Meade x0.63 Reducer?

[Merlin66]

The discussions on the recent Meade x0.63 reducer focal length continue...
The most recent design gave a much reduced backfocus around 45mm, (the Celestron was unchanged at 105mm)
I'm sure this was available on the Bintel website , but it now seems to have been withdrawn.
Anyone have any info??

[AndrewJ]

Gday Ken
There was huge traffic on this on the Yahoo websites many years ago.
Initially, people thought 3.3 reducers had been sold as 6.3s, but later testing showed Meade had indeed changed the formula for the 6.3.
No idea on the details, but there was definitely a design change done somewhere along the line that massively reduced the backfocus. Many users complained that the new spacing made the new short FL reducers impossible to use in their existing setups.

Andrew

[Merlin66]

Andrew,
That agrees with my knowledge of the situation.....

Has anyone recently purchased NEW, from a commercial supplier, a Meade x0.63 reducer???
If so, can they measure the focal length.. (Just focus the sun's image on a piece of card and measure the distance)
Thanks.

[Dealy]

Ken I bought one from Bintel about 2 months ago.

I will measure it Monday and let you know.

Kev

[AndrewJ]

Gday Ken

Just looking through the LX200GPS yahoo archives on this.
The old 6.3 reducer should have a native FL of about 260mm and used a spacing to chip of about 100-110mm
The new units have a FL of about 130mm and use a 45mm spacing.

Andrew

[Merlin66]

Andrew,
Agreed!
I measured the old reducer at 240mm, for a working distance of 105mm.
It will be interesting to see exactly what the current reducer does.

[John W]

Hi Ken,
I just measured my Meade 0.63 reducer at FL 140 mm (to centre of lens set). Regards, John W.

[Merlin66]

John,
Thanks for that.
That confirms the change in the Meade x0.63 reducer design.
You backfocus will be around 45mm with that focal length.

[blink138]

hi ken just noticed one for sale on CN camera section $80
pat

[Dealy]

I measured my new Meade 0.63 at 200mm.

That is, when focusing the sun onto a flat surface with the female end of the reducer facing the sun, it is 200mm from the end of the male thread to the flat surface.

Is that the correct way to measure them?

[Merlin66]

Kev,
Thanks for that!
There does seem to be some differences between the Meade reducer focal lengths....
Looks like you may need to check the reducer before use...
Yes, the measurement is close to the design number....

[Moontanner]

I also bought one of these recently from Bintel. I'll check to see if the FL is the same as Kev's. I'd assume it's the same, but you know what they say about that.

Edit: I checked and the measurement was 200mm from the male thread to the focal point using the sun. I'd guess you could add another 10mm to get to the actual lens set.