Flip mirror system thoughts?

EzyStyles (Eric) · #1 26-05-2006, 12:27 AM

Hi guys,

Might want to get one of these flip mirror systems but want to hear it from you guys as well. getting abit tired of swapping over the dsi with an eyepeice. how good and reliable are they? will it in anyway distort my images?

thanks.

Lester · #2 26-05-2006, 12:43 AM

Hi Eric,

I have got a flip mirror to fit the 14" SCT Meade, works great so long as you don't use a telecompressor. You cannot reach focus with a telecompressor. Usually for DSO you want to use a telecompressor .

[1ponders] (Paul) · #3 26-05-2006, 07:46 AM

I'm surprised you don't have one Eric. The way you've been getting all those faint fuzzys on the chip I took it for granted you were using a flip mirror system. I think you will fall in love with one for your DSI.

Lester are you talking about a Focal Reducer (telecompressor)? Not enough in focus or out focus?

Lester · #4 26-05-2006, 07:54 AM

Hi Paul,

I am using a focal reducer that reduces the SCT from f10 to f6.

In the instructions that came with the Meade flip mirror, there is one short paragraph that says this unit may not allow you to reach focus when a focal reducer is installed.

gbeal · #5 26-05-2006, 08:04 AM

Eric,
I use one, but for a slightly different purpose.
I use an 80mm scope as a guidescope, and use the ToUcam on the rear, as an auto-guider. Lining the guidescope up with a bright star is simple, especially with the Losmandy ring system, but this means taking the ToUcam out, slipping an eyepiece in, and aligning. Then taking the eyepiece out, and slipping the ToUcam back in. Tiresome. I use a Meade 1.25" flip mirror at the rear, and have the ToUcam in the straight through position, and the crosshair eyepiece in the 90 degree slot. Simple.
I too agree that if you are using it in the imaging train, as they are really designed to be, then the focal reducer system doesn't work. My understanding is that the reducer needs to be a specific (sometimes quite critical) distance from the film plane/chip. The flip mirror eats up perhaps 50 - 75mm of this.
Try one, but bear in mind the distance issues.
Gary

EzyStyles (Eric) · #6 27-05-2006, 12:07 AM

Thanks for your help guys. as long as a flip mirror system won't distort or change the quality when imaging it seems very convenient for me. I don't think its a Meade flip mirror system though. It is some other brand. I believe it works the same way as the meade one does.

Cheers

[1ponders] (Paul) · #7 27-05-2006, 08:05 AM

I hadn't thought of doing that Gary. Or any other applications using a web cam. Plus for imaging Jupiter the flip would act as an extension tube. Damn fine idea. I'll have to look into that.

Jules · #8 31-05-2006, 02:01 PM

Hi,
I've just placed an order for the Vixen Flip mirror from Steve at MyAstroshop. Can't wait till it arrives.
Not many choices out there for non SCT users.

Cheers,
Julian

[1ponders] (Paul) · #9 31-05-2006, 05:26 PM

Let me know how it works out Jules. I've been trying to track a decently priced one down and the vixen came out at the right price. I'd love a meade one or the Taurus Tracker III

but the price beats me

[1ponders] (Paul) · #10 31-05-2006, 10:52 PM

Do you have a link to it Jules. I've had a look throught the Myastroshop site and can't find the flip mirror.

Jules · #11 09-06-2006, 01:23 PM

Hi Paul,
Sorry, didn't notice your post regarding the link.

See here for specs:
http://www.vixenamerica.com/Products...iagonal+Mirror

Steve does not have a link on his site, but if you ask him, he'll know what you mean since he has only just got me one!

I received it yesterday. Couldn't try it out on the stars, but here are my thoughts anyway.

The unit is larger than it looks on the website. The nose piece is 2", which gives you an idea of the scale when looking at the pics. It is Chinese made, but appears to be of the usual high Vixen quality.

The 1.25" adaptor screws out and reveals T threads, which I tried out with my Minolta AF T-mount. Works as advertised. I had a 30mm eyepiece in the top and the camera hanging off the back for straight through photography.

The flip mirror works fine. Positive locking when flipping from straighthrough to the 90deg eyepiece.

Looking forward to using this with my Toucam. Nothing worse than driving the scope around trying to find a guide star only to discover 10 mins later that the finder scope is not on target!

Cheers,
Julian

BTW, I bought the Vixen Porta mount as well, and that is also a beauty!

Merlin66 (Ken) · #12 09-06-2006, 01:31 PM

Just a comment...
I've got the Meade flip system with the SC thread; bought a SC to 2" adaptor and can now use it on the Genesis and other scopes with 2" focussers.... well worth considering.

Jules · #13 09-06-2006, 01:44 PM

Hi,
Did you get yours locally?

I did have a quick look at it, but decided that the Vixen at AU$125 was a good deal!

Cheers,
Julian

[1ponders] (Paul) · #14 09-06-2006, 03:06 PM

That is my though too Julian, I think even the meade 1.25" FM is too expensive for what I want it for. I'd love to be able to afford either the 1.25" or the 2", but if I'm only using it for centering the ToUcam then the cheaper one should certainly do the trick.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merlin66

I've got the Meade flip system with the SC thread;

Though if you are offering up yours at a great price I'll take it off your hands ;D

Merlin66 (Ken) · #15 09-06-2006, 03:43 PM

I got the flip mirror from Bill at telescope-warehouse, wasn't that expensive. The 2" to SC adaptor I got from Japan for $25. If you're interested I have the details at home. PM me later.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #16 09-06-2006, 04:49 PM

Will do Ken, np.

Jules · #17 07-07-2006, 12:00 PM

Hi Paul,
Now that I've used it several times, I can wholeheartedly recommend this unit.
I don't know how I ever did without a flip mirror. It used to take ages fiddling around to center a star on the TouCam, now with a 30mm eyepiece to help, it's a breeze.
The Vixen also managed to hold my Konica Minolta DSLR with no issues, other than there wasn't enough inwards travel for my 30mm eyepiece to focus when the SLR is in focus (the SLR was directly connected using the T thread. )
It was just out of focus and was usable for my purpose, but substituting with another eyepiece would have fixed it.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #18 07-07-2006, 02:37 PM

Thanks heaps for that Jules, I had just about talked myself into it but you have helped push me over the edge.

When trying to get your 30mm eyepiece focused with the camera on does it help to pull the eyepiece out a bit?