As you want it - AstroGoods mounts perform.

Premium Mirror Cells
For primary mirrors from 150mm to 304mm or 6" to 13.1".
Each cell is built to the customer's primary and secondary mirror specifications, for optimal performance.

Photos show sample kit cell.


Front: adjustable flat black acrylic ring.


Rear: collimation knobs and lock screws.
Fan insert cutouts also available.

These high performance cells are individually designed calculating mirror support points by diameter, thickness, focal length, and secondary size. Optimizing support points provides best image quality. Made from 3/4" Baltic birch (as are classical large Dobsonian telescopes) these cells provide better thermal stability than ones made of aluminum.

We eliminate intrusive clips that intrude over the mirror's face. Instead, we use a front retaining ring so your image is uninterrupted and perfect to the edge. And no need to glue your mirror to the cell, as that can induce stresses that can show in your image's quality. The ring is supported by three bolts 1/16th inch from the mirror 120 degree apart. Supporting bolts are buffered; your mirror rests on nylon spacers. And the retraining ring, covering 1/8" of the mirror's edge can eliminate any down edge image softness.

Tube minimum inside diameter must be 1.5" larger than mirror outside diameter.

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Quote/order
Mirror Cell Description
Price
SMC6K 150mm/6" Kit.
$83
PMC8-10K 8"-10" Kit
$98
PMC12-13.1K 12"-13.1" Kit
$107
SMC6F 150mm/6" Finished
$156
PMC8-10F 8"-10" Finished
$169
PMC12-13.1F 12"-13.1" Finished
$178
 
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 Materials and manufacture:

  • Constructed of rigid, thermally stable and light weight 3/4" birch plywood.
  • Acrylic front ring secures mirror without clip intruding image defects.
  • 6-point support positions calculated for optimal performance. 3 point for 6" mirrors.
  Dimensions and weight:
  • Front and back plates each 18mm thick.
  • Fully compressed cell from mirror back to end of collimation knobs: 2.8"
  • Fully compressed mirror back to middle (9mm) of rear plate cell mounting bolt holes: 1.44".
  • Half compressed mirror back to middle (9m0 of rear plate cell mounting bolt holes: 2.10".
  • Back plate O.D. designed to fit to 0.25" (0.5" total) of tube I.D: 10" tube ID = 9.5" cell O.D.
  • 13.1" cell weighs approximately 3.6 lbs.
Retaining ring:
  • Laser cut 1/8" black acrylic.
  • Eliminates mirror clips for a perfectly round mirror face, no intrusions.
  • Overhangs mirror edge by 1/8". Mirror cannot fall out through opening.
  • Eliminates possible turned down edge image softness.
  • 3 bolts @ 120 degrees secure acrylic ring through ring to front plate.
  • Bolts securing ring to front plate have nylon spacers protecting edge of primary.
  • Prevents mirror from lateral movement.
  • Eliminates mirror clip flaring.
  Front plate:
  • Bolts set at 120 degrees with one at top (0).
  • Open design. No obstructions behind mirror (8"-13.1").
  • Mirror supports have small rounded points keeping the mirror 1/8" above front plate.
  Rear plate:
  • Collimating knobs backed with metal washers; smooth easy turning.
  • Cell position lockable with three nylon screws (8"-13.1" cells).
  • Options: unobstructed or with drilled inset/screw holes for fan (8"-13.1").
  What you need:
  • Kits may require fine sanding. Arrives rough sanded with 80 grit.
  • Kits require finishing or painting.
  • Kits and finished require 1/4" bolts and nuts for mounting cell into tube.