Anttlers Optics mirror cells - any experience here?

[omaroo]

Hi all

Has anyone had any experience with the ready-to-go cast aluminium mirror cells from Anttlers Optics in the USA? For a 12.25" unit with nine suspension pads they want only US$60 (plus freight) - which seems to be an outstanding price.

Does anyone know if these are reasonable quality cells? Has anyone actually seen any in the flesh?

Thanks
Chris

(8" cell shown which has 3 pads)

http://www.geckooptical.com/anttlers_optics/images/telescope_access/mirror_cell.gif

[Radar]

Hi Chris,

That is indeed a cheap price. I'm impressed. I haven't heard of them before so I can't comment.

[Duncan]

G,day Chris

I haven't even seen them advertised.

Perhaps you should try to get a set for nothing on the premise that you will do a write up or article on them. I'ts just a thought,i got a heap of coils for metal Detectors once for the same reason. FREE!!!

Best of Luck,
Duncan

[Radar]

A friend of mine in the U.S said that they are quite good. Especially for the price. :pipethinker:

[omaroo]

Thanks Ray

I guess that for the price, I really shouldn't complain - even if they aren't brilliant. I suppose that if I order two of them I can always give them to another ATM'er later....

[AstroTasmania]

I have two of them, one for a 12" and one for a 16", they are simple and very lightweight, I sanded mine off a bit cleaned up the casting marks and sprayed the 16" one with a metallic finish. Looks great and will work just fine. A USA astronomy visitor brought mine over for me so they were incredibly low cost.

Here are 3 pics of the 16" cell.

Stainless ring 2mm x 100mm, stainless 1/2 rod & nuts hold cell in place - adjustable in any direction. All stainless steel hardware used. three plates are free to pivot on the chrome heads of mirror screws, so a 9-point flotation cell for a 16" x 40mm thick mirror. Note, all well ventilated for rapid cool down.

Clear skies...

My original 12" f/5 mirror-(still in use) is a Mark Suchting mirror. When the 16" is finished the 12" will ride piggyback in a new configuration so needed a very light 12" cell to replace the very heavy one I built.

[omaroo]

Astro - thanks for that! Great news - exactly what I was after.

I'll go ahead and order two. They also have helical spiders with 2.5" secondary cells for US$99.00 as well.

Cheers
Chris

[AstroTasmania]

Just added the pics.

Clear skies...

[omaroo]

Thank you sir :)

Doesn't look half bad with a lick of paint either. Is that hammertone?

Cheers
CHris

[AstroTasmania]

Yes, just some silver Hammertone spray, nicely fills in any blemishes, I took everything apart and sanded them with an ordinary orbital sander, a good wipe down with turps to get the alloy dust off before spraying.

Clear skies...