This year, CZ will be providing his mirrors to Plettstone, CPT, and Astrosystems as well. A 10" f/6 Planetary Dob with CZ mirror costs about US$3000. Interesting time indeed!
> From: "stedystate" <stedystate@aol.com>
> To: <zambutomirrorgroup@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 10:00 AM
> Subject: [zambutomirrorgroup] Biggest ZOC News in Seven Years
>
>
> More choices are now available for amateur astronomers who use
> ZOC mirrors. The time has come where we have gained the
> opportunity to take on additional customers. These customers
> will also be telescope makers, as we prefer to do business in that
> fashion.
>
> I'm sure many of you already know the amateur industry as a whole
> has been in decline in recent years. Everyone who works in the
> industry is well aware of this. It has affected everyone. From what
> I understand, no company, no matter their product or service, has
> escaped being affected by these changes. There are many reasons
> for it that I won't go into at this time. The upshot is, we now have
> an opportunity to expand our customer base, and so have chosen
> three additional telescope makers beyond the four that we have had
> for the last seven to eight years. I note here that nothing has
> changed with respect to our current long-standing customers. All
> product is same and on-line. We continue to service them in the
> same fashion as we have for the last eight years.
>
> Each of our three new customers we are adding have been on a
> short list of mine for a long time. The member with the shortest
> timeframe has been on this list for over two years, with the longest
> being as much as six. In any case, the bottom line is the amateur
> community is now going to have more choices in a telescope with
> a Zambuto mirror.
>
> First, I'm pleased to announce the availability of our mirrors in the
> AstroSystems Telekit. AstroSystems has been in business longer
> than ZOC. Randy Cunningham made contact with me many years
> ago, shortly after we took on Starmaster, Mag 1, Starsplitter and
> Teleport. At that time we were at full capacity and could not be of
> help to them. Finally, after all these years we're in a position to work
> with Randy and company. AstroSytems presently has new things on
> their horizon. They are developing a new line of telescopes which
> will weigh significantly less (approx 30%) and still keep their structural
> stability and performance. These should come on line this summer.
> They are also working on a new and unique visual drive tracking
> system that will debut in the spring. The size mirrors we are making
> available are as follows: 12.5, 16", 18, 20, 22 and 24". (Starmaster,
> Mag 1 and Teleport remain our primary 14.5" customers). AstroSystems
> has the ability to make custom F ratios as I understand it, and we
> can deliver those custom focal length mirrors in many of the above
> sizes. Prices for their current long-standing line of telescopes are
> up on their site. And for those who did not know this, AstroSystems
> does provide finished telescopes as well as build kits. Their home
> page is at http://www.astrosystems.biz/index.htm
>
> Next, a unique and rather exotic lightweight design with a round
> mirror box whose altitude bearings mount on the truss poles, and
> that is the Plettstone telescope. We have mirrors available for all three
> telescope sizes and F/ratios that Michelle Stone produces, that being
> 12.5", 15" and 18". Each telescope is hand built with finest grade
> quality components throughout, coupled with unusual amounts of
> careful time spent in fabrication, such that relativey few are produced
> in a calendar year. If you haven't seen the Plettstone telescope, go have
> a look. And if you've ever thought about wanting one with a Zambuto
> mirror, your opportunity has just arrived. We are now on-board. Be
> certain to see the construction information on this line of telescopes,
> I think you'll be impressed. http://plettstone.com/telescopes/
>
> And last, yet another more exotic and also unique design, the Compact
> Precision Telescope by Mark Wagner. Mark is currently in a redesign
> and the new line will consist of 8", 10" and 12.5" telescopes, all at
> the same focal length. The CPT is a machined aluminum telescope that
> collapses down in one motion for excellent portability. I believe this line
> of scopes is going to be airline portable. These telescopes will be utilizing
> our thinnest mirrors that we produce, with the 8" at 7/8" thick, the 10"
> at 1-1/8" thick and the 12.5" at 1-3/8" thickness. This keeps them
> lightest possible weight and fastest equilibration. If you haven't seen
> the CPT yet, it may be worth your time to take a look.
> http://www201.pair.com/resource/astro.h ... ducts/cpt/
>
> Well, that's the story. Sorry it took seven years. We'll try to do better
> next time around.
>
> CZ
>
New Dobs with Zambuto Mirror
-
Canopus Lim
- Posts: 1144
- Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2005 12:46 pm
- Location: Macpherson
-
Canopus Lim
- Posts: 1144
- Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2005 12:46 pm
- Location: Macpherson
Yup.. the starsplitter don't have much reviews too. Also I find that it looks the worst among all the other dobs with zambuto mirrors. Starmaster is very good but it is as highly priced as mag1 and teleport. In terms woodworked type of dobs I feel that the Obession looks the best, most ruggard and very low profile (can fit in my car nicely without having problems closing the boot) and it has tonnes of positive reviews.
