Obsession Telescopes
Encyclopedia
Obsession Telescopes is an American telescope
and optics manufacturer that specializes in Dobsonian telescope
s. It was started in 1989 by David Kriege and is based in Lake Mills, Wisconsin
.
and Galaxy Optics for main objective, and by United Lens for secondary mirrors. The optical tube assembly use an open truss
similar to a "half-Serrurier truss
," and come in either Classic, or since 2007 certain models are available as UC (ultra compact).
Related systems on the telescopes include ServoCAT drive system since 2007 and Argo Navis
digital setting circles. Materials used include a laminated wood called "ApplePly" and PVC material called Kydex
.
They also used to make 30" After O.T. withdrew from the 30 inch market, OMI still wanted offer their 30 inch mirrors. Drawing on help from Obsession Telescopes, and their own experience with 48 inch telescope, they offered the OMI Evolution-30 in 2009.
Obsession telescopes are used by a range of users, including amateur astronomers, academic institutions, and some observatories. A OT 25" was the largest aperture telescope at the Custer Observatory
in New York State for a time.
OT is an Optical Instrument and Lens Manufacturing company located in Lake Mills, Wisconsin
in the United States of America.
Optical telescope
An optical telescope is a telescope which is used to gather and focus light mainly from the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum for directly viewing a magnified image for making a photograph, or collecting data through electronic image sensors....
and optics manufacturer that specializes in Dobsonian telescope
Dobsonian telescope
A Dobsonian telescope is an alt-azimuth mounted newtonian telescope design popularized by the amateur astronomer John Dobson starting in the 1960s. Dobson's telescopes featured a simplified mechanical design that was easy to manufacture from readily available components to create a large, portable,...
s. It was started in 1989 by David Kriege and is based in Lake Mills, Wisconsin
Lake Mills, Wisconsin
Lake Mills is a city in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,843 at the 2000 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Lake Mills.-Geography:Lake Mills is located at ....
.
Products
The company sells large open frame Dobsonian telescopes. Obsession uses mirrors by Optical Mechanics, Inc.Optical Mechanics, Inc.
Optical Mechanics, Inc. or OMI is a high-end American telescope and optics instrument manufacturer. OMI was founded in 2002 and produces observatory telescopes, Lidar telescopes, optical tube assemblies, telescope mirrors and reflective coatings for mirrors. OMI mirrors are used by other telescope...
and Galaxy Optics for main objective, and by United Lens for secondary mirrors. The optical tube assembly use an open truss
Truss
In architecture and structural engineering, a truss is a structure comprising one or more triangular units constructed with straight members whose ends are connected at joints referred to as nodes. External forces and reactions to those forces are considered to act only at the nodes and result in...
similar to a "half-Serrurier truss
Serrurier truss
A Serrurier truss is used in telescope tube assembly construction. The design was created in 1935 by engineer Mark U. Serrurier when he was working on the Mt. Palomar Hale telescope. The design solves the problem of truss flexing by supporting the primary objective mirror and the secondary mirror...
," and come in either Classic, or since 2007 certain models are available as UC (ultra compact).
Related systems on the telescopes include ServoCAT drive system since 2007 and Argo Navis
Argo Navis
Argo Navis was a large constellation in the southern sky that has since been divided into three constellations. It represented the Argo, the ship used by Jason and the Argonauts in Greek mythology...
digital setting circles. Materials used include a laminated wood called "ApplePly" and PVC material called Kydex
Kydex
KYDEX is a line of thermoplastic acrylic-polyvinyl chloride alloy sheet grades. It is frequently used as an alternative to leather in the production of firearm holsters and sheaths for knives...
.
Models
Obsession telescopes available circa 2009, twenty years afters its founding in 1989. The telescopes ranged in price from over $3000 USD for the 12.5 inch to $12-15,000 for the 25 inch.- Aperture, Focal Ratio, Focal Length
- 12.5 inch, f/5, 63 inch
- 15" , f/4.5, 68"
- 15" UC, f/4.2, 63"
- 18" ,f/4.5, 81"
- 18" UC, f/4.2, 75"
- 20" , f/5,100"
- 20" ,f/4,80"
- 22" UC, f/4.2, 80"
- 25" ,f/5,125"
- 25" , f/4, 100"
- 30" , f/4.5, 135" (Discontinued)
- 36" , f/5, 180" (Discontinued, only four of these were ever produced)
They also used to make 30" After O.T. withdrew from the 30 inch market, OMI still wanted offer their 30 inch mirrors. Drawing on help from Obsession Telescopes, and their own experience with 48 inch telescope, they offered the OMI Evolution-30 in 2009.
Obsession telescopes are used by a range of users, including amateur astronomers, academic institutions, and some observatories. A OT 25" was the largest aperture telescope at the Custer Observatory
Custer Observatory
Custer Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by Custer Institute.Located in Southold, New York , facing Peconic Bay and Shelter Island, Custer's location boasts some of the darkest skies on Long Island....
in New York State for a time.
OT is an Optical Instrument and Lens Manufacturing company located in Lake Mills, Wisconsin
Lake Mills, Wisconsin
Lake Mills is a city in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,843 at the 2000 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Lake Mills.-Geography:Lake Mills is located at ....
in the United States of America.
Awards
The Obsession 18" f/4.2 UC ('ultra compact') won the Sky & Telescope Magazine hot product of 2008 award and was well reviewed by Astronomy magazine in April 2008.Further reading
- Sky & Telescope, February 2009, "Obsession 12.5" Review"
- "THE DOBSONIAN TELESCOPE, A Practical Manual for Building Large Aperture Telescopes"