Starmaster 7" Oak Classic

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Brand and Model:Starmaster 7" Oak Classic
Price ($USD):699
Type:Newtonian
Attributes: un-checked Go-To un-checked PEC
Aperture:178mm (7")
f Ratio:f/5.6
Focal Length:995mm
Finder:Telrad optional
Electric Power:None
Mount:Dobsonian
Tripod:None
Weight (lbs):41 lbs.
Dimensions (w/h/d):48 "x 16 " x 16 "
Description:96% enhanced coatings on secondary. Hand figured Raycraft primary mirror.
Astro Systems secondary holder and spider. Ventilated steel primary mirror cell. 1 1/4 " JSL Crayford focuser standard. Heavy weight tube. Impeccable workmanship and optics. 2 " focuser available, upgraded coatings available,
installed digital setting circles available, Telrad installed available.

Starmaster 7" f/5.6 Oak Classic Page
Todd Gross's Review
Ed Ting's Review

Vote Highlights Vote
Starmaster 7" Oak Classic
I own the original version which was the travel version. It was grey flecked. The top tube inverted into the mirror box,
for compactness. It has been shipped to Peru and California for observing. It has a superb Alan Raycraft 7 inch f 5 mirror.
It was custom focal length in order to fit in an airplane. F 5.6 was too long. This telescope was purchased from Rick Singmaster in November 1994 and still looks like new. It has refractor like images, using a small secondary on a single stalk.
I do not find collimating it a problem. The telescope has a 2 inch focuser (custom option)
I loaned it out at the 2004 TSP to a novice observer and all who looked through it kept remarking about the superb optics.
I think only about 40 of this style were made. The 7 inch Oak Classic replaced it. Very portable and versatile. Smooth mirror makes planets sharp, and dark nebulae stand out crisply under dark skies with a 35 mm Panoptic.

Overall Rating: 8
Optics:10 Mount:5 Ease of Use:9 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=361573

Starmaster 7" Oak Classic
best in it's class only 150 made..grab one if u can

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=38351

Starmaster 7" Oak Classic
Incredible optics - when I first got my scope, there was
a problem with the mirror, which Rick Singmaster replaced
as soon as I told him about it. The new mirror has superb
star test characteristics; but the best test is observing,
and this scope performs like it's 2-3 inches bigger than it
is. The mechanics too are top-notch. Altitude and azimuth
are both silky-smooth, with no noticeable backlash. The
only thing I would change is the relatively low position
of the scope and mount - If you're looking near the horizon,
the eyepiece is only a couple of feet above the ground.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=38349

Starmaster 7" Oak Classic
I have the older version, which folded for compactness but is no
longer available. It is very good. The allignment is challenging
with a single arm diagonal, and the focuser barely reaches focus
with some eyepieces. Still, and excellent creative design. Good
work Rick! I use it with a 32 mm Konig 2" for wide field low
power, and 18 mm Meade for medium power. A great portable scope
that is used mostly by my 10 y.o. daughter. Hands down superior
and more interesting than the 6" or 8" dobs sold by the big companies.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=38348

Starmaster 7" Oak Classic
Excellent first scope, or as a second scope, too. Easy to set up easy to assemble, sturdy construction, fantastic optics.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=38347

Starmaster 7" Oak Classic
Absolutely the finest available in its class. Can't be beat for the price.
Rick Singmaster is great to do business with.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=38346

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