AstroSystems "TeleKit":
Dobsonian Style Telescope Kits

Company Seven has always encouraged those who can make the time available, and with the necessary facilities to consider making a telescope from scratch, or by assembling of a kit. It has been our experience that the assembly process of such a telescope, particularly when accompanied by a youngster can provide an experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. The sense of accomplishment and wonder at what one has created tends to linger, and such telescopes tend to remain with a family (longer than a store-bought instrument might) being handed down from generation to generation. The assembly process becomes more than a bonding effort, it becomes a lesson in discipline, following directions, patience, and optics. Those who assemble such instruments tend to be better acquainted with the proper set up and "tweaking" of the telescopes, even if the instrumetn is "mothballed" for any period of time. Aside from this, there is certainly no better value for deep sky astronomy than a "Dobsonian" reflector telescope.

In June of 1996 AstroSystems, Inc. introduced a new concept for those who seek improvements over, or alternatives to the traditional forms of building relatively large aperture mirror telescopes from raw components, or for those who do not wish to order completed telescopes in the conventional sense: this solution is the "TeleKit" telescope kit. What is really offered here is an opportunity for you to experience the pride and satisfaction of building your own, top-quality telescope with a minimum of having to deal with unknown parameters or having to deal with complicated construction methods.

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AstroSystems "TeleKit" supply the buyer with all of the hard to find or fabricate components. The kits include all the ready to finish computer precision wood components routed with CNC Technology, and metal hardware necessary to complete such a project. Only stainless steel assembly hardware is furnished to help insure a lifetime of service.

These kits include everything but the PRIMARY and SECONDARY MIRROR OPTICS...(we can furnish the primary mirror and secondary mirror made to a variety of specifications). These truss tube telescope kits are now offered in a variety of sizes: 10, 12.5, 14.5, 16.0, 18.0, 20.0, 22.0, 24.0, 25.0, and 30.0 inch .

Typical AstroSystems components and major features include:

• Fine position 2" filter slide holder/focuser mount
• Mirror and Rocker Box with precision cut finger joints
• Precision Truss Rods with removable Light Shroud
• Precision Needle Roller Altitude bearings; fully adjustable friction clutch
• Precision Azimuth bearings; fully adjustable friction clutch
• Primary Mirror Cell: 9, 18, or 27 Point Floatation Cell
• No tools necessary for collimation
• Mirror Cell Safe Transport Mode
• Transport Wheels
• Low Profile (1.50"), 2" Diameter Phase 4 Focuser
• Set up in about Five Minutes
• Upper Cage stores into Mirror Box for compact transport

The use of adjustable clutches facilitates use of the telescope in the field by reducing the need for weight/balance adjustments. Furthermore, the use of needle bearings in place of conventional Formica and Teflon bearing surfaces helps to ensure longevity of the altitude and azimuth mechanical bearing points.