Flip Mirror Advice would be really appreciated

Shawn · #1 15-07-2006, 03:22 AM

HI there all....

Please endow me with your experiences in this topic, here is my scenario....
As you know 14"LX200R, with Saxon 100 piggied, what I really want is a flip that can live happily on the 100, as a guide cam assistant , but be capable of doubling up on the 14" for Astrophoto work. Looking at the Meade #644 and #647, both appear to either go directly onto the SCT or behind the microfocus, which means that they would need another doohicky to live on the 100mm, am I right ?

...wheras the cheaper 150buck jobbies dont look up to carrying the weight of a modest camera without flexure. Quite a few of you guys have a similar setup to me, I would love to here what in your opinion is the ideal solution, excluding buying both of course...

...

Merlin66 (Ken) · #2 15-07-2006, 07:00 AM

I'm using the #644 on both a 12" Lx200 and the Genesis. You can get an adaptor for about us$25 which allows all the SC thread accessories to be used on a standard 2" focusser. I got mine thru Kesai Trading in Japan but I think ScopeStuff etc also have them.

Shawn · #3 15-07-2006, 07:16 AM

Allrighty, that exactly what I neede to know Merlin, are you happy with the 644, or do you figure the 647 is worth the extra moolar..

Cheers

Lester · #4 15-07-2006, 07:32 AM

Hi Shawn,

I am still waiting to receive adapters from Steve Mogg (should turn up early next week). I have the 2" Meade flip mirror. If you go the smaller one it may restrict your field of view if down the track you want to image with large format ccd.

Merlin66 (Ken) · #5 15-07-2006, 07:33 AM

If I didn't have a 2" diagonal it would be better, money allowing (!!??) to buy the 2" flip and use it as a diagonal and camera attachment. It obviously needs a lot more back focus and would probably be better suited to the Cannon 350D DSLR.
Having said that, its only an aid and I find the 1 1/4" version works well with all my other cameras ie Webcam, spectroscope and Starlight MX7c.
Conclusion: If I had the money I'd sell the 2" Meade SC diagonal and buy the #647.
Remember it also allows you to set up the scope and gives the option of using two eyepieces one at each focus... great for the kids you can "monitor" the image then flip to a different mag etc for them.

Shawn · #6 15-07-2006, 08:15 AM

Thats a good point, Merlin, It will render my 2" diagonal fairly redundant, I wonder what its worth,

Hey Lester you ordered those adapters yonks ago didnt you ?

S

[1ponders] (Paul) · #7 15-07-2006, 08:32 AM

Shawn, if you have the meade of jmi microfocuser there should have been a 2" threaded sleeve come with it, threaded on one end, smooth on the other. In the meade manual it's called the SC adapter. That adapter will fit into the 2" focuser of your refractor. I use it on my orion 80.

Shawn · #8 15-07-2006, 03:20 PM

Hi Paul.

No thats not the arrangement Ive got here, Damn unfortunate really, that would be too easy now wouldnt it, ? I think the adapter for the flip is my only option, or the cheap n nasty flip. Hmm still baffled be the combinations, whilst checking depth of pockets...

Cheers Shawn..

Lester · #9 15-07-2006, 03:26 PM

Yes Shawn, ordered adapters 2 weeks ago, Steve Mogg was a week behind. I know they are on the way now. I must say though Steve Mogg is doing us astronomers a great service, and supplying all over the world.

Shawn · #10 16-07-2006, 05:39 AM

Can you post a pick of them when they arrive Lester, would love to see the work

Cheers Shawn

Lester · #11 16-07-2006, 09:54 AM

Hi Shawn,

First I measured the diameter of the threads where my accessories would not fit direct to each other. Used a digital caliper to do this. There was only 2 different diameters 41.98mm = T-Thread and 50.75mm = SCT. Then all you have to stipulate is if it is to be male or female thread to fit. I worked out that I would need 2 of TF to SCTM (F and M= female and male) and 1 of SCTF to TM adapters. There're not any garantees that I will get focus, but I had to try something. Hope I can inform you before the end of this comming week on that.

Shawn · #12 16-07-2006, 10:14 AM

Hi Lester

I think it will work out, the 14" has a gracious amount of back focus, did you not order a sequence of different lengths. Ive still got freinds in the machining industry, ive given that up temporarilly, So Id love to see what youve done, and if it doesnt work maybe i can help...BTW, just posted my mugshot

, in post a pic of yourself...
Wheres yours, ????

shawn

Lester · #13 16-07-2006, 12:47 PM

Hi Shawn,

Yep my dial is in there too.

The adapters each take up 4mm of focus. I have got a Meade variable tele-extender, incase the camera will be too close to the focal reducer.