Thinking About a New Scope? Think Big!
Latest News & Updates
Another dozen brass name plates polished
You could have your name on one!
Ultra Compact
John Nymark from Edina Minnesota with his 22" UC loaded in his 2012 Corvette.
I have to tell you Dave that your scope is a work of art. I put it together a day or so after I got home. Amy and our daughters were quite amazed at the transformation from mirror box one minute to completed scope the next. Truly elegant engineering, form and function. They also couldn’t get over that we fit the 22" into the Corvette Z06. ~ John Nymark
Measuring the orbits of double stars
Tim C., 25" owner in Statesboro, Georgia - March 19, 2013
I wanted you to know that my 13 year old daughter, Maria, just took the top award in her school's science fair competition, measuring the orbits of a handful of double stars with my new 25-inch. She had a blast. The judges loved it. And Dad couldn't be happier...
Tim C.
Marie Conners,
science fair winner
Marie Conners,
science fair winner
Marie Conners,
science fair winner
25" with laser finders
We still have Pyrex
March, 2013
In 2008 Corning closed their Pyrex glass factory. Corning decided to get out of the borosilicate (Pyrex) glass business to focus on glass fiber cable and glass for cell phones. Before they closed, we purchased over a 1000 Pyrex optical blanks at tremendous savings. It's the reason we’ve been able to keep prices so low and we've been passing the savings on to our customers ever since. After the Pyrex is gone prices will rise considerably.
Jupiter grazing - Jan. 21, 2013
Claudio Elicer, 15" UC owner in Santiago, Chile
Hi Dave, glad to speak with you again. Just to show you the last Moon / Jupiter meeting, 01.22.2013, with my excellent 15" UC, I have been learning about astrophotography, but I'm still a beginner.
Keep in touch.
Claudio E.
Jupiter grazing occultation - Nov. 2, 2012
Occultation of Jupiter taken by Johan Moolman
using 18" UC Obsession.
Hi Dave
Talking about having fun – the 18 inch Obsession + Canon DSLR (7D and 5D) – no stacking etc. – just straight forward prime focus (bottom part of a barlow lens - attached to camera adaptor/ nose piece).
We were fortunate to see a grazing occultation and the photon shields (clouds) stayed away JUST long enough!!
Keep well.
Johan Moolman
Pretoria, South Africa
Retired from dentistry
Not many know that I was a dentist for 33 years. I sold my practice and retired on April 1st to focus more on my true love, astronomy and Obsession Telescopes. I only wish I had done it earlier!
Comet ISON
Don't miss Comet ISON. The brightest comet in 400 years will visit earth this October/November (2013). Some anticipate ISON will be as bright as the full moon! Observe the head of ISON with a large aperture Obsession Telescope. It will be dazzling. Don't wait until a month before the event to get your scope as I'll be buried in orders at that time.
OEM discount pricing
on all Televue eyepieces
Spring 2013
Obsession is also a Televue dealer. Get Original Equipment Manufactures discount pricing on all Televue eyepieces, coma correctors, filters, and barlows. The new Ethos eyepieces are awesome. Send us email for price list.
26 year anniversary
In 1987 I introduced the Classic Obsession 20” at Astrofest. Since then it has been the most imitated large aperture telescope in the world. I am still am obsessed with deep sky astronomy and producing the finest instruments possible. I’ve built over 2,000 Obsession telescopes, wrote the number one selling book on building big Dobs, started the Ultra Compact line of scopes in 2008, and provided nearly all the design innovations that everyone else imitates. Choose from the warm and beauty of the Classic Obsession or the modern Ultra Compact telescope. Either choice is the best instrument available anywhere at any price. An Obsession Telescope will provide you with a lifetime of observing fun.
DAVE KRIEGE
New phone number
Phone is now 920-699-5571. If I'm out of the shop please try my cell at 920-220-1195
Wheelbarrow handles included on all models
Wheelbarrow handles are now standard on all Classic and Ultra Compact scopes from 12.5 to 25 inches.
Pyrex glass discontinued
Corning closed the Pyrex factory in December 2007. After 75 years providing glass for astronomical mirrors, there will be no more Pyrex mirror blanks. Alternate suppliers of borosilicate glass (Pyrex) charge much more. We pre-purchased nearly a thousand 2” thick large aperture Pyrex blanks before they shut down. That’s one reason why we can offer the best optics and telescopes at lower prices than our competitors.
Jupiter & Saturn images
February 2011
Taken by Refet Dehari with 15" Classic.
Award winning Obsession 15” f/4.2 UC and 18” f/4.2 UC (Ultra Compact)
See video on our web site or last 15 minutes of the DVD
Introducing entirely new products. The Ultra Compact telescopes are for people that want large aperture that will fit in any car. Completely new design and extremely compact - but same optical, build quality, and ease of use as the Classic Obsession. Awarded 2008 Hot Product by Sky & Telescope magazine, Cloudy Nights Gear of the year 2008 award, Astronomy magazine 2008 Top Ten award, Cloudy Night Reviews Readers Choice – 2007 Top Products award. For info, photos and a streaming video of the 15” UC and 18" UC please see our web site. Both the 15 and 18 inch Ultra Compact Obsessions include premium Feathertouch focuser, Telrad, and counter weight kit. Cost is the same as Classic 15 and 18 inch models with same items. Argo Navis Digital Telescope Computer and ServoCAT GoTo drive options available on both. And if you prefer the warmth and beauty of a fine wood instrument we still offer the famous Classic Obsession series of telescopes.
John R with his 18" UC at the Cadillac Star Party
22 f/4.2 Ultra Compact
We are constantly being asked to make a larger Ultra Compact scope. So we introduced the 22 f/4.2 UC in January 2010. Same award winning design but with 8 truss poles instead of six. Same premium Galaxy and OMI optics. All optics are tested and figured with wave fringe analysis interferometry, the Gold Standard in the business.
Ultra Compact is even easier to transport
I modified the UCs so they are even easier to lift and transport. The primary mirror can be removed from the VMB (virtual mirror box). At your dark site, take the mirror out of the VMB, set the VMB in the rocker, and set the mirror back in. This means the heaviest item for the 15UC is only 26 pounds, and for the 18UC it’s only 38 pounds. And you still get the wheelbarrow handles if you want to roll the whole scope around.
Premium optics and Ion Deposition enhanced coatings
Obsessions are built with diffraction limited optics from Galaxy and OMI (Optical Mechanics Inc). All on 2 inch glass. No cheap astigmatic bendy thin mirrors like others use. No fragile plate glass sandwich mirrors. No cutting corners.
These optics have the finest specs on the market, are certified with laser interferometry and have ID (Ion Deposition) 96% enhanced coating. Enhanced Ion deposition is the smoothest, most durable, most opaque (no pin holes) and most reflective coating possible. Now you can have the best optics, the best coatings and the best delivery. Call or email for price & delivery. Secondary mirrors are 1/10 wave or better with interferometry certification and coated with 98% Brilliant-Diamond enhanced aluminum. These are the finest flats and coatings offered anywhere.
ServoCAT GoTo drive
Select the ServoCAT GoTo drive option for your scope and you get the best drive system in the business, including the Argo Navis Digital Setting Circles, high res 10K encoders, powered ground board (prevents cord wrap up), and professional installation.
New Super 10K res encoders
Now when you choose the Argo Navis Digital Setting Circles or ServoCAT GoTo drive for your scope you get 10000 count encoders. Standard on all Obsessions, these super res encoders increase targeting accuracy. No other scope has these.
GOTO TRACKING DRIVE - ARGO NAVIS DIGITAL SETTING CIRCLES
Available now. We can install the new Generation 3 ServoCAT GoTo tracking drive on your new Obsession. Combined with the powerful Argo Navis digital setting circles and 10K super res encoders, this system makes your large aperture telescope a fantastic observational instrument. Seamless operation. Precise tracking and GoTo capability at the push of a button to over 29000 objects. Features so advanced we can't describe them all on this page. Whether you get the ServoCAT GoTo tracking system or if you just want the advanced features of the Argo Navis digital setting circles you'll get factory installation. For more info please see enclosed product sheets.
