Some Istar changes...

[Mike]

Hey guys, Just some changes with Istars line of scopes. First I apologize for being so "scarce" on the forum. Business has really picked up and it's can be difficult to keep up. Fortunately, Ales has taken up the slack by answering questions etc. Second, we are dropping the Fluorites from our line. When attempting to purchase new blanks from the glass company we found the price had gone up over $2000 apiece. That would put the 152-8 at 10 grand. That's just not where we want to be. So, unless something changes we won't be offering them anymore. Third, we are also dropping the Forfax 140mm APO Triplets. Two things here, blanks are becoming too expensive to keep our prices low and there is just not a lot of call for long focal length triplets. People want "all purpose scopes." Ever see a planet through a long focal length APO triplet? AWESOME! We may continue to produce the 160-12 upon special order. But with the coming of the Raycorr along with our R30 line, there just is no need for the triplets anymore. We sell many achro doublets especially in the R30 glass. So we are concentrating on what we do best. We are continuing to develop new products that are a better fit for Istar such as the Truss Constructed Refractor better known as TCR.

If anyone opts for one of the two Forfax 140-12 APO triplets we have on sale, we will of course honor the 5 year warranty and any other support needed on that scope. It's not that they are not available to us or have any technical issues what so ever. It just that if it's not selling... move on. These two scopes are a wonderful opportunity for some lucky astronomer to get his or her hands on a TRUE "Planet Killer" for a great price.
Mike

[Ales - iStar Optical]

Thanks MIke for posting more info from Florida. Since we are getting rid of the CaF2 and smaller of two Forfax 140 F12 models, we are also thinking ahead and we have some news from our European design center. In order to offer a full blooded APO or even APO-Astrograph, we are going to finish designing 4 element ED APO Petzval scopes which will sort of replace both the CaF2 and smaller Forfax scopes. We will produce these in 120mm F/6,5, 140mm F/6,5, 160mm F/6,5 and possibly (depends on price and interest from prospective buyers) we may offer even 180 F/6,5. We started working on these two yaars ago than we put this project aside but now the situation changed, there is a great need for mid priced APO systems wihti super flat field of view (for photo taking). We will produce the 140 F/6,5 first, post spot diagrams right here on ISC and evaluate reaction from your guys.. than go from there
The Raycorr Pro6-V is a truly well designed unit and we are doing our best to get all glass we need. But you simply can not replace a true triplet or ED APO Petzval with a achromatic doublet/corrector system. The performance will be "close enough" for most users though..
Well, let us work some more, Mike and me will keep everyone posted.
cheers,
Ales