TheSkySearchers

I probably found this idea somewhere on the internet, and I don't know if any of it is original thought, probably not! But here is a binocular mirror mount, Dobson style, that I started a few years back and I just have not finished it yet. I have the first surface mirror put away in a box somewhere. Some day, maybe I will finish it and I can post the results and first light report. Here's pics of what I have so far:

Looks nice. I did the same thing many years ago for a regular photographic mount, probably the same Skymaster 20x80 and found that the optical quality of the 1st surface mirror fell short. The reflected view was too blurry to tolerate. I hope your mirror has a better quality. Otherwise, maybe order some large secondary telescope mirrors, those would certainly be accurate enough.

SkyHiker wrote: ↑Mon Aug 14, 2023 2:10 am Looks nice. I did the same thing many years ago for a regular photographic mount, probably the same Skymaster 20x80 and found that the optical quality of the 1st surface mirror fell short. The reflected view was too blurry to tolerate. I hope your mirror has a better quality. Otherwise, maybe order some large secondary telescope mirrors, those would certainly be accurate enough.

I have heard a lot about the 1st surface mirrors not being up to par! I definitely can't tolerate blurry images, what would be the point?! I can only hope for the best, otherwise I might have to go the route of the large secondary telescope mirrors. Probably a little more expensive than I want to go.....

Oooh, another project for which I have all the pieces parts but have yet to assemble it into a finished product. I even have the first surface mirror that's guaranteed flat to a quarter wave. Now, I just need to find the time.

Agena Astro likely sells these but if not:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... -axis.html
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... -axis.html
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/pr ... -axis.html

JayTee wrote: ↑Mon Aug 14, 2023 6:53 pm Oooh, another project for which I have all the pieces parts but have yet to assemble it into a finished product. I even have the first surface mirror that's guaranteed flat to a quarter wave. Now, I just need to find the time.

Sounds familiar!

Here's a website that lets you specify the size then returns the price. You can specify 1/4 or 1/8 lambda. Best to sit down before hitting "Calculate".

https://firstsurfacemirror.com/eighth-w ... ce-mirror/

SkyHiker wrote: ↑Mon Aug 14, 2023 10:23 pm Here's a website that lets you specify the size then returns the price. You can specify 1/4 or 1/8 lambda. Best to sit down before hitting "Calculate".

https://firstsurfacemirror.com/eighth-w ... ce-mirror/

Thanks for the link. Whew! Not going there!