SMP Crystals "Bottleneck"

[redbird]

I've searched a bit for this and couldn't find anything, but do gen SMP crystals have the bottlenecking distortion when viewed from the side that some reps do? Considering a crystal switch and probably will do so, but wanted to know if I'd notice any difference.

[DemonSlayer]

Gens don't and good reps don't either. I have owned one with that bottleneck effect, the rest have had good crystals. I think its got something to do with the thickness of the crystal which is causing that effect.

[andreww]

My SMP chrono is clear from any angle. Bottle effect is a result of the thickness and shape of the crystal. Thick crystals can be clear when the inside of the glass is curved properly.

[b16a2]

I have been trying to find a picture taken of my SMP at an angle, but can't find one. Il try and take a picture for you later, but there is no distortion at any angle on the gen crystal, this is the only picture I have of a slight angle, Il post a better one later on.

[bigpops]

That effect happens when the outside of the crystal is domed, but the inside is flat.

Gen Omega crystals (and plenty of reps) have crystals that are domed inside and out so the crystal is the same thickness at all parts.

[PAMman]

The current batch of SMP reps seem to have crystals which are not of a uniform thickness across their width. Some of the earlier reps had crystals similar to the gen, without this optical effect. AFAIK, genuine crystals won't fit all reps so you may be better trying to source a generic sapphire crystal, of the correct size, from a material house such as Cousins in UK.