Telescope Reviews: DSMC 8" F/4 Astrograph.....

Times are tough nowadays let's face it. As much as we'd all love an ASA or Dreamscope sitting on our mounts, not everyone has the bottomless pockets it can take to own one. For those of us on a budget that still want maximum performance for their money there is another option....

I'm pleased to announce that I am starting production on the new 8" f/4 DSMC Carbon Fiber Astrograph. Each one will be hand built around proven optics and components offering amazing performance at an affordable price. I will be starting production/testing on the first one in about 3 weeks. As each set of optics and sub components are ordered on a scope by scope basis and each scope is put together by hand by 1 person, production time from start to finish looks to be around 12 weeks. They say the "Devil is in the details" and it will show with these scopes. All fasteners internal to the OTA will be blackened or flocked. Stainless hardware used wherever possible and the scope will be tested prior to shipping. The basic scope will be built as below. You do have your choice of focuser body colors, inclusion of a Baader MPCC (Additonal cost), gloss or matte tube finish as well as a White Semi-Gloss painted finish.

The scope will easily be able to cover a DSLR/APS-C sized chip with a 100% illuminated FOV. The current design shows a 100% Ill. FOV of just over 1.5" (38mm) and a 75% Ill. FOV of 2.14" (54mm). At F/4 I do suggest the use of a Baader MPCC to correct for coma and feel it should perform exceptionally well with the setup. As the main purpose of the scope is to put a "Fast" High Quality Newt into peoples hands, I have not gone the route of a custom corrector or 3" variant from Wynne as this would also require a larger more expensive focuser. I do not know how long I will be offering these but will build them for as long as I can get the optics. Each scope will be numbered. The following information is for the scope as built. Please feel free to contact me with any special requests you may have and I will work with you on building a scope specifically to your needs/wants. Fully assembled weight should be under 11-12 lbs.

DSMC 8" Astrograph

8" F/4 primary from GSO center spotted with a Catseye Triangle
Cast mirror cell
3.1" Secondary on a high quality 4 vane spider
2.5" Large Format 2 speed Moonlite focuser w Flocked Drawtube (RoboFocus/Cercis compatible Stepper Motor option is available for an additonal cost)
Carbon Fiber Tube assembly fully flocked with Protostar flocking paper. Focuser mounting area will feature an internal double plate of CF for stiffness preventing focuser flex.
Bob's Knobs collimation screws
High Quality Tube end rings
Vixen/Orion style 8x50 finder (Optional)

I am leaving the mounting options up to the buyers. I personally would recommend a set of Parallax Rings but due to the low tube weight a set of Meade/Orion tube rings could also be used.

If your interested in having one built please drop me a PM or Email at DSMandC at Verizon dot Net. I will be starting a list with the scopes being built according to your place on the list.

The complete scope as listed above will sell for $1000. I will also include shipping in that price to any CONUS address.

Thanks for your time!

CS's

Bob M