2010-2011 Borg Component Catalog Available

Available for download now as a PDF document:

Hot New Fluorite Objective – Borg 71FL

Introducing Borg’s latest objective: 71FL.  This hot new item (first run sold out in Japan alone) is a 71mm fluorite objective compatible with both the MiniBorg and 80mm tube line of scopes and accessories.  Get your order in quickly to insure that you’re able to get one!

0.85x Focal Reducer is Back!

The 0.85x DGL focal reducer (Borg part #7887) is back by popular demand!  With the popularity of DSLR as well as astronomical CCD camera imaging, the initial production run of this high-performance focal reducer sold out quickly, but is now available again.

Borg 101EDII – An Updated 101ED Returns

The updated version of Borg’s popular 4″ design returns as the 101EDII.  This design features an improved lens cell and optical design tweaked for optimum performance with Borg’s current and future focal reducers for digital sensors.  The 101EDII continues to support the option to use the larger 115 mm diameter tube for large format digital sensors (larger than 35mm format).

Specifications:

• 101mm aperture
• F6.3 (640mm f.l.)
• 2.7kg (objective 1.5kg / tube assembly 1.2kg)
• 630mm long (objective 305mm / tube assembly 325mm)

Sample shots:

New Kenko Accessory: SkyMemo Saddle

Now available for the Kenko SkyMemo mount – a lightweight and compact saddle and dovetail set, which allows easy adjustment of the payload.  The saddle has a 1/4″-20 threaded center hole which fits a camera mount.

Crossing plates with two saddles allows adjustment back/forth as well as side-to-side. Plates are 195mm long and include safety stops on each end. The saddle and plate weighs only 180g.

New and Improved: LPS-V4

The new and improved IDAS LPS series filters have been tweaked for even better performance with the introduction of the LPS-V4 filter.  Below is a plot of the measured response curve for a batch of production units.

Features include:

• Near IR is blocked completely, eliminating the need for an additional filter to block IR.
• Narrower H-alpha bandpass.  In conjunction with a Kenko R1 filter, this can be used as a 19nm bandpass H-alpha filter.
• Retains the excellent color balance of the LPS-V3 filter when one-shot color cameras are used.
• Easy creation of H-alpha enhanced color images*

* Combine a color shot with the LPS-V4 filter, with one taken with a Kenko R1 filter added to the stack (e.g. use an  LPS-V4-37 in a Canon body for  color nebula images and add a Kenko R1 filter to your scope or telephoto lens for enhanced H-alpha images to be stacked together).

Now available in these sizes: M28.6, M37 (body-mounted for Canon cameras), M48, M52

Introducing Borg Binoscopes

Borg 125 (5") Binoscope Set

Shown at left is the Borg 125SD (5″) Binoscope set, the first in a full line of binoscopes from 50mm (2″) to 125mm ( 5″) aperture.

3″ and smaller binoscopes, based on the Borg 77ED and MiniBorg telescopes,  are supplied on a compact binocular platform, while 4″ and larger binoscopes are supplied on a larger platform.  Encoders (for use with third-party digital setting circles) are available as an option.

Binoscope features:

• Erect image using mirrors instead of prisms which yield sharp, bright images
• Adjustable interpupillary distance without affecting focus.
• Lightweight components — even the 125SD binoscope can be carried with one hand
• Interchangeable parts with Borg telescopes
• 2″ eyepieces usable with large platform binoscopes
• 3″ Feathertouch focusers for 125SD binoscope

Introducing the Mini Borg 50EDII

Mini Borg 50EDII

Introducing the latest member of the Mini Borg line — the 50EDII (available after June 30, 2009).  This scope features a 50mm ED f/10 objective and excellent baffling to suppress reflections, making it ideal for solar or lunar imaging.  As we have come to expect from the modular  Borg scopes, the mechanical specifications for this scope are compatible with the other accessories for the Mini Borg line.

IDAS RS Filters Updated

The IDAS RS (Reflection Suppression) filters have been updated with UV blocking coatings, eliminating the need for an additional blocker in refractors.  Unmounted filters are available in 31mm and 50mm sizes.  Check the RS filter page for more technical information.

“Getting Started in Astrophotography with DSLR Cameras”

Have you been considering getting started in astrophotography? Check out the featured article by John Moody in the June 2009 issue of Astronomy Technology Today magazine which describes how easy it is with a modern DSLR camera.  Hutech has a full line of spectrum-enhanced digital cameras suitable for astrophotography.