Observator Mk 4
Modern navigation sextant by Observator
Product details: Observator Mk 4 | Observator | Sextant | Navigation | Material: Aluminium
This is the 'last' of the professional sextants produced. Not withstanding that companies as Freiberger and Tamaya are still producing sextants, they are all of an old(er) design. The Observator was the last innovation in sextants that was brought to market. There were prototypes from e.g. C.Plath but those were never sold. The Observator differs from earlier sextants by having the filters in the telescope housing. There are two filters (operated by rotating knobs) that allow a gradual change in filter for the index and horizon mirror separately.
The instrument is made out of aluminium but still heavy (preferred by many sailors without a good reason other than conservatism) and has a standard handle. The drum mechanism is enclosed (as with the Freiberger) and this one has the optional battery operated illumination that screws to the drum housing. The telescope cannot be replaced but the mirrors are of the standard (replaceable type). Sadly this specific instrument came onto the market 3 years after the system that marked its death was launched, the Navstar Global Positioning System. Not long after producing the MkIV, Observator stopped with the sextant business and sold their inventory to Sestrel who marketed it as the Sestrel Mk IV without any modifications but the brand name (something they also did with the Ebbco sextant).
More informaiton / other collections:
Observator Mk 4
Data sheet
- Year
- 1983
- Serialnumber
- 882081
- Type of use
- Navigation
- Material
- Aluminium
- Size case (l x w x h) in m
- 0.24 x 0.28 x 0.16
- weight case & in kg
- 1.6
- country obtained from
- Netherlands
8 other products in the same category:
Modern navigation sextant by Observator
Product details: Observator Mk 4 | Observator | Sextant | Navigation | Material: Aluminium