Just thought i would post a couple of picks of a little project I have pulled together since the Astronomical Society of New South Wales Star Party a month ago.
I have been a keen Binoviewer user since picking the hobby up again 10 months ago. In that time I have owned Baader Max Brights, a Denkmeier Binotron 27 Super System with the OCS45 and Filter/Power Switches, and more recently Baader Giant Mark V's.
After having played with a couple of Bino options, and configurations, I embarked on a DIY project that could couple one of my favourite diagonals with one of Bill Dankmeyer's from EarthWin Optical's Power/Filter switch assemblies.
I like to swap between EP's and Bino's depending on seeing conditions and interest, so i really wanted something that would / could be used in both my refractor and SCT.
I enlisted Bill's help and sent him a Baader MaxBright diagonal and asked him to mount one of his Filter Power Slides directly to the diagonal body, and re attach the Click Lock to the EP face. His machinist did a fantastic job as you can see from the pics.
For those unfamiliar with the Earth Win Filter / power switch it contains a patented filter system that enables the user to swap out 2" or 1.25" filters via a removable caddy module. This is the same patented system that is also used by Denkmeier. Both Russ and Bill invented the system, hence why the patent is shared as I understand. I'd loved the system on the Denks, now I wanted my own version with Bills help.
The power switch offers the following magnifications based on bino or single EP mode.
Mags / Binoviewer Mode
Low Power---1.2X
Med Power---1.9X
High Power---2.4X
Mags in Single EP Mode
Low Power---1.3X
Med Power --1.7X
High Power---2X
Bill had never tried assembling his Systems to a custom diagonal before so he was very accommodating with my bespoke request.
Take a look at the following images to see the end result. I am a happy R&D project camper.
Clear Skies.
Stefan
Baader EarthWin Filter Power Diagonal Version 2 UPDATE
A number of members commented on the first version of the Baader EarthWin Filter Power Diagonal. I have had some time to redesign what I felt it was lacking as a multi use tool.
My issue with the Version 1 build was that whilst i could use 2" eyepieces, my Binotron / Mark V could only be by adding a 2" nosepiece which wasn't the ideal short light path I wanted.
So back to the drawing board I went.
The current Version 2 has an amended docking collar / dovetail adapter. This was so that i could use a Baader Quick Lock dovetail on the PFS side, so that i can remove or add, the Clicklock assembly as required.
Best of both worlds, Bino attached directly to the PFS with the shortest light path possible, or Baader Click lock assembly for use with 2" EP's.
First light will be later this week.
Thanks for look and your comments.
Clear Skies
Stefan
