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Anyone heard of B&L CRITERION 4000 ?

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greywolf View Drop Down
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    Posted: May/09/2005 at 05:37

 CRITERION 4000 SPOTTING SCOPE  - 120mm lens

 

Looks like a short, squat telescope.  Has a 4x rifle scope on top to aid in acquiring the target as well.

 

Any thoughts, opinions, etc?  Might be able to get a great deal on it, though I can't seem to find anything on them anywhere on the net.

 

Another I am considering:   Eagle Optics 20-60x78 Raven Angled Spotting Scope

 

I would like a decent spotter, but don't want to spend an ungodly amount.

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bratman87 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/09/2005 at 09:44
Yes, the Criterion is an older discontinued Maksutov Cassegrain astronomy scope. They can be used for a spotting scope with a 45 degree diagonal. If I am not mistaken a Criterion 4000 is a 4-inch scope (100mm) not 120mm. Some of the older B&L Criterions could very well be out of collimation from use and bumps by now, also optically speaking would not compare to newer model Meade ETX Cassegrain scopes. Though if the optics have been cared for and it is in collimation it would give a far superior view than the Eagle optics. The astro scopes generally have far better resolution, can run up to higher magnification without image quality loss and a greater ability to define subtle details at a great distant. The big drawback for spotting scope use would be narrower field of view and not waterproof. Unless it has an autostar type base they are not terrible heavy. Let me know  if you get it as I have been considering getting a Meade ETX125 myself. I have been using Bausch & Lomb 20x80 binoculars on an Assia professional tripod for a spotter and really like the both eye open view. Have also let them do double duty for astro work but have been wanting more power and a bigger objective. I can't say for sure about the B&L Criterion but the Meade will close focus down to 20-25 feet with low power eyepieces.
Glenn Taylor
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote greywolf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/09/2005 at 10:08

It says it is NEW and never used or mounted, but I don't know if it has the angled eyepiece - wonder what that would cost?  Most of my use would be fair weather paper punching at a range.

 

For around $100, I think it might be a good deal until I can afford a Kowa or Zeiss or Swaro spotting scope - what do you think?

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bratman87 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/09/2005 at 11:02
B&L criterions have been out of production for  20 some odd years and didn't come with rifle scopes for aiming them. I would say it is used. If it is an actual spotting version it should have the erecting prism with it or everything is going to be upside down.
Glenn Taylor
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Stephanie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/09/2005 at 11:27

Does it look like this?

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Stephanie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/09/2005 at 11:34

After Bausch & Lomb purchased the company, the Criterion 4000 was rolled out. This 4" diameter f/12 optical system came with a spur gear AC drive, fork mount and table top legs in a black finish. All was contained in a hard plastic carrying case. It's drawbacks included having a hybrid diagonal, a small finder and inability of the tube to be fully inverted in the fork mount. Also, some of the initial production models did not have anti-reflective coatings on the corrector plate, which resulted in greater light loss than desirable in a small aperture telescope. Nevertheless it was quite successful due to its portability and low price, and the units with optical coatings were often fairly good telescopes.

It may be new,but it is a old item that Bausch & Lomb has had in the past!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bratman87 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/09/2005 at 11:34
That's a Criterion 4000 sure enough!
Glenn Taylor
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Stephanie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/09/2005 at 11:42

If you were going to spend money, I would buy something more updated on the optics and coating!

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bratman87 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/09/2005 at 12:01
After just looking at it, the rifle scope shows a dark blueish hue to the front lense. The Criterion looks like it has a plan piece of uncoated glass mounted up front. It's cute and like most classic B&L items tugs at my little heart strings but that uncoated front objective makes me want to just say no. That is why Meade put them out of business with their Cat scopes.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Stephanie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/09/2005 at 12:16

 Well it's a hard decision!!  I hope that whatever you choose, will make you happy in the end.

 

 



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote greywolf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/10/2005 at 06:36
Originally posted by Stephanie Stephanie wrote:

 Well it's a hard decision!!  I hope that whatever you choose, will make you happy in the end.

 

 

 

Decided against it - gonna save some money and get a real spotting scope - plus the seller couldn't answer my questions about the angled eyepiece (come on, it isn't THAT hard!) or what the magnification was.

 

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