Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Nov 20, 2012 6:00:53 GMT -5
Hello everyone,
as always, you hear about the new stuff from Istar right here first. I simply could not resist to share at elast few of these photos. Since the weight of some of our scopes is becoming an issue (our optics has been rated as one of the best on the market), we spend some time developing a totally new style of refractor and since I personally designed this style scope to the last bolt, I started calling it unofficially the "Krivanek-TCR" style refractor... These new scopes will be sold under Perseus TCR name for achromatic scopes and Asteria TCR name for R30 and R35 Anastigmats. The first model (pictured here) is Perseus TCR 150-12 and YOU can be first person owning this beautifuly looking scope. The price is not yet calculated but I suspect that it will be similar to the standard fully enclosed tube design since there is some very time consuming and intrique CNC machining involved on these parts. This new scope is now going to powder coating plant and I hope to get one 150 F12 lens from our Florida stock soon so we can test it.
As mentioned before, the major advantages of this system are following:
1 Substantially reduced weight
2 Greatly reduced shaking and vibration during windy nights and wind gusts
3 Greatly reduced lens cooling time, we suspect 50 percent reduction compared to regular refractor
4 Easy lens cleaning access
5 Both sides of the Lens can be covered with metal or plastic caps when not in use (we will offer these as extra ad-ons soon)
6 The unigue construction should offer even less flex / bend during temperature changes compared to a fully enclosed tube.
7 Plastic detachable dew shield will be attached directly to the lens. We plan to offer these sometimes during 2013
8 This style of refractor does not need classic and mostly expensive mounting rings. We are developing a simple clam system which will be attached to one of the main bars. We will produce model which will fit the standard Vixen style, and both Losmandy style with 60mm and 80mm span. These will be considerably cheaper compared to our PRO style mounting rings.
9 The combination of frame construction and enclosed tube with additional baffles at the rear end will allow for a high resolution image quality comparable to the enclosed tube.
10 Possibility of producing and shipping these as DIY assembly project. This way the entire scope for example in 8 or even 10" scope could fit into two boxes, one very compact 350 x 350 x 300mm box with the rear plate, counter cell, ribs (with baffles), plus the rear solid tube. Another box would be long but very narrow and thin box with the individual bars. Shipping would be considerably cheaper.
11 The individual parts could be used for other scope configurations, sort of like Lego-Style telescope building. Buying some additional parts would allow you to build a scope in different F-ratio. For example if you buy 150 F12 you could turn this scope into 150 F15 or 150 F10 by swapping some parts and (of course) the lens. This is only a rough idea but I may work on this further.
12 The point of perfect balance has been shifted to approx. one third of the leght from the focuser end. MUCH better than what we were able to achieve with any of the classic construction refractors. No more crawling on all four... we were able to off-set the front heavy refractor construction by a substantial amount.
Well guys, give me your feedback. I will gladly answer any question (as time permits)
best regards,
Ales
as always, you hear about the new stuff from Istar right here first. I simply could not resist to share at elast few of these photos. Since the weight of some of our scopes is becoming an issue (our optics has been rated as one of the best on the market), we spend some time developing a totally new style of refractor and since I personally designed this style scope to the last bolt, I started calling it unofficially the "Krivanek-TCR" style refractor... These new scopes will be sold under Perseus TCR name for achromatic scopes and Asteria TCR name for R30 and R35 Anastigmats. The first model (pictured here) is Perseus TCR 150-12 and YOU can be first person owning this beautifuly looking scope. The price is not yet calculated but I suspect that it will be similar to the standard fully enclosed tube design since there is some very time consuming and intrique CNC machining involved on these parts. This new scope is now going to powder coating plant and I hope to get one 150 F12 lens from our Florida stock soon so we can test it.
As mentioned before, the major advantages of this system are following:
1 Substantially reduced weight
2 Greatly reduced shaking and vibration during windy nights and wind gusts
3 Greatly reduced lens cooling time, we suspect 50 percent reduction compared to regular refractor
4 Easy lens cleaning access
5 Both sides of the Lens can be covered with metal or plastic caps when not in use (we will offer these as extra ad-ons soon)
6 The unigue construction should offer even less flex / bend during temperature changes compared to a fully enclosed tube.
7 Plastic detachable dew shield will be attached directly to the lens. We plan to offer these sometimes during 2013
8 This style of refractor does not need classic and mostly expensive mounting rings. We are developing a simple clam system which will be attached to one of the main bars. We will produce model which will fit the standard Vixen style, and both Losmandy style with 60mm and 80mm span. These will be considerably cheaper compared to our PRO style mounting rings.
9 The combination of frame construction and enclosed tube with additional baffles at the rear end will allow for a high resolution image quality comparable to the enclosed tube.
10 Possibility of producing and shipping these as DIY assembly project. This way the entire scope for example in 8 or even 10" scope could fit into two boxes, one very compact 350 x 350 x 300mm box with the rear plate, counter cell, ribs (with baffles), plus the rear solid tube. Another box would be long but very narrow and thin box with the individual bars. Shipping would be considerably cheaper.
11 The individual parts could be used for other scope configurations, sort of like Lego-Style telescope building. Buying some additional parts would allow you to build a scope in different F-ratio. For example if you buy 150 F12 you could turn this scope into 150 F15 or 150 F10 by swapping some parts and (of course) the lens. This is only a rough idea but I may work on this further.
12 The point of perfect balance has been shifted to approx. one third of the leght from the focuser end. MUCH better than what we were able to achieve with any of the classic construction refractors. No more crawling on all four... we were able to off-set the front heavy refractor construction by a substantial amount.
Well guys, give me your feedback. I will gladly answer any question (as time permits)
best regards,
Ales