Baader Astro T-2 System

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One of the unique aspects of our series of eyepiece clamps, adapters, rings, etc is their compatibility.  These components are all part of Baader Planetarium's ASTRO T-2 System™.  As a result, they have been designed to be mixed and matched as you see fit, enabling you to create a multitude of combinations that allow you to meet exactly your needs.  This novel and ingenious system of interchangeable components provides an array of photo-visual reducers, multipliers, star diagonals, and a myriad of adapters, couplers, and spacers.  With these matched components, practically any system can be configured to provide the highest quality visual, photo, and CCD output from your telescopes.  No other system of components gives you such flexibility.

The ASTRO T-2 System™ is based around a standard T-2 thread (the same M42x0.75 "T-thread" used on camera T-adapters).  By using this thread standard throughout, the system components all play together, enabling practically any configuration imaginable.  For a detailed schematic overview of some possible configurations, please see the Astro T-2 System Layout (52 kB PDF file, requires Acrobat reader).

Please see our ASTRO T-2 System Specs Table (below) for a detailed listing of  threads and path length dimensions for all of these components.  With this information, you can easily calculate the resulting path length of any combination of parts (useful for applications that depend on knowing exact focal path length or where limited back focus may be available - such as bino-viewers or cameras).

As you would expect from Baader Planetarium, the quality of all system components is first-rate.  The components of the T-2 System are all manufactured to close machining tolerances, and are black anodized or attractively painted for lifetime durability and appearance.  ASTRO T-2 System™ components all mate snugly, unlike the sloppy fits found in so many commonly available accessories.  Your eyepieces and other accessories will fit and locate precisely, maintaining accurate centering as well as a quality feel.  Threads are accurately machined to specification, and machined surfaces are precisely and expertly finished.

A Note About Filter Threads: we have found enough variation between the threads used by filter manufacturers that  filter fittup may be affected (we have found some Lumicon and unknown make filters that fit snugly, or fully thread on but continue to spin even though fully and safely seated due to short thread length and large thread reliefs).  In most cases, the filter fit is still functional and secure.  If you plan to use filtration, we suggest you try your filters with your particular setup soon after receipt, to ensure the fit is adequate.

The Baader Astro T-2 System™ Overview