4.4.18

Binoviewing partial success:

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I was rather scathing about the T-S binoviewer GPC because it was slightly undersized at 31mm. I found it impossible to grip it safely in my original Vixen 90M focuser with its tiny thumbscrew. [Left.]

Further online research and careful measurement provided a direct screw-in option in place of the original eyepiece holder. The adjustable Baader adapter 1.25 Ø : 36.3mm thread fitted the Vixen focuser ring to perfection. [Right.]

The grip provided by the three clamping screws and the compression band now allowed me to lift the entire telescope safely off the ground! [Left] Where the single, small, Vixen thumbscrew could not even stop the binoviewer flopping about. The Baader adapter also has no stop ring so the binoviewer can be slid right in with the GPC still in place. Another hurdle safely cleared.

GPC = Glass Path Corrector. A form of compensated Barlow lens.


 These two images show the 5-6mm adjustability of the Baader adapter. It is really a short range helical focuser. Handy if one needs fine adjustment in a tight spot. A locking thumbscrew is provided to aid turning the focus ring and to lock the final adjustment.

After I fitted the GPC there was now plenty of drawtube to spare at focus but the image was magnified by about 2x. [At a very rough guess] The image was still surprisingly sharp for an overcast day. I was able to clearly see the buds on the trees at 450 yards and recognise [inverted] Fieldfares resting briefly in the same tree tops.  

  

Click on any image for an enlargement.
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