Ioptron IEQ45 Equatorial Mounting

The new iOptron iEQ45 Goto mount will available from July-August 2010 throughout Europe.

To get on the waiting list,please place an online order. No funds will be deducted from your card until the mount is ready to ship but this will enter you into the order system and orders will be dealt with strictly in date order.

iOptron have designed this mount with the astro imager in mind. The iEQ45 is the lightest mount in it's price range, and it's very easy to carry, weighing only 25lb (11.4kg). The iEQ45 weighs 5 to 7 kg less than other mounts in this price bracket. If you divide the payload by the weight of the iEQ45 you get a ratio of 1.75 which is the best ratio on the market for a mount in this price range, exceeding other mounts costing 4 to 5 times the price.

Another important feature making this mount suitable for field use is the low power consumption due to the unique low friction drive train. The mount consumes approximately 0.2A while tracking, so you don't have to lug a truck battery around. A built-in 32 channel GPS receiver and a precision levelling bubble make setup quicker and easier than any other mount we've heard of - and the SmartStar GOTO system is gaining a great reputation for rapid setup.

Precision DC servo motors deliver smooth torque to the drive train to reduce backlash to negligible levels, for very smooth auto-guiding and accurate tracking, making the iEQ45 perfect for long exposure astro-photography at a reasonable price.

IEQ45 feature highlights:
•Specialized astrophotography mount ideal for entry-level and experinced astrophotographers.
•20.5kg / 45lb Payload yet only weighs 25lb / 11.4kg - less than any comparable mount on the market!
•Easy-to-use SmartStar controller with large multi-line backlit display, large object database, and a USB port (flash upgradeable).
•ST-4 autoguiding port capable of reverse guiding with auto-protection.
•Periodic error correction (PEC).
•Ultra-accurate tracking with temperature compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO).
•Gap-free structure for both R.A. and declination worms.
•Built-in 32-channel GPS.
•#8406 controller with Advanced SmartStarTM GoTo Technology and heating mechanism.
•Lowest working temperature: -20oC.
•RS232 port, with commands compatible with LX200.
•RS485 new command set completely open for user-defined control of the mount.
•Fits with both Vixen and Losmandy-type mounting plates.
•2 inch heavy-duty stainless steel tripod legs.
•Precision DC Servo motors for smooth torque, and accurate tracking.
•High 0.09 Arc sec resolution encoders for increased pointing accuracy.
•Thick 28mm Counterweight bar with zero flex.
•2x 5kg Counterweights included - a total of 10kg.
•Calibrated polar scope with dark-field illumination.
•Easy polar alignment procedure, allowing for fast and accurate polar alignment.
•Low power consumption - as low as 0.2 A while tracking.
•Optional pier.
•Comes standard with: 2 x 5kg counterweight, AC adaptor, 12V DC car plug adaptor, USB cable, RS232 Cable and USB-to-RS232 Adaptor
Technical specifications:

£1,599.00 inc. VAT and delivery

Technical specs:

Payload 45 lbs (20kg)
Mount Weight 11.4kg
Payload / Mount Weight Ratio 1.75
Right Ascension Worm Gear 216 Teeth (Gap-free)
Ø130mm
Declination Worm Gear 192 Teeth (Gap-free)
Ø115mm
Motor Drive Type Precision DC Servo
Encoder Resolution 0.09 Arc Seconds
Latitude Adjustment Range 5-70°
Azimuth Adjustment Range ±6°
Counterweight Bar Ø28mm
Counterweight included 5kg x 2 Total 10kg
Field Tripod 2" Stainless Steel (8kg)
Polar Scope Included - dark-field illumination.
Ascension Axis Ø50mm
Dovetail interface Dual Vixen / Losmandy
Power Consumption 0.2A (Tracking) 1A (Slewing)
Power Requirement 12V DC (11-15V), 2 Amps
Transmission Synchronous belt
Level Indicator Precision Bubble
GPS Internal 32-channel GPS

Available July-August 2010 at this introductory price.

Altair Astro 150mm F1800 Rumak Maksutov Telescope

This is a high quality "Rumak" Maksutov telescope. The Rumak optical design allows a higher quality instrument with excellent field correction and very smooth optical surfaces to be made at an excellent price vs. performance point. The secondary mirror of a Rumak telescope has a different and precisely figured curvature to the front corrector plate it's mounted on - this is unlike normal Maksutovs which use a silvered spot on the back of the meniscus to reduce manufacturing costs. The result is better control of the optical correction, a flatter field, and less spherical aberration. Frankly, we've not seen anything like this before at this price and the scope truly is a great performer.

This telescope is the perfect size for the iOptron Minitower GOTO mount, with is superb tracking accuracy, fast setup and easy to use 130K object library. We used the Mak 150-1800 on our Minitower with great results. If you order a Minitower with this scope you get £50 off the package - simply choose the menu option below!

Optical performance: We've used this scope extensively. The optics are very smooth and well corrected, and contrast is very high. The 1800mm focal length means you get high power views of the planets and the Moon as well as galaxies and globular clusters. Simply divide the focal length in mm (1800mm) by the focal length of the eyepiece to work out what magnification the scope provides. We tested this scope at Kelling Heath on Saturn, the Moon, Mars and Venus, as well as numerous deep sky objects with our customers. The optics are the best value for the price we have ever seen in a Maksutov. Observers who tried the Mak 150-1800 at the April 2010 Kelling Heath Starparty were amazed when we told them the price. We have also ordered a 200mm 8" version of this scope - let us know if you want to get on the waiting list!

Please note, our first shipment will be arriving in late May/early June 2010. If you pre-order this scope, we will not charge you until the product is ready to ship to you.

See Variations

Technical specs:

Altair Mak 150-1800 Features:

•Dual Speed focuser - 1:10 gear ratio for ultra fine focusing

•"Twist & Lock" dew shield
•High quality Rumak optics with baffled secondary cone

•150mm clear aperture
•Quality 8x50mm finder scope & bracket

•Focal length 1800mm
•Weight approx. 7kg
•Vixen dovetail bar included
•SCT thread on the rear lens cell
•Fully collimatable primary mirror, unlike cheaper scopes
•Multicoated on all optical surfaces
•£50 discount if ordered with an iOptron Minitower GOTO mount.

Altair Astro Coma Corrector and Field Flattener for 8" F4 Newtonian

**Please Note Price Includes Carriage**

The Altair Astro Photo-Visual Coma Corrector will reduce coma in most fast Newtonians, as well as acting as a field flattener, and is optimised to work with the Altair Astro and GSO 8" F4 Imaging Newtonians.

You can order it with the Altair Astro 8" F4 Imaging Newtonian for a significantly reduced price!

The coma corrector is shown assembled in "Visual mode" with 2" push fit adapter attached, and in "Photo mode" with the 2" push-fit adapter removed.

Removing the upper push-fit adapter reveals a male M42 or T-Thread, which allows you to attach your Canon / Nikon DSLR adapter - so you can fit most CCD cameras out of the box while minimising Vignetting. Most T-Thread to camera adapters introduce about 10mm of spacing but additional spacing my be required for the optimum 75mm required from the rear Coma Corrector lens to your camera CCD plane. Remember you can check the distance on your camera by looking for the focal plane marking (usually a flat incised line usually found on the camera body), and most DSLR cameras have a 56mm backfocus from the body to the film plane.

What is coma and why do I need a Coma corrector? Coma is an optical effect whereby stars at the edge of the field of view in Newtonian telescopes become slightly elongated. It's particulary evident in Newtonian telescopes of fast focal ratios when used for astro imaging with a larger CCD Chip or DSLRs, or for visual use with a wide angle eyepiece. Coma is most apparent in telescopes with an F-Number of less than F6, and the Altair Astro coma corrector is designed to work best from F3 to F6. An F4 telescope will perform like an F8 one in terms of coma (a huge reduction!), and will exhibit a flatter field too, due to additional lens elements designed to cancel out field curvature.

Optical performance and correct spacing: The Altair Astro Coma Corrector increases the focal ratio of the telescope by a negligible 10%. In practise this is undetectable visually or photographically, and the design allows for better illumination and field flatness correction. The optimum distance from the rear lens of the coma corrector to the imaging focal plane is approximately 75mm, which can be achieved using various 3rd party female to male T-Thread extension tubes. A tolerance of 2-3mm can be allowed for when fine-focusing without significantly affecting visual or photographic performance. Here's a link to using an 8" Imaging Newtonian with a similar coma corrector.

Features of the Altair Astro Coma Corrector:
•Perfect for GSO / Altair Astro 8" F4 Imaging Newtonians!
•Can be used in Photo or Visual mode.
•M42 threaded barrel to attach your Nikon / Canon DSLR adaptor, or T-Thread adaptor directly.
•Removable 2" non-marring compression ring fit with two thumbscrews.
•75mm optimal backfocus requirement.
•4 Lens elements in 2 optical groups.
•All optical surfaces are fully multicoated to improve contrast.

£88.00 inc. VAT and delivery

Technical specs:

Altair TMS Vixen-Synta Dovetail Bar 180mm

**Please note our prices include carriage**

•The Altair TMS "Vixen - Synta" Dovetail Bar is available in two different lengths of 170mm (VDB-170) and 250mm (VDB-250).

**Please Note Our Prices Include Carriage**

•These Far East style dovetail bars are narrow and light and are a good option for small optical tubes.
•A countersunk M6 hole at each end, plus a countersunk M6 slot, allows maximum flexibility for attachment to most telescope tube rings.
•To mount lighter telescope tubes side by side, we recommend the Altair TMS "Small Vixen Dovetail Clamp" which is designed to fit onto either end of our Losmandy plates directly, letting you mount two telescopes side by side.

•All Altair TMS components are CNC machined in aluminium and hard-anodised in Altair Blue to match the rest of the TMS range.

PLEASE NOTE PRICES INCLUDE DELIVERY

£42.00 inc. VAT and delivery

Technical specs:

Altair TMS Vixen-Synta Dovetail Bar 250mm

**Please note our prices include carriage**

•The Altair TMS "Vixen - Synta" Dovetail Bar is available in two different lengths of 170mm (VDB-170) and 250mm (VDB-250).

**Please Note Our Prices Include Carriage**

•These Far East style dovetail bars are narrow and light and are a good option for small optical tubes.
•A countersunk M6 hole at each end, plus a countersunk M6 slot, allows maximum flexibility for attachment to most telescope tube rings.
•To mount lighter telescope tubes side by side, we recommend the Altair TMS "Small Vixen Dovetail Clamp" which is designed to fit onto either end of our Losmandy plates directly, letting you mount two telescopes side by side.

•All Altair TMS components are CNC machined in aluminium and hard-anodised in Altair Blue to match the rest of the TMS range.

PLEASE NOTE PRICES INCLUDE DELIVERY

£49.00 inc. VAT and delivery

Technical specs:

Altair Astro 8" F4 Photo Newtonian

This 8" optical tube is a very fast focal ratio f/4 reflector that has been mechanically and optically designed for wide field deep space imaging. It can be used with 35mm cameras, DSLRs, web-cams, DSI-type cameras, and large format CCD cameras alike.

Click here to see image of M33 taken with Altair 8" F4 Photo Newtonian

*** Special Offer***

We offer the Lakeside Motor Focuser Unit at £240 when purchased with this telescope.

In addition to deep space imaging, the 8 inch Imaging Newtonian is also usable for solar system webcam imaging, as well as deep space and solar system visual observing. In fact, the high contrast design gives solar system webcam imaging and visual observing performance similar to SCTs with the same 35% central obstruction.

Altair 200mm F4 Imaging Newtonian features:

•Very fast f/4 focal ratio 200mm optics (800mm focal length).
•Contrast-enhancing extended tube length with 15 internal baffles.
•Oversize secondary mirror to cover a 35mm CCD frame.
•Built-in cooling fan for faster primary mirror cool-down.
•2" dual-speed Crayford focuser with 2" & 1.25" compression ring.
•Light weight OTA - 8" of aperture weighing only 9.8kg (21.6 lbs).
•Tube length only 32”
•"No tools required" collimation knobs.
•8 x 50mm finder scope in a quick-release bracket.
•Dual mounting rings.
•Silicon dioxide mirror coating for extreme durability.
•Lower-than-glass expansion B270 mirrors, free of internal stress.

See Variations

Technical specs:

Extended optical tube with 15 internal baffles: To increase contrast, the optical tube is extended 8.75" forward of the focuser to keep ambient light from hitting the diagonal mirror. In addition 15 internal knife-edge baffles are installed down the interior length of the optical tube to eliminate any stray light that might get past the extended optical tube and lower the contrast. The baffles and tube interior are finished in matte black to further absorb stray light. The result is exceptional contrast, far better than a conventional reflector for both imaging and visual observing.

2" dual-speed Crayford focuser: The drawtube has 34mm (1.35") of travel and there is 80mm of back focus available from the top of the focuser’s 2" accessory holder to the image plane. The focuser has two easy to grip coarse focusing knobs. One knob also has a smaller concentric knob with 10:1 ratio reduction for fine focusing. This provides precise focus control for CCD imaging. A drawtube tension knob on the side of the focuser lets you adjust the drag on the focuser drawtube to suit various equipment loads while focusing. A second knob lets you lock in a precise photographic focus.

Coma Corrector For Use With Altair 8" F4 Photo Newtonian

Choice of Skywatcher Coma Corrector or Baader MPCC when purchased with Altair Photo Newtonian

See Variations

Technical specs:

Altair VDC-Synta Dovetail Clamp

**Please Note the price on this item includes carriage**

This is a small, light yet very strong clamp which is compatible with Vixen - Synta format dovetail bars. The "VDC" is also modular, and compatible with the rest of the blue anodised Altair TMS Telescope Mounting System range - for example it can be bolted directly to the Altair Losmandy plates to mount two telescopes side-by-side.

**Please Note Our Prices Include Carriage**

Compatibility:

•Can be bolted directly to Altair 250mm or 350mm Losmandy dovetail plates for mounting dual telescopes side-by-side, so you don't need to buy another purpose built side-by-side bar.
•Fits Far East format narrow style dovetail bars sold by companies such as Vixen, Synta Skywatcher and Orion USA.
•Fits iOptron Minitower mounts with the appropriate TMS Adapter Puck.
Product design:

•Doesn't mar or damage the dovetail bar, because it uses a flat clamping surface, unlike other products which rely on screws to grip the bar, which invariably dig into the metal when tightened.
•Safe and easy "tip in" saddle lets you position your telescope quickly and easily, while tightening up the clamps with your other hand. Based on feedback from customers.

•Chamfered edges to make it even easier to get a heavy OTA placed securely before tightening the clamps.
•No sharp edges or poor machining.
•The clamp has it's own "self registering" machined guides, unlike inferior makes, where the thread alone takes most of the strain.
•Self registering spring loaded clamp, over-engineered to grip with maximum strength and rigidity.
•Stainless Steel thread (unlike cheap chromed, or zinc plated threads which corrode after a few months as the coating flakes away).
•Heavy duty hard anodised star knobs, custom-machined for a positive grip (we tested several iterations). The knobs have a nylon washer to stop binding, making them easier to undo if over-tightened.
•Precision CNC machined locally and blue hard anodised to match the Altair TMS hardware range.
•The right level of quality at the right price - try adding up everything you need and bearing versaility in mind when comparing to other makes.

Please NOTE Prices INCLUDE CARRIAGE

£61.00 inc. VAT and delivery

Technical specs:

Altair TMS Mini Tower and MT Pro Adaptor Pucks

**Please note our prices include carriage**

The Minitower & MT Pro Adapter Puck lets you attach your Altair Vixen/Synta Dovetail Clamp to your Minitower mount safely and securely. Simply undo the four existing hex bolts, and replace your factory clamp with the Altair adapter. Then bolt your VDC to that, and you're done. The VDC gives a more secure grip along an even surface, and won't leave unsightly scratches and dents on your dovetail bar. CNC machined Aluminium, and hard-anodised in Altair Blue.

Please note: The Minitower Pro and Standard Minitower pucks have different dimensions. Choose your mount type in the option menu below:

PLEASE NOTE PRICES INCLUDE DELIVERY

see variations

Technical specs:

Altair Pier Adaptor for CG%, EQ5, HEQ5, EQ6 Mounts

**Please Note Prices Include Carriage**

This aluminium adapter is used to secure your Equatorial mount to a pier. It has a central hole, so you can tighten the mount on, using your existing tripod bolt as usual.

Two versions are available (more planned, contact us):

•Type 6 for SkyWatcher EQ6 & Celestron CGEM mounts, Orion USA Atlas mount.
•Type 5 for SkyWatcher EQ5, HEQ5, Celestron CG5 mounts.

The pier adapter has six recessed holes around the outer perimeter for fastening it to the pier plate. Stainless steel bolts are included, for quick and easy installation. There is an additional 7th hole for the azimuth stop bolt. Simply unscrew the azimuth stop on your tripod, and screw that into the pre-threaded hole on the adapter. (Click the "Detailed images" tab below).

Product features:
•Transfer your EQ mount from static pier to field tripod in minutes.
•Swap the azimuth stop and centre bolt from your tripod to your pier adapter and back again. No additional hardware needed!
•CNC machined from solid aluminium billet with all stainless steel nuts, “Nyloc” bolts and washers ensure corrosion protection.
•Fits the Altair/SkyShed 8” Steel Adjustable Pier without any drilling.
•Can be used on any flat surface with the correct holes, such as a home made pier of your own.
•Pleasing to the eye, and complements the crisp lines of the laser-cut 8” Altair / SkyShed Pier.
Check out the high-res images under the "detailed images" tab below.

Choose your mount type in the options menu below:

PLEASE NOTE PRICES INCLUDE DELIVERY

see variations

Technical specs: