ZOC Mirrors Now Available

rlow · Post by **rlow** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 1:42 pm

Posted on the Yahoo Group "Zambutomirrorgroup" on 29 Sep 06:

I was just reminded that the timeframe when Chuck came on board was
essentially the same time we closed retail sales and became a wholesale
company, for all the reasons we've discussed in the past. Chuck wishes
to apologize for any inconvenience that may have caused, and wishes to
make the following announcement.

I don't know if this is going to be a big deal, or a "ho-hum" at this point
in the history of our industry, but it goes like this: From this point forward,
anyone who wants to buy a Zambuto mirror can do just that. We are open
for retail business for every product we manufacture. We fabricate
Newtonian primary mirrors from 8" diameter through 24" diameter at
present, ranging in focal ratios from F/3 through as long as you might
care to have. Pending a website which we hope to have up and running by
the first of next year, we will post some preliminary pricing.

The following prices are for standard focal ratios. Mirrors listed up
through 12.5" diameter are 9:1 thickness ratio. 14.5" through 18" are 1.6"
edge thickness, 20" is typically 1.7" ET and 22-24" are 1.75" ET. More
exotic one-each orders may require pricing adjustment. All prices *include*
shipping and insurance to the lower 48 states.

8" F/5.6 and F/6 $900.00

10" F/5, F/6 $1,100.00

11" (various f-ratios) $1,300.00

12.5" F/5, F/5.6, F/6 $1,600.00

14.5" F/4.5, F/5 $2,200.00

16" F/4.5 $2,700.00

18" F/4.5 $3,300.00

20" F/4.5 $4,200.00

22" F/4.1 $5,700.00

24" F/4.1 $8,200.00

Other focal ratios are available. If you have a need for another size or another
optical product we may consider it and can provide a quotation. Initial lead
times will be generally quoted at 6-8 months to be safe, and so that we have
the ability to continue to serve our wholesale customers (telescope mirror makers)
appropriately. Some mirrors could be finished much sooner, depending on
circumstances. All sales inquiries should be made to stedystate@aol. com.

That should be enough for the moment. We do have another announcement
coming soon, we hope to have the opportunity to offer premium mirror
cells up through 14.5" for our 9:1 thickness ratio mirrors. We have two
samples on their way to us at present, for examination. More on that later.

CZ

Post by **VinSnr** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 2:16 pm

can see that these mirror makers are having low sales at this point. That's why he open up to the retail market.

must be the effect of those mass produce dobs eating into their bottomline.

Over a thousand bucks for a 10" is crazy even with a CZ name on it. If anyone of you is thinking of buying one, at least get CZ to sign his name on the side of the mirror. At least that make the price a little more worthwhile.

Tachyon · Post by **Tachyon** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 3:48 pm

Yeah! Opening up of the market is good! It will enable end users to mix-and-match their favourite components to create their ideal scope! I just hope quality doesn't suffer when the mass orders starts coming in...

ariefm71 · Post by **ariefm71** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:10 pm

This is great! Since ZOC already got the fame, this will force the other premium mirror makers to make better mirrors than ZOC to compete.

Competition is always good for customers.

Post by **VinSnr** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:14 pm

ariefm71 wrote:This is great! Since ZOC already got the fame, this will force the other premium mirror makers to make better mirrors than ZOC to compete.

Competition is always good for customers.

my only fear is that instead of competing on quality, they actually use CZ's price as the benchmark for retail market.

rlow · Post by **rlow** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 12:14 pm

must be the effect of those mass produce dobs eating into their bottomline.

That is the reality....

It will enable end users to mix-and-match their favourite components to create their ideal scope!

Exactly! You have practised what you preach!

I just hope quality doesn't suffer when the mass orders starts coming in...

I don't believe quality will suffer. From my correspondence with CZ, I know he is someone who does not compromise on standards, and he will definitely maintain the reputation and track record. Also, it will still be a customised premium mirror and not a mass produced mirror, as only certain people who appreciate CZ's standard of exceptional quality will order his mirror.

Since ZOC already got the fame, this will force the other premium mirror makers to make better mirrors than ZOC to compete.

Better?

my only fear is that instead of competing on quality, they actually use CZ's price as the benchmark for retail market.

CZ's price is higher than the rest of the retail market, and it has already gone up $100-150 USD since 6 months ago.

ariefm71 · Post by **ariefm71** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 12:47 pm

Quote:Since ZOC already got the fame, this will force the other premium mirror makers to make better mirrors than ZOC to compete.

Better?

Up to the point where the difference (if any) can not be detected by mere mortals, even by most experienced observers under a perfect dark sky. Talking about Kennedy, Royce, Stevens, Swayze, and Tak mirrors here. Pretty much depends on how much time they want to spend to make it perfect (less order means more time)...

Canopus Lim · Post by **Canopus Lim** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 9:55 pm

I think that it is good since people are not limited to only Starmaster, Portaball and Telepot in order to have a zambuto mirror. About whether quality will remain, I think it would but the mass produced scopes would probably have increasing quality or better cost factor. It boils down to whether people want to spend that kind of money for the best things and whether is it worth it for that kind of improvement in views for that amount of money put in. In such premium kind of things, the price to pay for slight improvement goes up very high but there are people who wants the best.