SDM Telescopes
15-32 inch custom built Obsession style
Dobsonians
|
|
Welcome ...
to the virtual home of SDM Telescopes, where size does matter and the Dobsonian Revolution lives on in Australia. SDM telescopes are craftsman built by Peter Read in the tried and tested style of Obsession Telescopes to provide the ultimate large aperture experience. Tailored individually to each customer, SDM Telescopes are configured uniquely to suit the southern hemisphere and its harsh conditions.
SDM is Stellarvue's only official Australian dealer so if you want one of these magnificent refractors check out the specials below and of course, call Peter to discuss your needs.
SDM Webshop
Visit our SECURE WEBSHOP and check out our deals on Stellarvue equipment and great accessories for your telescope. And at SDM, Postage in Australia is FREE.
SDM has a lot of big dob related stuff that is not listed on the site so give Peter a call if you are chasing something… you never know he may just have it.
Latest NewsPhil's Fabulous f / Four point Five...(13/05/2009)
...Finds Favour with Family and Friends.
Phil lives on the side of a hill overlooking beautiful green pastures in a lovely valley in Wyong Creek an hours drive north of Sydney. He has spent the last seven years converting an old post office into a delightful house for his his wife, three young children and two trusty old dogs.
He runs the Central Coast Traditional Chinese Medicine. He can do everything from driving a tractor or back hoe to delicately placing an acupuncture needle.
Having taken delivery of SDM034, he learnt to use the Argo Navis and ServoCAT in one night and is now keenly waiting for some clear dark moonless skies to do some deep sky observing searching out all those elusive fuzzy nebula and galaxies.Phil recons: "I am 100% happy, no make that 150% happy with the scope!"
Hot off the press(11/05/2009)
- Steve Kennedy has ground and bevelled the 32" mirror - the focal length is hitting 115"
- Carl Zambuto has the 14" mirror out of the annealing oven and is proceeding to grind the mirror using a cast iron tool.
- Peter Read has just returned from Sydney where he delivered Phil's 18" and upgraded Andrew Murrells 25" Obsession and Rod Berry's 20" SDM. Rod is reported to have said that the love affair with his "Mary Rose" has been rekindled!Blue is the new Brown(24/03/2009)
At SDM the customer is always right and there is no better proof of this than when Anna and John wanted something a little different. So it was out with the old and in with the blue, and as you can see the result is stunning – just like the images that this compact produces with its premium grade Galaxy optics. SDM028 is as unique as it is beautiful.Turbo-charge Your GSO(26/02/2009)
Upgrade your 16” GSO to a “real” scope that fits into the back seat of a sedan or with removable side bearings into the trunk of your Holden or Ford. User supplied GSO mirror everything else is pure SDM quality. The secondary mirror is downsized from 3.5” to a 3.1” from Galaxy. Spider and Holder by AstroSystems. Your choice of focuser. 18 point mirror cell. Full electrics, fans and heaters plus 10K encoders and Argo Navis. Check out SDM029!No Greater compliment(25/02/2009)
Than when a happy customer pens a testimonial:"This is a testimonial to the commitment and quality that comes with purchasing an SDM scope. After acquiring my 14.5” f/4.7 classic I am pleased to say that the craftsmanship and attention to detail is second to none..." Read it in full.
Thanks Norman!
Not one, but two(17/01/2009)
The new year gets off to a great start with a pair of beautiful 14.5" telescopes with superb optics from Terry Ostahowski.The new owners; Norm and Amanda Fong (SDM#026) and Greg Barrell (SDM#30) are sure to get some great views from these instruments which are equipped with ArgoNavis systems to maximise their on-target time!
Peter describes these scopes as 'Little Rippers' and both can strip down to fit easily into the trunk of a saloon car.
Latest from Terry Ostahowski(17/01/2009)
Have a look at Terry's sample interferometric images from a recent production run - they speak volumes as to the quality of mirror that he is delivering. If you would like one of Terry's very fine mirrors in your SDM, then talk to either Peter or Terry himself and get into a very exclusive club!
Terry tells us that as far as the Zerodur, he has:
17.5" x 1.8" th. @ f/4.1 .......1 only
17.5" x 1.8" th. @ f/4.5........1 only
18.0" x 1.8" th. @ f/4.4........4 available
These mirrors have enhanced aluminium coatings. Terry can also supply a diagonal of your choice made from either Zerodur, Quartz or Astrosittal.
A big telescope in a small packgage(14/09/2008)
SDM024 for Steve Fildes of South Australia uses a 15” specially crafted mirror by Mark Suchting.It’s more of a hybrid than a strict ultra compact as it retains the 8 poles and fully baffled secondary cage of the classic while employing the lighter and more compact virtual Mirror Box and low slung Rocker Box. This scope is fully loaded with ArgoNavis and ServoCAT but can be lifted into the rear of your car….no need for ramps.
Set up ready to observe in 2 minutes… no need to line up or support any components. Collimates in seconds and stays bang on all night!
The bottom line:Views – Great, Stability – Great, Portability – Great!
Enter the Compact(15/04/2008)
The ‘compact’ design has become increasingly popular over the years, and bypopular demand, SDM is offering a very special version of its own. The SDM Compact is the ultimate grab’n’go scope for those who are keen to get their light buckets into the field with the minimum of fuss. Even after its major weight-loss programme, the Compact still retains the solidity and performance so characteristic of an SDM telescop
e but now in a form that can be easily fitted into a family saloon. Even better, the SDM Compact can still be fitted with ArgoNavis and ServoCat to make it an exquisite grab’n’go-to!
The Compact design is best suited to f/3.5 to f/4.2 mirror sizes 18” to 24”. Call Peter to find out more.
"Size DOES Matter"
[Home] [Web Shop]
[About SDM]
[Scope Showcase]
[Big Dob Prices]
[The Workshop]
[Links]
[Articles]
[Contact SDM]