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Sextant


Guest dawson

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Have a look at an Astrolabe, this predated the sextant by centuries. The best ones came from the Middle East, and would also let you locate stars and planets, some even had moon phases tied into them. Incredible engineering for the time.


 


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrolabe


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I just love seeing this sort of tackle :)


 


1C-plath-sextant-1024x768.jpg1RoachTransit.jpg


 


1orrery.jpeg1Armillary_Sphere.JPGastrolabe1.jpg


Edited by petersull
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If ever youvare tempted to get one of the nice shiny brass sextants off ebay claiming theycare antique, beware there are loads of chinese and indian copies being missold as old. Some are even distressed to look old in photos but a proper look will show that they are repros and are not functionsl, just decorative. The same goes for the crappy harbourmaster brass scopes that are frequently advertised as antique, one quick close look shows what they are

Fleaglass auction site specialises in old scientific instruments and is well worth a look, some lovely stuff on there

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Guest Tweedledum

Hi James,


 


Been able to use one and navigate since about 10. My dad used to run a boatyard in north wales, mostly sailed offshore   . Then along came all these new fangled devices like Seafix and long distance low frequency radio fix. Usually you plot into a 'cocked hat' where three bearings give a rough area where you may be!!!.


 


Plenty of online resources to help you calculate,


 


And now GPS...Only what happens when your batteries fail...


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Good point Phil.


 


I like looking at them, but can't afford them anyway. I can spend hours in a museum marvelling at the real thing.


 


Fleaglass is a very interesting site.


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