Here is some useful information on the Binoscope system:

The EMS backs take up about 8.75" of backfocus. Most refractor tubes have to be cut down to accomodate the needed amount of focus travel. The average tube has to be shortened by 4" - 5.5". You can gage the amount of tube needed to be cutoff in the following way:

Average 2" diagonal takes up 4" of backfocus.

Amount of focus travel remaining after you focus a 32mm eyepiece is value X.

Leave an additional .750" of travel for in focus adjustment.

Therefore: 8.75" + .750" - 4" - X = amount of tube to be removed.

This is a good approximation. You might be off by .500" in either direction.

Tubes that cannot be cut down:

Any tube that incorporates a rear lens element. For example: Some Vixen semi-apo tubes, Tak 106, All Televue petzval designs.

OTA's that are canidates:

Borg 4" & 125ED F/6.4, AP 155's (no cut down necessary, we make special adapters for the 155, 180 with 2.7" focusers ).
AP 130's ( if you can get a second set of tubes from Roland, they have to be cut down ).
Any of the Vixen doublet OTAs.
We are currently looking at the Megrez refractors as perspective Binoscopes. They too have to be cut down.
The new TV 102 F/8 doublet, TV-85, Pronto & Ranger.

EMS Backs Specs:

Backs slide into the standard 2" focuser opening and use standard 1.25" 2" adapters. They have a Pentax helicoid on each side to allow for IPD adjustment. The right EMS back also has an ALTaz adjustment for quick right to left tube alignment. There is also provided an axial adjustment to take care of field rotation side to side. They are an all mirror design for no added color and max light throughput. Unlike binoviewers, these do not loose 25 percent of their light. The high reflectivity coatings on the mirrors have a total light loss of under 4 percent. Each EMS back weighs approximately 1 pound. Total IPD range should be about 54mm to 80mm if the tubes are spaced properly on center.

Altaz mounts are available for the binoscopes and are using the Meade Adjustable field tripod. Encoder setup is available on the mounts. The mounts are finished in the AP mount and new OTA off white color.

email: Astrojoe@optonline.net

Contact:
J. Castoro Software
3 Wyman Court
Coram, NY 11727
631-473-5349 voice
631-331-8891 fax