Cc:
Sent: Tuesday September 3 2019 9:04:02PM
Subject: [NavList] Re: What is a good sextant to buy?
From: Bruce J. Pennino
Date: 2019 Sep 04, 08:44 -0500
Just to add a few more good words about the Astra. The other day I almost did the unforgivable...... When taking a sight, I usually place the box on the ground or nearby bench, etc. Took my sights, replaced the Astra 3B in its position in the box, closed the cover, and started thinking about how far behind I was on many things. Grabbed the handle, and off I went. The Astra tumbled out of the box into the cover and onto a park bench. Duh! I did not latch the cover. As far as "drops" are classified, it was a tumble not a fall. I looked it over, took a few more shots, all fine, no damage.
Best wishes to all.
Bruce
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From: "Ed Popko"To: bpennino.ce@charter.net
Cc:
Sent: Tuesday September 3 2019 9:04:02PM
Subject: [NavList] Re: What is a good sextant to buy?
There is a lot to what Phillip says. The best one is the one you use.
I have an Astra IIIB and a high end C&P Horizon model (white). The C&P fit/finish, precision, materials, combos of shades, lighting etc are wonderful. But the C&P's weight is a problem for me when I'm out shooting for a long time or doing lunars which often require holding the sextant in odd angles. For me, quite fatiguing to use for long periods.
I find myself using the Astra more and more. It's a very good value for the money costing only half what the C&P goes for.