Easy-to-use, intuitive and practical. You get everything you need in a professional standard photo plate with the Quick Release Plate with 1/4'' Screw and Rubber Grip. It’s made from lightweight and durable aluminium, so it’ll stand the test of time, even with heavy use. And it’s super-slim, so you’ll never weigh or bulk out your camera when you attach it. This in itself makes it a totally practical, must-have addition to your camera kit, whatever the shoot demands.

To get going, you simply need to rotate the specially designed and absolutely accessible flip, and you can slot it right onto your camera. This smart photo plate is made to keep your gear totally secure once attached. The addition of a rubber grip helps you to manoeuvre your camera, and stay in complete control, so slips and wobbles will be a thing of the past, even in the most pressurised shoots. It’s even flexible enough to use with cameras and camcorders, giving you the right quick release plate for the job, whatever you need on the day.

Using this photo plate from set up to dismantling is completely intuitive. To adapt for camcorders, you just need to use the VHS pin included, and you’ll get unbeatable stability. Not only that, it’s made to be completely compatible. Standard 1/4'' and 3/8'' screw attachments enable you to pair this plate with a variety of products and camera models. That way, you can be sure you’ve always got the right photo plate in your kit for any job.

Our new mid-level Kendrick Dewminator Controller is the perfect choice for those who are budget conscious but still want more than basic features.

Kendrick Dewminator Controller features 4 individual adjustable heater ports and dual DC Accessory Ports that can power other 12V equipment.

Product Features:

• Heavy-Duty, individually adjustable power output for up to 4 heaters.
• 2 DC Accessory Ports
• 15 Amps total power (max 7 Amp with Cigarette Lighter Plug).
• Dimmable lights! In fact, after 20 seconds, they shut-off! Turning any knob will "wake-up" the lights again.
• User Changeable Cord.
• Cord Management - Power other devices using the 2 DC Accessory Ports. For example, our 12V USB Hub.
• Low Voltage Cut-Off - A Kendrick Standard that saves your battery from permanent destruction.
• Disable Low Voltage Cut-Off. We don't recommend it, but if you want to drain your battery beyond repair it is now possible.

Anderson Power Pole Option: All Kendrick Dew Controllers include a power cord with that uses a Cigarette Lighter Plug with an internal 7 Amp fuse. Some astronomers prefer Anderson Power Pole Connectors which are superior to cigarette lighter plugs. We also terminate the power cord with a special "pluggable terminal block" which makes it easy to make your own power cord. For convenience, we offer 2 Anderson Kits that include the Red & Black plastic shells and 2 metal contacts. The "Pre-Welded" model permanently fuses the plastic shells together using a plug orientation that works with Kendrick Power Supply/Distribution products. If you are unsure of the plug orientation you need, purchase the "non-welded" model.

Extra Power Cords are available.. The controller does include a power cord, but some people like a spare cord and they are available for purchase.

SKU 2660-L

Compact travel binoculars for sports, nature, the theatre or even the opera!

The Vixen APEX II Binoculars fold for additional space-savings

Bright and clear visibility with special coatings

Multi-coated on the front of the lens. In addition, the prisms use a phase coating that reduces halation and increases resolution, and a high reflection coating that increases image brightness. These coatings reduce light loss and provide bright and clear vision. It is especially effective in a dark theatre or at dusk.

Waterproof design and special rubber coatings are perfect for outdoor use

Waterproof design with inert nitrogen gas filling keeps your binoculars dry and prevents fogging. Safe even near water or in bad weather. It also has a special rubberized exterior that can withstand harsh outdoor use.

Soft mesh bag included

A soft case with high cushioning and breathability is included. Protects your binoculars without added bulk or weight.

Specifications

The CDK400 Observatory System from PlaneWave Instruments is designed for the sophisticated astrophotographer and dedicated astronomy researcher. This premium package combines the high-performing CDK17 optical tube with the advanced L-500 direct-drive mount to provide a superior observational platform that excels in a range of applications, from detailed celestial research to high-end astrophotography.

Key Features of the CDK400 Observatory System

CDK17 Optical Tube Assembly

• Aperture and Focal Length: Features a 17-inch aperture and a 2939 mm focal length at an f/6.8 focal ratio, optimizing it for deep-sky imaging with excellent depth and clarity.
• Advanced Optical Design: Utilizes a Corrected Dall-Kirkham optical design, delivering a field free of off-axis coma and astigmatism and achieving a perfectly flat field across a 70 mm image circle, resulting in critically sharp images across the entire viewing area.
• High-Quality Construction: Made with lightweight yet robust carbon fiber, reducing thermal expansion and allowing for rapid thermal equilibration, which helps maintain precise optical alignment under fluctuating temperatures.
• Superior Mirrors and Coatings: Equipped with high-stability fused silica mirrors known for minimal thermal expansion, paired with high-performance coatings that maximize light throughput while minimizing stray light for optimal imaging quality.
• Thermal Management: Features an advanced cooling system with strategically placed fans that promote rapid thermal stabilization, essential for maintaining consistent high-quality imaging and minimizing focus shifts caused by temperature changes.

L-500 Direct Drive Mount

• Direct Drive Motors: Employs state-of-the-art direct-drive motors on each axis, ensuring smooth, fast, and virtually silent movement of the telescope with zero backlash and zero periodic error, perfect for precise tracking and swift repositioning of celestial objects.
• High-Resolution Encoders: Outfitted with high-resolution optical encoders on both axes, providing exacting positioning and movement, crucial for top-tier astrophotography and detailed astronomical studies.
• Azimuth Dovetail Balance System: Incorporates a finely adjustable balance system that improves the stability and performance of the setup in both alt-azimuth and equatorial configurations, essential for prolonged accurate tracking and reducing stress on the mount during extended observations.
• Rapid Target Acquisition: Achieves impressive slew speeds up to 50 degrees per second, allowing for quick and efficient targeting of celestial bodies and satellites, vital for dynamic observations and responsive astrophotography.

Application-Specific Advantages

Astrophotography

The CDK400 stands out as a formidable system for astrophotographers, offering unmatched tracking accuracy and image stability which facilitate capturing spectacular celestial images with detailed resolution and vibrant colors.

Astronomy Research

Researchers will appreciate the CDK400 for its consistent performance and precise data collection capabilities. It serves as a robust platform for sophisticated photometry, spectroscopy, and minor planet tracking, offering a solid foundation for scientific discovery and exploration.

Visual Observations

For enthusiasts of visual astronomy, the CDK400 delivers vibrant and detailed views of the universe. Its significant aperture and high-quality optical components ensure exceptional viewing of planetary, lunar, and deep-sky objects, enriching every observational experience.

Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Space Domain Awareness (SDA)

With its swift and precise repositioning capabilities, the L-500 mount in the CDK400 system is capable of tracking satellites and space debris. However, it's important to note that while the L-series mounts are highly effective for astrophotography and research applications, they might not meet the optimal performance standards required for dedicated SSA/SDA operations. For those needs, we recommend exploring our T-600 Direct-Drive Gimbal, specifically engineered to exceed the demanding requirements for SSA/SDA applications, ensuring superior tracking and responsiveness in monitoring and cataloging space objects.

Mount System 

Control System

Optical Systems

Mechanical Structure

Motion control

System Performance 

Included items

The Vixen Apex 8x24 DCF Binoculars are perfect all-round compact binoculars. With a compact and uncomplicated design these awesome Vixen binoculars can be used in all number of situations, from festivals to golf tournaments.

With fully multicoated lenses these compact binoculars give a sharp and clear picture, even in dim light or in a dark theatre. Your Apex binoculars are filled with nitrogen gas making them fully waterproof and able to withstand wet and damp conditions.

Twist-up eyecups prevent the ends of the binocular eyepieces from tapping against glasses, making them perfect for spectacle wearers.

An aluminium body makes these compacts extremely light and durable.

If you’re looking for compact, waterproof binoculars that give a wide field of view and produce bright, clear images, then look no further than the Apex range from Vixen.

Specifications

In the box:

• Vixen Apex 8x24 DCF Binoculars
• Strap
• Case

The Multi-OTA Mounting Kit includes:

• Paramount ME II Versa-Plate Spacers
• Paramount ME II Large Dovetail Rails
• One Side-by-Side Adaptor plate

When the Paramount ME II Versa-Plate is rotated to the wide orientation, these components can be used to attach two or more ring-mounted optical tube assemblies.

If you're looking for a moderate microscope with the bells and whisltes, look no further than the saxon Prodigy MK II Biological Microscope 40x-1600x.

Featuring a quadruple nosepiece with magnification up to 1600X, specimens can be observed at their finest with just a turn of the objective lens. The addition of coaxial coarse and fine focus dial means getting down to the sharpest details of the specimen. This sturdy microscope is also equipped with a mechanical stage that has locator markings so it not only holds a slide in place, but also allows you to mark your specimen.

The light intensity dial also gives you the option to adjust the brightness from the transmitted LED.

So whether it is for research or homework, the saxon Prodigy MK II Biological Microscope 40x-1600x is a good microscope to work with.

QHY5III174M uses a 1/1.2-inch, 2.3 Megapixel, SONY Exmore IMX174 CMOS sensor with global shutter. Available in both monochrome and color. The large sensor size is a great choice for solar imaging and the large pixel size and high QE makes it excellent for deep-sky imaging as well. Typical of all models in the QHY5III Series, this camera produces a high frame rate with the USB 3.0 interface, 138 frames per second at full resolution, up to 490 FPS at selected ROI.The QHY5-III series cameras are USB3 super-speed cameras and guiders. They can be used in a standard 1.25-inch eyepiece holder. All QHY5III series cameras come in a very small but powerful package!

Specifications QHY5III174M

Orion narrow dovetail plate (Vixen Style) is made of extruded, black anodized aluminum. With several holes and two long slots, this versatile plate is ideal for mounting telescope and guide scope tube rings, cameras, finder scopes, and other accessories.

Near the center of the plate are two counterbored through holes and two M6x1 threaded holes. Two long slots are also counterbored underneath so that the heads of standard socket head cap screws are recessed under the bottom surface of the plate.

Both the through holes and slots can accommodate 1/4"-20 socket head cap screws and some smaller sizes. The slots make it easy to accommodate the needed spacing between two tube rings for different telescope and guide scope configurations.

Two holes on each end of the plate have M6x1 threads also.

With the Orion narrow dovetail plate, you'll have a secure connection and perfect placement ? no matter what tube you're using to explore the universe!

ZWO D70-M54F Adapter may be required when fitting the ZWO OAG-L to a 36mm, 31mm /1.25" filter wheel

IRDK17’s Key Features

Large Aperture and Optimized Focal Ratio

The IRDK17 features a considerable 432 mm aperture and an f/6.8 focal ratio, enhancing its ability to capture infrared light effectively. This configuration is ideal for precise infrared observations and long-exposure imaging, offering superior light-gathering capabilities.

Specialized Optical Design for Infrared

The Dall-Kirkham optical design of the IRDK17 is finely tuned for infrared wavelengths. There are no refractive lenses, only reflective components made from fused silica. The reflective coatings are a protected gold with better than 98% reflectivity from .65 microns (650nm) to 5 microns (5000nm), making it optimal for infrared astronomy or LIDAR applications. UV-optimized coatings can also be provided, enhancing the telescope's versatility—please contact our technical sales team to discuss UV optimization.

Robust Mechanical Structure

Constructed using carbon fiber, the optical tube of the IRDK17 ensures durability and stability with minimal thermal expansion. This feature guarantees consistent performance across various conditions and is suitable for intensive scientific and research applications.

Advanced Thermal Management

The IRDK17 has cooling fans and a system ready for Delta-T applications, promoting rapid thermal equilibrium. This system is essential for minimizing air turbulence within the tube, reducing potential image distortion, and improving overall imaging quality.

Integrated Dew Control

Given that infrared observations are prone to condensation, the IRDK17 incorporates advanced dew-prevention technology. Heater pads, controlled via PlaneWave’s software, ensure the optical surfaces remain clear from dew, maintaining consistent and sharp imaging performance.

Application-Specific Benefits

Infrared Astronomy

The IRDK17 excels in infrared astronomy, where its large aperture and infrared-optimized optics allow for detailed observation of celestial objects in infrared light. This capability is vital for uncovering astrophysical phenomena invisible to the naked eye or conventional optical wavelengths.

Advanced Research and LIDAR Applications

With its specialized design and infrared optimization, the IRDK17 is a robust platform for advanced scientific research, including applications in LIDAR, leveraging its specialized optical capabilities.

Optical Systems

Secondary Mirror

Primary Mirror

Reduces an astrophotography refractor’s effective focal length by a factor of 0.8x, providing a shorter, more optically fast focal ratio.

Designed for use with any refractor telescope equipped with a 2″ focuser ,focal lengths between 400mm to 660mm and focal ratios of f/5 to f/7.5

Back focus required: 55mm of

Also flattens the field for sharper stars at the edge of the frame

Coatings: Fully multi-coated

Clear aperture: 38mm

Mounting: Threaded

Weight (gms): 175

Some of the most picturesque celestial objects are too large to fit in the field of view of an imaging refractor and camera. What’s more, most objects in deep space are very faint and therefore challenging to image without taking very long exposures, increasing the potential for error. 0.8x Focal Reducer for Refractors addresses these obstacles by increasing your refractor telescope’s field of view while reducing the effective focal length by a factor of 0.8x, thereby providing a shorter, more optically “fast” focal ratio to increase astrophotography efficiency. Using the 0.8x focal reducer not only enables your refractor telescope to acquire a larger field of view, but also makes it capable of capturing bright, vividly detailed astrophotos.

Still carrying your bulky optical tube box to remote observing sites? Let us lighten your load with our sleek, protective optical tube carrying case, the perfect storage solution for transporting your tube anywhere with ease and confidence. It’s truly a must-have for telescope owners of all stripes.

Ultra-durable Material

The 8" Optical Tube Soft Case is constructed from 900 denier polyester for durability and weather resistance. Its walls are lined with 16mm thick EPE foam to protect your telescope. Unzip the case and you’ll discover a soft polyester interior lining with adjustable straps to hold your optical tube firmly in place.

The 8" Optical Tube Soft Case has a hidden external zipper pocket to hold eyepieces and other accessories. It is designed with cinching straps to firm up the pocket when in use and to hide it when empty.

The interior has one sewn in cinching strap to hold the optical tube firmly in place.

Grab and Go

Transport your case one of two ways: via the pair of sewn in handles or optional, clip in padded shoulder strap for hands-free carrying.

Compatible Telescopes

This optical tube soft case can hold most 8” optical tubes, under 18” in length, including these Celestron telescopes:

• EdgeHD 8" Optical Tubes
• Schmidt Cassegrain 8" Optical Tubes

This book takes young adults on a thrilling voyage to discover the Solar System, and the features of the planets it comprises, of their moons and satellites and of its star, the Sun. This project combines, very effectively, the educational aspect with the pleasure of the discovery. Its concertina-folded pages can be turned as in a book, to come closer gradually to each objective, and opened out completely, for young readers to admire the illustrations which show, with extraordinary efficacy, the majesty of space surrounding us.

AGES: 6 and up

AUTHOR:
Giulia De Amicis is surrounded by pets and illustrated books and
with a strong inclination for freehand drawing and collage since early childhood. After studying
Communication Design at Milan Polytechnic shespecialised in data and information visualization with
Density Design Lab. Since her graduation she has worked as an information designer and illustrator for
several design studios, NGOs and marine organisations. She currently work and live in Brighton, UK.
Hardcover concertina book

A series designed to help young children discover and learn about various subjects in an original and entertaining way. Each book contains 8 pop-up scenarios created on a variety of levels, offering a surprising three-dimensional effect.

The horizontal format makes the scenarios even more spectacular and these books easy to handle. The many colourful illustrations will project young readers into amazing worlds, guiding them in learning more about the various subjects thanks to the text that accompanies each scenario and provides important messages and fun facts, making these books both stimulating reading and fun to play with.

AGES: 3 plus

AUTHOR:
David Hawcock studied art in York, UK, majoring in graphic design. He opened a design studio in Bath specialising in children's books. He has designed and produced many successful pop-ups, which have sold hundreds of thousands of copies, including The Amazing Fold-Out Pop-Up Body in a Book and the Journal of Inventions: Leonardo Da Vinci.

SELLING POINTS:
• Each volume contains 8 entertaining pop-up scenarios inspired by a specific topic
• Interesting to read to learn more about various subjects, while having fun with the 3-D creations
• Makes the learning process entertaining, an excellent playtime solution for adults and children

The Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer is a great value for money mount famous for helping astrophotographers of all levels take breath taking images of the night sky with a DSRL camera or small telescope.

However getting an accurate polar alignment in the Southern Hemisphere to obtain the best results from your Star Adventurer can be a tricky process.

This 3-D printed bracket from BINTEL connects a QHY PoleMaster electronic polar assistance tool to a Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer to eliminate polar alignment hassles.

(Please note this is the bracket only. QHY PoleMaster and Star Adventurer mount not included.)

PowerTech Lithium Power Tank v2

This is a fantastic new product. Firstly, it is a multipurpose power bank that can be charged from 240V mains or a solar panel via its built in MPPT charger. In other words, it can provide a campsite power completely independent from AC power charging, but provides AC and DC power itself!

This is what it does:

• 155Wh,14Ah/11.1V (Equivalent 42000mAh, 3.7V)
• 100W 240V Inverter (modified sine wave)
• Provides 12VDC to 3 x 5.5mm separate points. 9~12V at up to 15A.
• 2 x USB charging ports (Total 3.5A Max)
• 1 x USB charging port 5~9v/2A Qualcomm Quickcharge 3.0
• 1 x USB-c charging port 5~9v/2A Qualcomm Quickcharge 3.0
• It has a bright LED camping light built-in
• LED Display

This is how it does it:

• It has a high quality lithium Ion battery bank inside (155W/hr)
• It has a 240V AC adapter/charger, 15V, 2A
• Multiple USB Charging ports

Supplied

• 1 x Power Tank v2
• 1 x Car Charger
• 1 x Cigarette Lighter Adapter
• 1 x 15v/2A Power Adapter
• 1 x User Manual

Additional 10 kg counterweight for the CEM120 mount.

Optical tube in one hand and tripod in the other? Still carrying your bulky telescope box to remote observing sites? Let us lighten your load with our sleek, padded, protective telescope soft case. This all-in-one storage solution is the perfect choice for transporting your telescope setup anywhere with ease and confidence. It’s truly a must-have for telescope owners of all stripes.

Ultra-durable Material

The Telescope Soft Case is constructed from 900 denier polyester for durability and weather resistance. Its walls are lined with 16mm thick EPE foam to protect your gear. The bottom panel is reinforced with a hard layer of PVC for extra protection from minor bumps. On the exterior, you’ll find hard rubber elements that provide extra strength and water resistance.

Design your Custom Case

Unzip the case and you’ll discover a soft polyester interior lining with three configurable EVA foam padded walls. Use the Velcro to place the foam walls in the exact configuration you need for your equipment, creating custom compartments for your optical tube, mount, and tripod. Once your equipment is stowed safely inside, secure it in place with the internal straps. With shorter tubes, you’ll have some leftover interior space to stash extra accessories.

In addition to the configurable compartments inside, the case features a bonus 9” x 12” padded accessory bag and an external zippered pocket, for holding eyepieces and other accessories. Lastly, you’ll find sewn-on fabric loops on the outside of the case. Use these to clip even more accessories to the exterior of the case.

Grab and Go

Transport your case one of two ways: via the pair of sewn in handles or optional, clip in padded shoulder strap for hands-free carrying.

Compatible Celestron Telescopes

Still carrying your bulky tripod box to remote observing sites? Let us lighten your load with our sleek, protective, padded tripod carrying case, the perfect storage solution for transporting your gear anywhere with ease and confidence. It’s truly a must-have for tripod owners of all stripes.

Ultra-durable Material

The Tripod Soft Case is constructed from 900 denier polyester for durability and weather resistance. Its walls are lined with 16mm thick EPE foam to protect your gear. The bottom panel is reinforced with a hard layer of PVC for extra protection from minor bumps.

Unzip the case and you’ll discover a soft polyester interior lining with adjustable straps to hold your tripod firmly in place.

In addition, the case features an external zippered pocket to hold eyepieces and other accessories. Lastly, you’ll find sewn-on fabric loops on the outside of the case. Use these to clip even more accessories to the exterior of the case.

Grab and Go

Transport your case one of two ways: via the pair of sewn in handles or optional, clip in padded shoulder strap for hands-free carrying.

Compatible Celestron Tripods

This tripod soft case can hold tripods under 34” long, including the tripods in these Celestron telescope kits.

If you spend a great deal of time on biological research for academic or lab analysis, the saxon researcher compact biological microscope is the one to go for.

Featuring a trinocular head with digital imaging capability, you can take photos or videos of specimens with the additional digital eyepiece that is connected to the computer. The magnification rotates between 40x, 64x, 100x, 160x, 400x, 640x, 1000x and 1600x giving you a wide range of observation.

The coaxial coarse and fine focus aids in sharpening the smallest details which can take your observation to the next level. Not forgetting the mechanical stage that boast an x-y linear to slide the specimen in place, and locater markings for tracing specimens.

Powered by AC or batteries, the saxon researcher compact biological microscope can used indoors or outdoors.

PlaneWave CDK 12.5 Fused Silica

Capturing the most stunning astrophotographs possible is something our team is passionate about. From design to manufacture, our goal with the Corrected Dall-Kirkham (CDK) 12.5″ telescope was centered around performance and ease of use. The PlaneWave CDK 12.5 Fused Silica is an incredible breakthrough in telescope technology and produces no off-axis coma and no off-axis astigmatism. Additionally, the PlaneWave CDK 12.5 Fused Silica provides a perfectly flat field so your astrophotographs will have stunning clarity from corner to corner of the image without field curvature degrading the photos. Offering the simplicity of single-mirror collimation, the stray light control of advanced baffles, structural performance created through finite element analysis (FEA), and decades of telescope design experience, the CDK12.5 is an exceptional diffraction-limited telescope. CDK12.5 users can experience pinpoint stars edge-to-edge and a 70 x 70 arcminute field of view when using large camera sensors. When equipment fades into the background and simply performs, the astrophotography experience becomes even more fun and rewarding!

The PlaneWave CDK 12.5 Fused Silica is a 12.5 inch (0.32 m) f/8 Corrected Dall-Kirkham Astrograph telescope. The telescope has a closed carbon fiber tube, with 3 cooling fans ejecting air from the back of the telescope. The PlaneWave CDK 12.5 covers a 52 mm field of view without any field curvature, off-axis coma, or astigmatism. The instrument weight is 21kg and comes standard with the large capacity 2.75 inch Hedrick focuser.

Technology

The CDK Optical Design

The CDK telescope is based on a new optical design developed by Dave Rowe. The goal of the design is to make an affordable astrographic telescope with a large enough imaging plane to take advantage of the large format CCD cameras of today. Most telescope images degrade as you move off-axis from either coma, off-axis astigmatism, or field curvature. The CDK design suffers from none of these problems. The CDK is coma free, has no off-axis astigmatism, and has a flat field. The design is a simple and elegant solution to the problems posed above. The CDK consists of three components: an ellipsoidal primary mirror, a spherical secondary mirror and a lens group. All these components are optimized to work in concert in order to create superb pinpoint stars across the entire 52mm image plane.

Optical Performance

Shown are two simulations showing the CDK’s stunning performance. The first is a diffraction simulation and the second is a spot diagram. In both simulations the small squares are 9×9 microns, about the size of a CCD pixel. In the diffraction simulation the star images on axis and off-axis are nearly identical. In the spot diagram 21mm off-axis the spot size is an incredible 6 microns RMS diameter. This means stars across a 52 mm image circle are going to be pinpoints as small as the atmospheric seeing will allow.

Both of the simulations take into consideration a flat field, which is a more accurate representation of how the optics would perform on a flat CCD camera chip. For visual use some amount of field curvature would be allowed since the eye is able to compensate for a curved field. The diffraction simulation was calculated at 585nm. The spot diagram was calculated at 720, 585, and 430nm. Many companies show spot diagrams in only one wavelength, but you cannot see the chromatic performance with only one wavelength.

Comparison: CDK vs. Ritchey Chrétien

The simulations shown compares the optical performance of the CDK design to the Ritchey Chrétien (RC) design. The Ritchey design was popularized as an astroimaging telescope due to its use in many professional

observatories. Although very difficult and expensive to manufacture and align, the Ritchey is successful in eliminating many of the problems that plague many other designs, namely off-axis coma. However the Ritchey does nothing to eliminate the damaging effects of off-axis astigmatism and field curvature.

The CDK design tackles the off-axis coma problem by integrating a pair of correcting lenses into a two mirror design. The beauty is that this design also corrects for astigmatism and field curvature. Because the lenses are relatively close to the focal plane (unlike the Schmidt corrector plate found in various Schmidt Cassegrain designs), and because these lenses work together as a doublet, there is no chromatic aberration. The CDK offers a wide aberration-free, flat field of view that allows the user to take full advantage of the very large imaging chip cameras in the market place today.

Having an aberration free telescope design means nothing if the optics cannot be aligned properly. Many Ritchey owners never get to take full advantage of their instrument’s performance because the Ritchey is very difficult to collimate. Aligning the hyperbolic secondary mirror’s optical axis to the optical axis of the primary mirror is critical in the Ritchey design, and the tolerances are unforgiving. The secondary mirror of the CDK design is spherical. It has no optical axis and so the centering tolerance of the CDK secondary mirror is comparatively huge. With the help of some very simple tools, the CDK user will be able to set the secondary spacing, collimate the optics and begin enjoying the full performance potential the instrument has to offer within a few minutes.

The drastic difference in performance between the CDK and the RC is apparent. The biggest component that degrades the off-axis performance of the RC is the defocus due to field curvature. In many diagrams shown by RC manufacturers, the diagrams look better than this because they are showing a curved field. This is fine for visual use because the eye can compensate for some amount of curvature of field. But CCD arrays are flat and so in order to evaluate the performance a spot diagrams and/or diffraction simulations requires a flat field as shown.

PlaneWave CDK 12.5 Specifications

OPTICAL SYSTEM

SECONDARY MIRROR

PRIMARY MIRROR

LENS GROUP

SHIPPING

INCLUDED ACCESSORIES

Collimation and Spacing Instructions

The QHY294 Pro is a 4/3-inch back-illuminated camera, equipped with Sony IMX294 (Color) and IMX 492 (Mono) sensor. The 294 Pro has 11.7 MP at 4.63um, 14-bits A/D. The IMX294 and IMX492 chips have 46.8 million 2.315um pixels, which Sony 2×2 bins on-chip to create the sensor’s advertised 11.7 million 4.63um pixel array. The QHY294 Pro series camera is capable of locking and unlocking the on-chip binning to provide two readout modes. The first mode reads the sensor “locked” mode to produce 11.6mp images with 4.63um pixel size and 14 bits per pixel. The second read mode unlocks the binning to produce 46.8mp images with 2.315um pixel size at 12 bits per pixel.

The QHY294 Pro CMOS sensor has a dual gain mode, HGC (high gain) and LGC (Low gain). The QHY294 Pro will switch the two modes automatically when the gain is set to 1600 you will get the benefits of the ultra low read noise (1e- to 1.6e-) of the HGC mode and a full well capacity of about 14.5ke- at the switch point setting.

With the iOptron Pier Top Adapter - CEM120 version, you can install your mount onto this sturdy yet portable iOptron Tri-pier.

• Tri-pier Adapter for CEM120 (#8036-120)

* Due to the payload limitation of the Tri-Pier, this adapter/Tri-pier combination is not designed for CEM120 with heavier payload. Use at your own risk. This adapter can be modified to mount a CEM120 onto your own pier.

CAD drawing is here

iOptron CEM120

The All NEW iOptron CEM120

An extraordinary innovation in mount design...Now with a new payload!

Recognizing the growing demand for an accurate and stable, equatorial mount with the versatility to carry larger instruments and more complex imaging arrays, we created the iOptron CEM120. It offers the benefits of our revolutionary “center balance” design: stability, accuracy, and smooth mechanical operation, while capable of carrying a payload up to 52 kg. The “center balance” design’s natural stability is due to its focusing the mount along with payloads weight directly over the center of the pier or tripod.

The CEM120's performance is demonstrated by its low periodic tracking error of ±3.5 arc seconds. Along with the stability aspect, the CEM120 features an advanced cable management system consisting of more ports in more locations preventing tangle ups and reducing the chance of fractured cables. It also adds some new features to the CEM family like Wi-Fi and LAN for remote operation and easy to use, reliable clutches on both axes.

Optional Extra's

Optional heavy duty Tri-Pier 360 and Permanent Pier are available for order.

/product/ioptron-tri-pier-360

Optional Tri-Pier adapter for light weight payload ( 8036-120) is also available for $239. It can be modified for permanent pier mounting.

Features

• A new design, center-balanced equatorial mount (CEM) for maximum payload with natural stability
• Observatory astrophotography mount ideal for both visual and Astro-photographers
• Payload of 52 kg with the mount weight of 26 kg
• Easy to use and reliable gear clutches
• Precision altitude and azimuth adjustment.
• Precision stepper motor with 0.07 arcsec accuracy for precise GOTO and accurate tracking
• Polar alignment routine for those who can't see the Pole Star
• Go2Nova® 8407 V2 controller with Advanced GOTONOVA® GOTO Technology with built in heater
• High precision tracking with low periodic error (PE)<±3.5 arcsec
• Permanent periodic error correction (PPEC)
• 32-channel Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Built-in WiFi and LAN for remote operation
• Integrated ST-4 autoguiding port
• Advanced cable management system with more choices
• Spring loaded, individual adjustable Losmandy saddle

Supplied with an American power supply from factory

Specifications

Manuals and Instructions

Quick Start Guide

Instruction Manual

AUX port plug (DIN-422) assembly

Latest Firmware

SKU: 7300

iOptron CW 10kg

10 kg counterweight for a CEM120 mount set at low latitude (<10°)

The All NEW iOptron CEM120EC2

An extraordinary innovation in mount design...Now with a new payload!

Recognizing the growing demand for an accurate and stable, equatorial mount with the versatility to carry larger instruments and more complex imaging arrays, we created the iOptron CEM120EC2. It offers the benefits of our revolutionary “center balance” design: stability, accuracy, and smooth mechanical operation, while capable of carrying a payload up to 52 kg. The “center balance” design’s natural stability is due to its focusing the mount along with payloads weight directly over the center of the pier or tripod. Along with the stability aspect, the CEM120 features an advanced cable management system consisting of more ports in more locations preventing tangle ups and reducing the chance of fractured cables. They also add some new features to the CEM family like Wi-Fi and LAN for remote operation and easy to use, reliable clutches on both axes.

The CEM120EC2 utilizes two high resolution encoders, one on each axis. The two encoders enable the mount to perform dual axes tracking. With advanced sky modeling the CEM120EC2 will be able to account and adjust for polar alignment error as well as changes in atmospheric (refractive) distortion. Fixed home sensors on each axis, allow the mount to save alignment models after power off too to be used on future nights.

Optional Extra's

Optional heavy duty Tri-Pier 360 and Permanent Pier are available for order.

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Optional Tri-Pier adapter for light weight payload ( 8036-120) is also available for $239. It can be modified for permanent pier mounting.

Features

• A new design, center-balanced equatorial mount (CEM) for maximum payload with natural stability
• Observatory astrophotography mount ideal for both visual and Astro-photographers
• Payload of 115 lbs (52 kg) with the mount weight of 57 lbs (26 kg)
• Easy to use and reliable gear clutches
• Precision altitude and azimuth adjustment.
• Precision stepper motor with 0.07 arcsec accuracy for precise GOTO and accurate tracking
• Polar alignment routine for those who can't see the Pole Star
• Go2Nova® 8407 V2 controller with Advanced GOTONOVA® GOTO Technology with built in heater
• Dual high precision encoders on both RA and DEC
• High precision tracking with low periodic error (PE)<0.15 arcsec RMS
• Real time periodic error correction (RPEC)
• 32-channel Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Built-in WiFi and LAN for remote operation
• Integrated ST-4 autoguiding port
• Advanced cable management system with more choices
• Spring loaded, individual adjustable Losmandy saddle

Supplied with an American power supply from factory

Specifications

Manuals and Instructions

Quick Start Guide

Instruction Manual

AUX port plug (DIN-422) assembly

Latest Firmware

SKU: 7302

New Improved from ZWO-OAG-L

ZWO-OAG-L is the latest iteration of M68 OAG with a larger prism size of 12mm x 12mm. The bigger clear aperture brings wider field of view in guiding. It is easy to use, and suitable for users who are interested in long focal length photography. To take the most advantage of it, we recommend you to match it with large format guiding cameras.

Features:

1. Lightweight and exquisite, 17.5mm thickness.

2. Prism size: 12mm x 12mm.

3. The effective light-passing aperture is 11.7mm x 8.3mm.

4. Can be used to connect the main camera and guide camera simultaneously. No guide telescope required.

5. Packaged with an M48 sensor tilt plate (5mm).

Operating Guide:

1. For guiding, OAG-L can only work with ASI Mini cameras like ASI174MM Mini, ASI290MM Mini and ASI120MM Mini.

2. Considering the large prism size, we don’t recommend you use OAG-L with telescopes whose clear aperture is smaller than M48.

3. Yet it is recommended to use with 2” EFW or 7x36mm EFW, and with APS-C cameras (ASI2600) or full frame cameras (ASI6200/2400). The large clear aperture supports full frame cameras without vignetting.

4. The major differences between ZWO-OAG-L and M68 OAG are about the prism size and the threads. ZWO-OAG-L removed the inner threads so you can directly use the screws to connect it to other equipment.

5. If the thread of your telescope side is M48, then you don’t need to remove the M48 sensor tilt plate coming with ZWO-OAG-L. On the contrary, you need to remove it and use some other sensor tilt plate at the corresponding thread of your telescope.

The pictures below show how to remove the sensor tilt plate:

OAG-L Mechanical Drawing

OAG-L & OAG-L-68 Mechanical Drawing

Connection Guide:

Please Note:

While adding ZWO-OAG-L into your optical train, please make sure the prism won’t block the camera sensor.

You can use the guiding screw to adjust the guiding camera’s focus length. Please make sure the distance from the prism to the main camera and to the guide camera are the same. To ensure the result, it is better to do this in the daytime for the adjustment will be very difficult at night.