Trying to find an mirror supplier in Oz.

Stevo69 · #1 26-08-2007, 09:28 AM

Can anyone recommend any local suppliers of mirrors (both primary and secondary) and mirror cell, around 16" for a dobsonian.

I'm toying with the option of making a dobsonian, and I'd like to get some ball-park figures. Thanks in advance.

hoo roo,
Steve

Garyh · #2 26-08-2007, 09:44 AM

Hi steve,
this mob makes mirrors etc
Have no idea of there prices but.
http://deepsky.cia.com.au/optics/
cheers Gary

Tannehill · #3 26-08-2007, 09:51 AM

Maybe Guang Sheng, now that they market a 16" dob....

st

erick (Eric) · #4 26-08-2007, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tannehill

Maybe Guang Sheng, now that they market a 16" dob....

st

As in:-

http://www.gs-telescope.com/content.asp?id=95

Stevo69 · #5 26-08-2007, 11:26 AM

Thank you all for the advise, I will contact them this week. Andrews Communications in Sydney are a dealer for GSO. Their web site lists 16" POA.

In addition to the mirror, can you buy mirror cells complete and off the shelf? Or do you have to construct them yourself?

Starkler (Geoff) · #6 26-08-2007, 11:47 AM

If you go to deepky optics, you will get a top shelf mirror as good as you can get from anyone, including the big name outfits in the US.
From what I recall when i was chasing prices, a 16" would cost around the 3-3.5k mark.

CoombellKid · #7 26-08-2007, 02:25 PM

I spoke to Lee @ Andrews a few weeks ago about getting in a GSO 16"
and he informed me they wont be able to supply him with 16" mirrors until
around christmas time 07. He did initially have them priced at $1499.00
over $200.00 cheaper than Bintel. However if you email GSO directly they
seem to be cool with doing business with joe blow, in US dollars of course.

regards,CS

tempestwizz (Brian) · #8 27-08-2007, 08:23 PM

Steve,

IMHO

When you have good sky to look at, you won't want to see just fuzzy balls and wish you'd spent a bit more, go the extra mile (or $) up-front and you'll never regret it.
High quality eyepieces (that you can add later) will not improve an average primary. You can't make mediocre better than mediocre.
Follow Garyh's suggested link. You don't have to go off-shore for the best.

However, its unlikely you'll have one before Christmas.

Fill in the time-gap by working on a good Dob mount system.

Stevo69 · #9 28-08-2007, 06:00 AM

Thankyou all for the good advice.

tempestwizz and Garyh, I will take your recommendation on board. I have emailed deepsky.cia.com.au so I'll wait for the reply. If anyone knows of another company in Australia, tell me as I prefer to buy here

I have also been recommended Pegasus Optics by aerobrake, so they will have an email sent off to the this week.

Ostahowski Optics are recommended and used by SDM telescopes and their are a lot of satisfied customers who own their telescopes.

Obviously, I should specify the diameter and focal length I require but is there anything else I should specify to a prospective supplier?

Also, apart from price, what information should the give me in regards to their product? Specifications? guarantees?

I get the feeling that I will get a better quality product from a company who individually makes the mirror, rather than a mass-produced line?

GrahamL · #10 29-08-2007, 04:43 PM

http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au/

lists a few options for primarys and secondarys on the site.

Stevo69 · #11 03-09-2007, 09:22 PM

Just to round off the topic for now, after much research and various recommendations from IIS members and others, I have decided to go with Deep Sky Optics, Sydney. It will be ready next year but that gives me plenty of time to make in-roads on the rest of the Dobsonian. And I've increased to an 18". Anyway, thanks to all for contributing your thoughts.

hoo roo

Steve

Starkler (Geoff) · #12 03-09-2007, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevo69

I get the feeling that I will get a better quality product from a company who individually makes the mirror, rather than a mass-produced line?

You can rest assured that the mirror when you finally receive it will be a good one and not one pushed through a process in order to achieve a volume of sales.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #13 04-09-2007, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevo69

Just to round off the topic for now, after much research and various recommendations from IIS members and others, I have decided to go with Deep Sky Optics, Sydney. It will be ready next year but that gives me plenty of time to make in-roads on the rest of the Dobsonian. And I've increased to an 18". Anyway, thanks to all for contributing your thoughts.

hoo roo

Steve

Steve

I currently have an order with DSO for two 12" matched f/5 mirrors that was placed in January this year. I paid a deposit and am now patiently waiting for a call to say they're ready. I have absolutely no problem with this because when they are ready, they'll be ready. I know that these two mirrors will match each other so well because the care is taken by Mark to ensure that they do - and this process is what is taking the time in my case (as opposed to a normal single-mirror delivery). I have implicit trust in his ability and knowledge and you just can't push this sort of quality out the door quickly. I can't wait to start building my binocular newtonian - but refuse to push it along any faster. I hope to get mine before year's end, but if not then I'm happy to wait a little longer.

I think you've made a very sensible and informed decision.

Cheers
Chris

Satchmo · #14 04-09-2007, 10:59 AM

Chris,

Thanks in general for your endorsement.
I hope there was no mis understanding about the delivery arrangement.
Focal length matching can be more time consuming. I'm happy to do because binocular newtonians are my passion. Your 2 mirrors are currently near completion and will be going to the aluminisers in the next few weeks

Including time allowance for my 6 week Summer break, Steves 18" as agreed will be delivered in February, so technically I'm running at about a 4 1/2 working month delivery .
I look forward to seeing your 12" binewt take shape, its going to be brilliant.

Cheers, Mark

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #15 04-09-2007, 11:17 AM

Sorry Mark - I have never expected anything other that what you've discussed in terms of a delivery schedule - and am still more than happy to take my turn when you have other work on. I'm totally satisfied and really appreciate the extra effort to match these two for me. All I hope is that the whole binonewt ends up being a testament to your optical skills and that I can build it well enough to do the optics justice. It'll have "Powered by Deep Sky Optics" printed in large lettering on the base.

Cheers - and no hurry!!!!!

Chris

tims · #16 21-11-2007, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevo69

Just to round off the topic for now, after much research and various recommendations from IIS members and others, I have decided to go with Deep Sky Optics, Sydney. It will be ready next year but that gives me plenty of time to make in-roads on the rest of the Dobsonian. And I've increased to an 18". Anyway, thanks to all for contributing your thoughts.

hoo roo

Steve

Hi Steve

I read with interest your intention to build a 18" Dobsonian - I would love to do the same. Are you using any published plans or designing it yourself? And I didn't realise there was a top class mirror maker in Oz - what sort of money does the 18" cost if you don't mind me asking?

cheers

Tim

Astro78 · #17 21-11-2007, 10:14 PM

Can anyone steer a poor fellow with an 8" primary requirement in the right direction?

Stevo69 · #18 21-11-2007, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tims

Hi Steve

I read with interest your intention to build a 18" Dobsonian - I would love to do the same. Are you using any published plans or designing it yourself? And I didn't realise there was a top class mirror maker in Oz - what sort of money does the 18" cost if you don't mind me asking?

cheers

Tim

Hi Tim, Just under $4000 for my 18" F4.5. By all recommendations, one of the highest quality mirrors you'll get.

I am using the book Dobsonian Telescope: A Practical Manual by Kriege & Berry. My design is a from this book and a proven design. The book is still in print and available in Australia. Try BinTel.

It looks like a typical "Obsession" style scope. See SDM Telescopes.

God luck... I'm still learning, but building one, can be achieved. I'm only new to building a Dobsonian, but any questions, don't hesitate to ask, me or others here on IIS.

hoo roo,
Steve

ngcles · #19 22-11-2007, 10:44 AM

HI Steve,

If you are looking for a cell for the mirror, I'd recommend Gary Mitchell (a mate of mine) who can be reached by email:

gnmitch@ozemail.com.au

who knocks out quite a few of excellent quality as I'm sure Mark Suchting agrees!

FWIW, my 31cm mirror I got from Mark about 8 yrs ago is an absolute ball-tearer -- I've never seen another 12 mirror to better it and Gary Mitchell's 20" is of similar quality.

Les D

Contributing Editor
AS&T