Custom Mirror Cell

Hello,

I am looking at getting a custom mirror cell with a whiffletree design made for my 16" AstroSystem Telekit.  Any suggestions would be great.

Keep Looking Up,

Bob

Originally Posted by Bob MacArthur

Hello,

I am looking at getting a custom mirror cell with a whiffletree design made for my 16" AstroSystem Telekit.  Any suggestions would be great.

Keep Looking Up,

Bob

I have a 16" astrosystems Telekit. Why not use the cell that comes with it? Works fine...

How is the cooling time?  Who made your mirror and how thick is it?

I’m getting a Lockwood 16” and Mike Lockwood strongly suggested getting a new mirror cell that was more open for temperature equalization.  He also said the wiffletree will provide more mirror support then the strap or cable.

Keep Looking Up,
Bob

Originally Posted by Bob MacArthur

How is the cooling time?  Who made your mirror and how thick is it?

I’m getting a Lockwood 16” and Mike Lockwood strongly suggested getting a new mirror cell that was more open for temperature equalization.  He also said the wiffletree will provide more mirror support then the strap or cable.

Keep Looking Up,
Bob

My 16" mirror is 1.6" thick, pyrex, f4.5, made by Ed Jones, an optical engineer and contributor to the cloudy nights ATM forum.
https://opticaleds.com/optical-testing-and-mirror-refiguring-2/
While he continues to provide free mirror testing as a service to the amateur community, I don't think he does anything beyond that at this time. 
I can generally get the mirror cooled from a warm SoCal garage to outside temps suitable for viewing in about 20 minutes. The standard cell has ventilation holes that allow for about 30% passive cooling and I leave the fan run all night and recharge the internal batteries on the following day. I have not seen any issues with either collimation or aberrations associated with this cell and I've used it a lot for many years, in many orientations from the scope pointed horizontal to vertical at the zenith. I'd contact Randy at Astrosystems and inform him of Lockwood's concerns and ask for his opinion on your particular situation.