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Just the right size!
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Upper Cage
Assembly
The upper cage features a low profile Moonlite CR-1 crayford focuser
and a Rigel Systems' QuikfinderTM as standard
equipment. The spider holds the no-tool
secondary mount - just use your fingers for no-fuss secondary
alignment. Using dowel
pins to join the wooden struts to the cage rings saves weight
compared to nuts and bolts and aluminum struts.Any focuser you want is available as an option; please see the [ Options ] section for other offerings. Shown with upgraded Moonlite CR2 and Telrad finder.  Quick
release
upper truss tube fasteners are standard on
your scope. With four pairs
of
two poles joined at the top, assembly is very fast ...
The
bottom clamps are milled from solid Ash, the same wood used in baseball
bats. All parts are captive and outside of the
light path and with "no-tool" assembly -
the T-14 will assemble in a few minutes... Yes, that fast!
The photos
shows the back
of the mirror box with the mirror
in its cell. If you look closely you may see the thermal scarf
encircling
the mirror. The thermal scarf helps the mirror cool down (or warm up)
more
evenly.
The black steel frame holds the mirror centered in the mirror box and adds to the strength and stiffness of the mirror box. The steel frame can pivot on the lower two bolts to "tailgate" up and down for easy access to the mirror. The lower bolt holes are actually slots. This allows very easy removal and replacement of the cell into mirror box - the frame slides onto the lower bolts and flips up; the mirror and frame will stay in place allowing both hands to be free to work the bolts to tighten it in place. The mirror rides on an floatation plate that is designed so that the edge supports of the mirror also moves when adjusting the collimation bolts. This eliminates edge strain caused by simpler edge supports. As an added benefit, this design does not allow the mirror to move from side to side like a sling would so the mirror cell (and telescope) is completely compatible with equatorial platforms. The inner cradle plate is ventilated to allow air to circulate freely around the mirror. Stainless steel "stars on bars" provide a total on eighteen supporting points for the mirror. This "18-point floatation cell" theoretically maintains the surface accuracy of the mirror to within approximately 5 nanometers, about 1/100th of a wavelength of light and our computerized part cutting insures that the built cell comes as close as posible to the theoretical result. Collimation bolts: The three collimation bolts on the back of the cell are extra strong "elevator bolts" that have been dipped in rubberized plastic for a comfortable, non-slip grip ... the coating will be especially appreciated on cold Winter nights.  Joinery: Finger joints and
dowel pins add to the strength and stiffness of mirror box and ground
board. It's much more work than just using wood screws like other
makers do... but then we never set out to make the second best
telescope.
."No profile handles" are also much more work than bolting on stamped metal from the hardware store. Better than a simple hole, these handholds are contoured larger on the inside to give your more gripping power. And I think they look good too. Seven virgin Teflon pads provide smooth movement against the pebble-textured laminate covering the bearing surfaces. The brass pivot bolt that joins the center of the two pieces is pre-drilled for a 1/4 inch encoder shaft.
Encoder
mounts:
Encoder shaft mounts bolts for both the altitude and azimuth axis are
pre-installed
as standard equipment and are ready for your encoders and mounting
arms. The set screw that holds your
encoder shaft in place is nylon tipped so that encoder shaft will not
be
marred from setup and takedown. A TScopes exclusive: The altitude
bearing
mount is recessed to provide the lowest possible mounting profile for
your altitude
encoder ... the encoder will stick out less and be less susceptible to
dangerous
knocks and blows.
Our primary mirrors are then sent to Clausings Optical Coatings to be coated with Beral. "Beral" is a trade name for is a durable form of aluminum coating that also has a semi-enhanced 91% average reflectivity. Clausings has been coating mirrors, it seams, since dirt was new and is very well respected in the industry. Our secondary mirrors from Antares Optics are coated with a "highly enhanced" aluminum that has a minimum of 96% reflectivity and an average of 97% reflectivity. This combination offers a significant advantage over standard coatings and avoids the potential problems (and high costs) of exotic coatings on the primary. Compare the Tscopes' combination to other coating combinations:
Some mirror makers do not recommend "standard" enhanced aluminum for telescope primaries. Enhanced coatings are relatively thick and run the risk that they can change the mirror's figure if they are applied unevenly. Also, some coaters do not recommend highly enhanced coatings for telescope primaries because the tend to be more fragile and may not last as long as they would in a laboratory instrument. (The Antares secondary mirrors used in Tscope ultralights are certified after coating and a secondary cover is included with each telescope to protect the secondary when it is not in use.) Finish
Helmsman Spar:
This the "normal"
finish put on wooden telescopes. It considered to be waterproof and is
an excellent finish for exterior applications. The slight yellow tint
of Helmsman Spar
gives the wood a slightly aged and traditional look. The finish on your
telescope begins with two hand-rubbed coats of varnish to insure the
greatest penetration and protection to the wood then an addition four
coats of varnish are sprayed on with our profession HVLP spray system.
This results in a lustrous and durable finish on your telescope.
Stain Patterns: Accent and
more complete staining is
available as an option. Please see the section below for a table of
suggested staining patterns.
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Fine Print: Pricing and availability subject to change without notice. (They make me say that....) All parts on this page are covered by warranties from their respective manufacturers. Please see those pages for details. These special prices are available only with the purchase of a TScopeTM telescope.
Shortcuts: [ DSC's ] [ Tracking & GOTO ] [ Other mirror choices ] [ Focusers ] [ Finders ] [ Other ]
Tscope 1-wire DSC - ($479 + shipping)
Tscope wireless DSC - ( $599 + shipping)
Specify wired or wireless DSC, includes 4000 tick encoders and encoder arms for each telescope axis.
[ More Info ]
Tscopes DSC Stalk - ($75 or $85 + shipping)
The Tscope DSC stalk tucks into the back side of the rocker box and is never in your way observing at Zenith. Perfectly sized for your Tscope DSC; please add $10 for larger version compatible with Argo Navis.
Equatorial Platform -
I don't make or sell EQ platforms; however, I am glad to provide you with the necessary information needed to purchase a platform elsewhere. The information needed for a 13 or 14" Tscope isTscopes GOTO System - ($1595 1-wire, $1775 wireless, complete system,.)
- the outside diameter of the groundboard: 18 inches
- the weight: 65 lb..
- center of gravity height: 19 inches
- does it have a mirror sling? No, the mirror edge support is compatible with EQ platforms
Installed on your 14" Tscope: Tscope GOTO & Tracking controller, integrated digital fan and dew controller, cooling fan, digital setting circles, all cables, battery, bracket, recharger and Tscopes DSC stalk.
ServoCat Jr. GOTO System ( $2775, complete system, includes installation) -
Installed on your Tscope: ServoCat Jr., TScope wireless DSCs, all cables, battery, bracket, recharger, and Tscopes DSC stalk. Price for the complete systems may vary with supplier pricing changes. (Add $250 for ArgoNavis instead of SkyCommander.) [ More info.]
Optical UpgradesPeerless Optical Package: - (substitute for standard primary, $495)
"... the best newtonian views I have ever seen."
The Peeless Optical Package includes a light weight and truly premium quartz (fused silica) mirror from Obsidian Optics and an upgraded 1/15 wave or better Pyrex secondary from Antares Optics. This is no trick of the numbers, your primary will be the real 1/20 wave wavefront" quality. (4 nanometers RMS.) Better optics not only let you see more subtle shades and detail on the Moon and planets but also perform better at setup time when the mirror temperature is still equalizing with the outside air. Better optics give better images. Always.
MoonLite Focusers, (CR4 shown)
- CR1 is standard, add $100 for CR2 or CR3, $200. for CR4
CR1 Focuser, standard: It's shiny, it's pretty, it looks like a dream .. and on top of all that, it's incredibly smooth and works so well! The CR-2 adds speed-reducer for easy high-power focusing. The CR4 adds a swing-in / swing-out filter holder to that. I like to put a nebula filter in mine, then when I'm hunting fainter nebulae, I swing the filter in and out of the FOV and they blink back at me in response. That's just one idea... Find out more at the MoonLite web site. (MoonLite focusers come with a 1 1/4" adapter so you don't need to buy one if your don't already have one.)
Your favorite focuser isn't listed? How about a Starlight Instruments FeatherTouch with all the accessories for $295. Or something else? Just ask!
Light Shroud - ($85.00)
The stretchy Lycra/Spandex light shroud pulls over the top of the telescope and gently hugs the truss tubes to nicely show off the angles of your new Tscope truss. It's made of the thickest/darkest material we could find; your satisfaction is guaranteed.
Custom Staining - ($200)
Click on the image at right for some ideas of how well a little bit of Walnut stain perks up the look of the scope. I use just a touch of stain on the altitude bearings, "C" (no stain) is standard; however, you may choose either A, C or D at no additional charge. Want more? Want to pick your favorite stain color? Please do! Look at any of the suggestions and let me know what you'd like. Price includes sending you a stained and finished sample of your stain color prior to staining the scope for your approval.That special something - ( Like an optical finder or special equipment, Price varies)
It's your scope, thank you for letting me build one for you.
I know the importance of having your new scope set up your way ... Do you want your focuser on the left side? Do you need encoders but no DSC box? (Or maybe that "Argo Navis" that you've read about.) Please let me know... Some requests, like setting up your scope for left-side use, can be satisfied when your pre-ordered scope is being built at no additional charge. Do you want a special color wood stain or wildly colored light shroud? There may be an additional charge for some requests but please remember that I am committed to making quality affordable. Thank you.
