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Archive for June 2017

Good things always return: The ETX-125 telescope from Meade

June 29 2017, Stefan Taube

It is available again, the ETX-125 from Meade. Easy to transport, versatile in use and computer controlled – this made the ETX-125 a classic in the past!

ETX125

The advantages of the Meade ETX-125:

  • Compact Maksutov optics: Longer focal length despite the short tube. Ideal for watching the moon and planets, but also for observing nature in the daytime. The robust Maksutov is stable in adjustment and, due to the closed tube, has a well protected mirror.
  • With its opening of 127 millimetres, it is the biggest optics of the ETX series and also suitable for watching objects beyond our solar system: The Orion nebula, the big star cluster M13 in the Hercules constellation, and many other objects.
  • The optical tube is fixed in a bracket mount. It reliably carries the optical system, its motors in both axes align it with the desired observation object and track the telescope in line with any rotation of the sky. The integrated battery compartment provides the required electric current for the motors during outdoor use. However, the ETX-125 can also be powered via an optionally available power supply unit.
  • The tube is actually fixed in the fork, but the fork can be removed from the tripod for easier transportation. The steel pipe tripod carries the telescope without any negative wobbling. Another special feature: The tripod comes with an integrated equatorial wedge. This makes the azimuthal bracket mounting an equatorial GoTo mount, as is needed for astro photography.

And all this for a fair price!

The Meade ETX-125 is a GoTo telescope. This means that it is equipped with computer control, which makes it possible for beginners to find and identify objects in the sky.

The telescope is controlled via the new AudioStar-Handbox:

AudioStar

With AudioStar, you can choose from 30,000 celestial objects. However, the control also suggests objects for watching. A special feature of AudioStar is the audio output. It provides interesting information about the chosen object – however, only in English.

The compact, robust and computer controlled Meade ETX-125 also convinces in its new design!

 

Focusers: This is how you optimise your telescope on the accessories side

June 19 2017, Marcus Schenk

A focuser is most likely the component, that is used most frequently and intensively on a telescope. How often do you plug in eyepieces, adapters and cameras? Yes, a focuser has to cope with quite a lot. But is it of sufficient quality? Many telescopes are designed for a very reasonable price – this can then be noticed on the focuser. Optimising the focuser has a tremendous effect at this point.

Having a good look at your current focuser quickly reveals whether you can achieve even better results with your telescope.

An interesting question: What is the purpose of a high-quality, accurately moving focuser? What should it be able to do?

omegon-focuser-blog-astroshop

Five arguments for a good focuser

A focuser should

… be free of play.
You probably know this? You turn the focuser wheel, but the mechanical system rotates without any effect. And all of a sudden, it starts to move. On the one hand this is annoying, on the other hand it gives you the feeling of working with low-quality material.

…be free of any shifting.
You turn the focuser wheel, but Jupiter performs a rain dance and is jumping about in the eyepiece. Even worse in a camera. The object may even jump out of the field of view. Diagnosis: Shifting. This should be remedied as quickly as possible by using a good focuser.

…not bend when a camera is connected.
Unstable focusers sometimes lead to fatal results for your astro photographs. If the focuser tube bends, a photo may be sharp in one corner, but blurred in the other. Now, who wants such a result after an otherwise successful photo session. Further down, you find a list with a load capacity that specifies the maximum camera load, which should help to avoid such problems.

…have an accurate, fine focus adjustment.
Anyone enthusiastic about astro photography knows: Focusing the camera on an object in the sky is a challenge. This is much easier with a smooth running focuser or a 1:10 dual reduction. This allows you to adjust the focus in the range of tenths of a millimetre. This all to find the exact sharpness.

…not slip when using heavy accessories.
A heavy eyepiece may have a weight of up to 1 kg, camera equipment may even be heavier. In this case, it is an advantage to have a focuser that does not slip under a heavy weight.

Our product range includes some Omegon focusers, with which you can easily optimise your telescope and enhance its performance. For even more fun when star gazing. Especially the Omegon products of the series V-Power, Omegon Pro and the Omegon Hybrid Caryford Dual Speed are dedicated for these five wishes and fulfil them with high precision. The mentioned Omegon Hybrid Caryford Dual Speed has even been designed with a very low construction height. On very fast Newton systems, with e.g. f/5, one can reduce the vignetting and enhance the illumination.

You surely want to know whether the focuser matches your telescope. How high is the backfocus? What are the adapter measurements? How high is the load capacity of the focuser? This new list provides all information at a glance. You can immediately see, which focuser would suit you best.

Omegon_Focuser_Table

CGX-L: The Large Version of the New Celestron Mount

June 12 2017, Stefan Taube

At the beginning of February, we introduced the latest development from Celestron: Celestron CGX. The CGX now has a big sister. The brand-new  CGX-L mount is able to carry 34 kilogrammes and thus almost 10 kilogrammes more than the CGX.

The large 14 inch optics can thus also be used with the new technology of the CGX-mounts:

CGX-L-1400

The generously sized 144 millimetre worm gears are an important factor in increasing the load bearing capacity. They enable smooth running, even when carrying heavy telescopes. Apart from this, the dovetail clamps were extended to 270 millimetres, so that large telescopes are also securely held in place.

The illustration shows the mount head with the large worm gear and the toothed belt drive:

CGX-L-Antrieb

Another positive aspect: Additional AUX ports and the autoguider connection on the DEC-axis ensure a better cable management.

If you intend to use large optics with photo equipment, you need a heavy counter weight. With 31.5 millimetres in diameter, the counterweight shaft has been adequately dimensioned for carrying heavy loads.

Despite the increased load bearing capacity, the CGX-L is still portable. And not only the mount is able to carry higher loads: Celestron delivers the CGX-L with a steel tripod which has been considerably reinforced compared to the CGX. The tripod legs have a diameter of 70 millimetres!

The CGX-L is a universally usable mount, with hardly any limits: You may use it stationary in your garden observatory or transport it to telescope meetings or to your favourite observation location.

We offer the mounts CGX and CGX-L individually. With the dual saddle plate, you can combine these mounts with almost any optics system. But you can also decide on a complete telescope system consisting of mount and Schmidt-Cassegrain optics. You will find these product series under the two links CGX- telescopes and CGX-L telescopes.

No matter whether you decide for the CGX or directly for the larger sister CGX-L, you will receive a modern mount, which will set the standard for the next few years.