Identification of Istar Objective Lens

[ukjohn]

Hello,

I have a pre-owned Istar Perseus AT-150 12. I've attached a photo of the objective lens below. I notice that some examples of this lens have a serial number inscribed on the bezel but mine does not appear to have this - 86040 is the ZIP code for Page Arizona I believe.

Does my objective have a unique serial number marked on it elsewhere ?. When I bought the scope I did not get the paperwork or test report on the objective lens as I believe the previous owner had passed away and I didn't like to pursue it.

If there is a serial number elsewhere on the lens can the optical test be traced for it ?

I've no issues with the performance of the objective by the way. it's excellent. I'm just curious thats all !

Thanks in advance for any advice

Attachments:

[Ales - iStar Optical]

Hello John,

your lens was produced before the decision was made to put a Serial Number on each lens. We started putting SN on lenses about 3.5 years ago if my memory serves me well. So your lens was produced before this time. There are not many iStar lenses without SN number out there, maybe 40 unit tops.
Each iStar lens was always double tested after production and we had Zygo reports for each one. Only we did not share this info with customers at the beginning. There was a time period when we did ship test reports witch each lens but it was a bad idea after all and it created a lot of unnecessary, empty debates on CN and other forums, fueled by a few individuals who were not exactly our fans and they did everything to make iStar look bad back then. Now, we engrave each iStar lens with unique Serial Number showing the year made and number of lenses produced in two separate lines identified by a letter at the end. This has nothing to do with quality of the lens. It serves as internal identification for our stock distribution.
I hope this explains.
Best regards,
Ales

[ukjohn]

Hi Ales,

Thanks very much for that reply - thats interesting information for me

The objective lens is a fine one, thats for sure.

John