Van Slyke Turret

http://www.observatory.org/

Features & Specifications: Hexagonal 1 Turret (1.25" format)

• NEW QUARTZ mirrors with individual Zygo interferometric analysis documentation
• 2" barrel-nose [full-aperture] input eliminates vignetting from low-power 1.25" eyepieces
• Exclusive built-in 2" filter slot makes changing filters for all 6 eyepieces instantaneous
• Exclusive dual rotation capablility allows instant eyepiece and mirror position changes
• 2" SCT Quad-Lock AHEX Revolver (optional) for "locked-in-place" Hex body rotation
• Double failsafe, angled self-locking Nylon thumb screws (10-32)
• Eyepiece thumb screws that tighten at an angle - like a lock washer but better
• Turret rotation locking thumb screw
• Convenient body rotation handle on rear of Hexagonal
• Ultra-quality ProtoStar QUARTZ first-surface mirror (see below for specs)
• Precision milled from solid 4.5" diameter 6061-T6 aluminum stock for single-piece accuracy
• All stainless steel/Nylon hardware
• Aircraft-grade 6060-T6 aluminum (NAS620 or AN960 aeronautics specs) or better
• Military specification 18-8 stainless steel (MS15795, MS27183 or ASTM A693) or better
• Positive spring-loaded ball bearing click stops at each eyepiece
• Luminous [glow-in-the-dark] indents for easy active eyepiece and filter locating in total darkness
• Dual purpose Quad-Lock system for secure Hex body rotation (also built into all VSI focusers)
• Filter size: 48 & 50mm (2") with a maximum cell thickness of 5/16" (0.3125")
• All SIX eyepiece output ports are 1.25" format
• Includes six 1.25" dust plugs and one 2" dust cap
• Maximum [eyepiece barrel] insert depth = 1.25"
• Dimensions: 4.5" diameter x 4.5" long (including 2" barrel-nose)
• Hex 1 weight = 25 oz. (approx. weight w/6 loaded eyepieces = 3 lbs)

Hexagonal 1 Turret General Information

VSI's Hexagonal 1 offers a contoured European styling and DOUBLE Nylon (10-32) lateral locking thumb screws, incorporating our exclusive failsafe lateral locking system, on each eyepiece port. The Hex1 also features spring-loaded, ball bearing click stops at each of the six ports and rotary eyepiece cylinder lock-down thumb screw. Our exclusive, built-in 2" format filter slot offers instant filter changes for all 6 eyepieces. No removing eyepieces and fumbling with 1.25" filters for each individual eyepiece. You use one filter for all 6 eyepieces.

Note that all eyepieces should be [push-pull] parfocal positioned to eliminate refocusing when rotating from one eyepiece to another. If you have a matched set of parfocal eyepieces, all you do is pop them in and lock them down -  you're done. If you have an unmatched set of different eyepieces, then simply parfocus each eyepiece by push-pulling until all eyepieces are parfocused. Note the green-white indented dot. It is filled with luminous paint that glows in the dark. This feature will easily indicate the active eyepiece position in total darkness.

VSI's 2" to 1.25" x 6 Hexagonal 1 turret offers exclusive features and build-quality that other turrets don't. Our unique 2" format barrel-nose input with full 1.75" internal clear-aperture diagonal mirrors (ProtoStar QUARTZ 1.83" minor axis x 0.375" thickness), eliminates vignetting from fast scopes and/or low power 1.25" eyepieces (i.e. 40mm, 32mm, 26mm, 24mm, 20mm, etc.). The built-in 2" filter slot accepts 2" filters with a cell thickness up to 5/16" or 0.3125" (8mm). Just pop the filter in the spring-loaded slot and push the ejection button on the bottom and your filter is instantly ejected out into your hand (see picture at left). The Hex1 turret accommodates six 1.25" eyepieces (not included).

Functionality and simplicity of operation have always been VSI's trademark of quality. Our new Hexagonals are no exception. The entire Hex consists of only two major parts (the 2" barrel-nose tube structure and the rotating 6-eyepiece cylinder), with only one moving part (the rotating 6-eyepiece cylinder itself).

The Hex1 has a locking thumb screw that secures the rotation of the 6-eyepiece cylinder. No other turret eyepiece holder, that I know of, has this exclusive lock-down capability. Why would you want an eyepiece rotation lock? Same reason you want a focuser with a moving tube lock. And all individual eyepiece holders incorporate our exclusive, failsafe angled lock system. By placing the locking thumb screws at a 45 degree angle to the eyepiece's 1.25" barrel-nose, you apply lateral pressure as you tighten the thumb screw, locking it in place - like a lock washer. Each eyepiece on the Hex1 has dual angle, self-locking thumb screws for super secure failsafe operation.

Load your Hex1 with eyepieces once, and you'll never have to fumble with eyepieces in the dark again. Find a custom eyepiece case, like the one pictured at right (not included), and you'll be instantly set up for mobile astronomy in the field. Just slide your fully loaded Hex1 into your scope's visual back and you're ready to observe. And you'll have the coolest looking, eye-catching scope at the star party!

Why does the Hex1 have a long 2" barrel-nose that wastes profile? Profile is NOT wasted on the Hex. In conjunction with our optional AHEXSCT adapter, this added profile is ergonomically necessary so you don't hit your head on the back of your scope's visual back when trying to look through the eyepiece. If the Hex was fitted with a low-profile 2" threaded slip-ring (like our Sliders), the Hex1 would attach too close to your scope's visual back - ouch! If you have a secondary focuser docked to your scope's visual back, then you still have plenty of clearance for your head, and the Hex's 2" barrel-nose profile is consumed inside the focuser's moving tube - profile issue equalized. All 1.25" eyepiece turrets should have a 2" barrel-nose (unfortunately, none do), expecially when using 1.25" low-power, wide-field eyepieces because vignetting can be eliminated with a 2" format input. And Hexagonals also feature a huge internal 1.75" clear-aperture and oversize 1.83" minor-axis, first-surface QUARTZ  mirror. Is this overkill?

For your convenience, all VSI TOADLOADERS models, that incorporate the [dual purpose] QUAD-LOCK feature, allow their moving tubes to lock the Hex in place, while still providing full rotation of the Hex body (see AHEX SCT adapter below for more info). No other turret on the market has our exclusive dual rotation feature. Just turn the handle to the most comfortable active eyepiece position (no thumb screws to unscrew), then simply hold the handle in place and rotate the eyepiece cylinder to change magnifications. When speed and safety are paramount, this is the eyepiece turret you need. It's great for star parties, public viewing sessions, quick A/B object comparison using different eyepieces or filters. Slip a 2" filter in the Hexagonal's built-in filter slot and this exclusive convenience becomes a necessity.

NOTE: If you are using a VSI focuser with QUAD-LOCK, you don't need the SCT AHEX Revolver. See ADAPTERS link for more adapters.

VSI's Exclusive 2" Built-in Filter Slot

Our New 2" format filter slot is now built into both Hex models - the 1.25" x 6 Hex1 (pictured at left) and the Giant 2" x 6 Hex2 (pictured far below). Each Hex comes with a fitted 2" OD ring (included) that simply pops into the filter slot, eliminating stray light from entering the housing when not in use. This stray light blocking ring is pictured (below left), inserted in the Hexagonal's filter slot. The finger notch, also pictured below left, allows easy grasping of the ring or filter after pushing the spring-loaded eject button on the bottom of the Hex1 housing (pictured below middle). The filter ring is held in place by a plate-type spring (pictured below right).

This exclusive feature offers filter insertion and extraction in a split second, literally. No bulky filter wheels or separate slide mechanisms that gobble up your valuable profile and induce mechanical flexure into your imaging train. Our built-in filter slots consume only the profile thickness of the filter cell itself, which is typically less than 5/16" (8mm).

The filter slot was designed to accept the larger format 2" filters to eliminate vignetting caused by using 1.25" low-power, wide-field eyepieces (i.e. 40mm, 32mm, 24mm, etc.). This larger 2" format was selected because a 1.25" filter, at an extended distance from the eyepiece base, would cause more severe vignetting, compared to placement of the filter at the base of the eyepiece. This extended distance from the eyepiece would only allow the use of hi-power eyepieces. Therefore, this slot will only accept the larger, thinner 2" format filters with a cell thickness up to 5/16" or 0.3125" (8mm). Most 1.25" filters are actually thicker (0.45") and have an internal ring that reduces the available clear-aperture even further. See ADAPTERS link for other 2" filter slot adapters.

The Inside looks as Good as the Outside

Hex1 turrets contain oversize optical-grade, first-surface, diagonal mirror flats from ProtoStar that have a huge 1.83" minor axis with a 0.375" thickness (1:6 ratio), and meet or exceed Milspec MIL-M-13508C.  QUARTZ mirror with individual Zygo interferometric analysis documentation included with each Hexagonal. Wavefront flatness is typically better than 0.08 peak-to-valley measured at 633 nm light. Coatings provide the highest possible reflectivity across the entire visible spectrum with a thin pre-coat layer of chromium to promote good metal adhesion. Dielectric overcoat layers are applied using Electron Beam Deposition (EBD), followed by an ultra-hard Ion Assisted Deposition (true argon IAD) process.

Milling the Rotating 6-Eyepiece Cylinder

Like quality aluminum racing wheels, our Hexagonals are also machined from a solid billet of aircraft-grade 6061-T6 aluminum. After being turned on a lathe to a perfect cylinder (above left), the [4.5" O.D. by 1" wall thickness] blank is then milled on a digital mill (shown below) using a rotary indexing head with arc-second accuracy. This full-machining process is very time consuming and aircraft-grade aluminum is expensive, but the end result is far superior to cheap, thin, weak pot-metal castings or thin multi-part rotating housings, like the other rotary eyepiece holders on the market. The original billet blank (above left) weighs a little over 2 lbs (37.5 oz). After a copious amount of metal is removed (above right), the weight has been reduced to a mere 14 oz.

2" SCT Quad-Lock AHEX Revolver (optional)

This VSI exclusive [2" format] SCT Quad-Lock captive revolver allows dual rotation of the Hex1. Screw it onto any 2"-24tpi SCT threaded visual back, slip the Hex1 into the Revolver and tighten the four [Quad-Lock] Nylon thumb screws. Then back them off a quarter turn [or so] until you can rotate the entire Hex1 easily. This unique dual-rotation feature allows the outer eyepiece housing  to rotate normally (like any eyepiece turret) by holding the rear handle stationary to rotate to a different eyepiece and/or rotate the entire Hex1 to a more comfortable viewing position by allowing the rear handle to rotate with the Hex1, which rotates the entire Hex itself. It  has industry-standard 2"-24tpi female SCT threads at the base of the adapter (pictured above right), double thumb screws at the top that lock into standard safety indents (see arrow at left), and our proprietary double thumb screws that are screwed into the proprietary locking groove in the barrel nose of our Hex1 (see arrow at left). It also doubles as a super-solid [Quad-Lock] SCT 2-inch barrel adapter when you need zero-flexure for astroimaging, etc.

When the Hex1 is inserted in the Revolver, and the Quad-Lock thumb screws are properly engaged into the Hex grooves, you simply rotate the Hex body [active eyepiece] by using the convenient handle at the rear. Its like rotating a diagonal, but you don't have to loosen or tighten any thumb screws and the Hex is securely locked into the rotator. It's locked in place, but can still rotate by simply turning the rear handle. You then change your magnifications by holding the handle in place and rotating the outer cylinder from eyepiece to eyepiece (click - click - click).

For your added convenience, all VSI TOADLOADERS have Quad-Lock, and mimic the AHEX function (pictured above left). This exclusive body rotation bonus is part of the VSI focuser Quad-Lock feature that [also] locks your Hex into your VSI Toad, while still allowing instant Hex body rotation, just like the AHEXadapter. So, if you are using a VSI Toad with Quad-Lock, you don't need our AHEX SCT adapter. SeeADAPTERS link for additional adapters.

Note that this special AHEX adapter, or a VSI focuser, is not required to use our Hexagonals. Our 1.25" Hexagonal turrets (above) fit in any standard 2" format focuser, etc. This proprietary feature, utilizing theAHEX adapter and/or our VSI focuser's Quad-Lock feature, just makes it a little more secure and very convenient to operate, allowing the Hex housing to rotate freely without loosening any thumb screws. 

Black Forest Fire Destroyed VSI's Digital Machine Shop

UPDATE #2

BEFORE (above) and AFTER (below)

First came the fire, then the floods/ What next?

This is the 2nd update in the continuing story of the fiery demise of VSI. It's been 3 months since the fire. Progress is being made every day. After 5 flash floods of nasty black water (see picture above), we now have a trench diverting the water away from the old Black Forest Observatory (BFO) building so it will not be deluged with black water from future floods. The old VSI machine shop is gone (up the hill to the right of BFO). The excavator has removed all debris and left the concrete pad intact. However, I am abandoning the old shop sight.

I have decided to rebuild my shop on a personal level (appropriately) in the old BFO building (pictured above with it's newer pitch roof that was added after BFO was sold about 10 plus years ago). This structure has been many things in the past - observatory, office, shipping and receiving, product and personal storage, etc. Now it will be my new personal shop. Emphasize personal, not production.

New machine tools (lathe, mill, bandsaws, etc.) have already been installed and the restoration of some of the tooling from the fire has begun in the structure pictured above and will continue until next summer, or beyond if warranted. About half of the tooling (spacers, rotary tables, indexing heads, lathe chucks, etc.) is not recoverable because of the fire rust and seizing of integral parts. Some will be replaced, most will not.

Many of the stock assembled VSI products were sold shortly after the news of the fire was released. However, I have a few of the last of the VSI products available. These assembled products were stored in the BFO building. Note that over 50 VSI products that were not assembled, and existed only as parts, were stored at the machine shop and melted in the extremely hot fire.

As of this writing (Friday the 13th, 2013), I have almost all product port rings and adapters available, because I always kept quantities of these accessory parts in stock. You can order any of the port rings or adapters listed at VSI's website until quantities are exhausted. Payment by credit card is no longer available (check, MO, etc.). Of course, returns can not be accepted. If you own VSI major products that accept port rings or adapters, I would suggest thinking about your future applications now, rather than later.

Of the major VSI products available, I have one manual Zerotator. That's all folks! Call me if you are interested. These links are For Your Information Only. To reiterate, VSI is officially Out-of-Business. - PBVS