jayjay2
New Member
My husband is about to turn forty and as a keen sailor I would like to buy him a good sextant as also next year he will be completing his ocean masters can anyone advise me?
help!!!what sextant do i buy him?
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Jacana
Active Member
A Freiberger is a beautiful instrument and a delight to use. Cost new about £500 but available used on ebay and elsewhere. Alternatively unless he is committed to Astro he is likely to navigate by electronics, in which case a plastic sextant will work but not be such a desirable object.
Just a personal view
Just a personal view
Joe_Cole
Well-Known Member
It annoys me when people answer a question by suggesting something completely different, but........
If he isn't going to really get into astro nav the other gift idea would be a really good barograph. Always nice to have, and can be used year in year out.
I wish someone would buy me one!
Just a thought.
If he isn't going to really get into astro nav the other gift idea would be a really good barograph. Always nice to have, and can be used year in year out.
I wish someone would buy me one!
Just a thought.
savageseadog
Well-Known Member
I've got a brand new unused Frieberger Yacht Sextant for sale if you are interested PM me.
GMac
Well-Known Member
Having used a few differing ones over the years I've decided an Alpha 40 is the best by a long shot. Full sized everything, lighted, nice wooden box with the goodies but still lite to use.
When I got mine a few years back they were also only around the same price as a plastic.
The only 'sighting' instrament I like more is my GPS
When I got mine a few years back they were also only around the same price as a plastic.
The only 'sighting' instrament I like more is my GPS
bigmart
Well-Known Member
My Kids have just baught my Christmas present, a new Astra 3B deluxe Sextant, Much cheaper than the Frieberger or Plath jobs but rated as the best value for money around.
The other question you may ask is whether yhe wants Split view or Full Horizon. I'm no expert, cos I havn't played with mine yet, but they do say that the novice findes the All View easier at the beginning. The advantage of the Astra is that you can get either Horizon Mirror plus a practise Bubble Horizon & extra telescopes easily.
Please bear in mind that I know nothing but I had a rapid introduction at SBS when I was presented with all the questions with about half an hours notice.
Martin
The other question you may ask is whether yhe wants Split view or Full Horizon. I'm no expert, cos I havn't played with mine yet, but they do say that the novice findes the All View easier at the beginning. The advantage of the Astra is that you can get either Horizon Mirror plus a practise Bubble Horizon & extra telescopes easily.
Please bear in mind that I know nothing but I had a rapid introduction at SBS when I was presented with all the questions with about half an hours notice.
Martin
Talbot
Well-Known Member
Here http://www.bpsc-marine.co.uk/ is a company that do second hand sextants and are also well known as repair/restorers.
ccscott49
Well-Known Member
I have a barograph, they are available often on E bay, buy yourself one! Love tending mine.
I have a frieberger sextant, nice piece of equipment, enjoy using it as well.
I have a frieberger sextant, nice piece of equipment, enjoy using it as well.
Salty John
Well-Known Member
For learning astro and as a back up to electronics you can't go far wrong with a Davis Mk15 for around £150. The more expensive Mk25 has a beam converger in place of the traditional split mirror, but this is a refinement that hardly justifies the additional £50 cost.
PhilipH
Well-Known Member
This one comes highly recommended ASTRA IIIB (whole horizon mirror) and is c.£400 new. They are available second hand on e-bay though.