Baader Planetarium MAXBRIGHT Instruction Manual - page 5
- 5 -
Copyright © 2006, Baader Planetarium GmbH, Unitron Italia Srl, Alpine Astronomical LLC. All rights reserved. Copying or use without express
written consent is prohibited. (Worldwide @ www.baader-planetarium.de),(Italy @ www.unitronitalia.it),(USA @ www.alpineastro.com)
Use of the BinoViewer with 2" nosepiece adapter
This picture shows how to insert the
glasspath
compensator into the optional T2 #16 2" nosepiece. The
included white plastic ring must be pressed onto the
compensator threads in order to center the
compensator in the nosepiece adapter.
After placement of the glasspath compensator into
the 2" nosepiece, it is then threaded onto the rotating
ring of the MaxBright Binoviewer.
If your telescope has a 2" eyepiece holder, it is possible to use the MaxBright Binocular Viewer with 2 inch nosepiece
adapter (optional), either attaching it directly to the binoviewer or to an optional T2 diagonal. When used with the T2
Diagonal plus 2” (or 1.25”) Nosepiece, the Glasspath Compensator must be installed into the diagonal body as shown.
When directly attaching the 2” nosepiece to the Binoviewer for straight-through viewing, the glasspath compensator
does NOT thread in the 2"/T2 barrel, but is simply placed inside it, using the white plastic spacer (provided) to fit the
compensator mount into the barrel (see photo above for reference).
Choosing the most suitable eyepieces for binoviewing
The MaxBright Binoviewer features an optical window with a clear diameter of 23mm, which can be used without
vignetting (light drop-off at the edge of the field of view), with eyepieces featuring a field stop of the same diameter.
This means, typically, that it can be used with standard eyepieces up to 25-30mm in focal length. If you use longer
focal length eyepieces, you could notice a drop in light at the very edge of the field. By using two special extension
tubes (future option) to insert into the eyepiece holders of the binoviewer, it is possible to use eyepieces of longer focal
lengths without vignetting.
The maximum outside body diameter of eyepieces that can be used with the MaxBright binocular viewer is about 58
mm. If the binoviewer is used with eyepiece having a larger diameter, (i.e. the Pentax XW), you may have problems
reaching the correct separation between the two eyepieces if the interpupillary distance between your eyes is less than
60 mm.
It's extremely important to choose pairs of identical eyepieces, made by the same manufacturer in the same period of
time. In fact it's quite common to find significant differences (optically and mechanically) in eyepieces of the same
brand and type, but built at different periods of time. If you do not use identical eyepieces, you may experience
problems in merging of the two images.
We suggest that you use, for high resolution observations, the Baader Genuine Ortho eyepieces. For general observing,
we suggest the Baader Hyperion superwide eyepieces. Both have been optimized for use with the Maxbright
binoviewer.
Adjusting the interpupillary distance
Since the distance between the eyes (the distance between the centers of the eyes' pupils) change from person to person,
the distance between the two eyepieces must be adjusted accordingly. This distance is called interpupillary distance. To
adjust this distance, hold the body of the binoviewer like a pair of binoculars (using both hands). Position your eyes
above both eyepieces so that you can see the edges of the field stops of the eyepieces, while you look a distant object.
Rotate the two halves of the binocular body about the central pivot until you see the field as a single sharp circle with
both eyes.
Adjusting the focus differences
Many individuals require a different focus adjustment between their eyes, so when using a binocular they must adjust
the focus of the two eyepieces differently. Follow these steps to adjust the focus: