The Peak 2 Valley CLASSIC 6 inch F15 at Astrofest 2011
The STARSPLITTER is a long focus achromatic refractor of conventional format, but offering the latest in optical and mechanical design - made and hand finished in the UK!
Each telescope may be custom designed by us for the client, to suit specific observational requirements and budget.
These are not stock items, being made to order and with a manufacturing lead time of currently one to six months, depending mainly on the lens specified (see below).
The lens cell is usually a fully collimating push-pull unit, CNC machined by ourselves for our own optics. However, if an Istar Optical or D&G Optical lens is chosen, this may be fitted in their own high quality push-pull cell.
The tube material for 6 inch telescopes is seamless thick walled (3mm/10gauge) T6 grade aluminium alloy, providing a rigid OTA with no flexure. Tubes for larger instruments may be fabricated (seamed or welded). The dew shield is spun aluminium.
New for 2012, the baffle system used in our redesigned OTAs has been improved and each element now consists of a precision machined annulus of aircraft grade alloy that is exactly located by fastening through the tube wall, rather than the imprecise methods of tack welding or even glueing as used on inferior tube assemblies.
The focuser would typically be a dual-speed 2 inch or larger Crayford-style, CNC machined to our own design or a top quality commercial unit.
Optional fittings include finders and guidescopes, mounting rings and brackets, and balance weight systems.
Regarding objective lenses, we now only offer doublets manufactured under exacting conditions by Istar Optical and D&G:
Istar lenses are designed by their Master Optician, Zdenek Rehor and manufactured to stringent criteria. Prices and delivery times are excellent for these premium optics, which come with an interferometer test report as standard.
Apertures from 127mm ( 5inch ) to 300mm ( 11.75inch) are available in focal ratios of F10 to F15 as standard although faster lenses and anastigmatic R30 - R50 variants are also available.Please refer to the dedicated website www.istartelescopes-uk.com for further details.
D&G lenses are hand produced by Barry Grenier in the USA. His lenses have long been revered by American amateurs and professionals alike. All lenses are autocollimation tested and available in 5 to 12 inch apertures at F12 to F15 as standard, although larger sizes and longer focal lengths may be available to special order. Delivery times are currently in excess of 6-9 months.
We are continually looking for additional optical manufacturers, but unfortunately the optical industry in the UK is not what it was some years ago. In addition, we would be happy to mount a client's own objective.
Prices for 6 inch STARSPLITTER telescopes start at £1595 - compare this to commercially available traditionally-styled refractors of smaller aperture!
The CLASSIC II is a telescope of traditional design, with the typical appearance of an instrument produced in the early 20th century. Although the lenses are of latest optical design and materials, the lens cell, focuser and fittings are in polished brass. The focuser may be conventional external rack and pinnion or of the enclosed rack and pinnion style typical of Cooke, Broadhurst Clarkson and similar manufacturers of 50 to 100 years ago. A solid brass dewshield is aesthetically pleasing, but for weight/balance considerations a coated aluminium dewshield may be preferable, giving a saving of 1.1 Kilos.
Lenses available are as detailed for the STARSPLITTER telescopes.
The performance of this telescope equals that of the STARSPLITTER but the appearance makes it a joy to own for the purist.
We are delighted to announce a price reduction for the CLASSIC II refractor, now starting at £2095 - compare this to commercially available brass-finished refractors of smaller aperture!
The finish of either type of refractor is chosen by the client. Whilst a gloss or satin, black or white stove enamelled wet finish may appeal for the CLASSIC, a more durable powder coating is more appropriate for a modern instrument. We can apply a black texture in powder that is not only durable but looks similar to the finish used by British manufacturers such as Broadhurst Clarkson and Fullerscopes. The client may also opt for a unique metallic or pearlescent wet finish.
Focusers - applicable to Peak 2 Valley and Istar OTAs ( D&G supply the AstroPhysics focuser as standard )
Customers may chose from our own designs ( currently being upgraded ) or any commercially available focuser, rack and pinion or Crayford - style.
Peak to Valley telescopes come with a focuser reducer included in the price. Istar telescopes require a reducer plate machined to suit the selected focuser at a cost of £40.
For comparison, various focuser options are shown here demonstrating size differences.
Size and weight is an important consideration, in relation to equipment used eg imaging/visual/solar/spectroscopy.
Please refer to supplier's websites for full specifications, and contact us for advice and current pricing.
AstroPhysics Moonlite SkyWatcher Istar Baader
New for 2012 is the American made Istar PRO focuser
Other Products
Vintage and antique instruments
We are introducing replacement "pillar and claw" stands for classic refractors up to approximately 4inches aperture. These items are based on a design by Broadhurst Clarkson, and produced in cast brass, iron or aluminium alloy to order. The image shows the expected appearance, and prices will be available in late January 2012.
Optical Components
We occasionally have new optical components and instruments available from other UK manufacturers, and at present we have:
- A 5.25 inch F10 Fraunhoffer doublet. This objective was hand-figured by John Owen, the well-known English optician.
The doublet is uncoated, but may be fully multicoated at additional cost. This lens is very tolerant to centering and collimation and is mounted in a fixed cell.
Somewhat of a rarity as John no longer manufactures lenses.
Available for £425 - or make us an offer!
- A 200mm F12 Fraunhoffer doublet, 1/6 wave PV. Manufactured by Intane Optics, who supply optics for many branded telescopes.
Fully multi-coated and mounted in a collimating cell. .
This brand-new lens is normally retailed at over £1400 but as a special offer can be yours for £975 - or we can assemble a complete telescope for you, price dependant on the specific design.
- Brand new components manufactured for us by Orion Optics, suitable for constructing a high performance, long focus newtonian - obtained for a customer who subsequently cancelled.
Comprising 200mm F10 Research Grade/Hilux coated primary and 30mm minor axis flat, nine point suspension mirror cell with fitted cooling fan, four vane spider and OC1 low profile Crayford style focuser with 10:1 reducer. Fittings suitable for 225mm tube.
The resulting optical format produces a central obstruction of just 15% on diameter, which will produce near-apochromatic performance with no residual colour.
Due to the circumstances associated with this equipment, it is available at a very good price - please contact us to discuss.
Alternatively, we are happy to quote for the finished instrument as originally envisaged.
ALSO, SEE THE SUPERB SOLARSCOPE FILTERS THAT WE ARE SELLING ON BEHALF OF A CUSTOMER
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