Re: [ATM] Edmund Optics "Techspec" brand achromat: suitable lensfor small refractor?

[David Weinshenker <daze39@earthlink.net>]

Jeff Rowe wrote:
> I can't comment on Techspec lenses from experience, but I imagine they
> would work fine for your purposes. Here are a couple of links to some
> similar products that might work as well at lower cost, some already
> have lens cell mounts.

Thanks for the links - looks like some interesting options.

> I have not done a side by side comparison between
> these products. Anchor is a division of Edmunds. I have no commercial or
> sales interests in these companies. Enjoy building this scope,

Basically, my intended end result is an optical system that 
splits the difference between the department-store ToyScopes 
and the Fancy Fluorite Triplets with four-year back-orders. 

Design specifications: something of perhaps 3 to 3.5 inches 
aperture, with a proper lens and a nice focuser that fits 
normal-sized eyepieces... now to pick a focal length: 
where to trade the mechanical convenience of a shorter 
f/ratio against the optical advantages of a longer one... 
do I really want -this- one to be a 4-foot-long telescope? 
Decisions, decisions...!

> I'll bet you'll be grinding mirrors in the near future :)

Maybe somewhere down the line: the thought of eventially
learning how to figure optical surfaces is fascinating, 
but my immediate ambitions are more along the lines of 
constructing and testing experimental instruments using 
off-the-shelf glass bits...

-dave w
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