Baader Planetarium MAXBRIGHT Instruction Manual - page 6
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written consent is prohibited. (Worldwide @ www.baader-planetarium.de),(Italy @ www.unitronitalia.it),(USA @ www.alpineastro.com)
(1) With the telescope aimed at a distant object, close the right eye and look into the left eyepiece. Rotate the main
focus mechanism of the telescope until the image is sharp.
(2) Close the left eye and with the right eye look inside the right eyepiece. Since the two eyepiece holders of the
MaxBright binoviewer can both be focused independently by rotating them, rotate the right eyepiece holder until you
see a sharp image; (3) now look into the binoviewer with both eyes. Since you have already adjusted the right eyepiece
to match the left one, use only the main focus mechanism of the telescope to adjust the focus on new objects.
Note: It is possible that either the left eyepiece holder of the binoviewer must be totally screwed in or out, or that the
dioptric difference between your eyes is very large (more than 5-6 diopters). If this is the case you may not be able to
reach the focus when individually adjusting the right eyepiece. To solve this possible problem, generally it's enough to
turn (clockwise or counter clockwise) the left eyepiece holder several turns in the opposite direction, and then try to
again focus the telescope using only the left eye; after that, try again to adjust the focus with the right eyepiece. If you
are unable to reach focus, it may be necessary to unlock one of the two eyepieces and lift it a few millimeters to
compensate for the strong difference between the two eyes' sight. With some patience you'll obtain a sharp focus and a
perfect match of the two images.
Use of the Maxbright Binoviewer with Zoom eyepieces
The owners of pairs of identical Zoom eyepieces may wish to use them with the MaxBright binoviewer. However,
generally zoom eyepieces are convenient but they don't offer good optical quality and typically have a quite narrow
field of view, which varies when you vary the focal length (magnification). To increase or decrease the power, rotate
the zoom ring (to adjust the focal lengths) of each of the eyepieces. To adjust the focus you should zoom the two
eyepieces to their highest available power, and then adjust the focus using the main focuser of the telescope. After this
main adjustment, if you change the power of the two zoom eyepieces, the subjects should stay focused. Baader
Planetarium is going to offer a new 8-24mm Hyperion Zoom Eyepiece with very good quality across all focal lengths.
The new Hyperion zoom eyepiece is optimized for use with the Maxbright binoviewer. Please ask for more details on
this new eyepiece.
Fine adjustment of the superposition (merging) of the images
If, after normal adjustments, you are not able to attain a perfect superposition of the two images, you will need to adjust
the fine collimation (optical alignment) of the two eyepieces.
First, try to improve the merging of the images by rotating one eyepiece in its holder. Often we find that eyepieces vary
in their optical centering. By simply rotating the eyepieces relative to each other, we find that it is possible to find
positions that correct most merging difficulties.
If eyepiece rotation does not correct the merging problem, you can use the six collimation screws (three for each
eyepiece holder of the binoviewer) to adjust the relative centering/position of the eyepieces, partially screwing or
unscrewing them strategically, until you obtain a perfect superposition/merging of the two images.
Use of rubber eyecups
If your eyepieces have rubber eyecups, (for example, like the Baader Hyperions), leave them in the “up” position if you
don't wear eyeglasses but fold them down if you observe with eyeglasses to obtain a full field of view. For best viewing
with Baader Genuine Orthos, we recommend the use of Baader winged eye guards When you have finished your
observing session, raise the eyecups again in the "up" position. If your eyepieces offer adjustable eyecups like the
Pentax XL or Meade Series 5000 or of the lift-up type like the TeleVue Radians, then rotate or lift up the eyecups if you
observe without eyeglasses, or leave them in the lowest position if you use eyeglasses to observe at the telescope. In this
way you'll have the full field of view of the telescope.
Useful Tip: If you are strongly near-sighted, you should observe the sky with eyeglasses when you use the binoviewer,
in order to reach focus. The same could happen if you are astigmatic, as it's better to observe with correcting eyeglasses
or contact lenses because the simple dioptric adjustment of the telescope isn't able to compensate for astigmatism.
Use of the MaxBright bino with the Baader Herschel Solar Prism (solar observation)
The MaxBright binoviewer is uniquely suited to provide outstanding views
with the 2" Baader Herschel Safety Wedge Solar Prism, an optical accessory
designed for safe high resolution observation and imaging of the solar
photosphere with refractor telescopes. The binoviewer should be attached to
the Herschel using a T2 #27 photo adapter ring (optional), not inserted into the
2" eyepiece holder of the Herschel, since in this configuration it may not be
possible to reach focus due to the long stackup of parts.
CAUTION: To safely observe the sun with the binoviewer coupled to the
Herschel Prism you MUST always use the ND=3.0 Filter securely attached to
the T2 #27 (the ND=3.0 Filter must be transferred to the T2 #27 from the
stock 2” threaded coupler that attaches the 2” eyepiece holder).
MaxBright Binoviewer, attached directly
to Herschel Safety Wedge Solar Prism.