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Archive for April 2024

10% DISCOUNT ON MANY TOP BRANDS

April 22 2024, Stefan Rieger

For a short time, we have reduced the sales prices for many of the top brands by 10%!

E.g. for binoculars and scopes of the brands ZEISS, Leica, Swarovski, Fujinon, Meopta, Nikon, Steiner, Kowa, DDoptics, Minox, Hawke

So take advantage and benefit from our special prices!

EQ-AL55i Pro: New mount for small optics and DSLR cameras from Skywatcher

April 22 2024, Stefan Taube

The Skywatcher brand has been offering small mounts for travelling and photography with camera lenses for years under the name Star Adventurer.

The technology and design of these successful models can be found again in a new mount that has a load capacity of 10 kilograms and can therefore also carry somewhat larger optics: Skywatcher mount EQ-AL55i Pro SynScan GoTo WiFi

This versatile mount is equipped with an adjustable counterweight bar. This allows use at all latitudes from 0° to 90° and avoids the problems that arise with many mounts outside our mid-latitudes. It is an ideal travelling mount!

The EQ-AL55i is fully controlled with a smartphone via the built-in Wi-Fi module and the free SynScan Pro app. This app is available for iOS and Android.

You can find more information about this mount here in the shop.

Mounts with strain wave gear from ZWO, iOptron and PegasusAstro

April 19 2024, Stefan Taube

Innovative manufacturers have been offering astronomical mounts with a special drive design for a few years now. You can find these in the shop under the Harmonic / Strainwave link.

These mounts are equipped with a so-called strain wave gear. It is also known under the protected brand name Harmonic Drive.

The advantages are:

  • High load capacity with low dead weight
  • High torsional rigidity: no counterweights required
  • Relatively inexpensive, as industry standard
  • No swivelling error (“backlash”)
  • Very high reduction ratio
  • Compact dimensions
  • Maintenance-free and backlash-free in the long term

The strain wave gear is used for the axes of industrial robots, among other things. It is therefore a standard and does not need to be specially developed and built for astronomical mounts.

Although the periodic gearbox error is also high for strain wave gears, the error typical of worm shafts, which occurs when the direction of rotation changes (“backlash”), is eliminated. This means that the strain wave gear reacts immediately to the control impulses, so that the periodic error can be compensated very well by autoguiding.

For large mounts, such as the Skywatcher EQ-8, the mounts from 10Micron or the CGX-L from Celestron, a worm shaft is still the first choice, because optics with a long focal length require a very low periodic gear error and a counterweight cannot be dispensed with for heavy optics, even with a strain wave gear. In addition, the advantages of strain wave gears in terms of compactness, weight and price are lost as soon as a mount with a high load capacity is required.

There is therefore an ideal range of load capacity in which mounts with a strain wave gear can play to their strengths. The requirements for mobile astrophotography with small to medium-sized optics fall within this range. The harmonic mounts from brands like iOptron, PegasusAstro, RainbowAstro and ZWO are designed precisely for these requirements.

You can find all mounts with strain wave gear under the Harmonic / Strainwave link in the shop.

 

Typical strain wave gear to industry standard

Act now: Get the ProNewton N 153/750 EQ-500 X and secure a 250 Euro voucher!

April 19 2024, Marcus Schenk

Standing under the stars and exploring the vast universe: A dream that can become reality with the ProNewton N 153/750 EQ-500 X. This powerful telescope brings the stars right into your backyard!

For a limited time, when you purchase a ProNewton N 153/750 EQ-500 X, you will receive a voucher worth 250 EUR as a gift. An opportunity you should not miss.

  • The primary mirror with a 153 mm aperture captures so much light that you can discover faint deep-sky objects like gas nebulae or brilliantly beautiful star clusters.
  • The EQ-500 X mount allows for precise manual tracking thanks to the integrated ball bearings. Combined with the optics, you get a very stable overall system that brings joy with every observation.

This Newtonian telescope rightfully carries the “Pro” in its name, as its craftsmanship stands out significantly from the usual beginner optics. Now is the time to observe the Moon and fascinating details on the planets in high quality.

Buy now and get a a 250 EUR shopping voucher with this high-quality telescope.

But beware: The promotion is only valid until 30.06.2024.
The voucher can be redeemed until 31.12.2027. Only while supplies last.

Vaonis Vespera I for a reduced special price now!

April 17 2024, Jan Ströher

Vespera is your new observation station, the perfect combination of telescope and camera. Smart and fully automated, the wonders of the Universe are now accessible to all with ease. Explore and observe the night sky, take your own photos of celestial objects, learn about the Cosmos, and share your discoveries in one place.

Have you ever wanted to catch the stars? This observation stations allow you to photograph the Cosmos at the touch of a button. Vespera integrates the technology allowing you to observe and shoot deep-sky objects effortlessly. You can now immortalize galaxies, nebulae, clusters and much more.

Vespera I Smart Telescope by vaonis

Vespera’s companion app offers educational content making the experience of observation more interactive and exciting. You can now discover the many secrets and stories that make the Universe so fascinating.

Vespera redesigns the experience of observation. Watching the stars through our mobile app allows you to fly accross the vastness of the Universe all together with your friends or family. Connect up to 5 mobile devices to your station with the multi-user mode, then share your discoveries in Ultra-HD on social networks. You can now share your passion with everyone.

 

Grab your Vespera I now for a special sales price of EUR 1.199 – only as long as stock supplies last!

Meade LX200 Sale until June 30th

April 15 2024, Jan Ströher

The LX200 series of telescopes are among the systems most widely used by experienced amateur astronomers. There is a good reason for this: The LX200 series combines coma-free ACF optics with a stable fork mount and modern electronics. The system is so compact that the smaller models are ideal for mobile astronomy and the larger instruments suit relatively small garden or club observatories.

In addition to the advantages of the telescopes themselves, the LX200 series offers other useful features: the primary mirror lock prevents image shift and holds focus during long exposure times. The high-quality worm gear on both axes ensures smooth running at all speeds. Thanks to SmartDrive, the periodic worm error is permanently corrected (PPEC).

From April 15th up to June 30th, 2024, the models of the Meade LX200 series can be purchased at a special price! While stocks last…

The Universe at your fingertips: Seestar S50 – now available in stock!

April 10 2024, Jan Ströher

The universe with one click! Seestar S50
The Seestar S50 is a compact smart telescope with a 50mm aperture for anyone who is fascinated by the universe. Just imagine being able to create fascinating astrophotos of stars, galaxies and nebulae at the touch of a button. All with zero effort, no requirement of prior knowledge and of professional quality.
Intelligent technology, a compact all-in-one design and an intuitive app make this possible. The secrets of the universe are now literally in front of your eyes.

“Leo’s Triplet”, taken with Seestar S50 (Photo: Carlos Málagon)

The advantages at a glance:

  • Just like the big players: True apochromatic lens with 50mm aperture for crystal clear images which with instantly enchant any viewer
  • GoTo, auto focus and live tracking – watch along live as the image is created before your very eyes
  • With a free app as the central control point for unforgettable tours of the skies
  • Simple astrophotos: Set up telescope, open app, and go
  • Battery for 6 hours of astrophotography at a time
  • Welcome to the future of astrophotography!

The ZWO Seestar S50 is currently available directly from our stock – so grab it quickly!

Dobsonian telescope with over 30 centimetre mirror from Bresser

April 3 2024, Stefan Taube

Dobsonian telescopes are simple in design and intuitive to use. They are therefore particularly popular with newcomers to astronomy and occasional observers. But experienced amateur astronomers also love this type of telescope, as the simple design allows the use of a large mirror at a fair price.

The traditional Bresser company now offers a Dobsonian telescope with a 305 millimetre mirror diameter in its Messier series: N 305/1525 Messier Hexafoc

This model also shares the special advantages of the Dobsonian telescopes in the Messier series:

  • Newtonian optics with parabolic primary mirror
  • Large altitude wheels and azimuthal needle bearing for movements without jerking
  • Tube with tube clamps: The telescope can be finely balanced. It is even possible to use the optics on a different mount.
  • The supporting box can be assembled in just a few minutes using metal furniture connectors.
  • A suitable filter for observing the sun is already included in the scope of delivery.

The tube of the largest model N 305/1525 Messier Hexafoc is made of fiberglass and is therefore relatively easy to transport.

You can find more information and the current price for this 12-inch telescope here in the shop.