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Selling: 15" ZAMBUTO mirror (closed)

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 11:30 am
by rlow
Selling: 15" ZAMBUTO mirror :shock:

Yeah... no kidding!

Since I got the 11 incher last week, my upcoming 'New Year resolution' (and promise to Vincent and all) is to tweak/fine-tune this and put it to good use by sharing it with you guys at Mersing next year onwards (this year 23 Dec 06 too if there are any keen driver available).

So I probably then won't have enough time to build this 15" dream scope for at least a year or so. Rather than leaving the mirror to 'hibernate' at home for so long, I am seriously considering to let this go to an aspiring Amatuer Telescope Maker here who is keen (or starting to dream) to build and own a 15" CZ scope! In future, I will still buy another one from CZ and build my scope. If there are no buyer, then of course I will just keep it and build this later.

I ordered this mirror in April 06 and Carl just told me yesterday that he is dong the polishing work now and it should be ready in 2 months; you will save the standard waiting period of at least 6-8 months. This is a 15" f/4.5 mirror with a 1.5" edge thickness. The focal length is 1714.5mm.

Why 15" mirror? This is a optimum-sized scope to fit into a standard-sized car, good weight to move around if you build a lightweight structure, good height to view without a step-ladder and optimised aperture to binoview DSOs without noticeable compromise on image brightness. Any size above 15" and you will need a ladder and bigger car!

Its condition? Based on Zambuto's reputation, definitely it will be excellent! It will come with Zambuto's endorsed certification that this mirror (combined with the optimum scope and under optimum sky condition) will excel in its perfomance at a magnification of 50x per inch or better. If you have observed through the Teleport or Portaballs or Arief's 10 incher, you may understand better the quality of a Zambuto mirror.

So...how much is it? That mirror cost $2400 USD. This is CZ's original price. CZ's prices may change in future, especially if and when Pyrex glass production stops and the Pyrex stock is depleted. The shipping cost is a separate cost and to be advised by CZ in due time.

Do sms or PM me if you are seriously keen or have questions. And thanks for reading this!

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 12:28 pm
by wucheeyiun
Wowww, i have been thinking about it for a while.

upzzz for the excellent mirror,
with this you can get the brightest DSO available from an amateur astronomer in Singapore. :)

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 12:40 pm
by rlow
Hi Wu, thanks for your 'expression of interest'! It would be great if you can build it with a tracking mount for astrophotography! I would be happy to answer any question from you or anyone else. :)

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 1:32 pm
by Canopus Lim
Perhaps Elton will be interested?

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 1:46 pm
by rlow
Maybe, then he can build a 'Teleport' 15! :)

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 2:43 pm
by ariefm71
Maybe a group of us can purchase this mirror and build the structure? I can be a member of that group.

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 5:22 pm
by wucheeyiun
interesting idea, i can also join in...

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 7:06 pm
by rlow
Maybe a group of us can purchase this mirror and build the structure? I can be a member of that group.
This is getting interesting! A collaborative project that can of benefit to more people in the Singastro forum! I hope Wu and Arief can work out the details with others.... :)

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 11:17 pm
by wucheeyiun
Richard...we will certainly involve you as well.:)
maybe you will have the lion share...

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 11:36 pm
by Clifford60
How much will the estimate total cost? Will there be a min amt contribution to co-own the scope?