What is the main advantage of the Starlight Instruments SIPS over a separate Paracorr?
The main advantage is permanent, optimal spacing. The SIPS fixes the Tele Vue Paracorr Type 2 optics at the optimum distance from the primary mirror, so the corrector needs no repositioning unless collimation moves the primary mirror. The Paracorr also stays out of the drawtube: it sits in a fixed module below the focuser, which attaches to it with three setscrews.
Can I use the FTF2015BCR focuser in the SIPS without the Paracorr optics?
Yes. For cameras, binoviewers and similar accessories, detach the focuser, lift the SIPS unit off the base without loosening its locking and mounting rings, and mount the focuser directly on the base. Refitting the SIPS unit afterwards keeps the Paracorr at its set position.
Does the Starlight SIPS work with any 1.25" or 2" eyepiece?
Yes. Once installed on your Newtonian telescope, you use the SIPS just like a standard focuser. It accepts 2-inch eyepieces directly, and you can use a standard 2-to-1.25-inch adapter for smaller eyepieces. You simply rack the focuser in or out to achieve focus, with the coma correction already optimized for any eyepiece you choose.
Is the Starlight SIPS compatible with imaging cameras?
Starlight designs the SIPS for eyepiece use. For a camera, the manual says to detach the focuser, remove the SIPS unit from the base without loosening its locking and mounting rings, and mount the focuser directly on the base. Any accessory used in the SIPS must not touch the Paracorr lens group.
How does the Starlight SIPS improve views of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) in a 12" f/4 Dobsonian?
In a fast f/4 Dobsonian, stars at the edge of the field of view suffer from significant coma, making them appear as small seagulls or comets. When framing a large object like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), this aberration is very noticeable. The SIPS corrects this coma, ensuring that the stars across the entire galaxy, from the core to the outer dust lanes, are rendered as sharp, round points, providing a much more satisfying and detailed wide-field view.
Will I need to change any settings on the SIPS when switching eyepieces on my f/5 Newtonian?
No, and that is its primary benefit. The Paracorr Type 2 optics are fixed at the optimal distance from the primary mirror. When you switch from a low-power eyepiece to a high-power one, the only thing you need to do is refocus using the Feather Touch focuser's knobs. There are no other adjustments to make to the SIPS itself.
