Mega-Port Sidewinder
- NEW & IMPROVED MODEL, basic unit
[only] as pictured at right. A large-format optical manifold with
rotating/push/pull slide mirror and separate pick-off mirror insert for side
port. Rotating Y-axis pick-off insert and rotatable Z-axis docking port offering
exclusive 2-axis guide star acquisition. Interchangeable ports to use Sidewinder
on more than one telescope or multiple cameras - any scope, any camera. 2.9"
straight-through clear aperture without port rings installed. For larger
than 2" format installation only. Order optional Pick-off Insert, Docking
and Camera Port Rings as described below. Pictured at right is what you receive
when you purchase the MPSW.
Item MPSW, Price: $1295
Docking Port Rings,
required to dock Sidewinder to your scope. Optional docking port rings are
available for any scope on the market. All docking ports allow 360 degree
Z-axis rotation of the Sidewinder body. A special docking port ring is available
for every popular scope on the market. They are listed at the DOCKING PORT
RINGS link above right. If you don't find your specific docking port ring,
call VSI and we'll custom machine one for you. Interchangeable port rings
provide the use of multiple scopes and cameras utilizing one Sidewinder basic
unit. Pictured at right is a representation of what you receive when you
purchase a specific docking port ring for your telescope.
Select your DOCKING PORT RING from link above right
Camera or Reverse Port
Rings, required to install your CCD or 35mm imaging camera to the Sidewinder.
Optional camera and/or reverse port rings are available for any CCD or 35mm
camera on the market. Most of them are listed at the CAMERA PORT RINGS link
above right. If you don't find your specific camera or reverse port ring,
call VSI and we'll custom machine one for you. Interchangeable port rings
provide the use of multiple scopes and cameras utilizing one Sidewinder basic
unit. Most current CCD and 35mm cameras use the industry-standard 42mm-0.75mm
T-thread. There are some exceptions, like the new SBIG STL11000 CCD camera.
VSI offers a special camera port ring specifically for this new larger than
2" format SBIG camera. Pictured at right is a representation of what
you receive when you purchase a specific camera port ring for your imaging
camera.
Select your CAMERA or REVERSE PORT RING from link above right
Pick-Off Mirror
Insert, required to perform off-axis guiding with the Sidewinder. A
proprietary pick-off mirror insert (POI) specifically designed to insert
in the side port of the Sidewinder. This exclusive insert design allows you
to remove the POI from the Sidewinder eliminating any camera area obstruction
when not in use.By loosening two 8-32 set screws, you can push/pull
[independently] position the pick-off mirror tube, in the 2" format POI housing,
to match your scope's focal length, clear aperture and camera area. By
rotating the POI in its side port you obtain Y-axis scanning control of your
scope's field-of-view, at each rotational stop of the rotatable Z-axis Sidewinder
itself. For larger than 2" format installation only. Pictured at right is
what you receive when you purchase the POI. For more POI info, see ADAPTERS
link above right.
Item POI, Price: $99