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Busguy
member


Reged: 06/14/07

Loc: Kentucky
My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes new
      #5373184 - 08/17/12 01:19 PM
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36 years ago, I sold my Criterion RV-6 for entrance fees for college. I kept my passion in astronomy and the night skies all that time and swore that before my eyes were shot I'd get another scope. I continued researching over all those years and here's what I finally purchased: 20" f/3.6 Teeter Dob. I wanted to go purely visual, (though MallinCam has peaked an interest). I wanted to keep my feet off a ladder also. Here's what I determined... and tell me if I'm off kilter:

Rob Teeter has a unique cost break compared to Starmaster, Obsession, even Webster at this aperture and speed. That intrigued me. I dressed this bad boy up too...Servo Cat with Argo Navis, dew heater on secondary, Glatter sling, SIPS with Paracorr II, AstroCrumb 2" filter slide with dew heater, you name it.

For the primary, I decided to go with Waite Research. Gordon had a 20" thin quartz blank that was ready for polishing. Thin quartz... quick cooling... ready for polishing... decent reputation from what I could find with those that owned a primary from Gordon...

I have in place the following eyepieces:
Delos 6mm
Delos 10mm
Delos 17.3mm
Nagler 31mm

Additionally, I procured a Powermate 2.5x

I'm in the middle of the production cycle.

I wanted to thank all of you for your education over the years as well. Some real brains on these forums. I've learned a lot from collimation, possible focus issues with SIPS and Delos 17.3, etc. etc. When I had a question, I could talk with anyone: Al Nagler, Rob Teeter, Howie Glatter, Jim Fly, Jon Joseph, Gary Meyers, Gordon Waite. I've never seen an industry or group of people so available to assist.

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Sgt
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 12/17/05

Loc: Under the southern horn of the...
Re: My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes new [Re: Busguy]
      #5373283 - 08/17/12 02:26 PM
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Congratulations!

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csrlice12
Post Laureate
*****

Reged: 05/22/12

Loc: Denver, CO
Re: My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes new [Re: Busguy]
      #5373353 - 08/17/12 03:03 PM
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"When I had a question, I could talk with anyone: Al Nagler, Rob Teeter, Howie Glatter, Jim Fly, Jon Joseph, Gary Meyers, Gordon Waite. I've never seen an industry or group of people so available to assist."

THAT's what's great about this hobby, the big names are just normal everyday people (well as normal as amateur astronomers can be) who are willing to talk to you. I don't see any bank Presidents lending their ear to their depositors (unless you're a rich depositor), or the CEO of a Car company willing to discuss their products with you. Hopefully, it will stay that way.

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knightware
Vendor (Knightware)


Reged: 03/22/06

Loc: North Carolina
Re: My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes new [Re: Busguy]
      #5373368 - 08/17/12 03:15 PM
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Busguy,

My research also led me to many of the same vendors as you, including Teeter's Telescopes. I have gotten answers to questions and am confident that my kit is as good as I can get. Although my Waite Research mirror is smaller (14.5" f/4.5) and not quartz, I am extremely pleased with its performance. The scope is solidly built and performs beautifully despite some early balance and stiction issues that I have fixed. Rob builds a heck of a telescope.

I hope your scope serves you well!

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csrlice12
Post Laureate
*****

Reged: 05/22/12

Loc: Denver, CO
Re: My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes new [Re: knightware]
      #5373456 - 08/17/12 04:13 PM
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Just a question; Did Teeter get that gov't small business grant he put in for? Hope so, this country can use more quality telescope shops. I'd pay extra for quality eyepieces stamped "Made in USA" on them...at least it wouldn't take 3+ (and waiting) months and still no eyepieces...

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mountain monk
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 11/06/09

Loc: Grand Teton National Park
Re: My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes new [Re: csrlice12]
      #5373530 - 08/17/12 04:58 PM
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I too have a Teeter with a Waite mirror on the way. I too have been very impressed with Rob and several of the other people you mention. Great products, great customer service, and another reason to support small American companies.

Dark skies.

Jack

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jeff heck
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 01/16/06

Loc: stl,mo.
Re: My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes new [Re: csrlice12]
      #5373560 - 08/17/12 05:21 PM
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Quote:

Just a question; Did Teeter get that gov't small business grant he put in for? Hope so, this country can use more quality telescope shops. I'd pay extra for quality eyepieces stamped "Made in USA" on them...at least it wouldn't take 3+ (and waiting) months and still no eyepieces...


I talked to Rob this week and no news yet on the loan.
Busguy, congrats on the upcoming 20", you will be very impressed with the quality throughout. Teeter scopes are on the top tier of custom telescope builders. My 16" has a Waite Research mirror and it cools and performs excellently.

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Starman1
Vendor (EyepiecesEtc.com)
*****

Reged: 06/24/03

Loc: Los Angeles
Re: My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes new [Re: mountain monk]
      #5373562 - 08/17/12 05:22 PM
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Rob has:
--quality construction
--willingness to customize to suit a client
--access to a lot of high-end components
--reasonable delivery times (depending on mirror maker).
--a superb reputation for honesty and customer relations.

All of those are reasons I went with him for a "high-end" scope.
I'm very happy with the scope.

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CHASLX200
Post Laureate
*****

Reged: 09/29/07

Loc: Tampa area Florida
Re: My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes new [Re: Starman1]
      #5373635 - 08/17/12 06:16 PM
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I have owned two Teeter Dobs in the past and they were very good scopes.

Chas

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Sinistar
super member


Reged: 06/22/06

Loc: San Rafael, CA
Re: My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes new [Re: CHASLX200]
      #5373836 - 08/17/12 09:15 PM
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Rob's customer service is fantastic, the craftsmanship is top-notch and his scopes are as beautiful as they are functional. I've been very happy with mine.

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Busguy
member


Reged: 06/14/07

Loc: Kentucky
Re: My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes new [Re: Sinistar]
      #5374090 - 08/18/12 12:43 AM
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Thanks, all. I'm confident from the feedback that Rob will fashion an outstanding instrument.

I hope Rob wins the grant also. Wasn't it a 'grant' rather than a loan?

Joe

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Shawn H
Postmaster
*****

Reged: 05/16/07

Loc: Equatorial Guinea, West Africa
Re: My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes new [Re: Busguy]
      #5374218 - 08/18/12 06:08 AM
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Very beautiful instruments! If I ever sell my 18" my next Dob will be a Teeter!

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Cotts
Just Wondering
*****

Reged: 10/10/05

Loc: Toronto, Ontario
Re: My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes new [Re: Shawn H]
      #5374406 - 08/18/12 09:47 AM
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Teeter #73 here. I heartily concur with all of the above. I will especially mention the orthagonality of the structure. I have added the Servo Cat to mine and it points to stuff flawlessly all over the sky. Last night I slewed from M22 in Sagittarius to M82 in Ursa Major and the latter object was only 1/4 field from center. All other slews, big and small, for five hours or more were equally accurate. While some credit must go to the Servo Cat and Sky Commander for their quality, they wouldn't work nearly as well if the scope structure was not perfectly square and rigid. This is something Rob Teeter builds into all his scopes.

Welcome to the club.

Dave

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Busguy
member


Reged: 06/14/07

Loc: Kentucky
Re: My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes new [Re: Cotts]
      #5374545 - 08/18/12 11:42 AM
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Dave,

I have digested the Servo Cat and Argo Navis information as best I could from reading, re-reading...skimming the manuals before sleep. Though seemingly straight forward, are you aware of an online emulator or tutorial that can expound on the menu's or see them in action?

Thank you,
Joe

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M Hanner
newbie


Reged: 06/04/09

Loc: Washington, DC
Re: My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes new [Re: Busguy]
      #5374560 - 08/18/12 11:53 AM
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If any of you guys want to upgrade to a new Teeter 24" with all the bells & whistles, I've got one for sale in the classifieds I have to sell because of my job situation. Mark

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Busguy
member


Reged: 06/14/07

Loc: Kentucky
Re: My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes new [Re: knightware]
      #5374572 - 08/18/12 12:00 PM
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Thank you, Phyllis. I note that Deep Sky Planner may be just the thing to tie together my re-familiarization with targets of interest. I have a lot of fun work ahead.

Joe

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CHASLX200
Post Laureate
*****

Reged: 09/29/07

Loc: Tampa area Florida
Re: My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes new [Re: Busguy]
      #5374581 - 08/18/12 12:04 PM
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I may buy a third Teeter Dob. There is a guy local to me that has a 16" F/6 Teeter i am tempted to buy.

Chas

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johnnyha
Postmaster
*****

Reged: 11/12/06

Loc: Sherman Oaks, CA
Re: My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes new [Re: CHASLX200]
      #5374798 - 08/18/12 02:33 PM
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Wow. To think we are already at a time when people "only" get a 20" - because they want to keep their feet on the ground!

Congrats on a wise choice for a lifetime scope.

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Busguy
member


Reged: 06/14/07

Loc: Kentucky
Re: My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes new [Re: johnnyha]
      #5374852 - 08/18/12 03:13 PM
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<<Wow. To think we are already at a time when people "only" get a 20" - because they want to keep their feet on the ground!>>

LOL... Well, one of the many variables but certainly not the most important. Call it icing on the cake... Big aperture, shorter footprint, truss ring, boundary layer fans, quartz primary available, cost, SIPS integration technique, mirror cell frame, Rob's reputation and quality, scope appearance... well, that sums up some of the other things I was thinking about. I might have been influenced by the Yankee cap on his head in one of his shots

Thanks,

Joe

Joe

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jeff heck
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 01/16/06

Loc: stl,mo.
Re: My Research led to Teeter's Telescopes [Re: Busguy]
      #5374956 - 08/18/12 04:54 PM
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Quote:

Thanks, all. I'm confident from the feedback that Rob will fashion an outstanding instrument.

I hope Rob wins the grant also. Wasn't it a 'grant' rather than a loan?

Joe


Yes, grant it is. My bad.

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