ZWO ADC is voted as “HOT SKY PRODUCT – 2017” 

ZWO Atmospheric Dispersion Corrector is used to reduce the effect of atmospheric dispersion on lunar and planetary images

The prisms are the heart of the ADC

Material: H-K9L(Schott BK7)

Surface Accuracy: λ/10@632.8nm

Deviation Angle: 2°

Manfrotto 290 XTRA Kit with video head

The new Manfrotto 290 Xtra is the perfect solution in terms of stability for hobbyist birdwatchers and digiscoping.

The Manfrotto 290 Xtra is a 3-section tripod, the biggest in the 290 range, with aluminium leg tubes and special top casting enhancing rigidity, durability and performance. Its aluminium leg-locking levers are tension-adjustable, so they can be tightened to counteract any effects of aging and wear, keeping the tripod fully functional throughout its long lifespan.

This tripod’s key feature is its choice of four leg angle positions which maximize shooting creativity. Its rapid centre column adds flexibility and extends the min-max height range. A new rubber legwarmer guarantees comfortable grip and maximum ergonomics. The tripod comes with a dedicated shoulder bag ensuring comfortable portability at all times.
The 290 Xtra comes in a kit with a lightweight aluminium fluid head with pan bar and quick release plate complete with secondary security. It features smooth, fluid movement, pan and tilt locks. This head is ideal for cameras up to 4 kg in weight.

Specifications

ZWO ASI533MC-Pro

ASI 533MC-P is the new One Shot Colour cameras from ZWO.

Sensor is the square back illuminated Sony ExMor IMX533 sensor.

Resolution is 3008 x 3008 with 3.76um pixels.

The sensor size is 11.31mm x 11.31mm for 9.07Mp.

Max FPS at Full Resolution is 20FPS.

Read Noise is very low at 1.0e to 3.83e

QE peak up to 80%

Full Well is 50Ke

Exposure Range is 32us – 2000s

ADC 14bit

Cooling to -40 ° ambient temperature.

256MB internal DDR3 memory

The ASI533MC PRO features SONY’s latest back illuminated IMX533 sensor, with a 1-inch square, 9.07MP sensor that is ideal for astronomical photography needs and can be considered as the latest iteration of the venerable ASI183MC Pro.

As you would expect this latest generation camera not only retains key features of the ASI183 series such as an attractive QE figure, high frame rate and along with other excellent characteristics of the ASI183 cameras, but also now includes new and improved features such as zero amp glow, extreme low read out noise (as low as 1.0e), 3.76 microns pixel size and an improved 2 stage TEC cooler giving enhanced cooling capabilities.

1” square sensor

The IMX533 is a 1-inch, 9MP CMOS image sensor in a square format with a 3.76 um pixel size, capable of producing frames at 20 frames/sec in 14bit mode.

Read out noise is as low as 1.0e which makes it comparable to SCMOS or EMCCD sensors and highly suitable for high definition, low noise imaging.

IMX533 backlit sensor

Sony’s back-illuminated CMOS image sensor improves sensitivity and noise reduction – the key factors to enhancing image quality, while radically realigning their fundamental pixel structure from front-illumination to back-illumination. It has retained the advantages of CMOS image sensors such as low power consumption and high-speed operation.

With a conventional front-illumination structure, the metal wiring and transistors on the surface of the silicon substrate that form the sensor’s light-sensitive area (photo-diode) impede photon gathering carried out by the on-chip lens. A back-illuminated structure minimizes the degradation of sensitivity to optical angle response, while also increasing the amount of light that enters each pixel due to the lack of obstacles such as metal wiring and transistors that have been moved to the reverse of the silicon substrate.
Sony has newly developed a unique photo-diode structure and on-chip lens optimized for back-illuminated structures, that achieves a higher sensitivity and a lower random noise without light by reducing noise, dark current and defect pixels compared to the conventional front-illuminated structure.

Camera Performance

Low read-out noise, high dynamic range.

ASI533MC Pro – ASI183MC Pro Comparision

The Celestron NexStar Evolution 6 Telescope offers amateurs a powerful optical device which is not only portable, but provides phenomenal views of the universe. Like the original NexStar SE series, the Celestron NexStar Evolution 6 Telescope features the same high quality Schmidt-Cassegrain optics but benefits from the modern improvements including: a smooth computerized alt-azimuth mount, StarBright XLT optical coatings, and no-nonsense SkyAlign technology.

The true draw card is that the Celestron NexStar Evolution series are the first Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes with integrated WiFi. You no longer need your hand controller to slew to all the best celestial objects. Instead you can explore the night sky with a tap of your smartphone or tablet. Connect your device to built-in Celestron NexStar Evolution 6 Telescope wireless network, and explore the universe with the free Celestron mobile app for iOS and Android. Enjoy the convenience of a planetarium interface to view the night sky in real time or display a list of celestial objects currently visible based on your time and location. Celestron's proprietary SkyAlign alignment procedure is built right into the Celestron mobile app, so you’re ready to observe within minutes.

Optional Solar Filter

Forget about batteries or an external power supply. For the first time ever on a consumer telescope, NexStar Evolution includes its own built-in battery. With this ultra-long life lithium-ion phosphate battery, you’ll be able to enjoy stargazing marathons up to 10 hours on a single charge. You can even use NexStar Evolution’s USB charge port to top off the other devices in your life that need to stay powered on during an observing session. An intelligent power management system senses when battery levels are low and goes into power-saving mode to keep your telescope running for as long as possible.

If you’re interested in astroimaging, the Celestron NexStar Evolution 6 Telescope is an excellent, affordable way to get started. It’s the only fork-mounted telescope in its price range that offers brass worm gears, along with improved motors. NexStar Evolution’s tracking accuracy is so impressive, you can capture images of deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula by simply attaching your DSLR camera. As you progress with imaging, you can add the Evolution Equatorial Wedge allowing longer exposures than conventional alt-az tracking, for more detailed deep sky portraits.

Even if you don't own the NexStar Evolution 6 just yet, check out the Sky Portal app. Search for astronomical wonders you wish to discover, then go and find them! Choose from a seemingly endless database of planets, satellites, stars, Messier objects, constellations, meteor showers, and deep sky targets. Download yourself and try it out today - search for "Celestron Sky Portal" on Google Play or the Apple Store.

Celestron NexStar Evolution 6 Telescope - Specifications

Suggested Accessories

Visit Celestron for Further Information on the Celestron NexStar Evolution 6 Telescope

From your first observing session and for years to come, the NexStar Evolution is your trusted companion. For further information, including manuals and videos visit the Celestron website.

The Celestron Focus Motor for SCT & EdgeHD provides electronic focusing for Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) and EdgeHD telescope optical tubes. With the focus motor installed, you can bring celestial objects into sharp, precise focus using your telescope’s hand controller or a computer instead of using the focuser knob. A focus motor is great for visual observers who want to dial in exact focus (especially those with dexterity issues) and a must-have accessory for astroimagers. With a motorized focuser installed, an astroimager no longer needs to be physically near the telescope to focus an image. Combined with computerized control of the mount and camera, the focus motor enables the imager to gather data remotely from a backyard observatory, or even a telescope located hundreds of miles away. As an added bonus, port covers protect the ports while not in use, and the covers cannot be lost due to the tethered design.

Compatible Optical Tubes

The focus motor is compatible with all SCTs from 6” to 14” in aperture that have been produced since the year 2006. It is not compatible with 5” SCTs or older models. It is compatible with all EdgeHD optical tubes, the 8” Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA), the 36cm RASA, and the 7” Maksutov-Cassegrain. It can also be used with the 11” RASA, but requires the Focuser Retrofit Kit for RASA 11.

Power Options

There are three options for powering your Celestron Focus Motor:

1. When using a Celestron computerized mount, you can power and control the focus motor through the mount using the supplied AUX cable. This allows control from the mount’s hand controller (NexStar+ or StarSense) or a computer.
2. If you are not using a Celestron mount, you can power and control the focus motor from a computer USB port. You will need a user supplied USB A-to-B cable.
3. You may also opt to use an external 12V DC power source which plugs into the motor’s power jack.

Compatible Software

Celestron offers a free Focuser Utility program for computer control. The Celestron PWI software can also control the focus motor. To use third-party focuser control software, an ASCOM driver is needed.

Celestron Focus Motor Bulletin

SPECIFICATIONS

Shoestring USB2 EQ6 Interface

Recent generations of Synta EQ-5 and EQ-6 mounts that use the SynScan handcontroller (such as the Skywatcher EQ6 Pro and NEQ6 and Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro) provide stable, quality GOTO mounts at affordable prices for observing and imaging.

However, the features available when they are interfaced to a personal computer are somewhat limited, primarily due to the type of data that is available through the handcontroller's serial interface.

Now, thanks to the efforts of several individuals, far more powerful features are made available by bypassing the handcontroller and communicating directly with the mount's stepper motor controller.

More information on the EQ Direct method can be found in the Yahoo EQMOD Group (http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/EQMOD/) or on the EQ Mod website (http://eq-mod.sourceforge.net).

PLEASE NOTE: This cable will work with NEQ6 mounts with Serial connection Only.

If you have EQ6R or AZ/EQ6 you will require the USB2EQ5 cable

The Celestron NexStar Evolution 9.25 Telescope offers amateurs a powerful optical device which is not only portable, but provides phenomenal views of the universe. Like the original NexStar SE series, the Celestron NexStar Evolution 9.25 Telescope features the same high quality Schmidt-Cassegrain optics but benefits from the modern improvements including: a smooth computerized alt-azimuth mount, StarBright XLT optical coatings, and no-nonsense SkyAlign technology.

The true draw card is that the Celestron NexStar Evolution series are the first Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes with integrated WiFi. Leave your hand control behind and slew to all the best celestial objects with a tap of your smartphone or tablet. Connect your device to built-in Celestron NexStar Evolution 9.25 Telescope wireless network, and explore the universe with the free Celestron mobile app for iOS and Android. Use the planetarium interface to view the night sky in real time or display a list of celestial objects currently visible based on your time and location. Celestron's proprietary SkyAlign alignment procedure is built right into the Celestron mobile app, so you’re ready to observe within minutes.

Forget about batteries or an external power supply. For the first time ever on a consumer telescope, NexStar Evolution includes its own built-in battery. With this ultra-long life lithium-ion phosphate battery, you’ll be able to enjoy stargazing marathons up to 10 hours on a single charge. You can even use NexStar Evolution’s USB charge port to top off the other devices in your life that need to stay powered on during an observing session. An intelligent power management system senses when battery levels are low and goes into power-saving mode to keep your telescope running for as long as possible.

If you’re interested in astroimaging, the Celestron NexStar Evolution 9.25 Telescope is an excellent, affordable way to get started. It’s the only fork-mounted telescope in its price range that offers brass worm gears, along with improved motors. NexStar Evolution’s tracking accuracy is so impressive, you can capture images of deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula by simply attaching your DSLR camera. As you progress with imaging, you can add the Evolution Equatorial Wedge allowing longer exposures for more detailed deep sky portraits.

Even if you don't own the NexStar Evolution 9.25 just yet, check out the Sky Portal app. Search for astronomical wonders you wish to discover, then go and find them! Choose from a seemingly endless database of planets, satellites, stars, Messier objects, constellations, meteor showers, and deep sky targets. Download yourself and try it out today - search for "Celestron Sky Portal" on Google Play or the Apple Store.

Celestron NexStar Evolution 9.25 Telescope - Specifications

ZWO IR cut filter 2 inch is suitable for colour camera with AR protect window.

The ZWO IR Cut Filter 2 inch blocks infrared light from reaching the sensor of your CCD or CMOS camera or your expensive H-alpha filter. When imaging, the addition of this simple and inexpensive accessory will result in sharper images, and when doing solar work, the IR Cut Filter will your protect H-alpha filter from the damaging effects of infrared radiation.

Infrared or IR light is invisible to the human eye, and so even though most telescopes are not designed to focus IR light, it does not matter when you are using your telescope visually. However, when you add a camera to the mix, its a whole other story! Unlike the human eye, a silicon sensor is very sensitive to light in the infrared portion of the spectrum, and that is a problem because infrared images are blurry as all get out. That means your nice, sharp visual light image is degraded by the addition of the infrared layer. This problem can easily be solved by blocking the infrared, and the ZWO IR Cut filter 2 inch will do just that.

The ZWO IR Cut filter is housed in a 2″ cell, and has internal threads so that you can stack filters together. The filter comes with a protective plastic case.

Technical Parameter:

Name: IR-cut filter

Size: 2″

Thickness: 5mm+2mm(Thread)

Thread: M48*0.75 male thread

Star Analyser 100

Since its launch in 2005, the Star Analyser 100 has introduced thousands of amateur astronomers worldwide to the fascinating field of spectroscopy. Over this period, the equipment used by amateurs has evolved with larger aperture telescopes, bigger camera sensors and close coupled filter wheels becoming more common.

For most users the SA100 is expected to continue to be the model of choice, particularly for those using cameras with small sensors, giving optimum performance for example with the SA100 mounted on the camera nosepiece.

Professional Astronomers routinely use the power of spectroscopy to reveal the secrets of the universe. Now the STAR ANALYSER can do the same for the amateur imager at an affordable price with this simple telescope attachment.

Used like a conventional 1.25 inch filter, it is the ideal accessory for today's low cost astronomical imaging cameras, webcams and video cameras.

SA 100 instructions

• Cleans cameras, lenses, spotting scopes, screens & binoculars
• Effectively removes fingerprints, grease, dust & dirt
• Suitable for wet & dry cleaning
• Includes lens air blower, brush, swabs, lens tissue book & polyester cloth

Is your Telrad finderscope too close to your telescope? Raise it up, with a Telrad Riser Base 4. This version adds an additional 4" of height, while a shorter 2" Riser is also available.

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

The NEW ZWO EAF Hand Controller is the perfect way to control the EAF (Electronic Automatic Focuser).

The smooth ergonomic design provides a comfort grip. Made from environmentally friendly APS material.

Features In and Out buttons and has two speed control. It comes with a 3.5mm female socket.

This is a “must-have” option for EAF user.

EAF Quick Start Guide

ZWO Duo-Band Filter is a dual narrowband filter primarily aimed at complementing our range of colour ASI cameras. The Duo-Band filter is aimed at the astronomer who may already own a One Shot Colour (OSC) camera and wants to image using narrowband techniques or emission objects without purchasing a mono camera, filter wheel and narrowband filter set.

The Duo-Band filter offers an economical entry into the world of narrowband imaging and can also offer a practical solution to imaging in light polluted urban areas.

The dual band pass nature of the Duo-Band filter passes light at Hα (656nm) and OIII (500nm) wavelength, and can reduce the interference from natural light sources such as moonlight, or artificial light pollution such as street lighting.

It can help improve the contrast and visibility of deep sky objects such as emission nebula using a OSC (One Shot Colour) camera.

If you are looking for a solution to deep sky photography in light pollution area, then ZWO Duo-Band Filter will be a great choice.

The Duo-Band filter can be used with all ASI cameras and EFW Electronic Filter Wheel and comes in 1.25” and 2” sizes.

Precision CNC machined from Aircraft grade alloys,hard anodised finished Cell with Laser engravings, finely polished optical surface to ensure 1/4 wavefront and <30 arc seconds parallelism over the both surfaces. Precise double sided coatings with anti-reflection coatings

ZWO Duo-Band Filter Technical Specification

Size: Standard 1.25”

Thickness: 1.85 mm

Bandwidth: HA (15nm) OIII (35nm)

Surface quality: 60/40 (Refer to MIL-O-13830)

Schott substrate material

More than 90% transmission at major OIII line 486.nm1, 496nm and 501nm.

More than 80% transmission at Ha line 656.3nm

Note:The incoming light transmitted through the filter should be perpendicular to the filter, or the incident angle should be less than 8°. Therefore, this product is not suitable for wide-angle or ultra wide-angle lenses.

Test Results

Images captured with ASI color cameras and Duo-Band Filters. You can see that the potential for deep space photography in strong light polluted areas is vastly improved with the Duo-Band filters.

The MONARCH M5 8x 42 feature extra-low dispersion (ED) glass employed to correct chromatic aberration that causes colour fringing to achieve contrast-rich and high-resolution images. For a bright view and natural colour fidelity, a multilayer coating is applied to all lenses and prisms, dielectric high-reflective multilayer coating, and phase correction coating are applied to the roof prisms.

The MONARCH M5 8 x 42 exterior has been completely redesigned from the MONARCH 5 binoculars into a clean form with straight lines. Nikon MONARCH M5 binoculars are ideal for nature-watching, birding, and many other outdoor activities.

Key Features

• Sophisticated exterior design for comfortable holding
• Extra-low dispersion (ED) glass for chromatic aberration compensation and brighter, clearer viewing
• Dielectric high-reflective multilayer prism coating ensures superior transmittance uniformity across the visible range, resulting in brighter images and more natural colours
• All lenses and prisms are multilayer-coated for brighter images
• Phase-correction-coated roof prisms for high resolution
• Long eye relief design ensures a clear field of view, even for eyeglass wearers
• Waterproof (up to 1m/3.3 ft. for 10 minutes) and fog-free with O-ring seals and nitrogen gas
• Turn-and-slide rubber eyecups with multi-click facilitate easy positioning of eyes at the correct eyepoint
• Rubber armouring for shock resistance and a firm, comfortable grip
• Lightweight body uses fibreglass-reinforced polycarbonate resin
• Soft-to-the-touch neck strap
• Flip-down objective lens cap
• Optional tripod adapter enables attachment to a tripod

Enhance your viewing experience with Celestron's EclipSmart Solar Filter for Celestron 8” telescopes. With two Velcro straps and four self-adhesive Velcro pads for added safety, you can be assured that the solar filter cannot be accidentally knocked off and will provide Solar Safe, ISO compliant viewing.

Solar Safe Technology

EclipSmart solar products feature Solar Safe filter technology providing the ultimate protection from harmful solar radiation, including both IR and UV light, and filters 99.999% of visible light. Celestron Solar Safe filter technology is GUARANTEED SAFE for direct solar observation and has been independently tested by SAI Global Assurance Services.

Solar Safe products conform to and meet the transmission requirements of ISO 12312-2, Filters for Direct Observation of the Sun, EN 1836:2005 + A1:2007 (E) for an E15 Filter for the Direct Observation of the Sun and, AS/NZS 1338.1:2012, Filters for Eye Protectors.

OVERVIEW

• Upgrade your Celestron computerized telescope to GPS with SkySync.
• Improve the speed and accuracy of alignments with 16-channel GPS.
• Automatically updates the time and date.
• Plugs into the AUX port on the base of the telescope

Compatible for all non-GPS Celestron computerized telescopes.

This lightweight but steady tripod matches perfectly with the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi GOTO telescope mount.

Celestron T-adapter EdgeHD 800

Celestron T-Adapter EdgeHD 800 threads onto the rear cell of the EDGE HD800 Scope

This gives 80mm worth of back spacing.

This T-Adapter allows you to attach your 35mm DSLR camera to the prime focus of your EdgeHD telescope. This arrangement is used for terrestrial photography and short exposure lunar and planetary photography. It can also be used for long exposure deep-sky photography when using a separate guidescope.

Both a T-Adapter and T-Ring are required to mount a DSLR camera to your instrument.

The ZWO EAF Temperature sensor can be connected to the ZWO EAF Motor Focus to enable an automatic compensation of the focus drift caused by changes in ambient.

As the temperature changes over an imaging session, the focal point will change. The ZWO EAF Temperature Sensor when used with appropriate software will compensate and keep you star images pinpoint.

Note: You can only connect the temperature sensor OR the hand controller to the EAF at one time.

SkyWatcher Dovetail Bar 20CM

Vixen style 200mm Mounting Plate for EQ5, HEQ5 – EQ6 and Vixen mounts.

Standard dovetail mounting plate for Sky-Watcher EQ5, HEQ5 and EQ6 mounts and Vixen Mounts. The plate is 20cm long metal extrusion and Metallic Green anodized. Two outer un-threaded holes and two inner 1/4 -inch threaded holes. Four screws included as pictured.

Base width = 44mm
Hole to hole spacing 184mm

The PROSTAFF P7 8 x 42 binoculars provide a wide apparent field of view 62.9 ̊ for 8 x 42 that offers spectacular viewing, and employ a diopter adjustment ring locking system to prevent unintentional rotation.
Multilayer coating is applied to all lenses and prisms. Dielectric high-reflective multilayer prism coating and phase correction coatings are applied to the roof prisms. All of this effectively combines to deliver a bright field of view plus natural colour fidelity. Oil and water-repellent coating applied to the objective lens and eyepieces allows smudges like finger-prints to be easily wiped off.
Nikon PROSTAFF P7 8 x 42 binoculars are ideal for all kinds of outdoor activities, including bird- and nature-watching, sports
events and hiking.

Key Features
• Wide apparent field of view 53.4° for 8 x 42
• Phase-correction-coated roof prisms for high resolution.
• All lenses and prisms are multilayer-coated for brighter images.
• Oil and water-repellent coating applied to the objective lens and eyepieces allows smudges like fingerprints to be
easily wiped off.
• Long eye relief design ensures a clear field of view, even for eyeglass wearers.
• Diopter adjustment ring locking system prevents unintentional rotation.
• Lead and arsenic-free glass is used for all lenses and prisms.
• Turn-and-slide rubber eye cups with multi-click facilitate easy positioning of eyes at the correct eyepoint.
• Waterproof (up to 1m for 10 minutes) and fog-free with O-ring seals and nitrogen gas.
• Rubber armoring for shock resistance and a firm, comfortable grip.
• Lightweight body uses fiberglass-reinforced polycarbonate resin.

SKU: BAA922SA

Specifications

Features

What's in the box

• GlassPak binocular case
• GlassPak case harness
• Comfort neck strap
• Tethered objective lens covers
• Rainguard Eyepiece Cover
• Lens Cloth

Warranty

All Vortex Products purchased in Australia 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.

This Revised Edition includes updated maps, artwork and species accounts, reflecting current knowledge of the biology and distribution of Australia's birds. It features around 4700 specially commissioned colour illustrations of over 900 species, with particular emphasis on providing the fine detail required to identify difficult groups and distinctive plumages. Comprehensive species accounts have been written by a dedicated team of ornithologists to ensure identification details, distribution and status are current and accurate. A new easier-to-use index is also included.

The Australian Bird Guide sets a new standard in field guides, providing an indispensable reference for all birders and naturalists looking to explore Australia's magnificent and unique birdlife.

Winner, The 2017 RZS NSW Whitley Medal
Winner, The 2018 Australian Book Industry Awards: Small Publishers' Adult Book of the Year

Reviews:

"Like looking through a new pair of binoculars, The Australian Bird Guide makes it seem like you are seeing even familiar birds for the first time."
Sean Dooley, Editor, Australian Birdlife

"This field guide is an invaluable reference for anyone with an interest in this country’s birdlife."
Gardening Australia, November 2019

"Books, such as The Australian Bird Guide, are important for the conservation of Australia’s flora and fauna; they bring nature to people and enable everyone to identify and take joy in the birds, other animals, and plants that we share the world with."
Harry F. Recher, Pacific Conservation Biology 26(1) 2020

Reviews of the First Edition (May 2017):

"a gorgeous lure to spend more time in nature."
Susan Wyndham, "2017 Books of the Year", Australian Book Review #397, December 2017

"The illustrations are amazing. Each is the purest and most accurate depiction of a species possible: the absolute platonic ideal of itself... makes me yearn — to see more birds, to note obscure plumage details, to plan holidays to see farther-flung species. This book reinvigorates my love of birds and birding and makes clear how lucky we are to have such amazing riches. And that is some powerful art."
Kate-Gorringe-Smith, Australian Birdlife, June 2017

"Not only does The Australian Bird Guide successfully provide a rich, contemporary bird identification book, it has the potential to play a far more significant cultural role – in cataloguing the full extent of the glorious variety of Australian birds it becomes a palpable celebration of the wonder of nature."
Sean Dooley, Sydney Morning Herald online, 28/7/17

"If you are looking at getting a field guide to the birds of Australia, the ABG is undoubtably the best."
Michael Szabo, Birds New Zealand (14), June 2017

"Compared with all other Australian bird guides, the text and most of the illustrations are on a higher level... The cornucopia of high quality illustrations – including numerous smaller sketch-ups illustrating such things as foraging behaviours, honeyeater corroborees, and size comparisons with similar possible species – puts the guide in the upper echelon of bird guides globally... For me, this volume by Menkhorst and colleagues has become my new favourite."
Eliot Miller, Emu - Austral Ornithology 117(3), July 2017

"Birds are illustrated in poses that best highlight diagnostic features. Seabirds are depicted almost exclusively in flight, precisely as most will encounter them at sea. The text is detailed without being too over-the-top, featuring all of the expected information and including helpful notes on recent taxonomic changes, distributional information that might be too granular to identify on the maps, and behavioural notes which might assist finding the bird and separating it from confusing species. The maps are clear and show all subspecies."
Chris Watson, Australian Birdlife, June 2017

"the ABG is undeniably the most comprehensive field guide to be published in Australia to date, surpassing previous guides in the quantity and accuracy of illustrations and pertinent information."
Richard Noske, Australian Book Review, October 2017

• Holds a maximum instrument capacity of 13.6kg
• Integer gear ratios and permanently programmable Periodic Error Correction eliminates recurring track errors from the worm gear.
• Motors offer improved tracking performance & provide more power to overcome load imbalances
• Updated industrial design offers more rigidity, less flexure and improved aesthetics
• Design allows viewing or imaging across the meridian without interference from the motors housings
• Improved latitude range. Can be used between 7 – 77 degrees latitude.
• Improved electronics with increased memory for future expansion
• NexStar+ hand control offers multiple language programming (English, French, Italian, German, Spanish)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ0h7oIsgxo

Having difficulty to polar align, especially in Southern Hemisphere? We have a solution: SkyGuider Pro Camera Mount with built-in iPolar!

The redesigned SkyGuider^TM Pro mount head is more compact, small enough to fit on your palm, better precision, silent tracking, built-in rechargeable power source, ST-4 guiding port and camera trigger port. The improved precision polar scope maintains a fine engraved reticule, now features adjustable illumination with different brightness levels. Using with our iOS app, quick and accurate polar alignment is just a joy. The DEC mounting bracket allows you to balance a heavy camera and/or lens better, or even mount a light telescope. The optional 8408 hand controller allows you to check the Pole Star position for the polar alignment, slew the mount, adjust the guiding rate, change the mount settings and control the camera trigger.

This mount has an integrated electronic polar finder scope known as the iPolar. This tool ensures the accurate alignment of a telescope, even when the pole star is obscured. There are large levers on the quick-lock drive engagement system; these large levers make it easy to snap the gears into place.

The SkyGuider^TM Pro features four tracking rates, 1X or sidereal, 1/2X for sky and landscape combined, solar and lunar. All 4 tracking rates work in both northern and southern hemispheres. We have also added a quick slew mode with both forward and reverse to help quickly reframing your image without disrupting the cameras position.

We have made big improvements on the SkyGuider^TM Pro’s removable alt-azimuth base, which features a precision bubble level, degree markings for the altitude and a built in post for the azimuth control. You can also mount the SkyGuider^TM Pro head (without the base) directly to any standard photographic tripod with 1/4” or 3/8” threads.

The DEC mounting bracket package, which includes DEC mounting bracket, counterweight shaft, counterweight and Vixen-type dovetail saddle, makes the SkyGuide^TM Pro mount suitable for a heavier camera/lens system, even a lightweight telescope.

The SkyGuider^TM Pro is certainly a must have tool for any photographer interested in astroscape or wide field astrophotography.

Optional Extra's

Any standard photographic tripod.

Features

• All metal mechanical structure
• Attaches to a camera tripod with 3/8” or 1/4” threads
• Payload 11 lbs (5kg) (balanced, with DEC mounting bracket, exclude CW)
• Silent tracking for smooth camera motion, perfect for long-term exposures
• Detachable alt-azi base with fine latitude and azimuth adjusters for easy polar alignment
• Includes iOptron iPolar^TM electronic polar scope
• 4 tracking speed (1X, 1/2X, solar and lunar). 1X celestial tracking for imaging the sky and stars; 1/2X tracking speed for imaging both the starry night and the landscapes at the same time
• Operation in both northern and southern hemisphere
• Quick slew (144X) for camera framing adjustment
• Built-in rechargeable battery for up to 20 hours of operation (20°C)
• Built-in ST-4 autoguiding port
• HBX port for external hand controller
• Micro USB port for power, charging and firmware upgrade
• Built-in shutter triggering port
• Padded carry bag included
• DEC mounting bracket
• Counterweight and CW shaft
• Vixen dovetail saddle for scope mounting
• Optional ball heads available separately (#3305A)
• Optional tripod (#3221)
• Optional Go2Nova® 8408 hand controller (#8408)
• Optional DSLR camera shutter trigger cable

PACKAGE CONTENTS

• SkyGuider^TM Pro camera mount
• Alt-azi base (installed)
• iPolar^TM electronic polar scope (installed)
• Micro USB charging cable
• Padded carry bag
• DEC mounting bracket w/ camera mounting disk
• 1.35kg counterweight
• CW shaft
• One Year Limited Warranty (90 day on battery)

A secondary mirror (or secondary) is the second deflecting or focusing mirror element in a reflecting telescope. Light gathered by the primary mirror is directed towards a focal point typically past the location of the secondary. Secondary mirrors in the form of an optically flat diagonal mirror are used to re-direct the light path in designs such as Newtonian reflectors.