Celestron 9.25 Edge Reducer = $950.00 (holy Moly)

[Tim99]

I just bought the Edge HD 9.25 SCT.  At the time I researched the scope, a reducer was not available yet.  I just found the Hyperstar 3 lens for the 9.25 and when I clicked the button to see the price, I saw stars ..... dizzy with shock.  LOL  The price of this component is $950.00.  Now, don't get me wrong, I've spent money on worse things than that but I am starting to feel my blood pressure go up. Haha.  I still have to buy a camera and I need a new Laptop (last month mine bit the dust.)   Wondering of anyone out there is actually using the Hyperstar and are you happy with it? 

[Grotemobile]

http://ukastroimaging.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=62261.0

It seems that is the only thing U

can use, on the 9.25 HD scope.

Steve

[JamesF]

The Hyperstar is rather more than a reducer.  It's a completely different to imaging using an SCT.

I've never tried one, but the impression I get from people who have is that it's very effective, but exceptionally demanding.  Collimation and focus have to be near perfect and the margin for error on focus is almost non-existent.

James

[ollypenrice]

The Hyperstar is rather more than a reducer.  It's a completely different to imaging using an SCT.

I've never tried one, but the impression I get from people who have is that it's very effective, but exceptionally demanding.  Collimation and focus have to be near perfect and the margin for error on focus is almost non-existent.

James

Exactly. The Hyperstar isn't so much a reducer as a scope modification kit. It turns one kind of scope into another one entirely. I really would think carefully before you buy one. In my opinion the Starizona site glosses over far too much of the nitty gritty in implying that AP will become dead easy at around F2. It becomes much faster, yes, and it makes tracking easier - but if imaging at F2 were a piece of cake nobody would ever do anything else!

Some of the Hyperstar issues:

The steep light cone means your depth of field is only microns thick so you are either in focus or you're not. And the only focuser you have is the rather coarse moving mirror system. You'll want to upgrade its control to Feathertouch and possibly electric and possibly robotic.  Count that bit of spending as well.

The shallow depth of field means you must have the chip square on to the light cone (orthogonal) or one side will be right while the other isn't. Pain.

Collimation is highly intolerant.

What do you do with the cables passing in front of the objective? Some people make a false 4 vane spider to give symmetrical diff spikes on stars and run the cables down one arm.

DSLRs will be bigger than the central obstruction so create assymetrical diff spikes.

Smaller CCDs work through filters. How do you change them? You can't have a filterwheel in front of the objective.

Normal CCD filters ae not intended for these F ratios. Dedicated ones are much more expensive.

Your focal length is chopped down to a fraction of what it was so you now have a widefield instument. Is that what you wanted when you bought an SCT?

Once you have the Hyperstar all ready to go for imaging you will not (you really will not) want to knock it all down to look throught the scope and you can't ook through it in Hyperstar mode.

Olly

[Tim99]

Like I always say ... "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing!"  Looks like I may have gotten myself in over my head ... thinking this thing could morf itself into a deep sky imager.  I did not research the Hyperstar aspect of the scope too much figuring it would be a while before I was ready for that.  ...and they made it seem so easy!  LOL.  The Edge optic system claims near flat field in their advertisements.  Is this even important or necessary for planetary photography or more important for deep sky work? 

[baggywrinkle]

Try the Celestron F6.3 focal reducer....a lot cheaper and more forgiving...

[ollypenrice]

Try the Celestron F6.3 focal reducer....a lot cheaper and more forgiving...

Not with the Edge. The 6.3 is a reducer flattener and Edge is flat already so will suffer distortion if 're-flattened.'

The Edge optics aren't needed for planetary. I thnk it was very remiss of Celestron to launch the 9.25 Edge with no more than a promise, still not met, to bring out a reducer at a later date. SCTs do seem to generate more than their fair share of misleading marketing, perhaps because of the fierce competion in the past between Meade and Celestron. In my view a little honesty goes a long way in this community.

Olly

[Tim99]

Yes, had I educated myself a little better, I would probably have purchased the 8" Edge.  I feel like Celestron has been misleading concerning the 9.25 in so far as the Hyperstar capability is concerned.  They should remove that part of their marketing until they have a reducer available.  I always try to make decisions based on my research but when a company is less than up-front with their advertising, it is disappointing.  I am sure the scope is a fine instrument.  i have read very good reviews from people who are using it.  But, come on Celestron, make good on your promises.  Evidently, people have been waiting for your reducer for the 9.25 for several years.