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Restore Your System's Instant-Switching Power
The Tele Vue Flip-Mirror (SFM-1005) is the genuine factory component for upgrading older Tele Vue systems, restoring the powerful capability to switch instantly between two different optical paths. This is not a standalone accessory, but a precision-machined module designed to bring modern workflow efficiency to classic Tele Vue setups. It allows you to move from a wide-field finding eyepiece to a high-magnification planetary camera or reticle eyepiece with a simple, decisive flick of a lever.
A Kinematic Mechanism for Repeatable Precision
At the heart of this unit is a kinematic flip-mirror mechanism engineered for absolute positional accuracy. When you switch between the straight-through and 90-degree ports, the mirror seats into its detents with exacting precision. The practical result is that an object you center in one eyepiece remains centered in the second, eliminating the need to re-aim your telescope after switching views and saving valuable time on target.
High-Fidelity First-Surface Mirror
The system uses a first-surface mirror to redirect the light path, ensuring the image remains bright, sharp, and free of the ghosting or chromatic aberration that a prism could introduce. The mirror is optically flat and coated for high reflectivity, preserving the contrast and detail delivered by your telescope's main objective. When not in use, it flips completely clear of the primary light path, leaving an unobstructed straight-through view for your main camera or eyepiece.
Independent Focus for the Second Port
The top 90-degree port features an independent helical focuser, a critical feature for achieving a parfocal setup. This allows you to pre-focus a guiding eyepiece, reticle, or secondary camera separately from your primary eyepiece. Once set, you can switch between the two paths knowing both will be in sharp focus, making it an ideal tool for "find, center, and capture" imaging workflows.
Non-Rotating Focuser for Perfect Alignment
A significant advantage of the helical focuser design is that it does not rotate the accessory being focused. This is essential when using a reticle eyepiece for manual guiding or object centering, as your crosshairs will maintain their north-south alignment. For imaging, it means your camera's sensor orientation remains fixed, so you never have to correct for field rotation after a minor focus adjustment.
Solid, Flexure-Free Housing
The entire assembly is machined from a solid block of aluminum and anodized for durability. This single-piece construction provides a rigid, flex-free foundation for your accessories. Even with a moderately heavy eyepiece or a cooled CMOS camera attached to the top port, the unit maintains its alignment, ensuring the mechanical precision matches the optical quality of your system.
The Definitive High-Power Workflow
Imagine hunting for the Ring Nebula in a rich star field. With a low-power eyepiece in the straight-through position, you sweep the area and place the faint target in the center of the field. You flip the lever, and your view instantly switches to the top port, where your high-power eyepiece and UHC filter are waiting, already focused. The nebula snaps into view with enhanced contrast, perfectly centered and ready for detailed study, without ever touching a locking screw or swapping an eyepiece in the dark.
An Important Compatibility Note
This is a specialized component, not a universal accessory. The Tele Vue Flip-Mirror (SFM-1005) is intended solely for upgrading or repairing specific, older Tele Vue systems that were designed to accept it. It does not have standard 2-inch or 1.25-inch barrels and will not attach to a typical telescope focuser or diagonal. It is the right choice only when you have a compatible Tele Vue body to integrate it with.
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What specific Tele Vue products does the SFM-1005 upgrade?
This unit is designed to upgrade older Tele Vue 2-inch diagonals and other legacy accessories that were built with a port to accept this specific flip-mirror module. It is not a standalone product and requires a compatible Tele Vue body for installation.
Can I use this to build my own custom flip-mirror system?
No, this is not recommended. The SFM-1005 is a component part with proprietary threading and dimensions designed to mate with specific Tele Vue products. It lacks standard adapters for general use with focusers or diagonals from other brands.
Does the helical focuser on the top port rotate my eyepiece?
No, it is a non-rotating helical focuser. This is a key feature that ensures your reticle eyepiece's crosshairs or your camera's sensor will maintain their orientation as you adjust focus.
Is the mirror always in the light path?
No. When you are using the straight-through light path, the mirror is flipped completely out of the way, providing an unobstructed view to your primary eyepiece or camera. It only enters the light path when you engage the 90-degree port.
How does this help with astrophotography?
It allows you to center and focus on a target with a parfocal reticle eyepiece in the top port, then flip the mirror out of the way to begin exposing with your main imaging camera. This "look-then-shoot" capability simplifies target acquisition for small sensors.
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| Product Code |
SFM-1005 |
| Type |
Flip-Mirror Module |
| Primary Path |
Straight-through, unobstructed |
| Secondary Path |
90-degree, first-surface mirror |
| Secondary Port Focuser |
Non-rotating helical type |
| Body Material |
Machined, black anodized aluminum |
| Compatibility |
For specific older-model Tele Vue accessories |
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Tele Vue Flip-Mirror Assembly
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Tele Vue 5-Year Limited Warranty
