When I lived in Iowa for 23 years, we (the club) built a massive, permanent-pier observatory using various components including a 16", f/5 Coulter mirror. It cost a lot back then.
The 16" gave better-than-expected views and we had no problems with any visable optical distortions, but we also had no way to test the mirror, it just gave great views. I have heard from several sources that the Coulters made back then were as good as Cave, Criterion (Newts) and about any other "commercial" optics available at the time. (?)
Does anyone have any actual info, news, test results, etc. that leads to an opinion (good or bad) on how well the 1970's Coulters were made, maybe compared to an average commercial mirror we might buy today?? I mean something US made and Pyrex, not the Chinese optics and not "custom" like my current Mike Spooner mirror.
Thanks in advance;
Steve (The Kid) Sherrod.
The old Coulter took this photo (film, of course) a long time ago. Short exposure.
The 16" gave better-than-expected views and we had no problems with any visable optical distortions, but we also had no way to test the mirror, it just gave great views. I have heard from several sources that the Coulters made back then were as good as Cave, Criterion (Newts) and about any other "commercial" optics available at the time. (?)
Does anyone have any actual info, news, test results, etc. that leads to an opinion (good or bad) on how well the 1970's Coulters were made, maybe compared to an average commercial mirror we might buy today?? I mean something US made and Pyrex, not the Chinese optics and not "custom" like my current Mike Spooner mirror.
Thanks in advance;
Steve (The Kid) Sherrod.
The old Coulter took this photo (film, of course) a long time ago. Short exposure.
Attached Image:
S. Sherrod
