Telescope Reviews: A Coating Service

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Equipment Discussions >> ATM, Optics and DIY Forum

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tcmzodiac
professor emeritus

Reged: 11/11/11

Re: A Coating Service new

[Re: Old Rookie]
#5223262 - 05/15/12 09:49 AM

I have had a good experience with OWL. Back in December I sent one in for refigure/recoat; email resonse was good; I cant remember the estimated completion time, but it was delivered as promised.

The coating looks good...have not tested the mirror yet but Im sure it is great.

Very sorry to hear that some sort of communication prob with OWL has cropped up; that can happen.

All that I can say is that my experience was very good!

Theres a thread over in the Reflector's section that has good OWL comments regarding the refigure/recoat on a 16"

Edited by tcmzodiac (05/15/12 10:07 AM)

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Gary Fuchs
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 05/22/06

Loc: Easton, PA, USA

Re: A Coating Service new

[Re: Mr Magoo]
#5223286 - 05/15/12 10:17 AM

Quote:

Jeff Decker at Majestic Coatings, excellent.

Ditto. A couple of days turn-around for us.

Gary

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Sean Cunneen
Let Me Think

Reged: 08/01/07

Loc: Blue Island Illinois

Re: A Coating Service new

[Re: Gary Fuchs]
#5223338 - 05/15/12 10:56 AM

I have sent 5 mirrors to Owl for recoating, all of them took 2-3 weeks.

I had one iffy experience, but Cary took every step to correct the situation.

Having been on both sides of the coin I understand folks' frustration, I would like to advocate some patience as sometimes in this world stuff happens. No one has any indication that any wrong-doing has occurred and Owl/Farpoint have been around a long time and have a decent track record of service.

Sean

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Mr Magoo
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/05/05

Loc: Franklin, Indiana

Re: A Coating Service new

[Re: Sean Cunneen]
#5223422 - 05/15/12 11:59 AM

They had my 6" mirror and secondary for a re-figure and coating on 11/15/11 and I received it back on 5/2/2012. You can do the math. What happened in that time frame, who knows. Lots of emails and voice mails left. Secondary coating was unusable. Sent several emails about the secondary, still no response. I have sent the secondary to Majestic to be stripped and re-coated and eaten the additional $65.00 expense.

During the time my mirror was gone, I read over and over about some getting their mirrors back after just a few weeks. Still can not understand that one.

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Mr Magoo
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/05/05

Loc: Franklin, Indiana

Re: A Coating Service new

[Re: Mr Magoo]
#5223441 - 05/15/12 12:09 PM

I will play "devil's advocate" here for a minute. Cary did tell me in his last email that he was buried in work and working 16 hour days. My suggestion to you Cary is that if the sale is burying you, end it. Not your fault the bad market has no end in sight. Better to lose a little face than to lose business and harm your reputation. The numbers on my primary look very good and I hope it performs well.

I would not have gotten so frustrated if the communication was better. Twice I was told it was going to be done and shipped and then nothing for 2 months.

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Old Rookie
sage

Reged: 09/05/08

Loc: North Central Ohio

Re: A Coating Service new

[Re: Mr Magoo]
#5223497 - 05/15/12 12:51 PM

Communication is the key. No voice communication at all what e-mails have been sent are short with little detail. Best just to wait and see.

Post Extras:

Element79
member

Reged: 03/02/12

Re: A Coating Service new

[Re: Old Rookie]
#5223514 - 05/15/12 01:03 PM

Another coating company that I recommend and that you might want to use in the future is H. L. Clausing out of Illinois. Their beral coatings are very tough and highly reflective and their customer service is top notch. They also coat in aluminum, silver, gold, etc. Pretty much whatever you want.

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saemark30
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 02/21/12

Re: A Coating Service new

[Re: Element79]
#5223705 - 05/15/12 02:56 PM

Anyone in Canada?
I have heard BMV is a good place.

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cchapkido
sage

Reged: 02/25/10

Loc: MA

Re: A Coating Service new

[Re: saemark30]
#5223731 - 05/15/12 03:06 PM

I've also had two bad coatings from OWL. One after less than six months of use and the other was rough right out of the shipping box. I use Research Service in MA now.

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hottr6
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 06/28/09

Loc: 7,500', Magdalena Mtns, NM

Re: A Coating Service new

[Re: Old Rookie]
#5223836 - 05/15/12 04:19 PM

Quote:

I can't speak for others, only myself. OWL specifically advertises a short turnaround time. When I asked, they specifically said 2-3 days. They have now had my mirrors for 18 days. OWL ignores phone calls. OWL petty much ignores emails. At the moment, I have no idea what status my mirrors are in. I have no expectations that they'll be coated properly by this company.

So there it is. They haven't kept their word on the timeline that they set. Their communication is poor almost to the point of non-existent.

The one time I used OWL was an excellent experience. I had my 10" cleaned, recoated, spotted and tested. My turn-around time in 2010 was less than 2 weeks.

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polaraligned
professor emeritus

Reged: 12/26/08

Re: A Coating Service new

[Re: hottr6]
#5223859 - 05/15/12 04:37 PM

Problem is that some vendors get busy and they throw the low paying work aside until they can get to it. Certainly no excuse.

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Old Rookie
sage

Reged: 09/05/08

Loc: North Central Ohio

Re: A Coating Service new

[Re: polaraligned]
#5224066 - 05/15/12 07:24 PM

Well, I just got a note from them saying my mirrors will ship in the morning. I'll get them a week from today so I'll wait and see what that brings!!

Post Extras:

Scott in NC
Mad Hatter

Reged: 03/05/05

Loc: NC

Re: A Coating Service new

[Re: Old Rookie]
#5224157 - 05/15/12 08:44 PM

Great news, John! Hope first light with your "new" optics goes well!

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rcdk
super member

Reged: 11/13/10

Re: A Coating Service new

[Re: Old Rookie]
#5224229 - 05/15/12 09:31 PM

Eighteen days isn't really that long. However, they are their own worst enemy if they promise 2-3 and then refuse to answer emails.

I have had to wait 6-8 weeks for people that did a wonderful job and I would use again. But they didn't promise any better either.

Nova has been quick for me, and he has readily communicated when he will need more time.

Quote:

They have now had my mirrors for 18 days. OWL ignores phone calls. OWL petty much ignores emails.

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Old Rookie
sage

Reged: 09/05/08

Loc: North Central Ohio

Re: A Coating Service new

[Re: rcdk]
#5224657 - 05/16/12 06:38 AM

Speaking of first light, I'm the third owner of this telescope. It was new on 2/5/1996. The mirror specs are outstanding - 1/15 wave.

I picked it up in January of this year and decided to freshen her up a bit. While the mirror was gone, I re-finished the rocker box and mirror box and added some new wiring for the BETI (bluetooth dsc's). The re-finishing included new flat black paint on both. I also added an optical finder to the upper cage. That addition also included Marklesss counterweight system on the mirror box.

While she doesn't look like a brand new telescope, she's been prettied up a bit and will certainly hold her own for quite a few more year's!!

Edited by Old Rookie (05/16/12 06:39 AM)

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Benach
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 01/24/08

Re: A Coating Service new

[Re: Old Rookie]
#5224682 - 05/16/12 07:12 AM

Ehm, John: 1/16lambda of what? RMS or PV? Which wavelength? On surface or on wavefront? measured over how many data points? Measured over how many rotations?
I'm sure your mirror is fine, but your statement "1/16 lambda" is rather vacuous without these specifications.

Post Extras:

Old Rookie
sage

Reged: 09/05/08

Loc: North Central Ohio

Re: A Coating Service new

[Re: Benach]
#5224708 - 05/16/12 07:55 AM

Quote:

Ehm, John: 1/16lambda of what? RMS or PV? Which wavelength? On surface or on wavefront? measured over how many data points? Measured over how many rotations?
I'm sure your mirror is fine, but your statement "1/16 lambda" is rather vacuous without these specifications.

Don't have it right with me at the moment but as I recall it's 1/15 PV. It's a John Hall mirror from Pegasus optics. Sorry I didn't include the specification worksheet. I'm a believer in KISS.

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Benach
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 01/24/08

Re: A Coating Service new

[Re: Old Rookie]
#5224935 - 05/16/12 11:24 AM

So am I, but I also like to know what we're talking about.

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tcmzodiac
professor emeritus

Reged: 11/11/11

Re: A Coating Service new

[Re: Benach]
#5224962 - 05/16/12 11:41 AM

Im confused...what does Paul Stanley et al have to do with telescope mirrors?????

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Old Rookie
sage

Reged: 09/05/08

Loc: North Central Ohio

Re: A Coating Service new

[Re: tcmzodiac]
#5224995 - 05/16/12 12:04 PM

Quote:

Im confused...what does Paul Stanley et al have to do with telescope mirrors?????

Hope to end your confusion.
KISS - keep it short sweet.
KISS - keep it simple stupid.
Pretty much however, you interpret it.

Post Extras:

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