Coating Costs

[rainwatcher (Peter)]

I have just seen on this site an 8" F5 dob for sale at $350 including extras and delivery - a good buy it would seem. I have recieved a quote of $285 plus postage for recoating my 8" F5.6 mirror. I made the mirror myself so i am sort of attached to it, and it is very well figured, but i can replace the entire scope for just $50 more.
Go figure

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

Being self sufficient isn't always cheaper.

I can't build a TV cheaper than LG either. Shame on me.

I can fix my car cheaper though.

I guess we have to choose how we identify as independent

[rainwatcher (Peter)]

Let me rephrase.
I can buy a new mirror - fully coated, cheaper than i can have a mirror re-coated.
Where is the sense in that.

[Zaps]

There was a time when the only way for most amateurs to get themselves a "big" mirror was to make it themselves. Now you have what sometimes seems like half the factories in Asia churning out big, good quality optics in huge numbers and low prices that would never have been believed back in the day.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by rainwatcher

Go figure

You did when you first made the mirror

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by Zaps

Now you have what sometimes seems like half the factories in Asia churning out big, good quality optics in huge numbers and low prices

Well, 2 factories anyway. GSO and Synta.

But you were sort of close. Two out of all the telescope factories is almost half the factories