Specifications

Features

What's in the box?

• Deluxe carry case
• Deluxe carry case strap
• Comfort neck strap
• Tethered objective lens covers
• Rainguard Eyepiece Cover
• Lens Cloth

Warranty

All Vortex products are covered by the Australian Vortex VIP Warranty

Our warranty is about you, not us. It’s about taking care of you after the sale.

The VIP stands for a Very Important Promise to you, our customers. We will repair or replace your Vortex product in the event it becomes damaged or defective—at no charge to you other then return post from you to us. It doesn’t matter how it happened, whose fault it was, or where you purchased it. You can count on the VIP Warranty for all riflescopes, red dots, rangefinders, binoculars, spotting scopes and monoculars.

• Unlimited Lifetime Warranty
• Fully transferable
• No warranty card to fill out
• No receipt needed to hang on to

If you ever have a problem, no matter the cause, we promise to take care of you.

The VIP warranty does not cover loss, misuse, theft or deliberate damage to the product.

Vortex Viper HD 10x42 HD – Premium optics and rugged construction in a tremendously compact, lightweight package – What more could you need? Well, perhaps a quality chest harness to comfortably and securely.

Vortex Viper HD 10x42 HD binoculars are an optical masterpiece, giving hunters, shooters and outdoor enthusiasts a premium option without the premium price tag. The HD optical system delivers stunning resolution, color fidelity and edge-to-edge clarity. These are one of the lightest, most compact, full-size binos on the market—a noteworthy attribute when gear consideration can be measured in grams. Includes GlassPak chest harness, keeping your binos at the ready while providing comfortable, protected, strain-free, all-day carry.

OPTICAL FEATURES

HD Lens Elements HD (High Density) extra-low dispersion glass delivers impressive resolution and color fidelity, resulting in High Definition images.

XR™ Fully Multi-Coated Proprietary coatings increase light transmission with multiple anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces.

Dielectric Prism Coatings Multi-layer prism coatings provide bright, clear, color-accurate images.

Phase Correction Coating on roof prism models enhances resolution and contrast.

CONSTRUCTION FEATURES

Roof Prism Valued for greater durability and a more compact size.

Waterproof O-ring seals prevent moisture, dust and debris from penetrating the binocular for reliable performance in all environments.

Fogproof Argon gas purging prevents internal fogging over a wide range of temperatures.

ArmorTek Ultra-hard, scratch-resistant coating protects exterior lenses from scratches, oil and dirt.

Rubber Armor Provides a secure, non-slip grip, and durable external protection.

CONVENIENCE FEATURES

Adjustable Eyecups Twist up and down to precise, intermediate settings to maximize custom fit for comfortable viewing with or without eyeglasses.

Center Focus Wheel Adjusts the focus of both binocular barrels at the same time.

Locking Diopter Adjusts for differences in a user's eyes. Located on right eyepiece.

Tripod Adaptable Compatible with a tripod adapter, allowing use on a tripod or car window mount.

Specifications

Features

Warranty

Our warranty is about you, not us. It's about taking care of you after the sale.

The VIP stands for a Very Important Promise to you, our customers. We will repair or replace your Vortex product in the event it becomes damaged or defective—at no charge to you other then return post from you to us. It doesn't matter how it happened, whose fault it was, or where you purchased it. You can count on the VIP Warranty for all riflescopes, red dots, rangefinders, binoculars, spotting scopes and monoculars.

• Unlimited Lifetime Warranty
• Fully transferable
• No warranty card to fill out
• No receipt needed to hang on to

If you ever have a problem, no matter the cause, we promise to take care of you.

The VIP warranty does not cover loss, misuse, theft or deliberate damage to the product.

A Visual Back is a metal adapter that screws onto the standard rear cell threads of Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes and accepts 1.25” accessories, including diagonals, eyepieces (for straight-through viewing), Barlows, webcams, and any other accessory with a 1.25” insert barrel.

All Celestron 5”, 6”, 8”, 9.25” and 11” Schmidt-Cassegrains come standard with the 1.25” Visual Back.

To use 2” diagonals on a Celestron 5” - 11” Schmidt-Cassegrain, remove the visual back and thread on a 2” diagonal made especially for Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, such as the Celestron 2” XLT Diagonal (#93527).

The design has been developed to be sturdier and more rigid with quicker dampening time
Increased load capacity to 25kg (55lb)
Improved motors provide more torque, better slewing and tracking under heavy loads
Heavy Duty belt-drive system minimizes backlash while providing smooth motor operation under heavy loads

Spring-loaded brass worm wheel and stainless steel worm gear reduce friction and provide optimum gear mesh
Internal cabling for worry-free remote operation. Power input and accessory ports remain stationary while the mount slews to avoid snags
Internal hard stops for both axes prevents cable tension and tripod strike

Internal optical sensors on both axes for simple and safe remote operation

Home sensors allow the mount to always start in the index position regardless of orientation before a power reset
Limit sensors automatically shut off slewing or tracking before reaching the hard stop fail safe
Control software developed in conjunction with PlaneWave Instruments for professional level control operation and imaging
Software includes multi-point mount modeling for extremely precise pointing accuracy and many more additional features for remote astroimaging
Wider tripod stance for improved stability
Adjustable EQ head position to optimize center of gravity over the tripod and fully utilize the increased 3º-65º latitude range
Dual-fit CG-5/Vixen and CGE/Losmandy dovetail saddle

Improved tripod includes:

2" steel legs with height index marks for quick leveling
"Jack of all trays" can hold three 1.25" eyepieces, two 2" eyepieces, your smartphone, or other accessories
+20º of additional tracking past the meridian on either side
Tripod legs can be collapsed with accessory tray installed for faster setup and transport

Improved ergonomics:

Two handles for easy pickup and transport

Ergonomically designed dovetail clamping knobs
Innovative and improved polar alignment adjustment system

Ergonomic latitude adjuster for smooth and easy adjustment under full loads
Optional add-on polar axis finderscope - coming soon

Electronics

NexStar+ hand control with USB port
Two AUX accessory ports to support wireless/WiFi alignment and operation with StarSense AutoAlign and SkyPortal WiFi Module accessories (sold separately)
USB 2.0 port, used to connect directly to PC with included software
Autoguider port
PPEC ready
Threaded 12VDC power input barrel connector
Internal Real Time Clock (keeps time and site information saved)

Celestron CGX German Equatorial Mount and Tripod Specifications

Download the Celestron PWI Software for PC control of the Celestron CGX Mount here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diM2-oBYI3A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmnNr_H9ZQI

Annals of the Deep Sky Vol 10 explores the constellations of Draco, Equuleus, Eridanus and Fornax, each with a bounty of fascinating stars and nonstellar objects. Draco contains numerous double stars, such as the wide pair Nu Draconis, two fifth-magnitude stars that look alike but are nonetheless very different. One of Draco’s most popular deep-sky objects is the Cat’s Eye Nebula (NGC 6543), the first planetary nebula to be decoded spectroscopically, by William Huggins in 1910. Modest Equuleus can at least boast the spiral galaxy NGC 7040, discovered by Mark Walrod Harrington in 1882. We include a brief, but strange, backstory of Harrington. Eridanus, too, may be a small constellation but it contains the intriguing galactic group associated with NGC 1723 and a “lopsided” galaxy, NGC 1637. Fornax is replete with interesting galaxies, including NGC 1097 with its peculiar nucleus, the shell system NGC 1344, and the “three-ringed” galaxy NGC 1326. And don’t neglect S Fornacis, an odd sun that occasionally exhibits superflares.

Annals of the Deep Sky is a comprehensive reference that guides amateur and semipro astronomers into every mind-boggling corner of the observational universe. Each volume presents extensive descriptions of prominent stars and deep-sky objects. No other popular work in astronomy provides the comprehensive historical background and astrophysical appraisals of prominent stars and celestial objects.

The saxon 9x50 Erecting Finderscope (90 degree) is the solution for those who find conventional finderscopes too confusing or disorienting.

The presence of an erecting prism in the finderscope provides you with correct image orientation so that you can look through the finderscope the same you look at the sky.

90 degree viewing angle allows for a comfortable viewing position when looking overhead, and 9x magnification and 50mm aperture give a clear, crisp image.

Simplify your observation sessions with the saxon 9x50 Erecting Finderscope (90 degree).

Hone in on objects with the cross-hair reticle before you observe with your telescope. The 9x magnification and 50mm aperture on the  saxon 9x50 Erecting Finderscope (90 degree) will give you crisp and clear images as you search for stars and planets, while your neck will thank you for comfortable viewing angle afforde by the 90 degree viewing angle as you browse the night sky.

What many will appreciate from the  saxon 9x50 Erecting Finderscope (90 degree) will be that its image orientation is correct (upright, non-reversed). Look through your finderscope the same way you look at the sky.

Fits all dovetail mounting brackets.

NOTE THIS IS THE PLUG for 2" accessories, eyepieces only

A simple plastic cover designed to keep dust out 2" accessories. This includes all standard barlows, diagonals, focusers, eyepieces, etc. Perfect to replace the factory plugs you may have misplaced since buying your telescope.

Use a dust cap to cover the front end of your eyepieces and barlows by capping it on top of the lens.

Use a dust plug to cover the back end of your accessories by plugging it inside the optical tube.

Bintel M57- M42 T-Adapter

Step down ring allows you to couple a Bintel 2" Superview Projection eyepiece with any standard T-Ring

Precision machined, black anodised aluminium construction

The Bintel Superview Camera Projection eyepieces are one of the simplest ways to couple your DSLR to a telescope. The top section of the eyepiece unscrews allowing an M57 to M42 adapter to be fitted. The M42 T-thread can then allow the appropriate T-Ring to be attached and thus adapts to your DSLR camera.

M57 to M42 adapter and T-Rings sold separately.

https://www.bintel.com.au/product/bintel-m57-m42-t-adapter/

A low-power eyepiece, good for open clusters, nebulae and galaxy clusters. Includes a soft rubber eyeguard and an M42 T-thread for projection photography. High quality optics, fully multi coated, and affordable!

The Bintel Superview Camera Projection eyepieces are one of the simplest ways to couple your DSLR to a telescope. The top section of the eyepiece unscrews allowing a T-Ring to be fitted, thus adapting to your DSLR camera.

Work smarter, not harder, when it comes to combating dew. The Smart DewHeater and Controller 2x prolongs your battery life by optimizing power usage for up to two dew heaters. The controller gathers and analyzes information in real time to warm your optics just enough to prevent dew.

The Smart DewHeater and Controller comes with two ports to control two dew heaters at once. You can use one port to heat your optical tube while the other warms a second optical tube, a guide scope, an eyepiece, or another accessory. The controller also features an additional 12V DC output port so you can power another 12V DC device, such as your mount.

The Smart DewHeater and Controller works seamlessly with Celestron’s Dew Heater Rings, which have a built-in thermistor to provide temperature readings of the corrector lens. Third-party dew heater bands or straps are also compatible; you simply need to add Celestron's Thermistor for Smart DewHeater Controllers (sold separately).

Smart Controls

At the heart of the controller is a powerful microprocessor that gathers information from the sensors, computes the data, and automatically adjusts your dew heaters. The controller monitors the ambient temperature and humidity using its integrated environmental sensor and monitors the heaters’ temperatures using thermistors.

You can run the Smart DewHeater and Controller 2x as a standalone accessory. Or, if you want to view data from the controller and make manual adjustments, you can connect it to your Celestron telescope’s hand control or your PC. The controller works with NexStar+ or StarSense hand controls running the latest firmware or Celestron CPWI telescope control software, included with every Celestron mount.

Power

The Smart DewHeater and Controller 2x runs on a 12V DC battery (like our PowerTank Lithium Pro or PowerTank 17) and can handle a maximum power of 120W (10A max current @ 12V DC). The controller also features a 12V DC output port. You can use this extra port to power another device, like your mount. This way, you can power your entire setup from a single source. Resettable electronic fuses prevent damage if input or output current draw becomes too high.

NOTE: If you are using two dew heaters in heavy dew conditions and powering a 12V DC device, the controller may be operating near its power limit. In this case, one PowerTank Lithium Pro or PowerTank 17Ah will not have enough capacity to run your setup all night; you'll need a larger capacity battery or multiple batteries.

Unique Industrial Design

The Smart DewHeater and Controller 2x features a heavy-duty metal housing. Inside, a cooling fan protects the controller’s electronics.

The Bridge – On top of the controller, you will find the bridge, which is home to the device’s status LEDs and environmental sensors. It also helps with cable management. We have positioned the temperature and humidity sensors here, away from the control box and other components that could generate heat. Unlike competitor products, our sensors do not require additional cables to obtain accurate readings.

The LED lights on the bridge indicate the device’s current status. The LEDs provide warnings if the controller is drawing more current than your power source can supply or if the battery charge needs recharging. You can dim the lights if you are under dark skies.

Mounting – The Celestron Smart DewHeater and Controller 2x mounts on your CGE or CG-5 dovetail with the integrated dovetail clamps. If you prefer to mount the controller on your tripod leg, use the included strap.

Smart DewHeater and Controller 2x comes complete with:

• Smart DewHeater and Controller 2x
• Tripod leg strap
• Controller power cable
• Power cable for external 12V DC device
• AUX cable for connecting to Celestron mounts
• Thermistor extension cable to attach to Celestron’s Dew Heater Ring

Enhance your setup

We highly recommend pairing this controller with Celestron Dew Heater Rings. They fit seamlessly on your Schmidt corrector lens and will improve your observing or imaging year-round.

For the highest level of dew prevention, we also suggest adding a dew shield to your setup. While not required, a dew shield will cut down on the amount of power the controller needs to provide to the dew heater rings to keep your optics clear.

Instruction Manual Addendum

Celestron Dovetail Bar (CGE) 11 Inch

11-inch Dovetail bar (CGE)

Note: No Hardware screws included

ZWO Counterweight Bar is designed for when using more than 13kg on the AM5 mount.

Machined from 304 Stainless Steel 230mm in length, 20mm in diameter with an M12 1.75 thread. It will match many other mounts.

SKU: ZWO-BC230

The Vespera light pollution filter or CLS (City Light Suppression) filter allows you to improve the quality of your photos when observing in the city or suburbs. It attenuates the effects of light pollution and thus increases the contrast between the celestial object being photographed and the background sky.

The broadband filter blocks wavelengths mainly emitted by urban night lighting or undesirable natural light, while allowing the main wavelengths from celestial objects.

The Vespera light pollution filter or CLS (City Light Suppression) filter allows you to improve the quality of your photos when observing in the city or suburbs. It attenuates the effects of light pollution and thus increases the contrast between the celestial object being photographed and the background sky.



The broadband filter blocks wavelengths mainly emitted by urban night lighting or undesirable natural light, while allowing the main wavelengths from celestial objects.

The broadband filter blocks Na (sodium) and Hg (mercury) wavelengths mainly emitted by urban night lighting or undesirable natural light (atmospheric oxygen radiation, etc.), while allowing the main wavelengths from celestial objects.

The anti-light pollution filter is particularly useful for improving the brightness of deep sky objects: nebulae, star clusters, galaxies, etc. It is especially effective on emission nebulae because of the filtered wavelengths.

Examples of emission nebulae: Bubble (NGC 7635), Crescent (NGC 6888), Eagle (M16), Elephant’s Trunk (IC 1396), Flame (NGC 2024), Lagoon (M8), North America (NGC 7000), Omega (M17), Orion (M42), Pacman (NGC 281), Rosette (NGC 2237), Tarantula (NGC 2070), Thor’s Helmet (NGC 2359), Trifid (M20), Tulip (Sh2-101).

Designed specifically for the Vespera lens, it fits easily and discreetly into the optical arm. The lens ring that holds the CLS filter is equipped with an electronic card that allows Vespera to detect it.

The filter is delivered in a transparent storage box.

Transmission Curve

Additional information

Sky Watcher 70/500 SolarQuest Solar Scope with Heliofind Mount

We’ve just made solar observation easier for you!

Introducing Sky-Watcher’s innovative and revolutionary solar telescope.

Enjoy a fun family astronomy trip in the comfort of daylight. Pointing the 70 Refractor SolarQuest towards the sun in one go can be difficult and trying to find the sun in the sky using the tiny blacked out view of a scope is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Keep it simple and let the SolarQuest on Heliofind Mount do it for you.

SolarQuest is a very user-friendly and safe solution for observing the sun. Using Sky-Watcher’s revolutionary technology; the Heliofind mount can be easily operated by anyone in the family. With just a push of a button the mount and SolarQuest will start slewing clockwise in the azimuth direction to search for the sun. If the tripod is moved by accident, users can easily start again and the SolarQuest will quickly find the sun.

This is great set up for beginners to observe sunspots, eclipses and the transit of inner planets.

• a 70mm f/7 – 500 Focal length refractor Solar Scope
• HelioFind Solar Tracking Mount
• Tripod
• Standard Eye Piece

WARNING:
The SolarQuest mount is designed to work with the attached solar telescopes ONLY. Do not point other types of optical device at the sun; looking directly at the sun without a certified filter will cause immediate and irreversible damage to the eyes or instrument.

The SkyWatcher Light Shroud for Truss Dobsonian 10 Inch is essential for every 10" Collapsible Dobsonian Telescope for high image contrast. It helps to prevent stray light and dew from entering the telescope setup and subsequently disrupting the telescope image. The shroud also serves as a care cloth that helps to block dust particles and impurities from entering the telescope.

Skywatcher Dual Speed Crayford

This excellent smooth dual speed replacement focuser (10:1 gear ratio) suits Sky-Watcher Newtonian (Dobsonian) telescopes sold without dual-speed capability.

Especially if you’re in to lunar and planetary imaging with an f/5 Newtonian then this focuser is a must have upgrade.

Now you can replace your old Sky-Watcher Rack n Pinion or single speed Crayford style focuser to achieve finer focusing capability. Also suitable for DIY telescope projects.

Includes dual speed 2-inch focuser, 2 inch dust cap, 2 inch to 1.25 inch and T-thread adaptor.

The focuser fits directly to the most Skywatcher Newtonian telescopes.

Hole spacings 86.5 mm x 78 mm so it can be as simple as bolt off / bolt on.

Annals of the Deep Sky - Vol. 2 : A Survey of Galactic and Extragalactic Objects by Jeff Kanipe and Dennis Webb

“At last: the sky guide we’ve been waiting for! Annals of the Deep Sky melds through-the-eyepiece observing with up-to-date 21st century astrophysics. Its highly readable format should appeal to observers and non-observers alike. ..... operates at many levels. To the novice, it provides guidance and inspiration, offering both basic background and knowledge to grow with. It provides enrichment for established amateurs, pointing out new directions to pursue. And it offers an up-to-date, one-stop astrophysical reference for advanced observers who aspire to contribute to science.”

344pages , 244 illustrations, softbound.

Covers Aquila, Ara, Aries, Auriga, Boötes, Caelum plus a 72-page Essential Terminology Glossary.

The Nikon SEP-20-60 Eyepiece for PROSTAFF 5 Fieldscope offers exceptional detailed observation with its fully multilayer-coated lenses and adjustable 20-60x magnification. Compatible with all PROSTAFF 5 Fieldscopes, this eyepiece is ideal for those who wear eyeglasses, with its long eye relief design. Its bayonet mount with lock ensures easy attachment and release, and it is also water-resistant when attached to the Fieldscope body.

Losmandy DC8 Dovetail Plate Celestron 8 Inch

The Dovetail Plates are the heart of the Losmandy Secondary System.

The D series bar is 12.7mm thick x 102mm wide x length of the tube assembly.
Dovetail plates may be mounted to the top and bottom of tube assembly for mounting of all D series accessories, making it possible to use both sides of tube for equipment such as counterweights or secondary/guidescopes.

The dovetail plates, like all accessories in the Losmandy line, are machined for lightness and rigidity from aluminium stock, then black anodized for a tough, corrosion free surface.

Comes complete with Radius mounting plates and Stainless Steel hardware.

KENDRICK PREMIER HEATERS

Premier heater 3 inch is the best heater made and it produces considerably more heat than any other brand.

You don't always need the extra heat, but there are going to be times when you are glad to have it.

Our Premier Heaters are designed to be used with cameras and camera lenses, telescopes optics of all kinds, binoculars and temperature sensitive electronics.

Our Premier Heaters require the purchase of one of our Dew Controllers.

We have heater systems for virtually any optic or electronic device used in amateur astronomy, outdoor photography and medical operating rooms. They are designed to keep electronic devices functioning and optics moisture free in humid and/or cold working environments.

The Premier Heater line is our flagship brand and our highest quality heater. They are built of the highest possible quality materials and the heaters are custom built to our electrical specifications. These are not off-the-shelf heaters! We use the best quality velcro, elastic and flex heaters available for this line. The cables are cold flexible down to temperatures of -40 and the cable housing is custom make for Kendrick to our specifications. All our competitors use cable that gets stiff and brittle in cold environments.

Our heaters have been built to use only as much power as necessary and thereby not waste energy. They have built in foam insulation on one side to help prevent heat loss in the atmosphere and direct the warmth generated by the heaters into the optics.

The table below will help you to determine which heater is the right one for you scope.

SKU: 2007

Suggested Controller

The FX Series controllers are our heavy-duty "Prosumer" models with 4 individual adjustable heater ports and programmable power supply suitable for powering popular DSLR cameras. The DigiFire FX-PRO model has all the features of our former DigiFire 12 model, plus some impressive improvements.

Both models feature:

• OLED Graphic Display which displays all settings at a glance.
• Built-in Voltage Meter
• Heavy-Duty, individually adjustable power output for up to 4 heaters.
• Built-in 8V DSLR Power Supply. Just add our DSLR Battery Adapter and power you DSLR from the Dew Controller. †
• 2 DC Accessory Ports
  • 1 Port 12V up to 7 Amp output
  • 2nd port programmable for 12V OR 8V (DSLR Camera Power). Up to 1.5 Amp output
• 15 Amps total power (max 7 Amp with Cigarette Lighter Plug).
• Dimmable lights! In fact, after 2 minutes, they shut-off! Pressing 1 of the 2 control buttons will "wake-up" the lights again, or you can also set the lights and graphic display to remain ON
• User Changeable Cord. We strongly recommend you "ditch the Cigarette Lighter Plug". Chose you own or add our Anderson Power Pole plugs to get all 15 Amps the unit is capable of delivering.
• 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.
• Reverse Polarity Protection

All the features of the DigiFire FX, PLUS:

• Temperature Sensing control for 2 of the 4 heater ports.
  • Heaters are only powered when the temperature of your optics reaches the level you choose. It works on the difference between Ambient Air Temperature and the temperature of your optics. Choose a setting that is 0-10 C°
  • Prevents unnecessary over-heating (which degrades image quality)
  • Saves battery power
• Traditional "Duty-Cycle" settings are also available on all 4 heater ports

Sensors included: 2 - 1 of these is the Ambient Air Temperature and the other is the Optic Temperature Sensor. Additional Sensors are optional. If you want to use Temperature Regulation on a 2nd optic (telescope), order an extra Temperature Sensor.

Coping with Dew Fact Sheet

Image stabilization binoculars for stable, detailed views.

The innovative Kite Optics APC 42 16 x 42 binoculars brought to you by BINTEL redefines nature viewing.

Just as light and just as bright as conventional 42mm roof prism binoculars, but stable. And not the kind of stability you may have experienced before… but an entirely new level of stability. Observe in the strongest winds. Observe as long as you like. See details as if you are watching a film. Start watching while you are still out of breath from that long walk, and enjoy the highest magnifications without the slightest image vibration. But most important of all… Let yourself be amazed by the things you see, that are invisible with even the best standard binoculars.

2° Correction Angle

Waterproof and gas filled - great for boating

The Kite Optics APC 42 is fully waterproof. The optical system and electronics are sealed to result in an IPX 7 waterproof rating. It can handle any kind of rain shower and can even be submerged to 1 meter depth for a maximum of 30 minutes. The system is nitrogen gas filled, to prevent internal fogging. The combination makes the Kite Optics APC 42 ideal for general boating use, whale watching, or pelagic bird watching trips.

Optional Protective Silicon Jackets

Specifications:

An extension tube can also be used for increasing image scale when doing projection photography.

SKU: FF113

ZWO EAF Pro – The Next Evolution in Electronic Focusing

ZWO’s best-selling Electronic Automatic Focuser (EAF) just got even better. The new ZWO EAF Pro builds on the rock-solid performance of the original by adding Bluetooth wireless control, a built-in rechargeable battery, and onboard manual focus buttons—all in the same compact form factor. It’s the perfect upgrade for astrophotographers looking to cut down cable clutter and gain more control at the scope.

What’s New in the EAF Pro:

• Go Wireless: Integrated Bluetooth and a 2500 mAh battery let you focus remotely without a tangle of cables.

• Streamlined Upgrades: Shares the same mounting footprint as the standard EAF (5V bracket compatible), so switching over is simple.

• Manual Control Onboard: New physical Focus In/Out buttons allow fast and precise adjustments at the scope—no need to reach for your phone or controller.

Tech Specs:

• Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB-C, 3.5mm port for hand controller or temperature sensor

• Battery: 2500 mAh rechargeable

• Supported Platforms: ASIAIR, ASCOM, INDI

• Hardware Controls: Power switch, Focus In/Out buttons

• Payload Capacity: Up to 5 kg

• Status Indicator: Integrated LED

Whether you're fine-tuning critical focus for deep sky imaging or just want fewer cables in the dark, the EAF Pro is a smart, streamlined upgrade for any astrophotography rig.

High-precision guiding excellent pinpoint stars

ZWO 30mm F/5 APO Guide Scope

ZWO 30mm F/5 APO Guide Scope features a lightweight and streamlined design.

It is independently developed by ZWO to offer high guiding accuracy and stable tracking performance.

Main Specifications

Five Major Upgrades to Solve Guiding Challenges

Professional-grade APO Optics Design

ZWO 30mm F/5 Guide Scope uses a professional apochromatic (APO) design with a built-in ED glass, achieving a more regular optical path and effectively reducing the impact of chromatic aberration on stars.

Super Precise Guiding

Compared to the previous generation, the 30mm F/5 guide scope has been upgraded to a 150mm focal length. With the longer focal length, it further improves the guide star quality, providing more stable and accurate guiding performance.

Precise Focusing Knob Upgraded Rigid Structure

The 20mm travel focusing knob, paired with locking screws, allows for accurate focusing and ensures the focused position remains unchanged. The integrated holder further enhances overall rigidity. The quick-release guide scope dovetail plate enables users to rapidly install the guide scope, making it more convenient and easy to use.

ZWO ASI 174MM Astronomy Camera

ZWO's new ASI174MM camera uses Sony's latest Pregius IMX174 CMOS sensor. It combines several features putting it high on the list for anyone wanting to capture spectacular lunar and solar images, high resolution planetary images at long focal lengths or even as an autoguider without worrying "will I be able to find a guide star?"

The main advantages of the Sony IMX174 chip are:

• Large sensor size of more than 13mm across the diagonal
• High quantum efficiency of 78% at its peak
• Very low read noise of only 6e
• Extremely fast frame rate - effectively freezing moments of steady seeing
• Global shutter and no fixed pattern noise

Sony IMX174 Sensor - big benefits

Prior to the release of the ZWO ASI174 cameras it was difficult to find a good camera capable of full disk images of the Moon or Sun. This is no problem with the ASI174. It's sensor has a pixel array of 1936 x 1216 with 5.86 µm square pixels. This makes the diagonal measurement of the chip 13.4mm across.

The Image above shows the comparative field of view between the ASI120 camera and the new ASI174. Shot through a small refractor at 600mm focal length you can see the ASI174 will easily cover 0.5° of sky. It is now very easy to caputre full disk images of the Sun through many popular solar telescopes from Coronado and Lunt - no more mosaics required.

Quantum Efficiency and Read Noise

Another big benefit of Sony's IMX174 chip is the high quantum efficiency coupled with very low read noise. This equates directly to better signal to noise. Even with very fast capture rates you will get more signal from your target and less contribution from reading off the sensor of the camera - in essence cleaner data resulting in better images!

For a few years now Sony's highly regarded ICX618 CCD chip was a popular choice for planetary cameras. If we compare the new Sony IMX174 sensor to Sony's ICX618 the news is good for both QE and read noise.

The quantum efficiency of the IMX174 is slightly more than 11% better with read noise of nearly half! (6e for the IMX174 vs 11e for the ICX618).

Mechanical Drawing ZWO ASI174MM

Lightweight and highly portable mount for your Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer mount.

The SkyWatcher AZ-EQ6 Counterweight has a 25.4mm (1") bore and is 5kgs in weight.

Finished in white powder coat. Has a Tri Star Knob locking screw for easy positioning at any point along your existing counterweight shaft.

Nylon tipped locking screw will not mark your counterweight shaft.

The SkyWatcher AZ-EQ6 Counterweight will allow you to get perfect balance of the RA axis.

Balancing your scope is essential for proper operation of your mount.

Minimises stress on your drive motors

How to Balance your Scopes RA Axis

Start with your scope in polar position. Lock Declination axis.

Rotate the RA Axis so that the counterweight shaft is horizontal.

Support the weight of the OTA whilst sliding counterweights along the shaft until it counterbalances the OTA.

Lock off the counterweights.

At this point you should be able to rotate the RA axis with the clutch undone and the scope will stay where you leave it.

For correct Declination balance, you may need to move the tube forward or backwards in the rings.

If further balancing is required in Declination we suggest the Losmandy DVWS system