Want To Buy: Cheap sextant for instruction

[MBWhite]

Hi all,

I teach a few basic celestial navigation classes to grade school kids in the fall and winter and was wondering if anyone had a Davis or similar sextant for sale on the cheap side (I do most but not all of these classes for free).

I've been using a Davis Mk3 which is also a great tool to explain how vernier fractional measurements are taken, but I am wanting to add a micrometer drum sextant as well since they "look" a bit more like a serious instrument. One that is unreliable due to errors is fine, the main intention is to give kids as young as 10 some hands-on experience in taking angle measurements and a few seconds or minutes isn't going to make a difference.

Anyway, if someone has an old Davis 15 or something in a closet collecting dust and would like to see it being put to a good use please let me know, and what you want for it.

Lastly, we are a 501(c)3 not for profit and if someone wishes to donate any items it would be tax deductible and greatly appreciated but I'm also not here looking for handouts.

Thanks for reading!

Mark

[Polar Opposite]

PM sent

[vtsailguy]

I have an old plastic one
.

[MBWhite]

PM's sent and replied to.

[jwcolby54]

Since the original OP's requirements have been handled I will ask for recommendations for real, accurate but low cost sextants. Brand / model. I will Google for myself but any recommendations appreciated.

[MBWhite]

Originally Posted by jwcolby54

Since the original OP's requirements have been handled I will ask for recommendations for real, accurate but low cost sextants. Brand / model. I will Google for myself but any recommendations appreciated.

JW,

If you are looking for an inexpensive but quality sextant I would suggest keeping a frequent eye on your local craigslist for a sextant. When one pops up at the right price do a web search on that brand and model and see what is written about it. If the reviews and the price make you happy then purchase it.

Here is a russian CHO-T in raleigh:

SEXTANT - CHO-T (Russian)

The person is asking $350 and the post has been up for a month. You could offer $150 and see what they say.

[Polar Opposite]

I think it's tough to beat Davis Model 15s for the price (generally around $75 used). They are durable, accurate, they don't corrode, and you won't cry if you drop it overboard.