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Author
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Topic: Star Finder 2102
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Andy W
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posted May 05, 2020 12:01 PM
Hi,
I have picked up a star finder 2102-C in a junk shop in the UK. Can I use it to locate stars today? As the current version is 2102-D I am assuming this is a revision because of a change in position of stars since 1942 which is the date on the instruction sheet. Some of the 2102-D models for sale online seem to date from the 1960s so the change in position (precession?) must be slow hence inaccuracies with the 2102-C would be small ?? During Covid lockdown I am slowly working my way through the Celestial Navigation Home Study Course and I'm enjoying learning new skills.
Let's hope we can all get some celestial navigation practice at sea soon!
Andy Whitcher
From: Pembrokeshire, UK
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David Burch
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posted May 05, 2020 02:07 PM
The stars do move very slowly with time but this would not be detectable at all on such a device. You can use it just as you would the D version. Indeed the date on the D version is not likely much different.
We have a book on the device at https://www.starpath.com/catalog/books/1831.htm that covers all of its many uses. See also this note http://davidburchnavigation.blogspot.com/2019/08/great-circle-sailing-with-2102-d-star.html
Note that any version earlier than the D, ie the C, could have some collector's value beyond its actual use for star finding.
We have one of the original models, which, sure enough, is called the 2102-A. It is 4 times bigger and a slightly different design.
You can also check out what you see on it with Stellarium (www.stellarium.org).
From: Starpath, Seattle, WA
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Andy W
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posted May 14, 2020 09:22 AM
Thanks for the reply David. I am very happy that I will be able to use my 2012-C and I have ordered a copy of your Star Finder Book. As soon as it arrives I will get star spotting and use it to complement my new skills from the Celestial Navigation course.
From: Pembrokeshire, UK
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David Burch
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posted May 14, 2020 09:23 AM
Excellent. Thanks for the follow up.
From: Starpath, Seattle, WA
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Chris Faris
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posted April 09, 2021 12:07 PM
Andy W and David, thanks for this thread. I too am working through Chapter 10 sans Star Finder...all going reasonably well, but wanted to get one. Looking on Ebay, I hadn't really noticed that there were 2102-C and D versions until I looked closer at what is on eBAy. I am now understanding the slight variations (that for my purposes wouldn't be noticable)...but still good to know!
My question: outside of obvious damage, like a cracked disk, is there anything else you have seen with older versions (I would somewhat like one that says US Naval Hydrographic Office on it, as I think that is kind of cool!), such as yellowing of the disks or other aging that may make the star finder less easy to use etc.? I'm ok to take a chance too as the overall dollar spend of <$50 makes this a reasonable risk to take, but just curious what else I might look for? Thanks in advance!
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David Burch
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posted April 09, 2021 12:15 PM
As for older units, a missing center pin makes it a bit harder to use, but you can load them up on a pencil point if needed.
In passing, I might note that these are out of stock most places these days so used ones might become more valuable.
From: Starpath, Seattle, WA
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Chris Faris
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posted April 09, 2021 12:28 PM
Thanks David, much appreciated. Not to turn you into my personal shopper, but one of the entries describes their unit as "complete(only missing the maneuvering board sheet pad)."
I don't recall that part of the tool referenced in your book, or on any other entry for a 2102. Isn't a maneuvering board sheet" the same as a UPS? Or is this something new? I'm using the commercially available UPS sheets (aka the 'green ones' you buy in packs of 50) for the class...just curious what this missing item might be?
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David Burch
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posted April 09, 2021 12:55 PM
Sorry, I do not follow the issue. The star finder is not related to maneuvering boards. If you want plotting sheets we have then at www.starpath.com/celnavbook
From: Starpath, Seattle, WA
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Chris Faris
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posted April 09, 2021 01:16 PM
No worries David, I wasn't clear in my message, but you indirectly answered my question. But let me take another crack at it:
1) On eBay, there was a listing for a 2102-D Star Finder that they described as "complete" (i.e. all the pieces were there), except that it was missing the "maneuvering board sheet".
2) I had never seen/read a description of a 2102-D Star Finder has a having this component. They all describe the 9 latitude sheets and the base sheet, but not this "maneuvering board sheet".
3) I was asking, poorly I might add:
a) What is a maneuvering board sheet? Is it the same as a UPS?
b) Is the maneuvering board sheet 'standard' with 2102-D's? I find no reference anywhere else for such a component, so I think not
Ultimately this may be a poorly worded description on eBay for a 2102-D, and the author/owner of this particular unit just worded the description poorly.
Hope that clarifies...thanks!
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David Burch
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posted April 09, 2021 01:17 PM
Could be that is the red template, used to plot bodies on the white disk. You will have to ask them.
From: Starpath, Seattle, WA
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Chris Faris
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posted April 10, 2021 05:59 PM
Thanks David...I'll proceed from here...thinking I may just get a new one online and skip the eBay approach...much appreciated!
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