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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Nov 28, 2012 5:05:27 GMT -5
Yes, these are all a knife edge style baffles and the reflections are filtered off completely as per computer simulations. But we will know more after we mount lens at the front of this meast and test it thru and thru compared to a closed tube scope side by side. The lens has been shipped from our Florida stock few days ago so I hope to be able to do some preliminary testing in two or three week time. By the way all cross sections are black mat and if you observe at good dark site the reflections are of no importance. For those who want a closed tube we will produce the special lightweight, water proof cover / shroud which will simulate a classic refractor. The 8" F8 and 8" F12 both Classic achromat and R30 anastimgat are due to be designed by second quarter of 2013, production by summer 2013 but this is a rough estimate. We are now getting a new CNC machine which will help us produce these fairly hard to produce scope parts (especially for TCR telescopes) faster and more efficiently. At this moment the price of this style scope is about 250 USD higher compared to the closed tube design (very unfortunately) but if you take the PRO rings out of equasion, the price will be very similar. best regards, Ales Hi Ales, Looking superb! Thanks for updating us on its progress. Are the inner rings of the baffles/cross sections machined at a Flared angle away from the focusor end on each one in order to create a razor sharp baffle edge, to eleviate reflections from the inner cross section edges? When I built a wooden tube I did thid with the 9mm ply internal rib / baffles so as to eliminate the edges from view from the focusor end worked a treat to prevent any light reflections. When are you prototyping the 8" F9 or F11 version? (hint hint) Cheers Paul |
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Nov 28, 2012 5:08:31 GMT -5
Yes Paul, these are all a knife edge style baffles and the reflections are filtered off very well as per computer simulations. But we will know more after we mount lens at the front of this meast and test it thru and thru compared to a closed tube scope side by side. The lens has been shipped from our Florida stock few days ago so I hope to be able to do some preliminary testing in two or three week time. By the way all cross sections are black mat and if you observe at good dark site the reflections are of no importance. For those who want a closed tube we will produce the special lightweight, water proof cover / shroud which will simulate a classic refractor. The 8" F8 and 8" F12 both Classic achromat and R30 anastimgat are due to be designed by second quarter of 2013, production by summer 2013 but this is a rough estimate. We are now getting a new CNC machine which will help us produce these fairly hard to produce scope parts (especially for TCR telescopes) faster and more efficiently. At this moment the price of this style scope is about 250 USD higher compared to the closed tube design (very unfortunately) but if you take the PRO rings out of equasion, the price will be very similar. best regards, Ales Read more: istarscopeclub.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=gen&thread=318&page=2#ixzz2DVi4GuSP |
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paulci
Junior Member
Posts: 20
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Post by paulci on Nov 28, 2012 11:29:12 GMT -5
Ales,
Seems that every aspect has been though of. Really locking forward to the testing feedback of the TCR.
Thanks for the update.
Wil pm you regardst the 8" lens.
Thanks
Paul
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Post by scopejunkie on Nov 30, 2012 16:42:14 GMT -5
Excellent design! Even though I have made a few open tubed refractors using wood as the main support component (see Rail Scope in ATM section) I love your design. I'm a research & developement machinist by trade (40 years) so forgive me, I may copy yours and make one of my own ;D Another 8" would be nice. I already have the focuser. Hmmm... ScopeJunkie Attachments:
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Post by scopejunkie on Nov 30, 2012 17:34:06 GMT -5
Ales, I was doing a little brain storming (hopefully not scattered showers) and wondered if you gave any thought to selling the scopes in kit form. This would save the buyer some bucks and allow them to put together their own scope (many have the talent but no machine access) and they could add their own touches (paint, details) to make a very personal refractor  Also, I would think an abrasive waterjet machine would make quick work of producing most of your telescope parts. The parts would come off of the machine 90% complete with a minimal waste of material and fabrication would be quite a bit faster than milling the components. Yes, we have one here where I work and it was the best machine I have ever purchased. Saves us a lot of time here at the lab. Just some thoughts... Scopejunkie |
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Post by Watcher3 on Nov 30, 2012 23:36:53 GMT -5
I have a feeling that your elegant scope on a stick may have been the seed that sprouted the TCR.
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Post by scopejunkie on Dec 1, 2012 14:19:54 GMT -5
Interesting comparison  Thanks for the compliment. The book All About Telescopes (Sam Brown) was the seed that started my ATM "adventure" over 30 years ago. The tubeless refractors in the book always fascinated me. There are a lot of advantages to the open tube design. Ease of ATM construction is a big one and unlike the limitations of open tubed reflectors, computer designed baffling for an open refractor can do an excellent job of suppressing scattered light. My rail scope only uses two baffles but the scattered light is well controlled. From the focuser you can't see anything but the lens yet looking at the scope it looks like it shouldn't work. I like TCR design. Well thought out. The implementation is very well done. It created an itch that this ATM has a need to scratch. Darn, now I have to put together some funds to buy another lens from Istar  Scopejunkie |
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Dec 2, 2012 14:15:21 GMT -5
You are more than welcome. I will gladly share my own experience even some drawings, etc.. I did not try to take any specific scope design as a starting point, but the connection with the rail scope is absolutely logical and I combined several aspects found in several scope types, including the rail scope, you guys are absolutely right . To combine originally shaped cross sections with baffles and closed tube design at the rear section just evolved naturally when I was playing wih my CAD software doing some ray tracing... I believe that we reached the main and most important goals set. The most important one was to reduce weight by at least 30 percent.. we achieved over 52 percent... all those other benefits can be considered as an extra bonus. Personally I could not be happier. We are now producing first set of 5 of these Perseus TCR 150-12 and we will jump right into 204 F8 R30 and 204 F12 R30.
Regarding the idea about offering these as a DIY project, please look at the very beginning of this thread and read list of the individual advantages. The points 10 and 11 was sort of going the way you are suggesting. (to produce individual parts from which a number of different scopes could be produced, offer them finished or unfinished, assembly must be done by customer. I like your idea a lot since you refined it further. I need comments and ideas like these so we can develop them further. Working directly with you guys gives the whole telescope making process a whole new dimension. So thanks again for your commetns, stay in touch,
cheers,
Ales
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Post by scopejunkie on Dec 10, 2012 15:25:02 GMT -5
Here is my current design for an open tubed refractor. Not as fancy as the TCR but the design requires minimal machining and the ends are removable (like the end tubes in my previous open refractor picture) making it a very portable large refractor. The tube components use common off-the-shelf, easily purchased materials (aluminum). Add a Raycorr and you have a portable 8" APO The mount is a bit more involved though not impossible to make with common shop tools. Now, if I can save my pennies so I can buy another lens... Attachments:
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Post by astro803 on Dec 16, 2012 18:54:09 GMT -5
Hi Ales,
I like the new tube design. Good job.
I have a Phantom CFT152-8 on order. Any chance of it coming with this design tube?
Regards,
Bruce
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Dec 17, 2012 11:01:26 GMT -5
Dear Bruce,
thank you so much for your kind inquiry. We can of course produce the scope in this configuration but we just got into an extremely bad and uncomfortable situation regarding CaF2 material availability and cost. Our old supplier went out of businses two months ago and we did everything we could to find a reasonable replacement. Im extremely sorry to say that we did not.. better said we did not find one who could meet our old price, not even close. So first step we had to take was to increase price of our Phantom by some 3500 dollars, and I am forced to cancel production of this scope and all pending sales. This was a shoct to us since it came suddenly and completely unexpectedly. One good this is that I talked to our master optician many times since than and we will design and produce a special 4 element Petzval style scope which will perform on same level of optical excellence as the original Phantom. We will use CaF2 element but in second, smaller doublet of the system. Or people can simply decide for much larger system, for example 180mm and combine them with our Raycorr Pro6-V which will also work wonderfuly and at much lower price. For example already mentioned 180mm system should be comfortably below 4000 dollars and 204mm around 5000 or so (a VERY rough estimate, we will know exact prices soon). All of these new scopes will be produced in TCR system which is combination of Truss and enclosed tube refractor, no need for expensive or heavy mounting rings, see detailed info on this web site. Well, Im extremely sorry for this bad news about Phantom CFT but we are working on multiple solutions to replace this scope. Please get back with me soon both via Istar Scope Club and my email ales@istar-optical.com thank you
best regards,
Ales
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Jan 4, 2013 11:37:09 GMT -5
Well, first Perseus TCR 150-12 has been completely assembled (except for the newest style mounting rings, we will have those finished in two week time from now). So, if my wife can hold this fully loaded scope including the mounting rings, dovetail, massive MoonLite focuser, thick solid aluminum reduction ring and super massive 2" Pentax 40mm eyepiece.. than ANYONE can handle this large scope with ease. Just to give you an idea.. this fully loaded scope equipped with heaviest accessories obtainable weights less than 11 kilos.. if you use our own Istar focuser, regular 1,25 eyepiece, no focuser reduction ring (not needed if you buy your scope with original Istar focuser) than total will be in around 9 kilo range... Im ready to hear some more feedbacks and more pre-orders. We are currently producing or designing (due in production soon) the following Krivanek-TCR scopes: Perseus TCR 150-12 Perseus TCR 150-15 Asteria TCR 180-8 R35 Asteria TCR 180-12 R35 Asteria TCR 204-8 R35 Asteria TCR 204-12 R35 more models will follow throughout the year of 2013. Stay in touch, cheers, Ales Attachments:
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Post by Ales - iStar Optical on Jan 4, 2013 11:50:59 GMT -5
Dear Paul, the 8" models are now being designed and will go into production before my overseas trip in two week time. WE will produce the Asteria TCR 204-8 R30 first and than two months later the F12 model will follow. We will finish designing both 180mm R35 SLIM doublets ready by mid. spring 2013, OTAs should follow two months later, that is early summer 2013. So you any everyone interested stay tuned. We are now taking pre-orders on most of these since we have price estimates for 150 and 204mm OTAs by now, prices for 180 F8 R35 SLIM and 180 F12 R35 SLIM will be available by second week of March 2013. cheers, Ales Attachments:
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Post by Watcher3 on Jan 4, 2013 17:38:57 GMT -5
Well, first Perseus TCR 150-12 has been completely assembled (except for the newest style mounting rings, we will have those finished in two week time from now). So, if my wife can hold this fully loaded scope including the mounting rings, dovetail, massive MoonLite focuser, thick solid aluminum reduction ring and super massive 2" Pentax 40mm eyepiece.. than ANYONE can handle this large scope with ease. Just to give you an idea.. this fully loaded scope equipped with heaviest accessories obtainable weights less than 11 kilos.. if you use our own Istar focuser, regular 1,25 eyepiece, no focuser reduction ring (not needed if you buy your scope with original Istar focuser) than total will be in around 9 kilo range... Im ready to hear some more feedbacks and more pre-orders. We are currently producing or designing (due in production soon) the following Krivanek-TCR scopes: Perseus TCR 150-12 Perseus TCR 150-15 Asteria TCR 180-8 R35 Asteria TCR 180-12 R35 Asteria TCR 204-8 R35 Asteria TCR 204-12 R35 more models will follow throughout the year of 2013. Stay in touch, cheers, Ales Absolutely stunning Ales, and the scope ain't bad either! |
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Post by Mike on Jan 8, 2013 22:26:53 GMT -5
If he doesn't staighten out and start spending more time with her she's going to beat him with that scope  Sorry Ales, Guys I couldn't resist... On the serious side... I can't wait to get my hands on that scope. It looks awesome. |
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Hi Ales,
Thanks for the compliment. The book All About Telescopes (Sam Brown) was the seed that started my ATM "adventure" over 30 years ago. The tubeless refractors in the book always fascinated me. There are a lot of advantages to the open tube design. Ease of ATM construction is a big one and unlike the limitations of open tubed reflectors, computer designed baffling for an open refractor can do an excellent job of suppressing scattered light. My rail scope only uses two baffles but the scattered light is well controlled. From the focuser you can't see anything but the lens yet looking at the scope it looks like it shouldn't work.
