Re: ATM Truss Tubes - Flare Fittings are superb!

[Mel Bartels <mbartels@efn.org>]

In a truss tube, all that matters is that there is a single unmoving
point of support at each end.  The threaded connectors fulfill this
requirement nicely.  From this point of view, the Obsession style
connectors are over designed, having the effect of giving the truss
tubes greater diameter at the bottoms.  But this is precisely the place
where the truss tubes can be and optimally ought to be reduced to a
single point.  The advantage to the Obsession design is that the truss
tubes by virtue of the clamps are held close enough to proper angle so
that the upper end can be easily attached.  It might also be argued that
the truss tube clamps hold down vibrations transmitted through the truss
tubes, but a properly designed telescope can have truss tube vibrations
that never appear at the eyepiece.

--
Clear skies, Mel Bartels
http://www.efn.org/~mbartels