Coated mirrors: Al. or Silver?

[Star Hunter]

Wondering if anyone here has got or used a Silvered mirror reflector and how does it stack up against an Al. coated reflectors? Some say Ag is better in certain wavelengths than Al mirrors.

For imaging with DSLR and CCD, would a Silver coated mirror be better?

Longevity of both: If both coatings were fresh and done at same time and both scopes were used in rural areas, wouldn't the silver last just as long?

It's just that I've got two 6" F10 and 13.1" F5.7 mirrors ready to be coated. Just not sure which way to go.

Thanks and cheers,

James

[brian nordstrom]

:shrug:in my humble opinion there is nothing wrong with a good Aliminium over coated mirror surface . A lot tougher than a silver coating for starters .
Brian.

[gb_astro]

James, where were you thinking of having the silver done?

gb.

[allan gould]

Dont bother with the silver coating. I lent a small reflector to a novice who saw dust on the mirror and decided to do me a favour. Wiped off the coating and I had to have it re-coated with aluminium.

[MrB]

I realise they had good intentions, but wow.
The lendee (?!) must have felt pretty low after that :(

[multiweb]

There was a thread about saintech doing silver coatings. Might want to to talk to Satchmo (Mark S.).