7 replies to this topic

[wjgrover1956]

hi,

 

I plan to flock my 10" dob at the primary mirror end and opposite the focuser. I'll start with these and flock more if I feel it's a worthwhile endeavor.

 

my question: should I flock as close as I can to the end of tube without getting in the way of the mirror screw (see #2), or can I start flocking where at the point where the front of the mirror meets the tube (see #1).

 

regards,

 

Will

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Edited by wjgrover1956, 25 January 2023 - 04:12 PM.

[photoracer18]

After 50 plus years in the hobby I am firmly convinced that flocking is one of the most over-rated things you can do to a scope. Sure there are the odd cases where a mass producer uses inappropriate paint for the inside of an optical tube. I have not seen a case in the 50 or so scopes I have owned over the years where I thought it would make any big difference. No matter the type of scope as I have owned plenty of all types. But then again I have not owned a full tube Newt since the 1960's, everything since has been a truss type. Except for Cave restoration and repair projects.

 

There is no light that can get into the tube from behind the mirror and bounce off the front of the mirror from stray or off axis light. 

[sevenofnine]

Here is a pinned C/N "How to" step by step with pictures 

 

https://www.cloudyni...-newtonian-r780.

 

Opinions vary on the need for this. Those who view from a suburban environment with street and neighborhood lighting feel that it helps absorb stray light entering the tube. Others like photoracer18 and me are doubtful.

[Don W]

Been in the  hobby since 1981. Never flocked a scope.

[luxo II]

Flocking is overrated - don't bother. There are more significant things you can do if troubled by stray light.

[areyoukiddingme]

My 2 cents is that flocking can't hurt. Did it to my 8" F7 (in a 60" x 10" tube), and it does have excellent contrast.

 

Whether just flocking opposite the focuser would have achieved the same thing, I don't know, as I didn't bother to make comparisons.

[Sky_LO]

Flocking works !

I am a flocking believer.  My eyes have seen the improvement...

That being said, there are likely many scopes that flocking does not help. 

Orion's paint is rather gray so it helped on my XT10 a lot.  

 

I have also done side by side tests with similar and dissimilar scopes with the same size mirror and the flocked scope wins every time... with more contrast.  

 

Here are my "flocking ideas" :

 

I only did about a foot above the primary and a foot down from the open end of the tube. 

Flocking both ends give a better effect than flocking one end only.

You don't need to try to do the whole tube. 

 

And don't disassemble the whole scope !  Its not that important to risk disassembly.

Its ok to flock in pieces.  You are dampening light...."missed a spot" is not important as you are not painting a room.   

 

Don't flock down past the surface of the primary.

The air flow around the primary mirror is important and you don't want to close that off.   

Start the primary end flocking maybe 1/2 inch / just above the primary.    

 

The focuser end /top end can be done in pieces.  Flocking opposite the focuser (behind the secondary is the most effective.    

 

Keep expectations low, but you may be pleasantly surprised by flocking!!

 

-Lauren 

[aeajr]

I had an XT8i.  I pulled the mirror to clean it an flocked the whole tube.  Did not get near the mirror screws.   I felt it made a difference in my location due to all the ground light pollution.

 

When I got my Apetura AD12 Dob I only flocked the top 24" to help reduce any reflections from ground lights.  Works fine.  I don't feel I need to flock the whole tube.