SDM Telescopes
15-32 inch custom built Obsession style Dobsonians
 

More News (Page 1)

Block Solid!(11/11/2009)
These blocks are made from super strong Delrin also known as Acetal. It is an engineering thermoplastic (Polyoxymethylene) used in precision parts that require high stiffness, low friction and excellent dimensional stability. In other words it will never shrink, expand, crack, twist or warp under any weather conditions and is UV stabilised.
 
Added to these great qualities is a new spring loaded tongue that never becomes depressed. The tongue will always open when the knob is loosened.

As of Nov 2009 all SDM Dobsonians will feature these innovative pole blocks.

Praise Indeed(04/09/2009)
So what does the caretaker of SDM033 think of the scope?

"This is quite possibly the BEST 14" SCOPE IN THE WORLD!
Everything about it is as good as I could ask for - I am VERY, VERY happy with the scope....absolutely ecstatic!
The Zambuto Optics are beautifully smooth and figured to perfection producing stars that are pin point sharp and a diffraction pattern that is essentially identical on both sides of focus. Naturally the contrast is excellent. From my back yard in average conditions I got the best views of Jupiter I have ever seen, in any scope, ever!...... I could even see detail in the Great Red Spot!!!
Mechanically this scope is a gem. Rock solid in use with silky smooth finger tip movement - in fact the movement in both axis is without doubt absolutely superb! Added to this are the ServoCAT, 10K Encoders and Argo Navis, Dew Control plus Carry Cases for UTA, Poles and Accessories.
Yes, this scope is pricey but it packs a punch way out of proportion to its size!"

And that's what makes telescope building worthwhile!

Phil'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.

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.

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.

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 by popular 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 telescope 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.

Barry's beauty arrives(11/11/2007)
Barry Neumann has taken the term ‘Fully Loaded” to new heights. Barry’s 18” f4.5 scope is exquisitely furnished with every conceivable extra including: ArgoNavis, ServoCat, laptop stand and a Stellarvue finder.

In his own words “The telescope is a stunner Pete. I had a little look at the moon the other night in a gap in the cloudy sky and it was superb. There is no other word for it. The clarity and sharpness was something I would never have believed we could see from this earth. It was beautiful, and I just cruised up and down for about half an hour.”

SDM020 is an instant classic!

You don't see that every day!(02/10/2007)
In quite extraordinary circumstances, John Salini (SDM010) has turned his secondary mirror into a lacewing breeding ground. John swears that he left the scope unattended and uncovered for no more than 30 minutes whilst waiting for NGC253 to rise above his house, during which time an enterprising insect took advantage of his diagonal.

The species was confirmed by CSIRO Entomology - "They belong to the green lacewings (Order Neuroptera) from the family Chrysopidae. The adult will deposit a thread of silk from her abdomen and top it off with an egg. Because the eggs are elevated it makes them less prone to predation from potential predators such as ants which will walk around the base of the silk thread, oblivious to the food (egg) perched directly above them!").

Needless to say, John is less than happy and the rest of us can only scratch our respective heads in bewilderment. You really don't see that every day!

Early images are quite brilliant!(04/06/2007)
Paul Haese, also known in internet circles as 'Rumples Riot', can proudly take his place on the world stage of planetary photographers; his images are often seen published in magazines and in features on the Web.

Realising that the sheer resolving power of 18" could take the science to the next level, Paul has been working with SDM014 to create the ultimate planetary imaging scope. His exploits can be seen on South Celestial Pole a leading Australian astronomy forum where he keeps his SDM Blog which chronicles the issues facing the imager using a big Dob and showcases his innovative solutions. Paul’s preliminary results are simply stunning.

And just for the record - that’s Ganymede’s shadow just beginning to cross the face of Jupiter. We’re looking forward to the rest of the season!

How Big?(20/03/2007)
A delighted Rod Berry comes to grips with the sheer size of SDM012. His 20" F5 has been an instant hit with his family, and, as can be seen in his Gallery, this versatile instrument appears to be doubling up as an adventure playground during the day!

Unfortunately for Rod, the Weather Gods have struck with unprecedented force and left him thoroughly clouded-out and having to wait for first light. In the meantime join Rod and friends over in Ice-in-Space debating SDM012's new name ...

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