2-inch Pick-off Mirror Insert:
This special Insert is designed specifically for the Mega-Port Sidewinder.
It incorporates a unique and convenient 2" barrel format pick-off mirror
insert (see picture at left). The insert accepts a 1.25" format eyepiece,
or similar device with a 1.25" diameter barrel-nose input. This is actually
another throw-back from the old VSI Flippers of yesteryear. Being a flip-mirror,
with too much profile, it was discontinued in favor of the Slider's short
profile, but it had one simple and functional feature; it's separate 2" format
side port that accepted our pick-off mirror insert, and could be interchanged
instantly for a different device to intersect your primary light cone, like
the beam-splitter insert below.
The 2" format pick-off mirror insert offers all the X-Y axis control of the renown Slider 2's side port, but with simpler operating parameters. The first axis of control is like the Slider 2's pick-off mirror angle that's controlled by turning a knob. And by rotating the insert in its port, you achieve the second opposing [scanning] axis of control, like the Slider 2 and Targetron's lever controls.
And there is another important feature that the Slider 2 doesn't possess; by loosening the two set screws on the 2" barrel housing (see picture at left) you can adjust (push/pull) the overall distance the pick-off mirror protrudes into your scope's light cone. This insert incorporates an enclosed first-surface mirror, double 10-32 Nylon thumb screw locks, and includes an Allen wrench to adjust the aluminum, 1" diameter, pick-off mirror drawtube. The 2" format thick-wall tube is machined from a solid, 2.25" diameter rod of vinyl polymer; a substance that is much lighter than aluminum and is indestructable.
Item POI: $99
2-inch Beam-Splitter Insert: This
special [fully-machined] insert is designed specifically for the Mega-Port
Sidewinder. Normally, you insert it into the side pick-off port, but it could
also be inserted into the top or bottom ports too. Just make sure that you
extract the Sidewider's main mirror before insertion or you will create a
collision. It incorporates a large 1.5" straight-through clear aperture with
a full-aperture 1.25" format diagonal aperture. The beam-splitter has a 40/60%
reflection/transmission optical glass surface.
This is actually a throw-back from the old VSI Flippers of yesteryear. Being a flip-mirror, with too much profile, it was discontinued in favor of the Slider's short profile, but it had some unique and functional features that should be revived. The Flipper's 2" format side port could accept our pick-off mirror insert (above), and could also accept a beam-splitter insert to intersect your primary light cone, just like today's Sidewinder.
Why would you want a device like this? Maybe a dual optical recording device that can function on less than optimum light gathering capabilities, like a spectrograph, or a photometer to measure the difference in brightness of double/variable stars, or a second calibration standard of some kind that needs to operate on-axis and simultaneously interact with its counterpart, or just to image using two cameras simultaneously.
VSI has had requests for these types of devices in the past or we wouldn't be offering it now. You will have to tell us what you would do with it, nicely please. It accepts any 1.25" barrel-nose device, like an eyepiece or guiding CCD camera, etc., but could be custom modified to accept other formats. We're trying to say that the Sidewinder design concept has a very wide range of adaptable capabilities, and we are willing to work with you to develop those capabilities to the fullest extent. VSI could even install a beam-splitter on the push/pull/rotate slide tube instead of a first-surface mirror, like we did for JPL a while back. Having a custom mechanical modification, built to your specific optical needs, could cost 10 times the price of the Sidewinder. Something to think about. VSI hopes the above provides a catalyst for new ideas, or a way to solve your existing optical desires at a more reasonable cost. The possibilities are endless! This insert incorporates double 10-32 Nylon thumb screw locks. The 2" format thick-wall tube is machined from a solid, 2.25" diameter rod of vinyl polymer; a substance that is much lighter than aluminum and indestructable.
Item BEMS: $195
Extension Flange, 3" Outside Diameter
for Sidewinder rear port: This extension flange has a male 2.9" outside
diameter circular dovetail flange on one end, and a 2.9" inside diameter
on the other. It will extend the rear port of the Sidewinder to accommodate
special reverse parfocusing requirements. Normal installations should not
require this extension, but in some circumstances, this may be the only solution.
It should not be used unless necessary because it extends your profile, which
is a NO-NO! However, if you can spare the profile, and need this extension
to address a reverse parfocusing issue, then this extension flange may be
what you need.
Item EXT1, 1" Extension Flange: $79
Item EXT2, 2" Extension Flange: $89
2"Threaded 2" Filter Slot Adapter
(FSA). The 2-inch threaded FSA takes standard 2-inch (48 to 50mm) filters
up to a thickness of 5/16" (0.3125"). The FSA is designed to take industry
standard double sided, male/female threaded filters. The same type filter
cell that screws onto the bottom of a 2" eyepiece, except instead of screwing
them on, you just pop them in and out. Easy, fast and efficient! The
threaded FSA adds slightly less than 1-inch to your profile. Even though
this adapter is cut in half, there is no flexure from heavy, leveraged equipment
loads. VSI guarantees zero flexure up to 10 lbs. The internal adapter walls
are 1/4-inch thick aluminum, eliminating any possibility of flexure. Also
included with your FSA is a stray light blocking insertion ring (pictured).
When you're not using your filters, just insert the ring to block stray light
from entering the slot.
The threaded FSA has a standard 2"-24tpi male thread on one end, and a standard 2"-24tpi female thread on the other end (not shown in picture). This adapter's diameter and threads are the same as the visual back on Meade/Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes (male 2" diameter, 24 threads per inch). This threaded FSA has the same physical dimensions and thread specifications as a standard Meade/Celestron focal reducer, except this adapter has a filter slot in the center of the housing, instead of a glass lens. This FSA is the same type as the built-in filter slot on the rear imaging port of the VP Sliders, and includes the stray light blocking insert ring noted above.
Item FSAT, 2" Threaded Filter Slot Adapter, w/stray-light blocking insert ring: $129
2-inch Threaded Long Barrel Adapter:
This useful adapter is a 2-inch standard male thread to 2-inch standard male
[barrel-nose] slide format. Slip this adapter into any 2" format port and
you've got an industry-standard male 2"-24tpi threaded format that is standard
to all Meade and Celestron SCT visual backs. This 2" threaded barrel adapter
also has a machined safety indent for your thumb screws, which prevents the
barrel from slipping out of the focuser's tube even if the thumb screws come
loose. The threads on this adapter duplicate the diameter and male threads
on all standard SCT visual backs, such as Celestron/Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain
telescopes. All VSI products, including adapters, have ultra-flat black
interiors, providing a matte, non-reflective path for your scope's incoming
light cone.
Item A2LT: $49
Zero Profile T-Adapter: This zero
profile T-adapter (ZPTA) is designed to fit, with a zero profile, into any
2" format port, like the top and bottom ports on the Sidewinder. It has
industry-standard male 42mm-0.75mm thread pitch. The [circular dovetailed]
flange machined into the housing has a 15 degree dovetail that provides a
safety catch for your thumb screws, but also laterally pushes the ZPTA into
the port for a locked, zero flexure fit. For CCD camera
work, use your CCD camera's basic female 42mm T-thread input
and screw the ZPTA directly into your CCD camera head. Then insert the assembly
into any 2" format port and lock it down with your thumb screws. For
35mm camera work, screw your T-ring on to the ZPTA, connect your
35mm camera to your T-ring. Then slip it in a 2" format port and lock it
down with your thumb screws.
Item AZP2T: $39
2-inch Threaded Short Barrel Adapter:
This adapter has a standard 2-inch male slide format (0.75 inches long)
designed to fit in any 2" format port, like the top and bottom ports on the
Sidewinder. Then you can screw your 2-inch focal reducer, or any accessory
that has a standard 2"-24tpi female threaded coupling, into the threaded
end of this adapter. Note the [circular dovetailed] flange machined into
the housing. This 15 degree dovetail not only provides a safety catch for
your thumb screws, but also laterally pushes the A2ST into standard 2" format
ports for a zero flexure fit.
Item A2ST: $39
2"-24tpi Female to 42mm T Male Threaded
Adapter: This [reverse of the below] adapter/converter has a standard
2"-24tpi female thread input, just like Meade/Celestron scopes and accessories,
and the output is a industry-standard male 42mm-0.75mm T-thread that will
attach to any CCD camera or 35mm camera's T-ring adapter. It is the opposite
[male/female] of the AT2 adapter below.
Item A2T: $59
2"-24tpi Male to 42mm T Female
Threaded Adapter: This [reverse of the above] adapter/converter is
approx. 0.75" long and has industry-standard female 42mm-0.75mm T-threads
on one end and standard male 2"-24tpi threads on the other. It is the opposite
[male/female] of the A2T adapter above.This special adapter/converter can
serve many purposes.
Item AT2: $59
2-inch to 1.25-inch Reducer: This
industry standard reducer has a 0.375-inch profile and reduces your 2" format
focuser or port to 1.25" so you can utilize 1.25" barrel eyepieces and
accessories. This reducer also has a [circular dovetailed] flange cut into
the outside 2" diameter to provide better security. When locked down with
double thumb screws, it is impossible for this adapter to fall out. The thumb
screws pushing against this circular dovetail also provide lateral pressure
creating a very solid connection.
Item AR21: $29
A=2-inch to 2-inch Drawtube: Drawtube A is for use with 2-inch format eyepieces and accessories, and is for use in 2" format ports to extend your focal point to parfocus your Sidewinder, etc. Usually, ehen drawtube A is inserted in the top or bottom port, you're able to achieve parfocus with 35mm cameras attached to the Sidewinder's rear imaging port. Drawtube A can then be extended to achieve parfocus with your 35mm camera using a 2" format wide field "finder" eyepiece. Drawtube A may be necessary if you want your 2-inch eyepieces to parfocus with your 35mm camera attached to the rear imaging port.
Item AD22: $49
B=2-inch to 1.25-inch Drawtube: If you're not going to use 2-inch eyepieces, then drawtube B is the ideal drawtube to use. Basically, drawtube B is the same as drawtube A above, except drawtube B is for 1.25-inch eyepieces. This special light-weight material is fully machined from Vinyl polymer, solid-rod stock.
Item AD21: $39
C=1.25-inch to 1.25-inch Drawtube: Drawtube C is a standard 1.25" male/female drawtube identical in design to drawtube A above, but in 1.25" format. Drawtube C can be used in the top or bottom Sidewinder ports in conjunction with 2" to 1.25" drawtubes or reducers to extend your mechanical focal point to parfocus your Sidewinder, etc.
Item AD11: $39
These unique, and exclusive, VSI collar rings are necessary to lock-in a repeatable eyepiece and camera parfocusing position. Just slip the collar over your eyepiece or camera tube, and lock down the thumb screws at the parfocus point. From then on, even when you change your setup, your eyepiece or camera will reinsert at the exact parfocus point, with repeatable zero tolerance. No need to waste your valuable time to reparfocus your entire system. Since the collar rings are 0.25 to 0.3 inches thick, you will need at least that amount of clearance between the eyepiece housing and the top of the female port to utilize these Collar rings. If you don't have this minimum clearance, you will need to move your camera out from the rear imaging port a small amount using VSI extension rings, etc. Then refocus your camera, and you will have enough eyepiece clearance to utilize these collar rings.
ITEM CLR2 2" Collar Ring (above left): $17.50
ITEM CLR1 1.25" Collar Ring (above right): $12.50
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