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View Full Version here: : Explore Scientific HR Coma Corrector - Unboxing


AG Hybrid
15-02-2014, 12:18 AM
I R NAO HAZ 1!!!

I present to thee the Explore Scientific HR Coma Corrector - an unboxing. It finally arrived in the mail today after ordering it about 3 or 4 weeks ago. Purchased from Woodlands Astronomy, from the O'l US of A. Cost of about $300US not including postage. So why don't do an unboxing together? We can both share in the discovery.

Picture 1#
Opening the box it was packed in we see the new standard in Explore Scientific accessory boxes. Star charts as a sort of wrapping paper. Very tasteful indeed. It has a magnetized lid that snaps shut too. These little details I can appreciate.

Picture 2#
Here we come to problem immediately. Some body RAVAGED THE EYEPIECE BOX BEFORE I EVEN GOT TO IT!!!! That was my right! I feel robbed! But, on a serious note if this box came straight from the factory in this condition I am disappointed. I was expecting better. Then again I did receive a 24mm 68 degree with an unpainted barrel from ES. But that's a story for another day.(Actually I removed the ES barrel and I am using the barrel from a 15mm GSO Superview instead which thankfully screwed right in).

Picture 3#
Admiring the box designed while gritting my teeth ignoring the tear. That's my ES AR102 in the back ground if your wondering. (I wrapped that in carbon fiber wrap myself. Also, flocked it from the dew shield to the draw tube interior. Although, 2 screws have fallen out of the bottom of the diagonal. I guess it was a free accessory and I should be glad it came with that much).

Picture 4#
Remove the foam and there's the star of the show. ES always pack their eyepieces and accessories in shaped and cut foam with impeccable care. I have noted that even if the box looks like its been punted the innards are always snug and secure.

Picture 5#
So the ES coma corrector comes with 2 photo visual adapters. A M42 and a M48. Which do...something...very interesting, I imagine? That's all I'm going to say about those. Because, who cares about astrophotography? AMIRITE? Yes I am.

Picture 6#
The star on the astronomical cat walk. Note the rubber grip. Very similar to the ES 100's. It uses a compression ring to hold the eyepiece in place. As you can see it has 3 thumb screws to apply even pressure to the eyepiece barrel.

Picture 7#
The star of the show, ready for its close up. Note the serial number. 901? Judging by how long it took to get this in stock and then to me. I have my doubts they have 900 of these already in circulation. Yeah, so I don't know whats up with that.

Picture 8#
Now, this is an interesting picture. Here you can see how the adjustable height works. Its a screw height adjustment. Not as easy to use as a Paracorr 2 with the click stops. But, I imagine it will still be easy to use. Much easier than my GSO coma corrector off shot that I never really figured out how to get working correctly. You can see it has markings for the height. So figure out what works well for each eyepiece you have(or camera) and just screw it up or down to that setting when you change eyepiece. At least. I think that's how it works. There was no instructions included. :confused2:

AG Hybrid
15-02-2014, 12:18 AM
Picture 9#
The adjustable height adapter removed. I guess those 2 photo visual adapters can be screwed into the top. Once again. No included instructions. Maybe they are available online somewhere?

Picture 10#
That's all that was left in the box. No instructions. I hope ES didn't expect us to eyeball it with a slide rule or something?

Picture 11#
A size comparison between some of the eyepieces it will be working with very shortly. On a side note the build quality was up to the usual excellent ES standards. In the interest of balance there was a bit of grease around those threads for the adjustable height adapter. But, nothing to worry about. The movement was smooth. I think precise adjustment is easily obtainable with a bit of practice.

Picture 12#
Size comparison with a different angle. Group catwalk shot.


I will only be using this corrector in an F5 scope. According to the wrap sheet found on the various vendors who stock it now, it corrects and flattens fields down to F3. Now, I don't know anyone with a scope that goes down to that kind of speed. Maybe I can test it out in a faster scope at the up coming IIAS2014 happening in April and we can test it there. I know someone with an 8" F4 I can try it in before that event as well. I also don't know anyone one with a Paracorr 1 or 2 to compare it with in a type of shoot out. I could try a first light report when it clears up. But, I would probably just wait for Don's review on Cloudy Nights. He could do a much better first light and head to head shoot out with a Paracorr then I could. Mind you, he has probably been doing astronomy 25 years longer.:rofl:

MattT
15-02-2014, 07:54 AM
Thanks Adrian.
Nice pile of photos too. From CN vague reports I've read the worst bit is the scale on the helical part is next to impossible to see, my total guess is just keep turning until it's in focus. With my TV Paracorr 1 like the GSO non turning top the 4 ES 68's I use are really close to being parfocal.
Looking forward to a first light report.
Matt

MattT
15-02-2014, 08:10 AM
A solution to those awful tapered barrels on the 1.25" ES eyepieces…..Good to know that a GSO 1.25" barrel fits, but I have read that unscrewing the barrels on the ES eyepieces breaks the seal on the Argon gas inside :question: Don't know what happens as a result. The 1.25" 68º don't have any elements in the barrel.

Camelopardalis
15-02-2014, 10:51 AM
Nice haul Adrian :thumbsup:

Surely someone at IISAC would have a Paracorr, what with all those big Dobs in attendance?

killswitch
15-02-2014, 04:10 PM
Finally arrived.. good stuff

Dont worry about the box, they tear at the seams very easily.

AG Hybrid
17-02-2014, 07:19 PM
Weather is looking good for some some first light action