magnilux - Astronomy Technology Today

JMI TELESCOPES
Announces New RBX Reverse Binocular Telescopes and MicroFocus Dual-Speed Focus Knob for SCTs
NEWPRODUCTS
It has been almost a decade since JMI
introduced the RB-66, the first popularlypriced
production-model reverse-binocular
system, and thereby provided astronomers a
breathtaking, new experience in fullyimmersive
visual observing. Today JMI
remains an industry leader of the bigbinoscoping
arts and continues its tradition
of innovation with the recent introductions
of its new RBX-8 and RBX-12.
These newest versions of JMI’s
Newtonian-format reverse binoculars are
lighter than their predecessors and break
down into more manageable parts by permitting
each optical tube to be lifted out of
its respective cradle. The new binos achieve
desired eye spacing by rotating each nose
assembly, a design that allows the system to
retain focus when the interocular
spacing is adjusted from user to user.
The unique reverse-binocular format
of these binoscopes makes viewing
remarkably intuitive. There is no
bulky or complicated mount to contend
with; just look down into the
binocular to see the sky behind you
while using the motorcycle-style foldaway
center handlebars to point the
instrument. Six motors provide for
precise and stable touch-of-a-button
adjustment of interocular spacing,
focusing, and optical-tube alignment.
Each RBX series binoscope employs
JMI’s Modified Reverse-Crayford
Focusers and is compatible with its popular
MAX-series telescope-guiding computers.
The RBX-8 weighs in at a remarkably
light 70 pounds, while RBX-12 is similarly
svelte at just 135 pounds.
On the subject of binoscoping with
JMI’s reverse-binocular system, Tom
Johnston, JMI’s Production Manager,
reports, “I recently had the opportunity to
use the RB-10 for three nights at the Okie-
Tex star party. Dark and clear skies let the
RB-10 show its stuff to the max. Incredible
contrast made Hartley2 jump out against
the background stars of Cassiopeia. I’ve
tried them a few times before, but never
under these skies. WOW! The Red Spot on
Jupiter was also easily seen. M33, M101,
the Veil Nebula – all the low-surface-brightness
stuff exploded into view. I have two
one-eye telescopes of my own and now I’m
not sure I can go back to using them instead
of our binos.”
Users of the ever-popular Schmidt-
Cassegrain Telescopes (SCT) from
Celestron and Meade will be delighted by
JMI’s introduction of a new dual-speed version
of its MicroFocus system. The new
MicroFocus mounts to the telescope in the
same simple manner as JMI’s SCT
MotoFocus units: attach a collar to the
screws at the base of the focus knob and
then the MicroFocus attaches to that. It
goes on and off in seconds and there is no
need to disassemble the focus knob to
install it.
JMI produces a MicroFocus Dual-
Speed Focus Knob to fit most past and present
SCTs from Celestron and Meade –
indeed, the list of compatible telescopes is
too long to reproduce here – and all models
are priced at $189US.
For more information on both new
JMI product lines, please visit
www.jmitelescopes.com.
Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY 25