Special Note: The Celestron SCT uses either standard 6-32 or metric M3. Textured secondary surface with serial number sticker and “CELESTRON” imprint in.
I'm attempting to date my Celestron C8 and have been drawing up a list of serial numbers and manufacturing years off the internet. I've read that Celestron can't help and the serial numbers themselves don't translate to much, but I was hoping that if I can collect enough serial numbers, I can find the one closest to mine to get a rough year of manufacture. Currently, I have the numbers below. I would greatly appreciate it if you could spend a minute adding your serial number and year of manufacture to this thread, particularly if it's close to mine, then I will collate them all into a table. The serial number typically appears to be on the front of the secondary, perhaps under the removable cap if it has one.
Many thanks in advance. Serial year 4936 1973 1 2 3 8 8 8 8 928774? - mine Edited March 11, 2010 by sgazer.
Mine's a white one! Well it's been repainted, I believe it was orange before, hence it's either pre-1980 or post 2006 according to this link, if it's accurate. It has a smooth back, not the ribbed one show in the pic in the link. It has the knob on the dust cover, with the detachable plastic centre bit (I have no idea why it detaches). Following the serial numbers, it would appear to be more likely post 2006, but then it would seem strange to have repainted if it was less than 3-4 years old.
Also, the corrector seems completely clear ie. No visible coatings. I think the info in the Wiki link may not be accurate regarding the post 2006 orange colour.
Edited March 11, 2010 by sgazer. This thread intrigued me one evening last May (2010), and I spent several evenings going through ads on a certain astronomy equipment site in the US, looking for C8 optical tube ads with photos that showed the serial number clearly on the front corrector (or for old orange tubes, on plate on the side of the fork mount base), and which gave information on the date the person had bought the scope, either new or used. Then using inference, and quite a bit of collected data from that site's ad photos, plus your several serial number data points in your table below, here is what I came up with. Good morning Astronomers, first I want to apologize to 'dig out' such an old thread as my first post in this forum. (To briefly introduce myself, I'm Raphael, a physics student from Italy).
Thank you Tom for that great list! I recently found a Celestron group on yahoo that also collected serial numbers and tried to figure out production dates basing on these numbers.
I mirrored Roy's yahoo-list on my dropbox as its a great extension of Tom's work. It seems that, when Celestron Pacific became Celestron International, they just started numbering sequentially all C8s, putting '8' as first digit. Unfortunately, my C8 doesn't fit to the model of 'sequential' numbering for all Celestron International scopes. But maybe we can figure out this mystery together. Its an orange C8 with a dovetail-clamp attached (thus probably designed to be mounted on a Vixen SP with dovetail-bar attached) and labeled 'Starbright coating'. Vixen SP-compatible means younger than 1984 (see Tom's list), and also 'Starbright coating' came out in 1984.
As its still orange and not yet black (1987), basing on this information, I'd expect a production date in the mid-1980s. But, serial numbers from the mid-1980s seem to go from 82???? Mine is '87 02 93' - and thus fits to the Vixen GP-age C8s with black tube. Quite wired, huh? Do you have any idea whether Celestronproduced black and orange tubes simultaneously for a while?
Have a great Sunday, Raphael. This thread intrigued me one evening last May (2010), and I spent several evenings going through ads on a certain astronomy equipment site in the US, looking for C8 optical tube ads with photos that showed the serial number clearly on the front corrector (or for old orange tubes, on plate on the side of the fork mount base), and which gave information on the date the person had bought the scope, either new or used.
Then using inference, and quite a bit of collected data from that site's ad photos, plus your several serial number data points in your table below, here is what I came up with. My Celestar 8 Deluxe; black tube Fastar capable, is numbered 914611. I have a feeling I found this was made around '97, but as I bought it secondhand, I can't be sure about that. Another place that might be worth looking, or enquiring, is the Classic section of C/N. As stated above, Uncle Rod is the 'man' on these things. I've added my number below, and clarified the list.
Cheers Max This thread intrigued me one evening last May (2010), and I spent several evenings going through ads on a certain astronomy equipment site in the US, looking for C8 optical tube ads with photos that showed the serial number clearly on the front corrector (or for old orange tubes, on plate on the side of the fork mount base), and which gave information on the date the person had bought the scope, either new or used. Then using inference, and quite a bit of collected data from that site's ad photos, plus your several serial number data points in your table below, here is what I came up with.
Celestron warrants your product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for two years. Celestron will repair or replace such product or part thereof which, upon inspection by Celestron, is found to be defective in materials or workmanship.
As a condition to the obligation of Celestron to repair or replace such product, the product must be returned to Celestron together with proof-of-purchase satisfactory to Celestron. The Proper Return Authorization Number must be obtained from Celestron in advance of return. Call Celestron at 310-328-9560 to receive the number, and display it on the outside of your shipping container. All returns must be accompanied by a written statement setting forth the name, address, and daytime telephone number of the owner, together with a brief description of any claimed defects.
Parts or product for which replacement is made shall become the property of Celestron. The customer shall be responsible for all costs of transportation and insurance, both to and from the factory of Celestron, and shall be required to prepay such costs.
Celestron shall use reasonable efforts to repair or replace any product covered by this warranty within thirty days of receipt. In the event repair or replacement shall require more than thirty days, Celestron shall notify the customer accordingly. Celestron reserves the right to replace any product which has been discontinued from its product line with a new product of comparable value and function.
This warranty shall be void and of no force of effect in the event a covered product has been modified in design or function, or subjected to abuse, misuse, mishandling or unauthorized repair. Further, product malfunction or deterioration due to normal wear is not covered by this warranty. CELESTRON DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WHETHER OF MERCHANTABILITY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN. THE SOLE OBLIGATION OF CELESTRON UNDER THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL BE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE COVERED PRODUCT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS SET FORTH HEREIN. CELESTRON EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY LOST PROFITS, GENERAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY RESULT FROM BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY, OR ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE ANY CELESTRON PRODUCT. ANY WARRANTIES WHICH ARE IMPLIED AND WHICH CANNOT BE DISCLAIMED SHALL BE LIMITED IN DURATION TO A TERM OF TWO YEARS FROM THE DATE OF ORIGINAL RETAIL PURCHASE.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitation on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations and exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. Celestron reserves the right to modify or discontinue, without prior notice to you, any model or style of your product. If warranty problems arise, or if you need assistance in using your product, contact: Celestron Customer Service Department 2835 Columbia Street Torrance, CA 90503 Call: 310-328-9560 Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-4pm PST NOTE: This warranty is valid to U.S.A. And Canadian customers who have purchased this product from an authorized Celestron dealer in the U.S.A.
Warranty outside the U.S.A. And Canada is valid only to customers who purchased from a Celestron’s International Distributor or Authorized Celestron Dealer in the specific country. Please contact them for any warranty service. Celestron warrants most of its products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for the product’s usable lifetime to the original owner. Each product will list the warranty for it on the Celestron website. Celestron will repair or replace the product which, upon inspection by Celestron, is found to be defective in materials or workmanship and within the definitions of the limits described below.
This warranty is effective January 1, 2012, and supersedes all other warranties as noted in brochures, instruction manuals, product packaging, etc. This warranty does not cover products that have been subject to abuse, misuse, physically damaged, altered, or had unauthorized repairs or modifications. This warranty does not cover defects due to normal wear and tear and other conditions. Celestron shall use reasonable efforts to repair or replace any binocular or spotting scope covered by this warranty within thirty calendar days of receipt.
If it takes longer, the customer will be notified. If warranty problems arise, or if you need assistance in using your product, contact: Celestron Customer Service Department 2835 Columbia Street Torrance, CA 90503 Call: 310-328-9560 Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-4pm This warranty is valid to U.S.A. And Canadian customers who have purchased this product from an authorized Celestron dealer in the U.S.A. Warranty service outside the U.S.A. And Canada is valid only to customers who purchased from a Celestron Distributor or authorized Dealer in the specific country and please contact them for such service. Limitations of Normal Wear and Tear Product exteriors (rubber or other material) are fully covered for five years against defects in materials and workmanship but small scratches or blemishes are not covered. Included accessories such as lens caps/covers, eyecups, cases/pouches, and straps are fully covered for two years against defects in materials and workmanship, but are not covered for accidental loss.
Over time, optical coatings may develop small blemishes through normal wear and tear or abuse under various environmental conditions. These are not covered and the determination is at the sole discretion of Celestron. Other Limitations Not Covered The basic optical system is covered for the useful life of the product for the original owner. Collimation and optical alignment issues must be claimed within 30 days of purchase.
Loss of the product or of lens caps/covers, eyecups, cases/pouches, or straps are not covered. Return Process As a condition to the obligation to repair or replace your product, it must be returned to Celestron prepaid with proof of purchase satisfactory to Celestron and, for binoculars and spotting scopes, the appropriate return shipping and handling charge noted below. The proper Return Authorization Number must be obtained from Celestron in advance of return. Call Celestron at 310-803-5955 or go to to receive the number to be displayed on the outside of your shipping box. All returns must be accompanied by a written statement with the name, address, telephone number, and email address of the owner together with a brief description of any claimed defects.
For binoculars and spotting scopes, the customer must send a check or money order in the amount of $14.95 made out to Celestron. Parts or products for which replacement is made shall become the property of Celestron. Celestron reserves the right to replace any product which has been discontinued from its product line with a new product(s) of comparable function at its sole discretion.
Celestron does not issue refunds but only repair or replacement. Celestron Disclaimer of Warranties Celestron disclaims any warranties, express or implied, whether of merchantability or fitness for a particular use, except as expressly set forth herein. The sole obligation of Celestron under this limited warranty shall be to repair or replace the covered product, in accordance with the terms set forth herein.
Celestron expressly disclaims any lost profits, general, special, indirect or consequential damages which may result from breach of warranty, or arising out of the use or inability to use any Celestron product. Any warranties which are implied and which cannot be disclaimed shall be limited in duration to a term of one year from the date of original retail purchase. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations and exclusions may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. Previous Binocular/Spotting Scope Warranty Information From January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2011, Celestron offered a No Fault Warranty on all binoculars and spotting scopes. For a charge of $25 for binoculars and $35 for spotting scopes, any binocular or spotting scope would be repaired or replaced with the same or similar product at the sole discretion of Celestron regardless of how the binoculars or spotting scope were damaged or rendered unusable. The customer must be the original owner, provide proof of purchase, and return the binoculars or spotting scope prepaid to Celestron. From January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2004, Celestron offered a No Fault Warranty on the Regal, Noble, and Ultima binocular lines. The details are the same as noted above. From January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2002, Celestron offered a Limited Lifetime Warranty on all binoculars and spotting scopes.
The limitations at that time were similar to wear and tear as noted in the current Limited Lifetime Warranty. Prior to 2000, Celestron offered a Limited Lifetime Warranty on specific models. Some models had other specific year warranties which have expired.