NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Re: The "big" sextant manufactures
From: Robert Eno
Date: 2007 Oct 28, 10:25 -0400
From: Robert Eno
Date: 2007 Oct 28, 10:25 -0400
Free Plath sextants? Gee Frank, where was I when they were handing them out? Seriously, as a Plath enthusiast, I believe that Plath's reputation is well-deserved. I cannot say I have used every brand of sextant but I have used a lot and in my humble opinion, Plath is the best of the lot. When I say "Plath" I am referring to both Cassens and Plath and C.Plath. The only edge I give to C.Plath is the bronze (as opposed to brass) frame. My own C.Plath has been modified to include the best of both Plaths. For example, the Cassens and Plath handle can be completely disassembled for repair and inspection, whereas the C.Plath handle cannot. Additionally, the upper pillar on the C.Plath handle is glued into place (puzzling). Cassens and Plath is firmly bolted. Anyhow, I replaced the C.Plath handle with a Cassens and Plath handle to make the sextant as a whole, easier to repair. I've replaced a few other C.Plath components with Cassens and Plath components for the same reason. I like to think I have the best of both worlds. And for anyone who has doubts about the superb engineering that went behind C.Plath sextants, I invite people to examine one of their older model bubble attachments (the version where the size of the bubble can be increased or decreased). I cannot, however, say the same for the post 1993 C.Plaths; ditto for their later model of bubble attachment. I don't know what came over them when they decided to deviate from the original designs. I understand that the rationale was to cut down on the number of component parts, which from the point of view of the repair man was a step backwards. I rather admire John Karl for daring to say that he felt that the C.Plath he examined was junk. I like a man who isn't afraid to take a shot at a sacred cow. Nevertheless, I disagree with his assertion. I wonder if was John examining one of the older Plath models with a much older telescope? I believe that the design of the scope improved considerably in the 1960s. I still want to take up John's advice and have a look at the Navy Mk II. Robert P.S. Frank, do give me advance notice when one of the big guns has a sextant give away promotion drive? I'll be happy to write up a review. ----- Original Message ----- From:To: Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2007 10:33 PM Subject: [NavList 3660] Re: The "big" sextant manufactures > > Alex, you wrote: > "I want to understand just HOW this reputation of "Rolls-Royce of > sextants" > was made." > > Advertising? :-) Free sextants for reviewers?? :-> > > -FER > > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ To post to this group, send email to NavList@fer3.com To , send email to NavList-@fer3.com -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---