Posts Made By: Cary Chleborad

In recent months I have tested a signifcant number of production mirrors from inexpensive newtonian / dobsonian telecopes. I've examined at least one mirror from most of the "big" sellers, all of the results being fairly similar. Generally good enough for an inexperienced buyer to not be dissapointed but definitly should be better.

I've posted an article on my web site discussing quality criteria and sample data from one of these mirrors I just examined and refigured.

http://www.WodenOptics.com/cloudy.html

I suppose this could lead to discussions regarding manufacturers claims and honesty in reporting optical surfaces. However, I think the inexpensive "starter" level optics do serve their purpose. Without inexpensive telescopes, many people would never enter the hobby and have the opportunity to develop the skills and desire to appreciate hand crafted performance instruments.

Well, that's my 1:30 am rant!!!

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Cary Chleborad
Woden Optics
www.WodenOptics.com

For those interested in newtonian diagonal math: I finally broke down and wrote my own software after messing with the other available packages. Mostly for fun.

I recently added off axis illumination calcs as well and will be adding a few more features such as the offset calculation and adding more fleibility in specifiying parameters. Plus whatever functions that seem like a good idea. The calculator is free at available at our web site: http://www.wodenoptics.com and is located in the information section. Play with it, let me know if you expereince any trouble and any suggestions for improvements!

Enjoy!

-Cary Chleborad

Ok... I can never leave well enough alone! I went and added a bunch of features to my calculator program. It now does illumination falloff graphing as well as letting you specifiy a given diagonal size. A few other things as well. Check it out and let me know if you can think of any other improvements or find any bugs!


Oh yeah... dowload it for free from our web site under the information section, http://www.wodenoptics.com

-Cary

A quick snapshot from Mead's display at RTMC......

Hi Steve,

I've tested just about every brand of "mass produced" mirrors and very few of them meet what I call good quality.

I'm always seeking OEM manufacturing situations for my optics. Perhaps we can discuss things? My business is Woden Optics, see the list of sponsors for a link to my web site or visit www.wodenoptics.com

-Cary

Check Digikey.com for a fan source. You should be able to get exactly what you want from them.

-Cary Chleborad
Woden Optics
www.WodenOptics.com

It's interesting that this topic pops to the top again. My loveley wife just updated our web site and linked a white paper on coatings that I wrote a month ago... I tried to separate the human/operations/policital aspects from what can be objectified and evaluate on those merits alone. I leave it to the reader to draw thier own conclusion.

Check the "information" section at our web site: http://www.wodenoptics.com


-Cary

http://WWW.QEDMRF.com

I hope to purchase one of these machines in the next several years.

All the best,

-Cary Chleborad