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The Starbeam Unit Power Finder for SCTs
The Tele Vue Starbeam SCT version (SFC-2009) is the complete Starbeam unit power finder in its model for 8" or larger Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, supplied with an SCT Attachment Bracket that installs on the telescope's rear cell. Looking through Starbeam, a transparent red star appears projected against the sky, so you simply place it on your target.
Mounting on Your SCT
First mount the Attachment Bracket to the telescope's rear cell. Its screw slots are sized and spaced to accommodate the wide variety of accessory attachment points on popular SCTs. Because screw sizes and lengths differ between telescopes, attachment screws are not provided.
A Dedicated Platform for the Starbeam Finder
The Starbeam's dovetail slides into the SCT Attachment Bracket until it hits the screw stop and locks with the bracket's thumb screw. Horizontal and vertical adjustment screws and a lock screw make it easy to align to your telescope, and once aligned and locked, Starbeam should not need further adjustment.
The Red Star
The red star is a small pinhole lit by a red LED at the focus of a beam-splitting mirror/lens, projected to infinity. At 0.4° it is about the diameter of the Moon, and its brightness and blink rate are adjustable so it stays easy to see against any twilight to dark sky. With a 39mm aperture, the red star can be seen from anywhere between 2 inches and 2 feet behind the beam splitter. Starbeam is CNC machined from aluminum, black-anodized, and runs on a Duracell XL DL 1/3N lithium battery or equivalent.
Flip-Mirror
The Starbeam also has a flip mirror. The flip mirror is part of the Starbeam itself: tilt it back until you can see the reflection of the beamsplitter mirror/lens in it.
The Right Tool for a Specific Job
This version is made for 8" or larger SCTs. Tele Vue offers other Starbeam versions for Tele Vue telescopes (SRT-2010, Quick-Release base) and for open tubes over 4" diameter (SFU-2004). For the owner of an 8" or larger SCT, however, it is a complete Starbeam with the correct bracket for the telescope's rear cell.
Experience with the Starbeam SCT Base
Imagine slewing your C11 to the Virgo Cluster. With the Starbeam's projected red dot floating among the stars, you place it directly on the core of M87. You look in the eyepiece, and the galaxy is centered. There is no second-guessing, no hunting, and no frustration from a finder that has shifted slightly, because once aligned and locked, Starbeam should not need further adjustment.
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Will the Starbeam SCT base fit my Celestron EdgeHD or Meade ACF?
Tele Vue makes the SCT version for SCTs 8" or larger, with bracket slots sized for the accessory attachment points on popular SCTs. It does not list specific models, so check that your rear cell has suitable attachment points.
Do I have to drill new holes in my telescope to install this base?
Tele Vue sized and spaced the bracket's screw slots for the accessory attachment points on popular SCT rear cells. Attachment screws are not provided, since screw sizes and lengths vary.
Can I use this base with a finder other than the Tele Vue Starbeam?
The SFC-2009 already includes the Starbeam; its SCT Attachment Bracket is made for the Starbeam's dovetail.
How does this base attach to the Starbeam finder itself?
The Starbeam's dovetail slides into the SCT Attachment Bracket until it hits the screw stop, then locks with the thumb screw on the side of the bracket.
Is the mounting hardware included with the base?
No. Because SCT screw sizes and lengths vary, attachment screws are not provided; the bracket's slots are sized to use the accessory attachment points on your telescope's rear cell.
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| Product Code |
SFC-2009 |
| Material |
Black Anodized Aluminum |
| Finder Compatibility |
Starbeam included (SCT version) |
| Aperture |
39 mm |
| Magnification |
1x |
| Kind |
Reflex (red-star projector) |
| Shoe / bracket |
SCT Attachment Bracket (rear cell of SCTs 8" or larger; screws not supplied) |
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Tele Vue Starbeam Finder with SCT Attachment Bracket
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Tele Vue 5-Year Limited Warranty
