Terry Dougherty had his feet firmly planted on the ground when he took possession of SDM008 after an extreme makeover saw it converted into a folded Newtonian.

Terry loves being able to observe any object without using a ladder! It has the convenience of a 15″ Dob with the light collecting and resolving power of a 25″ with no noticeable loss in light gathering power, contrast or resolution.

This amazing instrument has been designed so that it can be used in its original “full length” configuration or can be folded using shortened poles and a special upper tube assembly, sporting a 9″ circular flat and 4.5″ elliptical diagonal flat both by Terry Ostahowski. The conversion process takes just a few minutes, but we suspect that it will stay folded for quite some time.
SDM008 is undeniably two scopes in one and to celebrate this special instrument, we have given it gallery entries for both its classic and folded configurations.

This is a scope that pushes the definition of luxury to a whole new level. Eric had a clear vision of what he wanted in the ultimate observing instrument and SDM were only too willing to build a scope with so many innovations. All observing is done seated and an integral heated eyepiece box is within easy reach. This 12″ beauty is designed to fit into the back seat of his car.

So what does Eric think? “I love my new scope, not just for the quality of the observing experience, but the convenience. Setup time is far shorter than its previous commercial incarnation and I love having a powered ground board – no more tangled cable! And if it wasn’t such a superb telescope, my wife admits that it would make a wonderful, if not large, “objet d’art” in the lounge room, with the beautiful colours, textures and shapes!”

Victorian telescope connoisseur Sab Szalai asked SDM Telescopes to re-home his superb 12” Barry Adcock mirror.

As you can see, SDM’s smallest ever telescope is still something seriously special and a very fitting home for an exceptional mirror.

SDM045 had been eagerly anticipated over in cyberspace and we are looking forward to hearing about its performance over on Ice in Space!

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.

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!