birthday sextants

[perlonious]

approaching a big birthday...ie one with a 0 at the end.... and have nearly everything i could want for my pride and joy. have been asked for a suggestion for a present that would last. if i look at all the electronics that i could choose then i just think that it will be out of date so soon....books to read or videos to watch while bing nice, do date as well....so i got to thinking about my sextant....i have a plastic one a davis mk25 and very pleased with it too with no probs.

but i really do fancy a nice metal one in a polished brass box etc etc

does anyone have one of these and which is the best...cassens and plath....astra...freiberger???? and why??
any help to choose greatly appreciated....money no object..

 

[bpscmarine]

Contact us on www.bpsc-marine.co.uk I am sure we can sort one out for you

 

[theduke]

I took part in arc 2004 and was lucky enough to be on a boat with a brand new freiberger at my disposal,skipper also had the smaller freiberger (designed for smaller yachts )so was able to use both.don't ask me which model numbers they were cos I can't remember , but I can recommend them as an excellent sextant for use at sea. both had excellent optics and twilight sights were quick and accurate to take. These are the only sextants I have been able to use so hopefully others will offer their advise on other makes
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[tome]

I really like the look of the Weems & Plath sextants, but I have a small Freiberger and it has served me well for over 20 years, even if it gets little use these days.

 

[richardabeattie]

Surely 'Money no object' is not a phrase permitted on this Forum?

 

[Mirelle]

How \"modern\" do you want it to be?

There have been interesting improvements in sextand design even as they were passing out of use. I recommend you to get a copy of the new edition of "The Sextant Simplified" before buying anything.

Plath and Tamiya are very good names, but the best sextant I have seen recently was Chinese; they are bridge equipment on my employers' ships. I would certainly consider one if buying new. Plath no longer make their highest quality sextants -no demand.

Try quite a few - the differences in "feel" and weight are important.

 

[Guest]

While at Sea

During my days of sights etc. The best I ever used was the Japanese Tamaya ..... fantastic bit of kit - but not cheap.
Second close behind came Plath Micrometer.
But thed above were best for stars work, having the telescope eyepiece.

For Sun work - the old Naval style Kelvin Hughes Mate sextant took a lot of beating ... as it was light, eyepiece was not so powerful, horizon mirror was good size .... etc. plus it was reasonably priced.

If its a 'have everything else' present - then I would go for the traditional Mate sextant ... looks the part as it has that antique look ...... if its serious work then again its good ... especially on a yacht, as magnified opticals such as Tamaya etc. on such a moving platform seems to me be not best .... but then again I don't use one on a yacht !!

Good luck with quest ...

 

[ponapay]

Try ebay. Some very good ones come up.

I bought two Freibergers at very reasonable prices, one for me, one for a friend.

Have also tried some of the Russian Freiberger copies, also very good - not light but now coming with all view horizon mirrors.

Its always worth having a sextant on board - even for coastal cruising .