Tropic 39s comparison

[Nanuq]

Gents, here are some photos to show you what the "Superdome" insanity is all about. For your droolage, here side by side are the "flat" Tropic 39 (from Helfand's), a vintage genuine "Superdome" Tropic 39 and a rep "Superdome" Tropic 39.

That's right, a rep. No, I will NOT tell you where it came from. Suffice to say it's from a member here. He's working on a verrrrrry cool project.

Enjoy! Can you tell which Superdome is the real one?

Edited May 9, 2012 by Nanuq

[XRT]

fantastic distortion

[docblackrock]

OMFG

I would say the rep superdome is the one in the middle of the 3 - the domeness (there I said it again ) is spot on the only giveaway is the reduced refraction (less mirroring side-on) compared with the genuine article on the right.

But that doesn't take anything away from this project, just stunning.

Bob - this revelation may affect our earlier PM discussion - thoughts?

*edit* hmmm, the obssessive in me is looking at the other pics and I could be wrong, as it shows perhaps a tad too much distortion head-on, and the curved profile looks ever-so-slightly stepped, probably just a polishing/grinding fix. Still, we're almost there

Edited April 6, 2006 by docblackrock

[pitimany]

This material (PICS) is an outstanding reference.

I had saved all the pics.

Could you use a finer grid for the pics? (to quantify distortion by the crystal)

Outstanding !!

[alfa1]

the one on the extreme right

[docblackrock]

Just so we're clear the genuine is the one on the left IMO. If I'm wrong I'll hitchhike to Alaska and prostrate myself at Bob's door in apology

*edit* Bugger, I can see this coming, may as well grab my arctic gear now then

Edited April 6, 2006 by docblackrock

[docblackrock]

Two votes for left and one vote for right. More??

Notice in the background the poor neglected flat-top Tropic 39. As soon as the Superdomes showed up it was discarded like a tarnished bar wench.

That's the POWER of the superdome!!!

Like the jaw-droppingly gorgeous waitress that flirts with you disregarding presence of your GF. Despite all the willpower in the world and inevitable grief you'll get, you just can't help but stare and drool....

C'mon Bob, I need to know if my weekend plans have suddenly taken a cold turn

[Guest wristwatch]

Hmmm, IMHO

The genuine is the center of the three,

I expect since this was just a prototyp that mayby the clarity will be better one the finishing touches get ironed out!

So which one is it????

I really want to know

Edited April 6, 2006 by wristwatch

[Sherrington]

Drum roll please......................

The genuine Superdome Tropic 39 is the CENTER one in the 3-up photos, and in the photos of the two

Superdomes side by side the genuine is on the left.

Looking down through the pair, the distortion is nearly identical between the two, and viewing through the center of each they both read with no distortion. Viewing from an angle they're both wonderfully refractive, just like a domed crystal SHOULD be.

But wait till you read one underwater... that's where the benefit arises. It's still readable off-axis.

Anyone want to loan me a waterproof camera so I can take some underwater shots?

Won't you get the graph paper wet, Bob?

[ahchard]

Both look GREAT! However, looks like the gen has a more smooth dome... or is it the angle of the photo?

[ahchard]

put me down for one then!!!

even though i don't have a watch to put it on... but it will give me motivation to get a watch...

would it be mineral crystal? or sapphire? or plastic?

[docblackrock]

Wait till the final product!!

NOOOO! DON'T WANNA WAIT.....ME WANT NOW!!!!

[abakan]

Any updates, Nanuq?

[Nanuq]

In the spirit of Kelster's post this morning, here's an oldie of Superdome 39 comparisons. Sadly, the proposed project was derailed somehow, the guy developing them sent some samples (I have since given them away) and apparently nothing ever came of it... zip, squat, nada.

But Clarks is out there now, and making some nice stuff! Anyone have a Clarks SD39 they want to send me for round two of this comparison?

[dluddy]

One thing I always wondered ...

Difference between a T-19 Superdome and T-39 Superdome

[Nanuq]

One thing I always wondered ...

Difference between a T-19 Superdome and T-39 Superdome

20. (snerk)

Here's a reference list:

TROPIC 3: 6503-6526, 6615-6623, 6706-6724, 6800-6807, 7936

TROPIC 5: 6418, 7902, 7932

TROPIC 6: 6220, 6221, 7910

TROPIC 7: 6266, 6546

TROPIC 8: 6434, 6546

TROPIC 9: 6244, 6246, 6444, 7903, 7913, 7927, 7933, 7955

TROPIC 12: 1002-1011, 1014, 1022-1039, 5500, 5501, 5506, 5520,

5552, 5590, 6422, 6423, 6426, 6427, 6429, 6480, 6500,

6502, 6528, 6532, 6552, 6556 Trubeat, 6558, 6564, 6565,

6566, 6567, 6569, 6580-6587, 6590-6593, 6634, 7934,

7949, 7950, 7959, 7984A, 7986A, 7987A, 7991A, 7993,

7995A, 9000, 9020, 9021, 9022, 9023, 9031, 9033, 9041

TROPIC 13: 5502, 5516, 6594, 7926, 7963, 7965, 7967

TROPIC 14: 6512

TROPIC 16: 5508, 6204, 6205, 6536-1, 6541,6543, 7922, 7923

TROPIC 17: 5510, 6200, 6536, 6538

TROPIC 19: 5510, 5512, 5513, 5517, 6538A, 6540, 7016, 7928, 9401,

94010

TROPIC 21: 6262, 6263, 6239

TROPIC 22: 6610, 1016

TROPIC 29: 1012, 1013

TROPIC 30: 6420, 6421, 6430, 6431, 6432, 6544 / 6549, 6551, 6553,

6554, 6555, 6557, 6559, 6571, 6744, 6747, 6748, 6749,

6751, 6753, 6754, 6757, 6771, 66466

TROPIC 31: 7975, 7980

TROPIC 33: 7590A, 7597, 7599A, 7614, 7615, 9220, 9221, 92200,

92201,92203, 92208, 92211, 92213, 92214, 92218

TROPIC 39: 1665

TROPIC 111: 6530

CYCLOPE 100: 6406

CYCLOPE 101: 6513, 6514, 6516, 6517, 6519, 6520, 6521, 6524, 6527,

6529,6531,6533,6626,6700,6701,6702,6703,6704,6705, 6917

CYCLOPE 104: 6466,6624,6625,6627,6628,6629,6630,6631,6632,6633, 6635,

6636,6638,6639,6824,6825,6827,6828,6829,6830,6831, 6832,

6833,6835,6839

CYCLOPE 107: 9090

CYCLOPE 108: 6122-6127, 6294, 6494, 6515, 6518, 6694, 7914, 7919, 7929, 9294

CYCLOPE 109: 6309

CYCLOPE 110: 6510, 6511

CYCLOPE 111: 1625

CYCLOPE 112: 7962A, 7964, 7966, 7968

CYCLOPE 113: 6304, 6305, 6307, 6498, 6604, 6605

CYCLOPE 114 1802-1815, 1831, 16014, 18000, 1802-1815, 1831, 6611, 6612, 6613

CYCLOPE 115: 6542

CYCLOPE 116: 1655, 1675, 16750, 16753, 6542

CYCLOPE 117: 1500-1514, 1550, 1625, 5700, 5701, 6535, 6537, 6602, 6609, 6646

CYCLOPE 118: 1600-1605, 1607, 1610, 1611

CYCLOPE 119: 7974

CYCLOPE 121: 7596A, 7600A, 7601A, 7602A, 7616, 7637, 7982, 9240, 9241, 92400,

92401, 92403, 92408, 92411, 92413, 92414, 92418

CYCLOPE 122: 7606, 7607, 9230, 9231, 92300, 92301, 92303, 92308, 92311,

92313, 92314, 92318

CYCLOPE 123: 7106, 7206, 9010, 9050, 9051, 9061, 9071, 9101, 9111, 9121,

9130, 9140

CYCLOPE 125: 9411, 94110

CYCLOPE 127: 1680

CYCLOPE 128: 7149, 7159, 7169

CYCLOPE 129: 6900 to 6907, 6913, 6914, 6916, 6917, 6919, 6920, 6921, 6924,

6927, 6929, 6933

CYCLOPE 130: 9420, 9421, 9430, 94200, 94210, 94300

CYCLOPE 135: 16000, 16003, 16013, 16014, 16030, 16250, 16253

CYCLOPE 143: 74000, 74001, 74003, 74008, 75000, 75100, 75201, 75203, 75204,

75205, 75208

CYCLOPE 145: 15000, 15003, 15505, 15007, 15008, 15010, 15017, 15018, 15033,

15037, 15038, 15148, 15053

25-39 1665

25-206-C: 69008, 69008A, 69018, 69018A, 69068, 69068A, 69069, 69069A,

69078, 69078A, 69079, 69079A, 69088, 69088A, 69089, 69089A,

69108A, 69118A, 69128A 69138, 69138A, 69139, 69139A, 69148,

69148A, 69160A, 69163A, 69168, 69168A, 69169, 69169A, 69173A,

69174A, 69178, 69178A, 69179, 69179A, 69190A, 69240, 69278,

69279, 69279A

25-246-C 68240, 68243, 68248, 68273, 68274, 68278, 68279, 68288, 68289

25-295-C 1530, 1630, 16008, 16009, 16018, 16019, 16058, 16078, 16200,

16203, 16220, 16233, 16234, 16238, 16248, 16258, 16263, 16264,

17000, 17013, 17014, 18026, 18028, 18029, 18038, 18039, 18046,

18048, 18049, 18078, 18079, 18178, 18206, 18206B, 18208, 18238,

18239, 18248, 18249, 18308, 18346, 18348, 18349, 18368, 18369,

18388, 18389, 19018, 19019

[dluddy]

I get that part...But what are the Physical differences?

[Nanuq]

Ahhhhh, I see where this is going... you want to fit a 39 onto that gorgeous gilt 5513.

It can't be done. So trade it to me for my gooorrrrrgggeeeooouuussss MBW. It has a 39.

[dluddy]

Exactly.....well. of course, except for the trade part

What is the physical difference between the two?

[Nanuq]

I don't know about the diametric or wall thickness differences. I have seen 39s mounted on Sub cases, with thin Sub bezels, and it looks, frankly, horrible. Way way WAY too tall of a "chimney" leading up to the dome.

When I get home tonight I'll try to remember to get out the t19 and a t39 and compare them for diameter and wall thickness at the bottom edge. Lacking calipers, I'll eyeball it to see if it's even remotely close.

[docblackrock]

Lacking calipers, I'll eyeball it to see if it's even remotely close.

Jeez good luck with that one my friend, as I suspect you do not possess the (evolutionary) anatomical advantages this interesting chap has.....

[gwt]

holly f*%# look at that sh!+!

[Nanuq]

Hey I never did micrometer those crystals. Sorry! I can say with total confidence that a T19 fits a 5513/1680/1665/9411/9401/7016/7022 case and a T39 does too. But the sidewalls of the T39 must be cut down at least 1mm to not look bizarre. I did that on my Snowflake build and it looks absolutely outstanding!

[Nanuq]

My Snowflake wearing a T39 Superdome crystal, with cut down sides. I could still drop it another perhaps .1mm or .2mm as long as the underside doesn't touch the rehaut.

[gwt]

@Nanuq how did you cut it down ? sand it or mill? is the t19 gen for the tudor 9411 or were they different for diff years? Nanuq is the one I picked up off asimplefarmer that nice a piece havn't got to lay hands on yet?