Baader Polaris I

[Panda Alvin]

Been window fogging shopping for an illuminated reticle eyepiece, I happen to come a cross the Baader Polaris I which I found rather peculiar.

https://www.baader-planetarium.com/en/polaris-i-–-measuring--and-guiding-eyepiece-25mm-t-2-illuminated.html

 

Its a measuring 25mm rather than the typical 12.5mm, but has a T2 thread to become either a 1.25" or  2" eyepiece with an adaptor (which cost extra if you dont have one already).

What I am suprised about are the very lack of reviews & discussion I could find on this piece. Is it unpopular for some reason, or is it so box standard its not mention worthy ? Also what's the quality of this EP like compared to others ?

 

[iPeace]

I have two of them; they are very nice. Great for precisely aligning two scopes on....Polaris.

My only current issue is that with the 1.25" adapter, it won't come to focus in my RACI finder:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p7446_TS-Optics-60-234mm-Refractor---90--Amici---1-25--Helical-Focuser---Adjustable-Finderholde.html

Meanwhile, it does seem to work when directly connected to the prism on Baader's own finder:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p4029_BAADER-60mm-VARIO-Finder---Spotting---guiding-scope.html

And it looks VERY similar to the setup offered by TS under their own brand:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p10270_TS-Optics-60-mm-Finder-with-illuminated-reticle-eyepiece-and-Guide-Scope.html

So I can only conclude that the extra length of the focusing eyepiece holder on my current finder prevents the Polaris I from reaching focus and that I need something with a shorter path. I like the Polaris I a lot, so I think I'll be getting the Baader finder scope sometime in the future.

But, to repeat, they are very nice!

[Panda Alvin]

17 hours ago, iPeace said:

I like the Polaris I a lot, so I think I'll be getting the Baader finder scope sometime in the future.

Good to hear your thoughts on it, It does seem like Baader generally design their eyepiece / accessories to collaborate with their own equipment in mind.

Out of curiosity iPeace, do you use it more as a guide scope or as a measuring tool ? or both equally ?

[iPeace]

7 hours ago, Panda Alvin said:

Good to hear your thoughts on it, It does seem like Baader generally design their eyepiece / accessories to collaborate with their own equipment in mind.

Out of curiosity iPeace, do you use it more as a guide scope or as a measuring tool ? or both equally ?

I'm visual only, so no guide scopes per se.

I use it in whatever is serving as finder scope in order to get the main scope exactly pointed at the observing target. This means I can leave the high mag eyepiece in the main scope when switching targets - I don't need to start with a wider field each time.