Tele Vue Starbeam with Flip Mirror for 8" or Larger Schmidt Cassegrains

349.00 USD*

Description

A pinnacle of precision and convenience, the Starbeam with Flip Mirror is an indispensable accessory for astronomers wielding 8" or larger Schmidt Cassegrain telescopes. This high-quality red dot finder scope boasts a unique flip mirror feature that enhances viewing comfort and flexibility, allowing for seamless transitions between straight-through and 90-degree perspectives. When gazing directly through the Starbeam, the natural sky is beautifully framed with a 10 arc-minute "red-star" reticle, equivalent to one-third of the Moon's diameter, indicating your telescope's precise aiming point. This innovative design is especially useful when your telescope is oriented towards the zenith, as flipping the mirror into position provides a more comfortable viewing angle, sparing you from neck strain and enhancing your stargazing experience.The Starbeam's "red-star" is not only size-adjustable but also features variable brightness settings, ensuring optimal visibility against the twilight to dark sky backgrounds. Its generous 39mm aperture projects a clear and distinct image that can be easily seen from any distance behind the finder, whether it's a mere 2 inches or an extended 2 feet.Crafted with a finely made glass lens that doubles as a beamsplitter, the Starbeam merges the natural sky with the superimposed red aiming point. The first lens surface is meticulously designed to act as a collimating mirror, ensuring the "red-star" remains fixed against the celestial canvas, irrespective of your eye's position. The second lens surface incorporates a compensating curve to maintain the normal sky view and is multi-coated to prevent double images, enhancing the overall clarity.The Starbeam's elegant and durable design is a testament to its high-quality construction. Custom machined entirely from aluminum and finished with a sleek black anodization, this finder scope exudes sophistication down to its user-friendly "push-pull" thumb screws, which facilitate effortless alignment with your telescope - no tools necessary.This latest Starbeam model comes equipped with a dovetail bar and mounting bracket that snugly fits the rear cell of any 8" or larger SCT, ensuring a secure and stable setup. Additionally, the bar and bracket are available separately, offering existing Starbeam owners the opportunity to adapt this innovative, large aperture 1x finder to various SCT models.In summary, the Starbeam with Flip Mirror stands as a durable, portable, and user-friendly solution for astronomers seeking an innovative and high-quality finder scope to enhance their celestial observations.