TS-Optics 2" Flip Mirror System & Off Axis Guider - short design

TS-Optics 2" Flip Mirror System & Off Axis Guider - short design

Teleskop-Service has broken new ground and developed a completely new alternative to classical flip-mirror systems. Not only the short design but also the versatile use convinces.

Fields of use:

Flip Mirror: Here, no mirror is flipped but a large prism is placed onto the optical axis for 90° viewing position. In straight-through mode, the prism is pulled outward and gives the optical path free. Centre the object with the 90° viewing position, pull out the prism and capture the now centred object with your camera.

Off Axis Guider: The prism is placed at the rim of the optical field. Now the autoguider can "see" stars outside the camera´s field of view. This application is recommended for sensors up to approx. 30 mm diameter (APS-C). The flip mirror is rotatable by 360° making finding a guide star easy.

The TSFLIP is suitable for the following telescopes:

As it only needs 35.5 mm back focus, its compatibility is by far higher than conventional flip mirror systems.

Refractor telescopes, Schmidt Cassegrains, RC and Mak telescopes can be used with the TSFlip without problems. With Newtonians, the back focus must be long enough.

How to measure the back focus of my telescope:
Back focus means the "spare travel" of your focuser. Just place a standard eyepiece (without diagonal etc.) in your focuser and focus a celestial object (or one that´s at least 1 km away). Then, measure the way the focuser could travel inside and add the space of the 2"/1.25" adapter if you have used one. That´s your back focus.

Necessary back focus for visual observation or photography with CCD cams / web cams: 75 mm
The necessary back focus is calculated by the back focus of the TSFlip itself and the length of the sideward viewing terminal. This is true for both modi (Flip Mirror or Off Axis Guider).

Necessary back focus for photography with (D)SLR cameras: min. 82 mm
The necessary back focus is calculated by the optical length of the TSFlip and the back focus of the SLR camera (35.5 mm + min. 46 mm for the SLR camera). With a classical T2 adapter, 10mm have to be added. Please have a look at our extra thin adapters shown in the accessories section.

Using the TSFLIP:

That´s how the TSFlip works:
A multi-coated prism guide the light by 90° out of the system.

When inserted, the prism sits exactly in the middle of the optical path. So you see exactly the same object in the middle as the camera does after the prism has been pulled outside. So it´s easy to centre an object for your camera

If the prism is pulled out partially, it can still collect off-axis light rays to be used for guiding. So you also have a fully functional Off-Axis-Guider.

Focusing the sideward terminal:
First, focus the camera or eyepiece that sits in the straight-through position. Then (without touching the telescope´s focuser) focus the 90° eyepiece or camera by loosening the top screw beneath the T2 thread and slide the adapter up or down. Then, tighten the screw again. Now both eyepieces / cameras are in focus.

TSFlip connection threads:
Thanks to the popular standard threads, the TSFlip can be connected to nearly all telescopes.

Telescope side: female M48x0.75 (2" filter thread), 360° rotatable

Camera side: male T2 (M42x0.75), 360° rotatable

90° terminal: male T2 (M42x0.75)

Adapter recommendations for telescope connection:
TSVF230 - for standard 2" focusers
TSSC-M48 - for SC back ends
TST2-M48L - for T2 back ends

Adapter recommendations for the T2 terminals:
TST2-1-T2L - for 1.25" accessories
TST2-2 - for accessories with 2" nosepiecese
T2-CS - for cameras with C mount thread
T2-EOSs - short adaptation for Canon EOS cameras

Safety informations: PDF Download