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Lockwood Custom Optics, Inc. - Information

Me and a mirror Welcome to the Lockwood Custom Optics, Inc. web site.  My name is Michael Lockwood, and I started LCO in 2006 to supply quality optics to amateur and professional astronomers, telescope builders, scientists, researchers, and industry.

We answer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) here.
We describe Recent or Notable Projects here.
We list my Articles, Talks, and Presentations here.
A link to More Company Information is here.
A link to my old (and not up to date!) amateur telescope making (ATM) site/pages

Scroll down for contact information, seen in red below.

We specialize in high quality concave aspheres and spheres.  We give each optic individual attention in figuring and testing to make it the best it can possibly be, no matter if it is one of many or a single custom piece.  We also understand that quality custom optics are not easy to find, and we want to be a dependable source.

We do not do optical coating, but we can recommend quality vendors that we have worked with over the years.

I am a source for high-quality optics and services such as:

As for customer service, I specialize in: For astronomical use, products from Lockwood Custom Optics produces high-accuracy optics that produce high-contrast, high-resolution images that will allow your instrument to excel in its application.  LCO has done extensive research in mounting optics for testing and use in telescope, and we understand what is necessary to achieve a superb optical figure on your optics.  We have considerable expertise in producing thin mirrors.

For scientific and other uses, LCO represents one of the best values in LIDAR and other types of fast, large optics.  We find that our optics, using using methods of manufacturing, are often smoother than other products in a small scale (microripple) and the useful aperture of our optics is larger, often to the very edge of the optic, often at a price that is less than other optical shops.

Other important notes

Before placing an order, please read my FAQ.  It contains answers to lots of questions, and also discloses some terms and conditions of sale.  I make custom optics, so sales terms are different than for mass production items.

Large mirrors - I can currently provide mirrors, with matching flats, up to 40" in quartz.  A source for larger sizes is being developed, check back soon.  I can also produce slightly thinner borosilicate mirrors up to just over 40" in diameter, though the price of Supremax has recently approached that of quartz.  Therefore, I am using more quartz.  I will help to make your large-aperture telescope a reality and success, not only by making high-quality optics, but also with mirror cell advice and other telescope tips.

Small mirrors -  I prefer to make new monolithic mirrors that are 16" or larger.  For 8" - 15" optics slower than f/4.0, I highly recommend Carl Zambuto.  I refigure mirrors as small as 10".

Glass and flats - I work on quality cast or machined cellular blanks and flats.  I prefer not to work on fused blanks, though.  I do not make small flats.  I prefer to refigure flats only when I am working on or testing a primary that goes with it.  I am now only supplying flats for clients who are buying a primary or are having one refigured by me, though I will entertain quoting larger flats or those that I already have on hand.

Mirror cell testing - I have extensive experience with mirror cells for alt-azimuth Newtonian telescopes, and mounting larger flat mirrors.  I have helped many clients deal with issues such as this, and it is one reason that clients choose my optics.  I have done consulting work for clients who need mirror mounting recommendations. 

Experience and typical work:  I have considerable experience in working fast mirrors (sub-f/4 by amateur astronomy standards), thin mirrors, cast cellular mirrors, and combinations thereof.  I make custom focal ratios and can supply a specific focal length to close tolerance if required.

For a list of any items that I may have in stock, please click here, and see if that gives you some project ideas.

Much of my work is for the clients listed on my Clients page, and I thank them for choosing to work with me based on the quality of my work, adaptability to meet their needs, timely delivery, and dependability.

My Projects Page lists many, but not all, of the other projects that I have been involved with.


Contact Information

If you have a project that requires high-quality optics done right the first time, or a mirror that needs refiguring or testing, please email me at:

mirrors (at) loptics (dot) com              

PLEASE NOTE - EMAIL (in general) DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK!  Technology has made communication easier, but certain email addresses are blocked by certain filters, messages sometimes simply disappear, and that is not your or my fault.  So, If you've tried to contact me and haven't heard back, there is a significant chance that the email got eaten by the internet or a spam filter.

I may be busy, but I am NOT ignoring you.  Also, remember that I may occasionally be on vacation and away from internet service.

If you don't receive my reply within a week, please join my Yahoo group and post a message there.  If you can see your message, then so can I, and I can respond.

For shipments/payments, my shipping and mailing address is:

Michael Lockwood
Lockwood Custom Optics, Inc.
648 CR 1700E
Philo, IL 61864 USA

Links

I answer Frequently Asked Questions here (FAQ).
I describe Recent or Notable Projects here.
I list my Talks and Presentations here.
A link to More Company Information is here.
My old (and not up to date!) amateur telescope making (ATM) site

Home page