CDK14 vs. CDK17

Planewave CDK17 Planewave CDK14 Reflectors Buying Advice
Still_CloudyDark Matters AstrophotographyTony GondolaBill McLaughlinGene
•33 replies•1.9k views
Still_Cloudy avatar
Still_Cloudy avatar
Gene:
Congratulations on the CDK17 Bob, I am right there with you.
I had a TEC 180 FL (1260mm FL f/7) set up on a SB Paramount ME II (with absolute encoders) and Moravian C1x-61000 at my home in coastal San Diego CA. I grew frustrated with the limited clear nights, so after about a year and half I decided to move it to HCRO. This past January I drove out there for the setup. I was amazed by the conditions there and the service Greg (owner) and Shane (technician) provided during my 2 days at HCRO. As a result, my TEC 180 rig is producing great data. My point here is that there is no need to make sure your new setup works before shipping it to HCRO. Greg and Shane can handle all of it.

Where this gets interesting is that I was so impressed with the service at HCRO and quality of the data I decided that CDK 14 or 17 would allow me to acquire data from even more potential targets. I ended up finding a CDK17 on Astromart and also selling my TEC 180. It was my discussion with Greg at HCRO that made me decide to go with the CDK17. Greg described the optics on the CDK17 as the sweet spot (similar to John Hayes). I will be going to Animas NM in mid-March to pick up the CDK17 and drive it to HCRO where Bill Long (Dark Matters) will be helping with the setup. I am looking forward to really making use of the sky conditions at HCRO to their fullest with the CDK17. 
Cheers - Gene

Hi Gene,
It sounds like we are traveling a similar path: large refractor, few clear nights, HCRO and the CDK17.  I had an excellent tour of the Planewave facility just today.  Chris and Eric were so generous with their time and knowledge.  I had questions that I thought required a personal visit to be sure that I purchased everything that I would need for my particular application, and I left with every question answered.
I'm glad to hear that you are having such a positive experience with Greg and HCRO; that's what I constantly hear.  As for setting everything up in advance, I still like the idea and would enjoy the drive to New Mexico.
Thanks for sharing your experience; it gives me more confidence in my decision.
All the best,
Bob H.
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Gene avatar
Gene avatar
Hi Bob,
Wow your trip to the PW facility must have really been insightful. Thats almost a bucket list destination.
When do you think you will be setting up your rig at HCRO? I would say that both Greg Funderburk (at HCRO) and Bill Long (at Dark Matters) are CDK17 experts and can offer excellent advice if needed. I look forward to seeing your images. Lets stay in touch. Best regards - Gene
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Still_Cloudy avatar
Still_Cloudy avatar
Hi Gene,
It was very cool and I'm very appreciative of the time they gave me.  One question I had for them was the benefit of the mirror shutters. My conclusion was that I would want them. I don't yet know if  PW has a CDK17 available.  If not, it's probably 2-3 months for delivery.  Absolutely, stay in touch.
All the best,
Bob H.
Tony Hallas avatar
Tony Hallas avatar
Hi,

   I have had both the CDK 17 and now currently the CDK 14.  The CDK 14 is sharper.  Planewave even admits this if you look at the spot sizes between the CDK 14 and any other CDK that they make.  Under good seeing the CDK 14 will blow you away … and it has the advantages of less cost, lighter weight, and faster cool down.  Sometimes less is more …

       Tony
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Tony Gondola avatar
Tony Gondola avatar
Tony Hallas:
Hi,

   I have had both the CDK 17 and now currently the CDK 14.  The CDK 14 is sharper.  Planewave even admits this if you look at the spot sizes between the CDK 14 and any other CDK that they make.  Under good seeing the CDK 14 will blow you away ... and it has the advantages of less cost, lighter weight, and faster cool down.  Sometimes less is more ...

       Tony

That's really interesting, any idea what the reason is?
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Dark Matters Astrophotography avatar
Dark Matters Astrophotography avatar
I haven’t personally operated the CDK17 but the data I have reviewed from one was exceptionally good. The CDK14 we run in New Mexico also takes very sharp images so I don’t really think one could go wrong with either. Aperture is king though, so if I were to be choosing I would take the CDK17 first, but the CDK14 is definitely an excellent telescope.
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Gene avatar
Gene avatar
In choosing the CDK17 instead of the CDK14, my thinking was that since both are well suited to take advantage of the sky quality at HCRO i should go the bigger aperature and slightly longer FL.
Still_Cloudy avatar
Still_Cloudy avatar
Hi All,

Given the aperture, I've placed an order for the CDK17 on the L-500 mount.  Again, I appreciate all the input.  Thanks everyone.

Bob H.
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Dark Matters Astrophotography avatar
Dark Matters Astrophotography avatar
Hi All,

Given the aperture, I've placed an order for the CDK17 on the L-500 mount.  Again, I appreciate all the input.  Thanks everyone.

Bob H.



Congrats Bob! That’s a wonderful system!