William Green said:
With so many folks concerned about the type(s) of glass used in their scopes, and the kind of oil used in their scopes, and the type of focuser used in their scopes, how long before people obsess over the type of metal used in their scopes? The type of paint? The quality of the screws? Truly, I think all of this fussing is a type of neurosis. If the scope looks well-made and gives me great views, that's all I care about. The quality of telescopes, mounts, and eyepieces is so much better today than it was when I started out in astronomy in the mid-1960's, I'm tickled pink every time I observe.
Bill
Certainly the goal is to enjoy the view and indeed things have generally improved over the years.
But I think part of getting the most out of your money, getting the most out of your equipment, is understanding and knowing at least something about what you are buying.
For example, the type of metal can make a difference in the performance of the scope. Not only do different metals have different thermal conductivities but they also have different coefficients of thermal expansion. In the wrong place, the wrong metal can result in a pinch optics or a scope that has thermal problems.
Some people what to know what their bicycle is made out of, some people don't care... Me, I want to know that the material used to make the front fork is one that fails in a ductile manner rather than a brittle manner...
Jon
