Davis Mk25 Sextant

[Red_Dog]

I'm looking to purchase a sextant before next season. My knowledge of the sextant is of limited theory, but no practical experience. The Davis Mk25 has the appeal of being inexpensive. I've also looked at Celestaire's Astra IIIB.

Anyone have experience with either of these?

 

[Dave Groshong]

The Davis are great for emergency use, should be on every vessel crossing an ocean. The Astra's are reliable and a much nicer sextant, but a whole lot more money. If you are learning, the Davis is a great value.

 

[Red_Dog]

My thought's are in line with yours. I won't be ocean crossing any time soon - floating around Lake Erie for the foreseeable future.

In the grand scheme of things, $659.00 for a well made, reliable to learn on and own for some time to come really is a fair price to pay. I'll give consideration to what you've said before pulling out the credit card. Besides, I've got all winter to think about it.

 

[Red_Dog]

Oh, one other question - thoughts about traditional mirror vs. whole horizon?

 

[kloudie1]

I lost my old Davis in a house fire back in 2001.. It was a great instrument to learn on … and I successfully used it on one Gulf of Mexico crossing back in '89.. I like the whole horizon mirror better, but that is what I learned on, so I have some bias.. The only problem I found withit is that if I squeezed it too hard, I could throw off the indicated angle.. once I learned to hold it gently and consistently, it was fine.. I lusted after a nice Astra, Celestaire, or C. Plath, but with GPS working so well now, never found that I needed something that nice.. They are beautiful, intriguing instruments.. I tried unsuccessfully find a Navy surplus one, but never found one a at a price much lower than the current excellent ones.

 

[jssailem]

You might look at a local ship parts exchange shop to see if you can find a maritime unit the is on consignment. Since this is a learning tool a unit a used unit might function to meet your needs.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Davis-Inst...ion-Tool-Beam-Converger-in-case-/292410059633
as an example.

 

[Red_Dog]

I lusted after a nice Astra, Celestaire, or C. Plath, but with GPS working so well now, never found that I needed something that nice.. They are beautiful, intriguing instruments

Beautiful and intriguing - that's part of my desire to learn how to use one. As for lusting after the nice ones, well, that could end up being the impulsive decision maker for the Astra.

I've been working with GPS since the first generation civilian units came out. I love GPS! But, I, like the rest of us must be aware that electronics fail. Also, my very first Magellan unit came with the warning that GPS is controlled and operated by DOD. They can at anytime turn off civilian usage!

While I agree that a good used sextant would serve me well, I've been shying away from eBay recently. I've been burned a couple of times.

 

[jssailem]

I've been shying away from eBay

Understand that thought. I am as well cautious of dealing with them. It was an example. I found a similar instrument for the same learning reason through our local Marine Consignment shop.

 

[shemandr]

I have a sextant I probably should part with. The first thing I would tell someone who might want it is that the readings are in minutes and seconds. That doesn't work for a lot of folks. It is a quality instrument and has been professional reconditioned. I'll post more details if there is any interest or PM me.

 

[Brian D]

I have the Davis MK25. I like it. I used it on land for learning and was close, but no cigar. I also used it to watch the last solar eclipse. A few neighbors came over and were intrigued. They have never seen a "real" sextant close up, never mind the eclipse. I digressed...

So off the to boat one day and out to sea. Used the sextant and almost fell overboard. Loss of orientation the cause. Trying too hard to keep the sun on the horizon. Anyway... tether in before trying to take a sighting.

Go with the Davis. If you get something expensive and realize you will never use it, you might not get your asking price. If you have the Davis and don't use it you can donate it to a local sailing club if you don't use it.

 

[JRT]

Ebay is a almost useless now with the scams and stupid pricing. This product seems really easy to stil get new including from Amazon and several vendors for less then the ebay item above.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Dav...oid-sprint-us&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8