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    Re: Any happy/unhappy Astra IIIB owners here?
    From: John Kabel
    Date: 2001 Apr 21, 3:57 AM

    JJK replies:
    
    I have the standard IIIB and have never been so happy with a purchase in
    my life!  The index error was 0 out of the box and stayed that way for
    almost a year.  I used this instrument for about a 1000 sights in
    preparation for the CPS Navigator Course.  Absolutely great, and the
    folks at Celestaire have been very accomodating.
    
    Watch the fittings on the box though to make sure they stay tight.  You
    don't want the handle coming off because of a loose nut.  Not the
    sextant's fault, but no damage done either, as the handle gave way just
    as I lifted it.
    
    P/Cd John Kabel, N
    Past Commander
    London Power and Sail Squadron
    London, Ontario, Canada
    
    "Richard B. Emerson" wrote:
    >
    > FWIW, I'd pass on the Deluxe only because the sole difference is that
    > the mirrors are front silvered instead of rear silvered.  You can do
    > the mirrors later if it really bothers you.  In my experience, though,
    > it simply doesn't matter.
    >
    > My Astra IIIb is about five years old; the newer ones have a slighly
    > different scope (different body shape and no faux leather covering).
    > The only real beef I have with the Astra is the battery compartment
    > which isn't particularly well sealed on my sextant.
    >
    > I also have an older Plath (let's hear it for eBay!) and it's heavier
    > (brass frame) but the Astra has a vernier scale while the Plath
    > doesn't.  The Plath can be tiring with long rounds of sights while the
    > lighter aluminum Astra frame is easier to hold for extended periods.
    > OTOH, I think the Plath's inertia sometimes helps to steady a shot.
    > >From the deck of a small boat (35') the results are the same.
    >
    > I hope this helps.
    >
    > Rick
    > S/V One With The Wind, Baba 35
    >
    > Yves Arrouye writes:
    >  > Hi all,
    >  >
    >  > I think I'm going to buy an Astra IIIB deluxe, traditional mirror, tomorrow.
    >  > I won't really be able to use it immediately except for fun, but a friend
    >  > mentionned an Atlantic crossing this year maybe, and that decided me: I have
    >  > my excuse now :)
    >  >
    >  > Any comments on the sextant from owners would be welcome.
    >  >
    >  > Thanks,
    >  > YA
    >  > --
    >  > My opinions do not necessarily reflect my company's.
    >  > The opposite is also true..
    

       
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