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Features & Specifications: Hexagonal 2 Turret (2" format)

VSI's 2" format HEX 2 has been completely re-designed and simplified. The old Hex was just too complex and too expensive to manufacture. The new 2" HEX is designed similar to the 1.25" Hex above, just much larger in proportions. To give you an even better 2" HEX size comparison, look at the picture (left) of the 10" SCT with a 2" HEX installed. This is the smallest scope [recommended] for the 2" HEX, and you will need some serious counterweighting, but it'll work great. Also see Scott's C14, that did not require counterweighting, at our INSTALLATIONS link at the top of the page.

VSI's 6-eyepiece manual turret Hexagonal also has our exclusive built-in 2" filter slot with two insert rings included (see picture at right and section further down this page). The stray light blocking insert ring provides a 2.75" internal clear aperture, and is inserted when you are not using a filter. The other ring holds a 2" format filter (up to 0.5" filter cell thickness) that can be locked into the insert ring using three set screws (extra 2" filter holders are available at $49 each). Each filter insert ring is held in place with two spring plates (just pop it in), and removed with an ejector button on the bottom (just push the button to eject the ring). More info on filters at the bottom of this web page.

VSI has just introduced NEW adjustable click-stops on all HEX2 models. This very special feature allows you to easily and accurately set, using an Allen wrench, the spring pressure on the ball. By doing so, you achieve the sensitivity necessary for any eyepiece and/or accessory load. Such as all 2" Nagler "grenades" or all 1.25" eyepieces (using 2" to 1.25" reducers) which are much lower in weight, or even empty eyepiece sockets. Although this adjustable click-stop upgrade would not be beneficial for the smaller Hex1, it is almost a necessity for the HEX2 because it extends the load capability and adds substantial versatility to the array of eyepieces and accessories you can install on the HEX2. To accomplish this task, the HEX2 had to be re-designed almost from scratch, again. Although the new adjustable click-stop looks like an easy modification, it was not. You can easily see the new raised section in the picture at right, with the stainless steel [ball & spring] insert mechanism, but you can't see any of the other design changes because they are mostly dimensional and internal. In other words, none of the previous HEX2 parts are interchangeable with this new model HEX2. Unfortunately, this does mean that none of the old models are upgradeable to this new model.

Eyepiece holders accommodate six 2" eyepieces (not included). 1.25" format eyepieces can be used in the Hexagonal (HEX) by inserting a standard 2" to 1.25" reducer, like our item #AR21 (see VP Accessories link). All 2" eyepiece holders incorporate failsafe double [Lateral Locks] Nylon thumb screws for a total of 12 Nylon knobs, shown on the back of the manual HEX. As with our 1.25" Hex above, the rear handle also has a large luminous dot to indicate active eyepiece position in total darkness. Internal spring loaded, ball bearing click stops, and internal micro-switches (DC servo HEX only), assure accurate optical path alignment. You can use non-parfocus 2" eyepieces and parfocus each one individually, or simply insert a set of parfocus 2" eyepieces and lock them down to eliminate refocusing when rotating from one eyepiece to another.

HEX 2 turrets contain optical-grade, first-surface mirrors from ProtoStar that have a giant 2.6" (minor axis) diagonal flat with a 0.65" thickness, and meet or exceed Milspec MIL-M-13508C. Hex2's now have NEW QUARTZ mirrors with individual Zygo Interferemetric analysis documentation included with each Hexagonal  (see mirror picture at right). Wavefront flatness is typically better than 0.08 peak-to-valley measured at 633 nm light. Coatings are enhanced aluminum providing 96% reflectivity across the entire visible spectrum with a thin pre-coat layer of chromium to promote good metal adhesion. Dielectric overcoat layers are applied using Electron Beam Deposition (EBD), followed by an Ion Assisted Deposition (true argon IAD) process.

When speed and safety are necessary, this is the eyepiece turret you need. It's great for star parties, public viewing sessions, quick A-B object comparison at different magnifications, and even switching between different imaging devices (i.e. CCD cameras, spectroscopes, photometers, comparator devices, etc.). WARNING: When this turret HEX is loaded with Six 2" Nagler "grenades" (or equivalent eyepieces) you need a large telescope, or some very serious counterweighting, to balance your instrument's weight. Input port is an industry-standard 3.25"-16tpi that screws directly onto Meade or Celestron (w/adapter) visual backs (also see Docking Converters link for stock docking converters for other scopes). Output ports (6) are standard 2" female format. Six dust caps are included with your HEX.  See "Why do you need a Hexagonal Turret?" above for picture of first 2" Hex prototype built in 1992. Pictured below is our 6-eyepiece DC servo motor controlled turret Hexagonal, which has been discontinued, but you might want to take a look just for your own edification. Dual DC servo motor controlled Hex includes hand paddle, wall-type power supply, and associated cables.

Filters for your Hexagonal Turret

Once you've experienced our Hexagonal, with its exclusive built-in 2" filter slot, you'll never be able to return to a simple diagonal again. No more dysfunctional eyepiece and/or filter exchanging. No more time consuming filter changing operations that involve removing the eyepiece, screwing in a filter, observing, removing the eyepiece, unscrewing the filter and endlessly repeating this obsolete, cumbersome process. In total darkness, this scenario can become a literal nightmare. No bulky filter wheels or separate slide mechanisms that gobble up your valuable profile and induce mechanical flexure into your imaging train.You can even perform double filter comparisons (stacking) by screwing one into the base of your eyepiece and then switching them in and out of the spring-loaded filter slot.

The 3" outside diameter, stray light blocking insert ring on the HEX 2 provides a 2.75" internal clear aperture, and is inserted when you are not using a filter. The other 3" OD ring (both included) holds a 2" format filter (up to 0.5" filter cell thickness) that can be locked into the insert ring using three set screws (extra 2" filter holders are available at $49 each). The filter slot's 3/8" thick-wall construction is rock-solid. Just install a 2" filter in the filter ring and pop it in the slot, and it's automatically locked in place by two tensioned spring plates, one on each side of the slot (see left picture). And removing a filter is as simple as pushing the ejection button on the bottom of the Hex (see right pictured).

Whether you are using filters for lunar, planetary, comet, deep-sky observing or just cutting your light pollution, you will find the Hex indispensable. You can switch filters instantaneously for A-B comparisons. When viewing subtle planetary contrast changes using color filters, nebulous deep-sky objects using narrow band-pass and UHC filters, or simple polarizing filters to cut the Moon's brightness, the Hex is a "must-have" necessity.

Why do you need a Hexagonal Turret?

Besides the obvious fact that Hexagonals look really cool, our exclusive dual-rotation system (explained in-depth later) also offers the ultimate in eyepiece security, while providing instant [and secure] active eyepiece repositioning and instant eyepiece/magnification changes. During the early days of Black Forest Observatory (1986-2001), I utilized a gigantic custom Hexagonal (2.6" format, pictured right and left), that I created at BFO's machine shop (the first Hex), exclusively for public sky tours (for more info on BFO's 30-inch Cassegrain, see Installations link, bottom of the page). When you have 40 people in your observatory, you have to reposition the scope with the utmost alacrity of purpose. Public people have no patience. They don't want to stand around all night freezing in the dark, waiting for the next celestial object to become available in the telescope's eyepiece.

That's where this super Hex, with the dual-rotation feature, came into play! Simply turn the handle (giant star knob in this case) on the rear to a comfortable viewing position, without loosening or retightening anything. It's locked in place, but the active eyepiece body is still fully rotatable. This exclusive Hex body rotation function, that no other turret offers, is identical to rotating your single eyepiece diagonal to a more comfortable viewing position, but with the Hex, you don't have to loosen and retighten thumb screws. Even single eyepiece diagonals don't do body rotation. Of course, to take advantage of VSI's exclusive turret body rotation feature, you need to use it in conjunction with our SCT Captive Retaining Adapter (Item #AHEX above) or any model VSI focuser with the [dual purpose] Quad-Lock feature. If you use the Hex with other focusers, you simply lose the [double locked-in-place] body rotation feature. That simply means you will have to loosen [hopefully] two thumb screws, rotate the head to a more comfortable viewing position and tighten the thumb screws -  an inconvenience that accompanies all other [less functional] eyepiece turrets and standard diagonals on the market.

While you are rotating the Hex body to a more comfortable viewing angle, you can simultaneously hold the rear pull-type handle (star knob pictured above) in place to rotate to a different eyepiece (click - click, etc.), and you're ready to view. Instantaneous, quick, Hex body and eyepiece rotation with one homogenous action. It doesn't get any better than that! Changing viewing positions and eyepieces takes only a second, literally. No fumbling around in the dark. Total eyepiece security. You can even install two identical power eyepieces, with different 1.25" filters, for instantaneous A/B comparisons. If you have matched sets of eyepieces for your binoviewer, you're already there.

At first, you may think that this Hex device is a frivolous luxury. After you've actually experienced the Hex advantage first-hand/eye, you will find that it has become an undeniable necessity for your visual observing - I guarantee it! This extra, exclusive Hex body rotation feature was so fluid and functional, that I eventually developed a conditioned response, operating my Hex without even having to think about what I was doing. These two new, much lower priced, Hex models are a fantastic way to visually tour the celestial wonders of the night sky. Beyond the above facts, I simply wanted to offer a new observing experience to all my friends in Astroland - PVS

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