[Satchmo]

I'm doing a trial of the a standard Saintech Quartz overcoat and Enhanced silver in a 12" binocular I am currently modding.

My aim is to see how the two coating perform in different conditions and to be able to compare the coating wear over time.

Last night with a first quarter Moon I noticed that at all magnifications the Moon was clearly slightly brighter in the Silver side.

Tuc 47 Globular showed more outerlying stars popping out and they stayed more constantly in view with the silvered mirror. There was a slightly warmer hue to the view with the silver, and the aluminium looked more `cold'. I definitely preffered the view with the enhanced silver.

A beginning observer would probably not notice the difference but for the more experienced this early result at the eyepiece looks very promising. I tested each mirror with both left and right eye as my left is more sensitive to low light.