Re: Compco 500

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>The projector has some design flaws, but I like it because it is quieter
>than the TDC's. 

Could that mean that the blower is not as "effective"?  Has anybody had
any overheating problems with the 500?

>Now it works rather well for home use; I only wish the
>focusing mechanism didn't have so much "play" in it 

My problem regarding the adjustments is with the vertical alignment which
is done by pulling a lever up and down.  This creates overshooting and
makes it difficult to fine-tune the adjustment.  The TDC uses a screw.

>brightness, and uniformity are very good, however, and the polaroids are
>located where I like them -- between the slide carrier and the lenses,
>which eliminates the depolarizing film base problem...

Given how rare this problem is, I am still not sure which is a better
position for the polarizers.  Sitting behind the slide they offer extra
protection (polarizers cut up to 2 f-stops of light and radiation)

>It is much smaller and lighter in weight than the TDC's, also. 

Smaller, lighter?  I don't think so.  They look about the same size and,
having shipped a few in my life, they weigh about the same.  Perhaps the
716 might be a bit heavier or bigger, but the 116 is about the same.

George Themelis


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