News from Teeter's Telescopes

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News Archive for Teeter's Telescopes

Updated November 8, 2008

Ultra-Limited-Edition Scopes and Next Available Production Slot(s) - We, at Teeter's Telescopes, are just about finished with our first "Ultra-Limited-Editions Scopes" production run. For those who did not catch our Press Release from this Spring, we have changed our policy for accepting new scope orders. Whereas in the past we used to accept orders throughout the year for any size scope, we have now decided to get our production more organized.

Our original intention was to accept orders through the Spring and Summer for up to three (3) scopes and then begin their physical production in September, with completion prior to the 1st of the Year. However, an executive decision was made to begin production early and complete two (2) production runs for 2008 - the first beginning in April and the second beginning in September.

Due to some unforeseen circumstances (including the purchase of my first home and subsequent shut down and move of the Teeter's Telescopes shop) during the Summer of 2008, the completion of the April production run was delayed until October. The two scopes in that run, an 18" f/4.2 and a 17.5" f/4.5 were both just recently delivered to their respective owners and have received rave reviews!

Our Millshop is currently fabricating the wooden components for a full September 2008 production run, which if all goes according to plan should see delivery by the 1st of the Year.

The next production run after that will begin January 1, 2009, with an approximate completion around the end of March, 2009. This production will include two (2) 15" structures for primary mirrors from f/4 to f/5. One (1) structure is already claimed, leaving the other structure available to anyone who would like to send in a deposit to hold it for themselves.

Prior to January 1, 2009, all that is needed to hold the second 15" structure is a small deposit ($100 would suffice) to show your legitimate desire to have this scope built for you. After January 1, 2009, the remainder of the 50% deposit on the scope will be due.

Please see our Catalog Page for current pricing on the 15" structure and the necessary components to make this a fully functional scope. We have posted the pricing in an "ala carte" version so that potential customers may reuse their components already in their possession in our structures.

Updated March 30, 2008

Teeter's Telescopes, LLC., back on the scene - What is this you may ask, is Teeter's Telescopes really back? Well...I've gotten the itch to start building scopes again coupled with the fact that I'm settled into my day job as an environmental consultant, I now find myself with some time on the side to pick up Teeter's Telescopes.

I don't know for sure just how many scopes I will be able to handle building at one time, thus I have created a new production line, the Ultra Limited Edition 'Scopes (ULES). The first run is projected to include only three (3) scopes and will allow me to gauge just how much work I can handle. If all goes well, which all signs point toward, then the next potential run of ULES may include 5. Whereas, when Teeter's Telescopes was at its peak, there were upwards of 10 scopes in various stages of completion in our shops.

We look forward to an exciting Fall of 2008 when production will begin on our line of ULES. We hope that our reputation has preceded us and that you will consider Teeter's Telescopes for your next premium Truss-Dobsonian purchase.

Updated 7/24/06

Price Increase Slated to begin for October Production Run - Normally we like to update this page with positive news or news that is potentially interesting. However, due to a change in mirror cell manufacturer and an increase in raw materials costs, pricing for larger (15" - 20") Planet-Killer and TT/4.5 scopes will be on the rise. We believe the change in mirror cell manufacturer is necessary to keep Teeter's Telescopes at the fore-front of the Custom Truss-Dobsonian evolution. These will still be flotation cells with a sling lower edge support, but will incorporate higher quality welding and powder coating along with collimation knobs that keep primary collimation closer during transportation of the scope, and will be of a higher quality of build, overall.

Pricing for our smaller scopes (8" - 12.5") will stay the same, however, where welded-steel framed 9-point flotation cells had been used in the past, these scopes will be incorporating a "hand-crafted wooden" mirror cell, produced "in-house," which offer 9-point (8") and 18-point (10" and 12.5") support systems.

We appreciate your understanding and hope we can serve you in the future.

The new updated pricing for those scopes mentioned above will be as follows:

15" TT/4.5 WAS: $4400 NOW: $4550, Structure (no optics) WAS: $2400 NOW: $2550

16" TT/4.5 WAS: $4500 NOW: $4650, Structure (no optics) WAS: $2500 NOW: $2650

16" Planet-Killer WAS: $4200 NOW: $4800, Structure (no optics) WAS: $2500 NOW: $3100

18" Planet-Killer WAS: $4550 NOW: $5150, Structure (no optics) WAS: $2600 NOW: $3200

20" Planet-Killer WAS: $5450 NOW: $6050, Structure (no optics) WAS: $2800 NOW: $3400

PRESS RELEASE 3/18/06

Teeter's Telescopes Supports Local Community - Teeter's Telescopes has always had a strong connection to its roots and has never been afraid to admit their New Jersey heritage. Founder, Robert Teeter, was born and raised in the suburbs of New Brunswick and currently resides in Montclair, NJ. A product of the Howell Township education system, Mr. Teeter has become a model for those in the community. Through donations to the New Jersey Police Athletic League to help support after-school programs for grade-schoolers, to donations to the New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police which have supported those members of the community in need, Teeter's Telescopes has given back to the community that has fostered its existance.

But perhaps, the most meaningful bit of community out-reach occured on March 2, 2006, when Robert returned to the elementary school district he once passed through. This date marked Dr. Seuss' birthday and national "Read Across America" celebrations aimed at encouraging reading among all elementary school students. Mr. Teeter was asked to be the keynote speaker at Newbury School's program which featured a space and astronomy theme, especially suited for the telescope-builder himself. In addition to students decorating nearly every wall in the school with painted stars, moons and planets, students even visited the Teeter's Telescopes website, printed off pictures of Mr. Teeter and his creations and created a large bulletin-board display in the main hallway of the school to commemorate his visit.

The day began with a short interview of Robert by one of Newbury's exceptional students and fellow science and technology enthusiast. The interview was part of Newbury's pioneering live video news program, aptly entited "Newbury News", which was beamed to televsions in each classroom in the school. This technologically-superior alternative to standard morning announcements off a crackly loud-speaker has quickly become a favorite of the students. The interview served as a "teaser" to get students excited about Mr. Teeter's speech to be given to the entire school, students and faculty included.

Supported by a slide-show filled with colorful pictures and fun astronomy facts, Mr. Teeter (pictured at right calling on students to ask questions) walked the students through why reading is important in science and technology. Pictures from the Hubble Space Telescope, for example, might be very pretty, but how do you know what you are seeing? Why do galaxies "eat" each other? What do stars puff out their outer layers? What is the Great Red Spot on Jupiter? Why does Mars sometimes appear larger and sometimes smaller to our eye? Mr. Teeter's presentation centered on the need to read in order to properly understand the universe.

The presentation then moved onto Robert's struggle to learn how to build telescopes and the ultimate pay-off of winning a national 1st-Place prize for telescope building and starting his own telescope-making business. Mr. Teeter drove home the fact of how reading allowed him to make those achievements. By finding your interests and passions, Robert relayed to the nearly 500 students present that you can enjoy reading and then follow that through to reach your goals.

The day wrapped up with students and faculty and being able to see a Teeter's Telescope in person (10" f/5.6 Cherry Truss, pictured, along with Robert's mother, left; Robert with very appropriate Dr. Seuss tie, center; and Ms. Leggio, right, librarian for Newbury School and Robert's former high school newspaper advisor). The day was a success and currently Newbury School is investing in a larger science and technology section for their library to saciate the students' new-found interests. "It was a great feeling to come back to the district I started out in and to have shown students it is cool to read for pleasure, and to be an example of someone who reached for the stars and came down with their goal in hand," commented Mr. Teeter in recollection of his keynote speech. A late Spring "star-watch" to be hosted by Teeter's Telescopes is planned for the students to bring the presentation full-circle. ###

Updated 1/17/06

Teeter's Teams with Stevens Optical - A new mirror manufacturer has come onto the scene and he's no fly-by-night flash in the pan. No, Ed Stevens of Stevens Optical is making among the finest newtonian primary mirrors currently available to the amateur astronomer (0.96 Strehl, worst-case). We are very happy to announce that Teeter's Telescopes now has pricing (on our Planet-Killer page) for our scopes including Stevens Optical primary mirrors, which now include 10" f/6, 12.5" f/5 (and f/6) and 16" f/4.5.

If you have been considering a Teeter's Telescope, please now consider it with a super-premium mirror from Stevens Optical!

Updated 11/27/05

Teeter's in North Jersey and offering Raycraft refigured mirrors - We are all moved into our new shop space in North-Jersey, very near to the NJ/NY border and to the NorthEast Astronomy Forum location in Suffern, NY (for those of you that attend). We look forward to continuing our tradition of excellence and to being more accessible to those potential customers in the Tri-State Area.

We have also begun a business relationship with Alan Raycraft, who some of you will remember used to manufacture primary mirrors for the StarMaster 7" Oak-Classic solid-tube telescopes in the middle-90's. Ocassionally we will get a Discovery, Meade or other mass-production primary in our shop, which does not quite live up to our 1/10th wave (at the wave-front) precision guarantee. We send these mirrors to Alan for refiguring and recoating and will be ultimately placing them in our high-quality structures, offering the entire package as an In-Stock option, ready for near immediate shipment. Please check our In-Stock Items page regularly for great deals with these reasonably priced, Custom Edition Teeter's Telescopes with Alan Raycraft refigured primaries.

Updated 9/9/05

Teeter's Returns with a Vengance (and a new line of scopes) - It was a long, hard, hot, summer here at the Jersey Shore, but we managed to pump out an 8" f/8, a 10" f/5.9, a 10" f/7, a 10" f/7.5 refinish, a 12.5" f/5, 12.5" f/6, 15" f/6, 18" f/5.44 and a 20" f/3.8 (not to mention two structures, a 12.5" f/5 and a 15" f/4.8, still awaiting optics from a notoriously slow optical manufacturer in the Pacific NorthWest whose initials are not S.S.).

Some of you may not have known we were quite THAT busy during the time we stopped taking orders. It was precisely those orders that we wanted to complete and ship-out before deciding to take on any additional work.

In our downtime thus far between completing that run of scopes and starting our next run in October, we have hooked up with a couple astronomical equipment resellers and have designed a line of scopes, called TT/Custom that will ultimately take the place of our "Truss Conversion" line once we phase them out (November 2005).

In reality, the TT/Custom is a combination of products, an opportunity for the customer to select each and every component that goes into his scope. Prefer a high quality mirror, but can't spring for the high end focuser or mirror cell as well, or possibly do you already have your own focuser or mirror cell that you would like to reuse in this new scope? Now you can mix and match both old and new components while you design your own scope from the ground up.

Please visit J & T Telescopes in the near future, as they become our first authorized dealer of TT/Custom products!

Updated 12/16/04

Improvements to Planet-Killer Product Line - Beginning with our second production run of 2005 (April 1), we will be instituting a few additions as standard equipment on all Planet-Killer Truss Dobsonians:

SuperGloss Finish
Contrast Enhancing Techniques (baffles, flocking paper, light traps, etc.)
Finderboard

There will be a slight increase in price, as yet to be determined. The above listed additions will also be available as a retrofit, or in the case of the SuperGloss Finish as a refinish-job, after April 1st for all previous Teeter's Telescopes clients for a small fee. Please stay tuned for more information.

Updated 11/23/04

Primary Mirror Testing and Minimum Requirements - We love doing Truss Conversions and being able to transplant a set of optics into a more durable, portable and better looking assembly for our clients. But of late we have been seeing a trend of very bad primary mirrors from various vendors (it seems no one is immune) being sent to us from customers. Whether they are home-ground mirrors or ones from commercial manufacturers, we have instituted a MANDATORY policy that before any mirror sent to us is placed into a Truss Conversion structure, it must test out to better than 1/10th at the wave-front.

If your mirror does not have documentation stating it's optical quality, you can still send the mirror in but it will need to be tested by us first. If your mirror has documentation and it does NOT meet our 1/10th requirement, it will need to be refigured before going into our Truss Conversion structure. Please see our Truss Conversion page for more information.

Updated 9/29/04

Obsidian Optics and the TT/4.5 - What can we say? Mark Cowan, of Obsidian Optics, is producing quite possibly the best newtonian amateur telescope optics in the world. With consistent tests showing 0.99x Strehl ratios and P-V wave-accuracies at 1/16th and better, we have no doubt that Mark's mirrors will compliment our scopes quite nicely. We would like to welcome Obsidian Optics and urge all customers to consider their primary mirrors in our scopes.

Production Schedule - With increased interest in our product line and the optimal observing conditions of the cold, dry, winter months right around the corner, we find ourselves with all possible production slots filled as of October 1, 2004. As is noted on our Orders page, all future customers, if interested, can be placed on our waiting list. We hope to begin production of projects for customers on the waiting list by February 1, 2005.

Updated 4/22/04

Northeast Astronomy Forum - The weekend of April 17 and 18 marked the 13th annual Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF) held by the Rockland Astronomy Club and Sky and Telescope magazine. Due to prior engagements, we missed last year's event, but we were determined to make a good impression at this year's NEAF. We would like to thank those who came out specifically just to see our booth and our products and those that stopped by and said the wonderful things they did about the scopes we had on display. Look for further displays at the upcoming star parties we will be attending (listed under the 3/4/04 posting).

CherryScope In-stock - Please see our In-Stock Items page to view the limited edition CherryScope which has been drawing great fan fair after its completion. With a deep-red Cherry stain, that started out as an experiment, this scope will look as good indoors as it WORKS outdoors.

Updated 3/20/04

Special - We've always gotten such nice compliments on our eyepiece cases that we have decided to offer them free to those customers who purchase a Planet-Killer Truss-Dob after picking up a voucher from us at the Northeast Astronomy Forum. We believe that Astronomers should coordinate their equipment, and there's nothing like having an eyepiece case to match your Truss-Dob. See our Specials page for more information.

Messier Mini-Marathon - As is the typical case for New Jersey, weather has washed out the Messier Marathon weekend. However, Teeter's Telescopes will be heading down to South Jersey in the PineBarrens to our Dark-Sky Site the weekend of March 26-28. Interested in joining us? Please visit our Contact Us page and give us a phone call; we'd love to meet you down there!

Updated 3/4/04

Teeter's Crosses Pacific - Delivery was confirmed by the customer in Hawaii as of today, making it official - one of our Truss Conversions has left the continental United States! It didn't leave without a fight, however, as it was the best telescope, optically, that has left our facility. Mark Cowan of Obsidian Optics provided the 12.5" f/4.7 primary mirror which tested out to 0.999 Strehl and 1/38th wave accuracy. This scope was certainly a gem to star-test. Many puddles of drool collected on the ground as views of Jupiter and Saturn astounded us here at Teeter's Telescopes. With the steady air, high elevations and clear skies of Hawaii, the customer will not be dissappointed to say the least.

Teeter's On Tour - Our tentative schedule of events where we will be displaying our scopes includes the following:

April 17 - 18: North East Astronomy Forum, Suffern, NY.

May 22 - 23: Mason-Dixon Starparty, Hanover, PA.

June 18 - 20: Jersey Starquest, Hope, NJ.

July 16 - 18: Susquehanna Summer Star Spectacular, Newville, PA.

August 13 - 14: Stellafane, Springfield, VT.

September 10 - 12: Connecticut Starparty, Colebrook, CT.

October 15 - 17: Stella-Della Valley, Ottsville, PA.

Updated 10/14/03

Wash-outs and Changed Plans - "Teeter's Telescopes" attended the Connecticut Starparty in September, only to be met by thick ground fog, drizzle and total cloud cover. The 20" Planet Killer stayed tucked away in our vehicle, never to be unpacked. Everyone had high hopes for clearing, but alas the skies did no cooperate and many attendees (including us) left early Saturday night. In addition, "Teeter's Telescopes" was supposed to have attended the Stella-Della-Valley Starfest in Ottsville, PA, this month, but due to conflicts in our schedule we will not be making an appearance, unfortunately. We apologize to those having planned to see our scopes there and invite you to come by our workshop. Amateur astronomers are always welcome!

Updated 4/27/03

Long Time No Update - Teeter's Telescopes has been busy with our various projects, including the move into the new workshop, thus the website has sat neglected for a couple months. Some updates that you will notice are a trimming down of our product line, namely the nix'ing of the Scope Cases. Furthermore, we have included new pictures of a recently completed 10" f/7.5 Planet Killer on our Planet Killers page. Lastly, as you can see from the main page our 20" f/5 prototype is clearly underway and will be ready within the week to be chugging photons. Once tested and given our seal of approval, pricing for 18" and larger Planet Killers will be posted.

Updated 2/23/03

Teeter's Telescopes on Tour - While not a finalized schedule, be sure to look for us at the following Star Parties this Spring, Summer and Fall in the Mid-Atlantic and North East:

April 30 - May 5, Delmarva Stargaze (Queen Anne, MD)

May 30 - June 1, Mason-Dixon Star Party (Hanover, PA)

June 27 - 29, Jersey Starquest (Hope, NJ)

September ?? - ??, Connecticut Starparty (Colebrook, CT)

October ?? - ??, Stella-Della-Valley (Ottsville, PA)

Updated 1/29/03

Latest Creations - Pictured on the main page are our two latest creations, a 12.5" f/5 Truss Conversion from a Discovery PDHQ and an 8" f/6 Dobsonian Conversion from a Discovery 8" f/6 DHQ. Both of which have received rave reviews in regards to woodworking and finish and await reviews from "under the stars."

The 20" - Our prototype 20" f/5 Truss is showing signs of progress. Expect the commercial debut at the North East Astronomy Forum held in Suffern, NY, in May, where the scope will be displayed at our booth.

We're Moving! - Yes, indeed, "Teeter's Telescopes" is moving. During the week starting March 7 to the following weekend we will be moving our workshop. Please bear with us if we don't return your phone calls or Emails in our normal, timely, manner during our move. Thanks for your patience!

Updated 12/07/02

The Beast - As you may have noticed, we updated our main welcome page with a picture of our newest creation, a 16" f/6 Planet Killer for Glenn L., in Vermont. You'll also notice that I'm all smiles pictured next to the scope, since we test each and every telescope that leaves our workshop and it's been a ball testing this particular scope! :-) With a 2.60" MA secondary mirror, the 16% central obstruction leaves your jaw on the ground with stunning views of Jupiter and Saturn. And we can't forget the clusters and nebulae that are easily gobbled up with the 16" of aperture! Talk about the perfect scope!

Updated 11/17/02

In-stock Items - We have included our nearly-completed 10" f/6 Planet Killer Truss to the Instock Items page. This will prove to be a very nice scope when completed, having 1/14.8 wave optics with enhanced coatings and a low-profile mirrorbox and UTA for extreme ease of portability.

Dobsonian and Truss Conversions - These pages now detail our "Update Service" option, where we provide .JPGs to the customer as their product is being completed, alleviating the age-old concern of, "how is my order coming along?" :-)

10" f/7 Dobsonian Conversion - we'd like to thank John S. from the Chicago area for having forwarded over a picture of his Vintage 10" f/7 Cave Newtonian on his newly acquired "Teeter's Telescopes" Dob Conversion. From what we understand, John is really enjoying the ability to take his scope out and observe Jupiter and Saturn without lugging the 150+lbs EQ mount out as well. We're glad we could help, John!

Updated 10/13/02

New Look Website - one of customers wrote to us recently after we moved our website to this new and stated, "your new website looks the same." While we never intended the website to look different, we did notice it was time for our web-presence to follow the lead of our product quality. We hope you enjoy the new design and that it is easier to navigate. In addition to new graphics and new layout, more information has been added to the Planet Killers page and the Dobsonian Conversions page, while information will be added shortly to the Truss Conversions page.

New Pricing Scheme for Planet Killers - as is noted on our main page we have decided to add a new pricing set up for our Planet Killer Truss scopes to make them more affordable and more accessible to those on a budget or with a set limit for their scope purchase. But for those that absolutely need the best money can buy, we still offer the original Planet Killer, completely tricked-out with all the top of the line components.

The 20" is coming! The 20" is coming! - that's right, we will be starting work on the prototype 20" f/5 Teeter's Planet Killer, the BIG brother to our 12.5" f/6 Planet Killer. Availability late Spring 2003.