How to buy a sextant

[james1979]

Dear all,
I have been starting to consider some options to buy a sextant, and I have seen that many buy sextants that a no longer produced, or 'vintage' sextants, see for example this thread. Given that sextants are highly delicate precision instruments, how do you guys make sure that you will get a sextant in proper conditions when you buy a 'vintage' one? Is there a way to identify reliable online vendors? 

For example, in the thread above Douglas Denny says:

I have various sextants but the 'best' of all was amazingly cheap costing about £200  ($240  exchange rate Jan 2016), bought about four or five years ago;  it is a Russian SNO-T and was new, unused in the original box.  These were ex-Russian Navy released presumably as surplus to requirements.

Given that this is a 'vintage' model, I wonder how one could make sure that it was new in the box before purchasing it. 

Finally, I have a question about brand new sextants. I see that the brand that makes the sextant is not the same as the distributor. For example, Tamaya Technics does not sell directly its sextants. To buy one, one may go to Celestaire, or other distributors. What are some good, reliable distributors in Europe? Is Celestaire one of these? 

Thank you for your help!

[EdCa]

James,

It mostly depends on how much you want to pay. Carl Plath sextants are usually expensive but very high quality. Tamaya are very good too. Celestaire has theirs made in China (what a surprise!) but are quite suitable for marine, or land, use.

Cassens & Plath are extremely good too- https://www.cassens-plath.de/en/sextants/

Freiberger sextants are a delight to behold- http://www.fpm.de/lang_en/index.php?c=1&s=drumsext

However, if you're buying a used sextant through ebay you're in good stead as most sellers have a gracious return policy ("like it or return it"). If they do not allow a "return if not satisfied" then don't buy it.

Sextants, while precise, aren't too difficult of adjust and often require more patience than technical know-how. I've removed my Astra III-B Index and Horizon mirrors many times, for practice, then reassembled it all and adjusted for alignment. It's not really difficult.

The Davis Mark 15, plastic sextant, is technically a sextant. But, it's quality reflects its accuracy and stability- not very good. But, it will work if needed.

Ed

[james1979]

Dear EdCa,
Thank you for your reply. On the Cassens & Plath and Freiberger websites that you posted, I do not see any link on how to purchase their sextants directly from Cassens & Plath or Freiberger, respectively. There is just no link on how to buy them.

If you wanted to buy one of these sextants, how would you proceed? Would you look for a distributor? Would you buy them online, or in a different way?

Best,
James

[EdCa]

James,

Yes, I would look for a distributor for them.

Cassens & Plath "find a distributor" here- http://www.nauticexpo.com/prod/cassens-p...50596.html

Freiberger- http://www.seachest.co.uk/sextants-freib...and-davis/

More than likely I would buy on-line unless the store where they are sold is close. You can always return them. Most sextant models have been made many thousands of times so a lot of the bad features have been removed and modified. Sextants aren't the lightest instruments to keep raised to the eye and getting accustomed to handling one does take some time. Love conquers many problems and owning your first sextant and enjoying the art of the process, and science, will help you overcome any obstacle.

Clear skies!

EdCa

[james1979]

James,

Yes, I would look for a distributor for them.

Cassens & Plath "find a distributor" here- http://www.nauticexpo.com/prod/cassens-p...50596.html

Freiberger- http://www.seachest.co.uk/sextants-freib...and-davis/

More than likely I would buy on-line unless the store where they are sold is close.  You can always return them.  Most sextant models have been made many thousands of times so a lot of the bad features have been removed and modified.  Sextants aren't the lightest instruments to keep raised to the eye and getting accustomed to handling one does take some time.  Love conquers many problems and owning your first sextant and enjoying the art of the process, and science, will help you overcome any obstacle.

Clear skies!

EdCa

Dear EdCa,
Thank you for your very useful reply. I will think this over and let you know!

Clear skies,
James

[P.Rutherford]

James,

If it's any help, and these are just my ideas, a good way to start is not to buy a Davis Mark 15 "plastic" sextant. I have one and am tired of having to adjust the thing every few minutes. The aluminum or bronze framed sextants are more or less solid much more stable making the sight process easier.

Following seas,

Paul

[BigBill]

I've heard the Mark 3s are as accurate if not more so than the Mark 15 or 25 and at least with mine that seems to be the case.

James,

If it's any help, and these are just my ideas, a good way to start is not to buy a Davis Mark 15 "plastic" sextant. I have one and am tired of having to adjust the thing every few minutes. The aluminum or bronze framed sextants are more or less solid much more stable making the sight process easier.

Following seas,

Paul

[craigsl]

I've seen the Mark 3's- a "lifeboat" sextant and would love to try one.

In fact, sextants aren't that difficult to use...are they?

I learned all I know from this guy- https://youtu.be/SRQhuKJnb-4?t=1h15m16s

[BigBill]

I find them fun to use.