Quality Assurance
Our emphasis on total quality control throughout our company's operation
enables us to improve quality, durability, reliability and assure the
overall value of each telescope we make. We use quality feedback from
as many sources as possible; our employees, vendors, final inspection
and test results, and, or course, our customers. This enables us to
produce a telescope that combines optimal performance with
cost-effective, user-friendly features and innovations. The inherent
quality of our scopes makes them a pleasure to use and assures their
lasting value.
|
All telescopes are tested BEFORE delivery
All Starmaster Telescopes are thoroughly tested by Rick (under actual observing conditions)
to make sure all the components work well together in the finished product.
Rick has tested hundreds of telescopes and optical systems, and his experienced
eye can spot telescope problems or optical issues that will affect performance.
This is the only way to detect and correct minor or major problems BEFORE the telescope
reaches its new owner. |
Vendor Quality Assurance Program
We compare vendor products, obtain bids and evaluate interesting new
products. As potential improvements are identified, we integrate these
changes into our drawings and product specifications for future vendor
orders. Result: components and assemblies that are reliable and abreast of the latest technical advances.
In-house manufacturing
We systematically zero in on problems and nip them in the bud before they
become major problems, or worse still, are incorporated into the
telescope for the user to deal with. Result: your
telescope components are trouble-free, centered within their adjustment
envelope and will work predictably and as advertised. Your telescope
components will be of the highest quality, reliability and durability.
You can expect many years of trouble-free observing with Starmaster
products.
Product inspection and testing
As each component, subassembly and final assembly is completed, we
rigorously test for functionality in additional to dimensional and
other measurable quality characteristics. We note minor or borderline
nonconformance and work with our suppliers to improve their quality
control. Result: our costs are minimized, the product is
improved and production delays are minimized. These benefits are passed
along to our customers.
Optical testing and quality
We
not only review optician-supplied certifications, we critically
star-test each primary and secondary mirror received. This testing not
only includes classic star tests, but also qualitative assessment of
planetary (when visible) and deep-space test objects. Our opticians
appreciate our ongoing review of their mirrors' performance on a
regular basis. They are responsive to our feedback, not just on a very
few mirrors that are sent back for latent defects that only surface
under field conditions, but on overall performance as well. Result:
our opticians are motivated to maintain the competitive edge which we
demand, and this quality shows in the outstanding performance that is
unique to our telescopes. You can rest assured that not only deep sky,
but also planetary images will exceed most people's expectations.
Starmaster Telescopes only uses the finest optics, from the most reliable and
consistent optical companies who are committed to the highest standards
of excellence. We work with these opticians as valued members of
our quality system to maintain, and where possible, improve optical
quality insuring that you will see the difference at the eyepiece.
We
do not ship telescopes that have astigmatic mirrors, turned edges or
other visible optical defects that we believe will affect in-focus
performance. We critically star test and use a professional grade
85 or 133 LPI (lines per inch) Ronchi grating to evaluate the primary and secondary mirrors
in each telescope we deliver. On rare occasions, we have
sent mirrors back because they had defects that were not
detected on the optical test bench, but were detected in our
critical star tests.
Starmaster Telescopes secondary (flat) mirrors are now independently tested
and refigured by Mike Lockwood. Each secondary must meet our strict standards
over its entire surface.
All optical companies
that supply mirrors to Starmaster Telescopes support our Optical Quality Guarantee:
Primary mirrors in Starmaster Telescopes are guaranteed to equal or exceed the
performance of any other primary mirror of equal aperture and f-ratio
which is readily available to the general public, numbers be
damned. Mirrors in our scopes will perform beyond the
theoretical limit of 50 power per inch of aperture with no visible
breakdown in the image. This is, of course, conditioned upon
excellent seeing conditions, a well collimated telescope and with all
mechanical components in proper adjustment.
Vendor qualifications
We critically assess each potential vendor's capability in terms of
technical qualifications, production capabilities and experience with
other products previously procured from them. We typically obtain
multiple samples to evaluate thoroughly before integrating that item
into our products. Result: only top quality components
go into Starmaster telescopes.
Research and development
We have pioneered numerous innovations in optical configurations and
telescope design. Each was systematically engineered at the concept
stage, prototyped and evaluated out in pre-production samples. For
example, our mirror cell, goto-then-track drive system, truss
configuration, and the other features that make our telescopes unique
were developed in this fashion. Result: we do not
field any new design application without extensive testing and experience.
We continuously strive to improve our quality and have produced a host of
product improvements and optical innovations over the years. We spare
no expense to increase the reliability, durability and
user-friendliness of all our products. If we can get better quality,
even at a higher price, we will do so because we know that the
additional value we pass along to our customers by making an investment
in quality is worth the time, effort and expense.
All major components of Starmaster Telescopes are made with pride in the United States of
America by small, community based companies.
Note:
-Cancelled orders will be subject to a restocking fee which will be equal
to 15% of the BASE price of the telescope, NO EXCEPTIONS.
-Orders are not transferable without permission of Starmaster Telescopes and will be subject to additional fees.
-We are now accepting international orders for telescopes 22" in aperture and under.
For
comments or questions about this site, email Starmaster Portable Telescopes.
Rick
has a second passion besides astronomy - Click here to see what it is!
|
