Serial Numbers for TeleVue scopes

Alan Figgatt

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Feb 15, 2001, 1:01:41 PM2/15/01

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The subject of serial numbers came up in a TV-102 thread in the TeleVue
yahoo-groups list. I thought it would be interesting to get an idea of how many
TV refractors of various types have been made and the typical number made in a
year. The normal practice appears to be to start the serial numbers for the TV
scopes at 1001. So a scope numbered 1020 would be the 20th made. However this
may or may not apply to the early Pronto & Ranger scopes.

Enough #s were provided to get an estimate for the TV-85 which hit the market
in 1998. Looks about 250 +/- 50 sold per year; highest serial # so far is 1734
for a TV-85 brought new in Jan, 2001. Looks as if the TV-102 is being made/sold
at a slightly higher rate than the TV-85 as the highest TV-1023 serial #
provided so far is 1119.

I'm posting this here on saa with some trepidation as some may use this data to
attack TV or start yet another apo flame war, so please keep in mind this is a
specialized hobby. Especially for the high end refractors. Other than Dave N's
collection, not that many APs, Taks, TMBs, TVs, Vixens, etc apo scopes hit the
US market in a year.

Not enough serial #s and dates have been provided for other TV scopes to get a
handle on the production numbers. So I thought to post this request on saa to
reach a wider audience. If you want to, please post the exact model, serial
number, and the date of purchase (if used, when you brought it if you don't know
the original purchase date). Highest serial # for a TV-140 scope would be of
particular interest. In a few days, we can sum up the numbers here.

My scope: TV-85, Serial #1494, brought new Jan, 2000. Damn fine scope, btw.

Thanks,
Alan Figgatt

Joe Ringer

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Feb 15, 2001, 1:32:31 PM2/15/01

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On Thu, 15 Feb 2001 18:01:41 GMT, Alan Figgatt wrote:
>
> My scope: TV-85, Serial #1494, brought new Jan, 2000. Damn fine scope, btw.
>

TV Ranger, Serial #1001429, brought new Aug. 1996

--
clear skies, |http://www.erols.com/jringer3/astro1.htm
Joe |
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mark d. doiron

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Feb 15, 2001, 5:33:38 PM2/15/01

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"Alan Figgatt" <afig...@erols.com> wrote in message
news:3A8C195C...@erols.com...

> I thought it would be interesting to get an idea of
> how many TV refractors of various types have been
> made and the typical number made in a year.

Alan--

TV-Renaissance-101, purchased in august 99, serial # 1030. this
particular serial # is very easy for me to remember: by concidence it
is the number that i used while on flying status with the usaf for 25
years for special purposes in the event i was ever shot down
(thankfully, that didn't happen!).

clear, dark skies--

mark d.

Kelly Hackworth

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Feb 16, 2001, 12:28:23 AM2/16/01

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Probably one of the very last Genesis-sdf scopes to leave the factory.
Purchased in March of 1996. Serial # 3342. The scope is mounted on a Great
Polaris mount and is a lean mean refracting machine. -Gene

Floyd

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Feb 16, 2001, 4:05:16 AM2/16/01

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My bouncing baby TV102 arrived a few weeks ago and is #1140. Father and
telescope are doing fine (although the father would like just a few
cloudless nights....even just one....even half a one..even a sucker hole).

Floyd