Ultima C11 Questions

I recently acquired an Ultima C11 PEC. The fork arms are ribbed which dates this back a bit, can anyone fill me in on the difference between the ribbed fork Ultima's compared to the sandcast. Are the optical qualities equal?. The base appears to be exactly the same on each.

Anyway, any help sure would be appreciated.

Thanks

Rick H

The "Ribbed" ultima's (8 and 11) were made from about 88 to around 94 or 95 (there wer the later 9.25 "smooth" forked Ultima's). Many (myself included) say the 8" version to be the best all around forked 8" sct ever made. Optically they were the same - Celestron says they do not have "grades" for different models - as all the other 8" Celestrons and the OTA's would be interchangable (same drilled/tapped holes, etc.). Same goes for the 11". Rumors abounded however that the "best" optics from a particular run would be slated for the flagship "Ultima" line - how true only Celestron knows but ain't tell'n

As for the Mechanics - The Ribbed forks are quite a bit heavier - dampening vibrations much faster. The 8" version had the extra advantage of being just shortened 11" forks, so that the bearing surface was the same for both the 11" and 8" sct's. The base's are the same as far as holes/wedge mounting placements, but the electronics where much different - except the "Powerstar PEC" I believe used the same board.