Sextant, what to buy?

[SeeLevel]

It seems the sextant remains a basic component in a sailors kit, so which model should I purchase? Are plastic worth the while? What is the preferred make and build material?
Cheers.

[Snowpetrel]

Something like a Davis Mk 3 is fine for emergency use and learning. I wouldnt go anything more expensive in the plastic. $100 should get you a new mk3

If you enjoy using it then a secondhand metal one for around $600 is a lovely thing to own and use.

[El Pinguino]

Zeiss Freiberger would be my pick.... about $500 Australian is the usual ask.

Freiberger Sextant | eBay

[Snowpetrel]

Also look into the ebbco plastic sextants. They are no longer made, but pretty cheap secondhand.

There is a fair bit of debate over the need to carry a sextant. There are alternative emergency navigation techniques that can work. Another concept that is very good is the bris sextant.

Learning to use a sextant is a great thing to do. It connects you to the universe, and to the past. In my mind thats reason enough to own and use a sextant.

[Hobie_ind]

There's a few pretty easy tests to do on a used sextant to confirm its condition. Worth knowing.

I got my Plath in an antique store in Jakarta for $150 about 15 years ago in great shape. A couple others on the shelf were basically ornamental only.

A few of our friends have the plastic Davis sextants as backups and have found them adequate for that purpose.

[UNCIVILIZED]

I picked up a barely used (if at all) Tamiya, 20yrs ago, for $300. Complete with every possible attachment & accessory, a calibration/deviation card, & the original batteries. And I LUV it.
I couldn't see doing any passagemaking without one. At least of the offshore type.

They're also a good tool to have for more than just position fixing via heavenly bodies. As, for example, you can use them to accurately range your distance to objects of known heights. Which is handy for plotting & piloting.

One accessory for them, that's invaluable, is an Artificial Horizon. Which is basically a level that mounts to them, that you can see at the same time that you're shooting fixes when on land.
So it lets you to practice with it at home. A much easier way to learn, than from the bouncing deck of a vessel. Plus, it's a fun way to entertain friends. And to get kids & teens to understand the value of math, via real world demonstrations. Which, IMO, is priceless.

Bottom line, they're both fun, & surely worth having around. And if you've a friend who's a serious navigator, take him/her with you when shopping for a used one. And you'll likely find a great deal on a nice bit of pre-loved kit.

[lamadriver]

I bought a very nice mint, Tayima here on CF for 250 dollars

LD

[bletso]

I have a Davis Mk 25 and an Astra IIIB. They are both great for different reasons. I do use the Astra more as the plastic needs adjustment every time it is used, common for plastics.

[Snowpetrel]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

Zeiss Freiberger would be my pick.... about $500 Australian is the usual ask.

Freiberger Sextant | eBay

Yep, love my Freiberger! Its a real work of art.

I also have a Davis mk 15 which, although it was my grandfathers sextant that he gave to me for my 21st birthday, its sadly never given consistant results. There is about 12' of play in the micrometer on the plastic worm teeth that make it very difficult to use. You have to set the index error for both ways, then try to remember which way the micrometer was turned last.

I found I got much better results with an old vernier ebbco.

[btrayfors]

Among metal sextants the Freiburger, Tamaya, Aires, Astra, Hughes and a few others are considered excellent.

However, for many years the German sextants made by C. Plath and by sister factory Cassens & Plath have been the ones to beat. They truly are works of art.

Over the years I've owned most of them. Still have two Plaths in excellent condition, including one I purchased new in Hong Kong years ago. Sadly, I'll be placing one of these two for sale soon. Hate to let it go, but time marches on....

Bill

[01kiwijohn]

I got a plastic Davis, ata swap meet for $10 and use it on ocean crossing daily, both for practice and to insure against electronic failure. Gets me within 4 or 5 miles of GPS.

[estarzinger]

Originally Posted by SeeLevel

It seems the sextant remains a basic component in a sailors kit.

No, not really.

If you enjoy it, fine . . . . But "basic kit" these days - no.

The metal ones are a joy of precision heirloom construction, the plastic ones are functional..... and an apple ipad with iNavx a testament to high functionaly high tech which you might actually use.

[CShawn]

Originally Posted by estarzinger

No, not really.

If you enjoy it, fine . . . . But "basic kit" these days - no.

The metal ones are a joy of precision heirloom construction, the plastic ones are functional..... and an apple ipad with iNavx a testament to high functionaly high tech which you might actually use.

Looks like they are having a 50% off spring sale. I'm still a few years from needing it, but tempting.

[SeeLevel]

Awesome, thank you for these helpful replies! Now for a bit of shopping.

btrayfors, I'm in no hurry so perhaps you can let me know how much $ when you are ready to sell, if that works for you.
PJ

[rockDAWG]

Originally Posted by SeeLevel

It seems the sextant remains a basic component in a sailors kit,

Really? I have been doing it wrong.

Originally Posted by estarzinger

No, not really.
If you enjoy it, fine . . . . But "basic kit" these days - no.

Exactly, I have a plastic sextant, I know how to use it. I use it for fun, demonstration and bragging rights. Other than that, I carry extra GPS and batteries.

What happens if the whole GPS Satellite system goes down in a flash? Well I will die along with thousands of other who are foolish didn't know how to use a sextant or forget to carry one on the plane.