Changing mirrors.....need help

Hi guys...

I intend to purchase a Chinese 8" f/5 scope and have the mirror replaced with a premium mirror (most probably a Royce). Now before I rush out to order the new Royce mirror, is there anything I should do to make sure that when I drop that new Royce mirror in, I don't need to modify the location of the focuser, spider, etc, etc?

In other words, I wouldn't want to modify anything but would like the scope to work fine when the new mirror is in.

What should I check or instruct Mr. Royce so that everything would fit exactly like the way it should when the Chinese mirror was in?

Thanks
Vin

Send him the mirror you plan to replace and just let him refigure it to his spec's keeping the exact f ratio. It'll save you money in the long run. If he doesnt refigure, you can't go wrong with a Swayze mirror. Here are his prices. http://www.europa.com/~swayze/refigure/refigure.html
Although there is no price for a 8", give him a call. See what he can do for you. Good luck

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the pointers so far. At the moment, Royce didn't want to do the refiguring and I have not heard anything from Swayze despite few emails.

I agree that the best way is to refigure while maintaining the f/ratio. Problem is getting someone to do it. If you guys know any amateurs who could do this as a freelance job or something, please let me know.

Of course, I will test the Chinese mirror before sending it for anything.

I called Royce recently about a possible refigure on a mirror I was thinking of buying and (1) he said he didn't do "refigures" and (2) wouldn't work with anything not Pyrex, or the fancier substrates. Certainly not Soda-Lime or BK-7.

Also, just curious, why would you want a Chinese scope around an eventually expensive mirror? Why not just go for a premium scope in the first place?

Steve S.