1966 C. Plath, Hamburg sextant

[ZephyrNYC]

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.

[PeterB]

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

[EdCa]

Frank,

I assume you mean one of these- https://www.ebay.com/b/Germany-Vintage-O..._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

[Fred_B]

Plath is nice....very nice $$$. I've always wanted an Observator Mk 4.

[ZephyrNYC]

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. 

---

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.

[PeterB]

Frank, What did you find?

PeterB

[ZephyrNYC]

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.