7 replies to this topic

[hokkaido53]

Is StarSplitter still in business? Our club is trying to renovate their 36" model, and I'm looking for some plans, charts or other information about their scopes. I went to the StarSpliter web site, only to learn that their domain is up for sale.

Any assistance will be appreciated!

Roy
El Valle Astronomers
Taos, NM

[Doug Culbertson]

I believe that they went out of business sometime around 2006-2007. 

[The Planetman]

Doug is correct. Unfortunately, he went out of business after the big dob craze.
Throw out what you are looking for and maybe some of us can help.

[John Rose]

My web search sent me to the same question posted here on Cloudy Nights on September 3, 2007.  There was a response that Jim Brunkella had closed shop sometime in the 2006-2007 time frame.

[hokkaido53]

Doug is correct. Unfortunately, he went out of business after the big dob craze.
Throw out what you are looking for and maybe some of us can help.

Planetman,

Long story short, the scope was gifted to our club about 2 years ago, and we're just getting around to checking it out and testing it, to see what work actually needs to be done. I was wondering if there are any manuals, charts or other instructions online. I did a Google search this morning, but found nothing.

Roy

[hokkaido53]

My web search sent me to the same question posted here on Cloudy Nights on September 3, 2007.  There was a response that Jim Brunkella had closed shop sometime in the 2006-2007 time frame.

He's been out of business since 2007? I guess I'm arriving late to the party!

The odds of any usable documentation regarding the scope must be getting slimmer, but maybe we can rely on past experiences with other scopes to get us through.

Thanks for the quick reply,

Roy

 

[Stevegeo]

If all the mechanical ( mount,  frame , spyder etc) are in good shape . And the mirrors reasonably good .

 I would do a good cleanup, check alignment . Maybe oil or gease bearings lightly .

 

If alignment is out, wouldnt be too much to tweek back in collimation.

 

Please post a pic of this beast.  Many of us here can provide help where there is lack of information..

 

Stevegeo 

[hokkaido53]

If all the mechanical ( mount,  frame , spyder etc) are in good shape . And the mirrors reasonably good .

 I would do a good cleanup, check alignment . Maybe oil or gease bearings lightly .

 

If alignment is out, wouldnt be too much to tweek back in collimation.

 

Please post a pic of this beast.  Many of us here can provide help where there is lack of information..

 

Stevegeo 

Stevego,

At this time, the scope is disassembled and stored in a barn. In a month or so, we'll be removing it from the barn to begin testing everything, at which time, I'll be posting more photos - and asking for help.

I was able to contact Jim Brunkella, former owner of StarSplitter. He says the scope in the photo is a hybrid, partly StarSplitter, with some home-made additions by the previous owner.

Thanks,

Roy

Edited by hokkaido53, 06 February 2023 - 11:18 AM.