Why do I need a Glasspathcorrector for my Baader binoviewer?
You need a Glasspathcorrector if your telescope cannot reach focus with a binoviewer attached. The long optical path of the binoviewer requires significant "in-focus" travel that many telescopes lack. This corrector pushes the focus point out, solving the problem. It also corrects for color fringing caused by the prisms, especially in fast (low f-ratio) telescopes.
Which factor should I choose for my 8" SCT and a MaxBright II binoviewer?
Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes (SCTs) typically have a large range of focus travel. The 1.25x lets you reach focus easily while keeping magnification low enough to frame the entire Orion Nebula (M42) with a pair of low-power eyepieces. The 1.7x provides a significant boost in magnification, which is excellent for detailed views of planets like Jupiter and Saturn, or for splitting tight double stars.
How does the Glasspathcorrector attach to the binoviewer?
The corrector threads directly into the Zeiss ring dovetail on the telescope-side of the Baader MaxBright® II or Mark V Giant Binoviewer; it is not compatible with binoviewers that use a standard 1.25" or 2" nosepiece interface. The 1.7x can also be placed within a T-2 threaded system using its clamping flange, typically in front of a T-2 star diagonal to save the maximum amount of optical path length.
What's the main difference between the Baader 1.25x and 1.7x Glasspathcorrectors?
The main difference is the amount of backfocus correction they provide.
- The 1.25x corrector is for telescopes that need only a small amount of help to reach focus, and gives a wider true field of view.
- The 1.7x corrector is for telescopes with a significant backfocus shortfall.
Choose the 1.7x model if you have a Newtonian reflector or another telescope design known for limited backfocus.
Can I use a Glasspathcorrector to bring my DSLR camera to focus on my Dobsonian telescope?
Yes, this is a potential application of the 1.7x version, which includes a T-2 clamping flange. Many Newtonian telescopes like Dobsonians cannot reach prime focus with a DSLR. By inserting the Glasspathcorrector 1.7x into the T-2 threaded adapter on your camera, you can extend the focal point outward enough to achieve a sharp image, effectively acting like a Barlow lens for imaging.
Does a Glasspathcorrector degrade the image quality?
No, quite the opposite. The Glasspathcorrector is a high-quality optical element designed to improve the final image. It specifically corrects for color aberrations (chromatic aberration) that are introduced by the binoviewer's prisms, leading to sharper, more color-pure views than using a binoviewer without one in a fast telescope.
