Odyssey, University Optics and Mirrorcells

Story is I have an Odyssey 8 and an an Odyssey Compact(10.1")

I wanted to replace the mirror cells. I am on a budget and the mirrorcells at University Optics seemed like a logical choice.

I even emailed them and said...hey I plan on putting this mirror in your cell will it fit? "Of course it will....the mirror cells were designed with those scopes in mind" was the answer.

Well guess what...neither of them fit. Furthermore, the retainer clips aren't even consistent enough to work.

So I got out the dremel and ground out the mirror cell a bit so the mirror would fit. Now I am curious about what to use to secure the mirrors as I don't plan on using the included clips (the don't fit and are crappy anyways)

What should I use to attach the mirror to the mount. Silicone is acceptable as I don't plan on taking them out of the cells for a while anyways.

Has anyone else had a problem with the cells from UO? it seems the QC isn't very good.

-Z

Zach Drew said:

What should I use to attach the mirror to the mount. Silicone is acceptable as I don't plan on taking them out of the cells for a while anyways.

-Z

BEWARE OF SILICONE!!! Our club had a very bad experience where silicone lubricant was used to slide a mirror cell into place. Shortly thereafter, the brand-new aluminum coating slid off the mirror. One of our members said that silicone lubricants should never be used anywhere near an optical surface.

It may be okay to use a silicone-based aquarium cement to attach the mirror to the cell. Discovery Telescopes has used this for years.