Re: New to ATM, need product suggestions

[Chris Westland <westland@uxmail.ust.hk>]

John Lewis (Volt Comp) wrote:
> 
> I will be purchasing an 8" - 10" mirror soon for my first 'real' scope.
> Unless somebody convinces me otherwise, I will be buying a finished
> mirror.
> 
> So I want to hear suggestions, there are many companies out there.
> Galaxy, Nova, Pegasus, Parks, then there are the guys who make mirrors
> in their basement or garage. Where should I go? I want good quality of
> course, but I am not looking forward to spending more than $500 on just

John:

Scope City is partially owned by Parks, and thus IMHO is biased.  I
think Parks optics are of variable quality, and generally overpriced.
Galaxy is the premium provider, with consistent quality (especially
since John Hudak bought the interferometer), at perhaps a 5% premium
over Pegasus and Nova.  I've owned three of their mirrors (2 18" and 1
20") and have been satisfied.  Pegasus and Nova both have good
reputations, and I would trust them.  But you should also learn enough
about testing optics to verify the quality for yourself.  See the posts
in the ATM archives about working with the optical shop to assure you
are getting what you want.  Since you have gone to Scope City, I presume
you are in So. CA.  You can perhaps handle the coating yourself (at
Clausen, or QSP) and ask the optical shop to provide you with an
uncoated mirror which you can test, and send back for refiguring (if
they are willing to do this) if you are unsatisfied

-c


-- 
Chris Westland
Associate Professor, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology
Clearwater Bay, Kowloon, HONG KONG  
Tel: ++(852) 2358-7643  Fax: ++(852) 2358-2421
EM:westland@uxmail.ust.hk  WWW:http://home.ust.hk/~westland/westland.htm