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+--- Thread: 1966 C. Plath, Hamburg sextant (/showthread.php?tid=268)
1966 C. Plath, Hamburg sextant - ZephyrNYC - 12-30-2024
Happy New Year's Eve Eve ??? to you all!
Have you used a 1966 C. Plath sextant, or similar, before? How was it? Would you buy one as your primary sextant?
Sincerely,
Frank A.
RE: 1966 C. Plath, Hamburg sextant - PeterB - 01-01-2025
I have done practice sights with a Weems and Plath sextant built circa late 1980's. Not exactly the same as what you are asking about but it was made by C Plath and I believe it would be similar.
It was HEAVY.
Some say a heavy sextant is preferred, but it wasn't to my liking. It got tiring to do a number of sights causing me to want to rush through them towards the end. I much prefer a lighter instrument.
The optics were 4X star scope and a traditional horizon mirror. I found the scope to be good but not remarkable optical quality. I believe the older sextants may have different scopes than the one I used.
Also there are now replica sextants out there that say "C Plath Sextant" on the index arm and sell for around $125 USD. These are not "real" sextants and are not suitable for navigation. Along with the "C Plath" fakes there are also a lot of "Tamaya" replicas which are also not suitable for real navigation.
PeterB
RE: 1966 C. Plath, Hamburg sextant - EdCa - 01-01-2025
Frank,
I assume you mean one of these- https://www.ebay.com/b/Germany-Vintage-Original-Sextant-Antique-Maritime-Navigational-Instruments/37971/bn_119324484
Plath's have a very good reputation and they look very well made. Yes, PeterB is correct- they are heavy which inspires you to make a quick observation.
Ed
RE: 1966 C. Plath, Hamburg sextant - Fred_B - 01-02-2025
Plath is nice....very nice $$$. I've always wanted an Observator Mk 4.
RE: 1966 C. Plath, Hamburg sextant - ZephyrNYC - 01-02-2025
(01-01-2025, 03:08 PM)PeterB Wrote: I have done practice sights with a Weems and Plath sextant built circa late 1980's. Not exactly the same as what you are asking about but it was made by C Plath and I believe it would be similar.
It was HEAVY.
Some say a heavy sextant is preferred, but it wasn't to my liking. It got tiring to do a number of sights causing me to want to rush through them towards the end. I much prefer a lighter instrument.
The optics were 4X star scope and a traditional horizon mirror. I found the scope to be good but not remarkable optical quality. I believe the older sextants may have different scopes than the one I used.
Also there are now replica sextants out there that say "C Plath Sextant" on the index arm and sell for around $125 USD. These are not "real" sextants and are not suitable for navigation. Along with the "C Plath" fakes there are also a lot of "Tamaya" replicas which are also not suitable for real navigation.
PeterB
Thanks for letting me know, Peter. I'm going to look at a 1966 C. Plath Hamburg today. I hope that I'll be able to detect whether or not it's a real sextant.
(01-02-2025, 07:48 PM)ZephyrNYC Wrote:(01-01-2025, 03:08 PM)PeterB Wrote: I have done practice sights with a Weems and Plath sextant built circa late 1980's. Not exactly the same as what you are asking about but it was made by C Plath and I believe it would be similar.
It was HEAVY.
Some say a heavy sextant is preferred, but it wasn't to my liking. It got tiring to do a number of sights causing me to want to rush through them towards the end. I much prefer a lighter instrument.
The optics were 4X star scope and a traditional horizon mirror. I found the scope to be good but not remarkable optical quality. I believe the older sextants may have different scopes than the one I used.
Also there are now replica sextants out there that say "C Plath Sextant" on the index arm and sell for around $125 USD. These are not "real" sextants and are not suitable for navigation. Along with the "C Plath" fakes there are also a lot of "Tamaya" replicas which are also not suitable for real navigation.
PeterB
Thanks for letting me know, Peter. I'm going to look at a 1966 C. Plath Hamburg today. I hope that I'll be able to detect whether or not it's a real sextant.
Its price seems too good to be true.
RE: 1966 C. Plath, Hamburg sextant - PeterB - 01-04-2025
Frank, What did you find?
PeterB
RE: 1966 C. Plath, Hamburg sextant - ZephyrNYC - 01-06-2025
(01-04-2025, 04:09 PM)PeterB Wrote: Frank, What did you find?
PeterB
Good afternoon, Peter.
I found that as of this afternoon, I am the proud owner of my 2nd and 3rd sextants:
1. a 1997 Cassens & Plath Horizon Ultra
and
2. a 1966 C. Plath Hamburg
Thanks a lot for your help.
Sincerely,
Frank A.