The Telescope Drive Master

A mid-level mounts’ best friend?

My Telescope Drive Master v2 arrives

To take truly inspirational images of the cosmos you need three astronomical tools; a telescope (optical tube assembly), an imaging device (normally a CCD or DSLR camera), and a mount. All three components should be of good quality in order to achieve the results desired during your journey to the beginning of space and time.

Some amateur astronomers may believe the imaging device and optical tube assembly are more important than the mount. This might make a good mount less important in their eyes, but a safe, steady, well-made mount is just as important in taking great astroimages.

Modern telescope mounts

There are modern mounts in the $3000 range available capable of excellent tracking with minimal periodic error (error induced due to small mechanical imperfections in the device). You can also break the piggy bank and opt for a German equatorial mount (GEM) in the five figure range that’s even more accurate. In the case of modern mounts, made by a reputable manufacturer, you really do get what you pay for. 

The Telescope Drive Master

In an effort to make mid-level and GEMs, even better Hungarian firm MDA-TelesCoop has introduced the Telescope Drive Master (TDM). Designed to correct the periodic error of a telescope mount, without the requirement for an auto guider system, the Telescope Drive Master is made to enhance the ability of both mid-level and expensive GEMs.

You can obtain a Telescope Drive Master through Explore Scientific in North America and in other areas of the world.

Price: $1,799.95 

My Telescope Drive Master v2 arrives 

I used a Celestron CGE Pro GEM to test the claims of MDA-TelesCoop concerning the Telescope Drive Master’s ability to make this excellent quality mount even better.

I got the Telescope Drive Master v2 I tested through Explore Scientific. It arrived securely and safely packaged, and with the right mechanical adapter for my CGE Pro GEM. You need to indicate which model of mount you’ll be using with the TDM when ordering because each requires a specific adapter.

You can check which models the Telescope Drive Master v2 can be used with here.

They included instructions and helpful photographs on setting up the Telescope Drive Master, which I found easy to understand. They also helped explain how the TDM works with my CGE Pro GEM and computer to make beautiful images. Getting the setup right only took me about an hour and a few minutes to get everything ready to view the cosmos.

Performance

The Telescope Drive Master significantly reduced the periodic and even non-periodic tracking errors of my CGE Pro GEM to within 0.5″. This is a result in agreement with previous reviews and independent tests.

It also integrated well with the autoguider system, offering me precise tracking of celestial objects.

These results would likely not be possible with a lesser quality mount than my CGE Pro GEM. Still, it should improve the ability of even mid-level mounts.

The conclusion

Overall this device did improve the ability of my mount to improve the quality of images taken of the cosmos. It’s worth the price I paid to obtain.

If I was a serious astroimager desiring to enhance my ability to take stunning, unforgettable images of the cosmos, I would purchase the Telescope Drive Master.

It can definitely make your journey to the beginning of space and time more memorable.

Telescope Drive Master

Price: $1,799.95

Learn more about TelesCoop here.

Learn more about Celestron’s complete lineup of astronomy products here.

Looking for a quality telescope for your journey to the beginning of space and time? Read about Explore Scientific’s 80mm Triplet Apochromatic Refractor

Need a good pair of astronomical binoculars? Check out Denkmeier’s new Binotron-27 Binoviewers

Looking for a quality portable mount to enhance your journey to the beginning of space and time? Read about the Maxim DL

Celeston Ultima Duo Eyepieces

Celestron’s new Ultima Duo eyepieces

Get a new perspective on the universe by looking through Ultima Duo high-performance photo-visual eyepieces offering stunning views of the solar system and crystal clear images of the Moon and planets. Versatile enough to go from viewing to imaging in the blink of an eye, Celestron’s new Ultima Duo eyepieces combine fully multi-coated, state-of-the-art optics and a built-in T-adapter for reliable Astro imaging.  

A complete line of quality eyepieces

Celestron’s Ultima Duo eyepieces have a 68-degree field of view perfect for visual observing and industry standard 42mm T-adapter threads. Just remove the rubber eye guard and then easily attach a DSL camera for unforgettable images of the planets and Moon.

Canadians can find Ultima Duo here or at Celestron.

Read about “NASA”s Curiosity Mars Rover Approaching a Region Called the Kimberly on the Red Planet“

“NASA’s Asteroid Hunting Content“

“Ancient Skywatchers of the American Southwest“

View Comet 67P Churyumov with a Cometron 114AZ

The 2014 Cometron 114AZ is Celestron’s 114mm (4.49 inches) Newtonian telescope, with 10mm and 20mm Kellner eyepieces, offering stunning 22.5x and 45x views of the planets, Moon, and comets speeding through the solar system.

This 114mm Newtonian telescope is one of Cometron’s newest models for 2014

I distinctly remember counting the dollars saved until I could purchase my first telescope. Walking down to the local hobby store to pick it up was a pleasure I had been thinking about for months.

I still have this first scope. I recently discovered it sitting in a closet downstairs, forgotten about, but still usable. I was only twelve years old when I purchased it, from dollars I had saved from my paper route. A 2-inch reflector, I had first seen it sitting in the store window. It had an all white cylinder, with black trimming, and was about 20 inches in length. Mounting her was simple, but the locking clamp was crude, and the tripod unstable at times. There was no way to align the optics system of my first telescope. She was beautiful to me, my first reflector, but she didn’t offer unforgettable views of the solar system. Still, as a young boy exploring a world he had dreamed about, purchasing this first telescope was one of the best gifts I have ever bought myself.

The telescopes sold today to young people and adults deciding to experience astronomy and owning a telescope for the first time offer a far better view of the solar system and cosmos than my first reflector. Considering the recent news that the Rosetta spacecraft will near Comet 67P Churyumov during the coming days, and NASA’s future plans to drop a lander on this comet, lots of people will be desiring to take a look. Fortunately, Celestron is introducing two new Cometron telescopes for 2014 perfect for a beginner. The Cometron FirstScope and Cometron 114AZ. Two new telescopes offering beginners great views of the solar system at a reasonable price.

Read about “The Possibility of Intelligent Lifeforms Existing in the Universe“

Read about NASA’s Curiosity Mars Rover.

Stellarvue’s SV160 Triplet Refractor

Stellarvue’s largest production telescope, the SV160 triplet refractor is perfect for both amateur and professional astronomers

Blast off on a journey to the beginning of space and time using Stellarvue’s SV160 triplet refractor tonight

Astronomy Products –

Stellarvue’s flagship telescope, the SV160 is their largest production telescope and includes an air spaced apochromatic triplet objective designed, engineered and manufactured in the United States of America using Ohara FPL-53 glass. The SV160 also includes a retracting dew shield, 3.5″ Feather Touch Focuser with 2″ and 1.25″ adapters, aluminum mounting rings and a heavy duty C160 padded telescope case.

Seriously better than any imported refractor in its size and class, Stellarvue’s SV160 has the visual clarity and optical performance both amateur and professional astronomers love. Perfect for putting smiles on faces and checking out the moon or stars, the SV160 triplet refractor comes in an instrument white finish, with black trim that gives this large telescope a nice look.

Take a look at your new Stellarvue SV160 at Stellarvue.com or stop by a local telescope shop today.

Can NASA astronomers detect extraterrestrial moons orbiting distant suns? Read this article to find out https://spaceshipearth1.wordpress.com/2013/12/31/searching-for-extraterrestrial-moons/.

Read about the latest discovery in the search for life beyond Earth https://spaceshipearth1.wordpress.com/2013/12/25/the-search-for-life-beyond-earth-takes-a-turn-at-jupiter/.

Read about the latest images of the solar system sent back by the Cassini spacecraft https://spaceshipearth1.wordpress.com/2013/12/22/cassini-spacecraft-show-views-of-the-solar-system-in-natural-color/.

Amateur and Professional Astronomers both Welcome the new Nightscape 8300!

The new Nightscape 8300 includes the preferred CCD colour sensor of both amateur and professional astronomers

Astronomy Products

Greater sensitivity & added value

• The acclaimed Kodak KAF-8300 colour CCD sensor desired by both amateur and professional astronomers
• With 22.5mm across diagonally, and 8.3 million pixels in a 3326 x 2504 array
• Gives amateur and professional astronomers the area, resolution and sensitivity required to create stunning Astro-images of deep sky objects or Comet ISON as it gets closer to the sun

Easy to use to create stunning images

The new Nightscape 8300 includes Celestron’s easy to use AstroFX software, which makes the job of processing Astro-images effortless. Giving both amateur and professional astronomers full control over all aspects of camera temperature regulation to exposure control. The new Nightscape 8300 also includes computer assisted focusing for quick and easy image acquisition of M31 or faint wisps of a colourful emission nebula thousands of light years away.

The Nightscape 8300 can process Astro-images like this one of the Rosetta Nebula

This image of M20 was processed by a Nightscape 8300

At an attractive price for both amateur and professional astronomers

Drop by Celestron.com or a local Celestron dealer today to have a look at your new Nightscape 8300 or any of their outstanding telescopes and astronomy accessories.

View this video review of the new Nightscape 8300 at YouTube.

Can NASA astronomers detect extraterrestrial moons orbiting distant suns? Read this article to find out https://spaceshipearth1.wordpress.com/2013/12/31/searching-for-extraterrestrial-moons/.

Read about the latest discovery in the search for life beyond Earth https://spaceshipearth1.wordpress.com/2013/12/25/the-search-for-life-beyond-earth-takes-a-turn-at-jupiter/.

Read about the latest images of the solar system sent back by the Cassini spacecraft https://spaceshipearth1.wordpress.com/2013/12/22/cassini-spacecraft-show-views-of-the-solar-system-in-natural-color/.

Tele Vue’s Visionary Delos Line of Outstanding Eyepieces

Tele Vue’s Delos line of visionary eyepieces

The Delos line of visionary eyepieces has an image to live up to built over thirty years of outstanding products and services.

Astronomy Products –

Tele Vue has won many awards for their visionary eyepieces and imaging innovations over three decades. Their new Delos line of visionary eyepieces has just added a few more to the collection case. Sky and Telescope recently awarded the Delos line a Hot Product for 2013 award, while Astronomy Magazine awarded the Delos line a 2012 Star Product award.

We found the Delos line of visionary eyepieces have essentially perfect optics and performed even better than we imagined. They provide a pure view of both the planets and deep-sky objects. Tele Vue has hit all of the right keys with the Delos line of visionary eyepieces, creating an eyepiece that can stand toe-to-toe with the best eyepieces on the market.

The new Delos line of 72-degree apparent field eyepieces feature a long eye-relief of 20mm and are guaranteed to last a lifetime. When owning the best eyepieces in the world doesn’t cost much more, the new Delos line is the easy choice.

View the universe through a Delos today and discover “Love at first sight.”

Read about NASA’s Messenger spacecraft and its mission to Mercury

Have you heard about the recent meteorite that exploded near the Ural Mountains

Read about the supernova astronomers are studying looking for a black hole they think was created during the explosion

Backyard Astronomers Prepare

to view Comet ISON

Celestron’s Advanced VX 8 inch EdgeHD telescope can give you great views of Comet ISON

Astronomy Products

A solid foundation, designed from the ground up

Celestron Advanced VX telescopes series

Astronomy Products – The new Advanced VX telescope series from Celestron raises the bar higher in mid-level telescopes and gives amateur astronomers the ability to view Comet ISON or any spectacular celestial event their heart desires. The Advanced VX series incorporates many of the outstanding features included with Celestron’s most sophisticated German equatorial telescopes, including better motors, Periodic Error Correction and an auto guiding port. Providing every aspiring or amateur astronomer looking for a reasonably priced telescope with some of the most desired features on a modern telescope at an affordable price, the new Advanced VX series sets the bar high for new mid-level telescopes.

The best views of Comet ISON using your new Celestron Advanced VX series telescope should occur in late November

Take a look at some of the things included in the new Advanced VX series from Celestron

• integer gear ratios and permanently programmable Periodic Error Correction eliminates residual tracking errors from the worm gear
• SkyQ Link compatibility for wireless control of your Advanced VX series telescope
• allows viewing or imaging across the meridian without interference from the motor’s housing
• NexStar + hand control offers multiple language programming (German, English, French, Italian, Spanish)
• new motors provide improved tracking performance and more power to overcome load imbalances
• improved electronics with increased memory for future expansion

Read about NASA’s Messenger spacecraft and its mission to Mercury

Have you heard about the recent meteorite that exploded near the Ural Mountains

Read about the supernova astronomers are studying looking for a black hole they think was created during the explosion

Kendrick Astro Instruments Stargate Observer Tent

Every astronomers’ observatory is waiting

Astronomy Products

A lightweight and portable observatory you can set up anywhere

Astronomy Products – Kendrick Astro Instruments has been in the business of selling some of the top observer tents in the world for years. Stargazers love the ease of use and set up of Kendrick observer tents, but nothing is perfect, and Kendrick has been listening to its customers. Measuring 10 feet wide by 15 feet long and 6.5 feet high at the center, Kendrick Astro Instruments Stargate Observer Tent is the latest edition to Kendrick’s line of observer tents introduced a decade ago. Still including everything you loved about Kendrick’s original Observatory Tent, the new Kendrick Astro Instruments Stargate Observer Tent has been redesigned to include two separate rooms, one for you to continue your “Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time, and another for sleeping away the hours, separated by a polyester wall.

The Kendrick Stargate II Observer tent dimensions.

 

Great for the amateur or professional astronomer

You set up your time-machine-to-the-stars in the 10 foot x 9 foot star-gazing room, and then you and your weary-eyed stargazing companion sleep away the hours of the day in the smaller 10 foot x 6-foot sleeping area. Once the sun goes down and the stars appear in the night sky, you simply head into your observatory and unzip the 6-foot-wide observing flap, and continue your “Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time” in perfect comfort. Once you return from your adventure, simply close the observing flap, cover your telescope, and move into the next room for some well-deserved rest.

 

Grab Kendrick Astro Instrument’s Stargate Observer Tent and let your journey to the beginning of space and time continue

Check out my latest astronomy website at http://astronomytonight.yolasite.com/. 

 

Read about NASA’s Messenger spacecraft and its mission to Mercury

Have you heard about the recent meteorite that exploded near the Ural Mountains

Read about the supernova astronomers are studying looking for a black hole they think was created during the explosion

HOTECH’s SCA Laser Collimators

A time-saving astronomers tool

Astronomy Products

Give you more time for unforgettable Astro-images

Astronomy Products – Laser collimators are indispensable tools for aligning the optics of your time-machine-to-the-stars, but many laser collimators of the past had an inherent weakness in which the collimator wasn’t centered in the focuser. This often caused a small gap to exist between the collimator and the focuser’s drawtube, no matter how precise the machining of the collimator’s barrel. HOTECH’s SCA Laser Collimators have solved this problem using a Self-Centering Adapter (SCA) using rubber compression rings that expand evenly against the drawtube and center the collimator perfectly straight in the focuser.

Innovations in design and function

A clever idea that works by using three perfectly aligned laser beams to simulate the parallel rays coming from a distant star, HOTECH’s SCA Laser Collimators work great for quickly aligning the optics of your time-machine-to-the-stars. Stargazers using Ritchey-Chretien, Dall-Kirkham, Schmidt-Cassegrain, and Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes can quickly, efficient and reliably prepare their telescope to continue their “Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time”, using the only effective method known to collimate their time-machines-to-the-stars.

HOTECH’s SCA Laser Collimators allow users to perform collimation indoors or outdoors, day or night, using a clear and simple to read display located within a short focal distance of the telescope for diagnosing alignment problems with a telescope optical systems without guess-work. Avoid the frustration of moving between the front and back of your telescope adjusting the corresponding alignment screw, while holding your breath and looking through a high magnification eyepiece trying to reference the concentricity of an image out of focus with HOTECH’s SCA Laser Collimators. You’ll have more time for viewing the universe and taking the unforgettable Astro images you really did all of this work for.

An indispensable tool for the astronomer

Check out my latest astronomy website at http://astronomytonight.yolasite.com/.

Learn how NASA astronomers are planning on detecting extraterrestrial moons orbiting distant suns https://spaceshipearth1.wordpress.com/2013/12/31/searching-for-extraterrestrial-moons/.

Read about the latest news on life beyond Earth https://spaceshipearth1.wordpress.com/2013/12/25/the-search-for-life-beyond-earth-takes-a-turn-at-jupiter/.

Take a look at the latest natural color images taken by the Cassini spacecraft https://spaceshipearth1.wordpress.com/2013/12/22/cassini-spacecraft-show-views-of-the-solar-system-in-natural-color/.

Explore Scientific’s 80mm Triplet Apochromatic Refractor Takes You Where No Man Has Been Before

One night exploring with time-machine-to-the-stars and you won’t want to come home

Astronomy Products

Take a journey backward in space and time to a moment distant beyond your imagination

One small and compact package

Great engineering, timeless design and innovative ideas

Astronomy Products – Explore Scientific is one of the new boys on the eyepiece manufacturing block, with both wide field eyepieces and several fine telescopes perfect for young and old amateur star gazers looking for a usable and reliable time-machine-to-the-stars for their “Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time”.

 

Explore Scientific’s 3.15-inch (80mm) f/6 Triplet ED Apochromatic Refractor is built around a triple objective, features a 2-inch dual-speed Crayford focuser, a 8×50 correct-image finder scope, a 2-inch star diagonal with a 1 1/4-inch adapter, and a dovetail mounting plate for securing your time-machine-to-the-stars to many of the most popular alt-azimuth mounts being sold today. The perfect setup for your journey to the stars and one sure to provide you with endless views of space and time you’ll never forget.

 

Your spaceship to the stars is waiting at your local telescope shop

 

 Check out my newest astronomy site at http://astronomytonight.yolasite.com/.

 

 

Read about NASA’s Messenger spacecraft and its mission to Mercury

 

Have you heard about the recent meteorite that exploded near the Ural Mountains

 

Read about the supernova astronomers are studying looking for a black hole they think was created during the explosion