 |
|
12-01-2012, 08:46
|
#1
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Placida, FL
Boat: IP38 cutter
Posts: 171
|
Sextant Choice - Tamaya vs. Astra
I'm in the market for a decent metal sextant and have narrowed my search down to the Astra IIIb and the Tamaya Venus MS-933. Both appear to be good sextants, both aluminum and both seem to have positive feedback from users. I know the Tamayas are a bit older than the Astras, but I'm thinking that condition of the instrument is more important than age.
Other differences that I've found are:
The Venus is slightly smaller (7/8) than the Astra
The Astra has LED illumination, the Venus does not
The Venus has a traditional mirror setup, the Astra can be configured with traditional or whole horizon (the Astra I'm considering is WH)
Price-wise the two I'm considering are almost the same (used from private parties). Per the owners, the Astra has been used for a few years by a knowledgeable user, the Venus has never been to sea and was only purchased/used for learning CN.
I've tried to "plus/minus" each to help decide, but I just haven't been able to decide which way to go. Personally I think I like the idea of starting with a WH mirror and being able to change to traditional later if I want. The illumination also seems nice (but we do have headlamps and flashlights aboard, and it's a moot point for noon shots anyway). Between these two specific instruments, I like the lack of usage wear on the Tamaya over the "used for a few years" of the Astra.
So, any input here? Given good condition and similar pricing, which would you lean toward and why?
Thanks,
__________________
__________________
Daz
|
|
|
12-01-2012, 09:42
|
#2
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Toronto
Boat: Custom 41' Steel Pilothouse Cutter
Posts: 4,683
|
Re: Sextant Choice: Tamaya vs. Astra
For what it's worth:
I agree that WH is good to start with, and I have a WH Astra IIIb I like and I use.
I have a split mirror Freiberger sextant of mid '70s vintage which I prefer for star sights.
I've never even seen a Tamaya sextant, so I can't comment. I still own a working NC-77 celestial calculator of vintage years, however, and it's been useful to me.
__________________
__________________
|
|
|
12-01-2012, 10:20
|
#3
|
Senior Cruiser

Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jamaica
Boat: Tayana 37 Cutter
Posts: 3,167
|
Re: Sextant Choice: Tamaya vs. Astra
Have used a friend's IIIb and thought it was a very good instrument for the money. Have NOT used a Tamaya (nor, like S/V Alchemy, ever handled one), so can't make a comparison.
|
|
|
13-01-2012, 09:56
|
#4
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,484
|
Re: Sextant Choice - Tamaya vs. Astra
I have a Tamaya that I like, but I have no clue if it is better or worse than an Astra. If I was in your situation I would research parts and service availability before I made a decision. The very best sextant isnt any good if you break a small part and cant get a replacement.____Grant.
__________________
|
|
|
13-01-2012, 10:28
|
#5
|
cruiser
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 128
|
Re: Sextant Choice - Tamaya vs. Astra
it is your choice, but in this case i would go for astra
__________________
|
|
|
14-01-2012, 07:29
|
#6
|
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,321
|
Re: Sextant Choice: Tamaya vs. Astra
Quote:
Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy
I have a WH Astra IIIb I like and I use.
I have a split mirror Freiberger sextant of mid '70s vintage which I prefer for star sights.
|
I do agree with the above. I used to own a “tamaya” which was far better than the two other but it had Polaroids filters, a prism telescope and illumination. I bought it in Hong Kong in 1970 and sadly it went down with the boat in 1974.
__________________
|
|
|
14-01-2012, 08:48
|
#7
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Nyack, NY
Boat: Westsail 32
Posts: 1,570
|
Re: Sextant Choice - Tamaya vs. Astra
A lot of very reasonably priced high quality sextants for sale on EBay.
__________________
"All men are created equal, some are just more equal than others"
|
|
|
14-01-2012, 09:13
|
#8
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Toronto
Boat: Custom 41' Steel Pilothouse Cutter
Posts: 4,683
|
Re: Sextant Choice - Tamaya vs. Astra
I got my Astra new and my Freiberger from another sailor privately. They are both excellent instruments. I took the Astra offshore in '09 on a delivery and everything, including my plot, worked acceptably.
Once I'd figured out my height of eye was higher on a Bristol 45.5 than on a Viking 33, that is.
__________________
|
|
|
23-01-2012, 15:38
|
#9
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Placida, FL
Boat: IP38 cutter
Posts: 171
|
Re: Sextant Choice - Tamaya vs. Astra
Thanks for the input and responses everyone. After pro and conning the issue to death, I finally made my decision and bought a WH Astra today.
__________________
Daz
|
|
|
23-01-2012, 16:31
|
#10
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Massachusetts
Boat: 40' Silverton Aftcabin with twin Crusaders
Posts: 1,634
|
Re: Sextant Choice - Tamaya vs. Astra
Now the issue is settled with the Astra, if no objections (not hijacking, just sextant discussions) I would like to continue the thread, same topic although a little broader. There is a boat load of very inexpensive metal sextants over in EBay. By inexpensive, I mean under $100! And yes, many are tiny but no all. Does anybody have experience with any of these inexpensive units....I believe most come from India but I could be wrong. Any comments on some of these? Many people have interest in learning to use a sextant or for that matter could use one as a backup but cannot afford big bucks for something with pedigree papers.
Foggy
__________________
|
|
|
23-01-2012, 16:50
|
#11
|
Nearly an old salt

Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 13,649
|
Re: Sextant Choice - Tamaya vs. Astra
Quote:
Originally Posted by foggysail
Now the issue is settled with the Astra, if no objections (not hijacking, just sextant discussions) I would like to continue the thread, same topic although a little broader. There is a boat load of very inexpensive metal sextants over in EBay. By inexpensive, I mean under $100! And yes, many are tiny but no all. Does anybody have experience with any of these inexpensive units....I believe most come from India but I could be wrong. Any comments on some of these? Many people have interest in learning to use a sextant or for that matter could use one as a backup but cannot afford big bucks for something with pedigree papers.
Foggy
|
pure Junk foggy. junk. A sextant is a precision instrument with close tolerances and requires accuracy of build. if you want a cheap learner model, buy a plastic sextant.
I own a Astra IIIB , I like it, Id have bought a Freiberger but too expensive. Ensure any second hand sextant does have the frame out of alignment as a result of being dropped.
Dave
__________________
Check out my new blog on smart boat technology, networking and gadgets for the connected sailor! - http://smartboats.tumblr.com
|
|
|
23-01-2012, 16:56
|
#12
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Toronto
Boat: Custom 41' Steel Pilothouse Cutter
Posts: 4,683
|
Re: Sextant Choice - Tamaya vs. Astra
Foggysail, those are the sort of "instruments" you hang over the YC bar. They are largely decorative, although C. Columbus might have found a use for them.
There are very few cheap sextants on eBay. You will very, very occasionally find an old model at a garage sale or yard sale if an old sailor has passed on and the grandkids don't have a clue, but that's a long shot. I've been looking for a ship's clock (preferably the 24 hour style with an eight-day windup) for some time. I can get one for retail, sure, but who wants to pay retail?
__________________
|
|
|
23-01-2012, 17:05
|
#13
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Massachusetts
Boat: 40' Silverton Aftcabin with twin Crusaders
Posts: 1,634
|
Re: Sextant Choice - Tamaya vs. Astra
You're right Dave, who wants to pay retail! Thanks for responding to my question--
Foggy
__________________
|
|
|
13-12-2014, 05:38
|
#14
|
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 6
|
Re: Sextant Choice - Tamaya vs. Astra
looking for an Astra IIIB for my son for Christmas, but I know the Tamaya is a good instrument too. Can you give me the contact for that one since you didn't buy it? naloupe@gmail.com
Thanks a bunch
__________________
|
|
|
13-12-2014, 09:27
|
#15
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: In the Cold:Prepping Boat for Final Escape
Boat: Pearson 34-II
Posts: 2,304
|
Re: Sextant Choice - Tamaya vs. Astra
Pau,
It has been my experience that most people buy a sextant, learn to use it and relegate it to their closet after a short while. My suggestion is to buy a Davis Mark 25 plastic sextant and if you're still using it regularly after a year of sailing and believe you cannot live without one, upgrade to a metal sextant. I still have my Mark 25 after 20 years and it works perfectly. We only use it when cruising fulltime and if you can get within 2 miles of a GPS fix you're doing well. When I used it daily, I could consistently get within 1 mile on a 3 star fix and a noon sun sight. Today, they have computers to do the math which is a major source of computational errors--especially when your tired. Think about it. There are more sextants sitting in closets and above nautical bars(as mentioned above) than you'd believe. Good luck and good shooting.
__________________
__________________
"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music."
Friedrich Nietzsche, Thus Spake Zarathrustra
|
|
|
 |
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Rate This Thread |
Linear Mode
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|