RVO Horizon 60 ED Doublet Full Imaging Bundle With ZWO Guide Camera Plus M48 T Mount For SLR Mounted On iOptron SkyGuider Pro

We have bundled our brand new RVO Horizon 60 ED Doublet refractor with the popular iOptron SkyGuider Pro mount for ultra portability. The package also includes the ZWO ASI 120MM Mini camera for guiding, plus either a Canon or Nikon M48 Mount for your SLR camera! All you need is a tripod with a 3/8" thread and you are ready to take widefield guided shots!

Click here to read a superb review of this scope in the Sky At Night magazine!

Horizon 60 ED Description:

Introducing the brand new RVO Horizon® 60 ED doublet imaging refractor. The smaller, more compact version of the incredibly popular Horizon® 72 ED. Portability and quality of optics are key with this superb new telescope. It keeps the stunning optical quality of the Horizon® 72 in a smaller, lighter and more portable body ideal for grab and go rigs with mounts such as the Skywatcher Star Adventurer and iOptron SkyGuider Pro.

The tube features superior FPL-53 specifically chosen by us to give the sharpest and most widefield images possible. The tube also features a high quality dual speed graduated CNC machined rack and pinion focuser with tension adjustment for ultra precision and hold thanks to the focus lock.

This listing is for the full imaging package which includes the RVO Horizon® 1.0x Field Flattener and the all new Horizon® 32mm Guidescope. The only other accessory you'll need to collect your SLR camera is a T mount. Please contact us for this as we sell a wide range of M48 T mounts to suit your camera.

Clip taken from our YouTube channel The Astronomy Network, explaining the features of the Horizon 60mm

Key Features:

- High Quality FPL-53 Doublet Optics
- CNC Machined 2" Rack & Pinion Focuser
- Graduated Drawtube
- Tension Adjustment For Heavier Cameras
- 2" - 1.25" Adaptor With Compression Rings
- Long Dovetail Bar For Easy Balancing
- Retractable Dew Shield
- Finder Base For Attaching The Horizon® 32mm Mini Guidescope
- Only 1.78Kg Weight, Ideal For Small Tracking Mounts
- Hard Travel Case
- Rotatable Locking Main Collar

With the Horizon® range, quality control is very important to us. We are committed to guaranteeing that every single Horizon® scope leaves us in perfect collimation and in perfect condition. Every single Horizon® scope sold is thoroughly checked even down to each thumb screw on the scope to make sure all is well before shipping.

In house Zygo Interferometer test included with the Horizon 60mm. 

The interferometer is essentially a measuring instrument. Within the interferometer is a calibrated laser that is pointed through the optical test surface, then onto a high quality reference sphere, then back through the test subject then to an internal camera which gives us the measurement on the screen. From this, we can adjust the position of the test optic and the reference sphere to obtain a perfectly calibrated system. The more central the laser to the test optic and then on return, the better and more accurate reading and measurement we can take. This takes a lot of adjustment to get the best results from the optical surface.Once the measurement has been taken, we are provided with a series of results that show the optical quality of the surface plus other information. We will aim to provide 0.95 Strehl or higher. 

The 60mm ED also features a CAA (camera angle adjuster). This means you can rotate your camera to get the perfect orientation without having to rotate the complete telescope. This will improve accuracy when switching between visual and imaging and vice versa. The focuser is made from CNC machining ensuring high quality and robustness whilst keeping the precision, ideal for the astrophotographer. The focuser on the Horizon® 60 is compatible with a lot of popular motorfocusers including the Pegasus. The focuser also features a 10:1 fine focus knob enabling you to get the perfect focus, every time.

The main purpose of the Horizon® 60 is for widefield astrophotography. The focal length of just 360mm will provide a massive field of view with superb colour correction and sharpness thanks to the high quality doublet glass. If you are imaging very widefield targets, then there is also a matching 1.0x Horizon® 60 Flattener to ensure a completely flat field edge to edge. A full range of adaptors is available to get your camera perfectly spaced. The CAA can be left on to provide full rotation when the flattener is fitted.

If you want to use this scope for visual, then you will need some accessories to go with it. We recommend a high quality 2" diagonal, finder and some eyepieces to get you going. If you are wanting to use this scope for visual work too, then please contact us and we can put a package together. Why not take advantage of the tack sharp optics for some breath taking widefield views of the stars!

One of the nice features of the 60mm ED is that we have designed the kit to make it usable straight out the box. We have attached a longer bar so you will can achieve a perfect balance every time, as well as a synta style finderscope base. This will accept most standard finders as well as our all new RVO 32mm Horizon® Guidescope.

The scope comes complete in a high quality hard travel case. There are additional cut outs in the foam within the case to accept the 32mm Horizon® Guidescope too so you can comfortably house this in your case for safe travel and storage.

The Horizon® 60 is available as either an OTA only or a full imaging package paired with the Horizon® 60 1.0x Flattener and the all new 32mm Horizon® Mini Guidescope. Click here for the OTA only on our website.

Specifications:

Lens Assembly: 60mm FPL-53 Doublet ED
Focal Length: 360mm
Focal Ratio: f/6
Tube Length: 245mm Retracted, 295mm Extended
Weight: 1.78kg Standard Package
Full Kit Weight Inc Guidescope & Flattener: 1.94kg

iOptron SkyGuider Pro Description:

Introducing The SkyGuider Pro -- iOptron’s next generation camera tracking device! Leading the camera tracker market for nearly four years, iOptron's SkyGuider Pro pushes closer to perfection.

The redesigned SkyGuider Pro mount head is more compact, small enough to fit on your palm, better precision, silent tracking, built-in rechargeable power source, ST-4 guiding port and camera trigger port. The improved precision polar scope maintains a fine engraved reticule, now features adjustable illumination with different brightness levels. Using with our iOS app, quick and accurate polar alignment is just a joy. The DEC mounting bracket allows you to balance a heavy camera and/or lens better, or even mount a light telescope. The optional 8408 hand controller allows you to check the Pole Star position for the polar alignment, slew the mount, adjust the guiding rate, change the mount settings and control the camera trigger.

The SkyGuider Pro features four tracking rates, 1X or sidereal, 1/2X for sky and landscape combined, solar and lunar. All 4 tracking rates work in both northern and southern hemispheres. We have also added a quick slew mode with both forward and reverse to help quickly reframing your image without disrupting the cameras position.

We have made big improvements on the SkyGuider Pro’s removable alt-azimuth base, which features a precision bubble level, degree markings for the altitude and a built in post for the azimuth control. You can also mount the SkyGuider Pro head (without the base) directly to any standard photographic tripod with 1/4” or 3/8” threads.

The DEC mounting bracket package, which includes DEC mounting bracket, counterweight shaft, counterweight and Vixen-type dovetail saddle, makes the SkyGuider Pro mount suitable for a heavier camera/lens system, even a lightweight telescope.

The SkyGuider Pro is certainly a must have tool for any photographer interested in astroscape or wide field astrophotography.

Features
All metal mechanical structure
Attaches to a camera tripod with 3/8” or 1/4” threads
Payload 11 lbs (5kg) (balanced, with DEC mounting bracket, exclude CW)
Silent tracking for smooth camera motion, perfect for long-term exposures
Detachable alt-azi base with fine latitude and azimuth adjusters for easy polar alignment
Includes iOptron AccuAlignTM dark-field illuminated polar scope
Adjustable polar scope illumination
4 tracking speed (1X, 1/2X, solar and lunar). 1X celestial tracking for imaging the sky and stars; 1/2X tracking speed for imaging both the starry night and the landscapes at the same time
Operation in both northern and southern hemisphere
Quick slew (144X) for camera framing adjustment
Built-in rechargeable battery for up to 20 hours of operation (20°C)
Built-in ST-4 autoguiding port
HBX port for external hand controller
Micro USB port for power, charging and firmware upgrade
Built-in shutter triggering port
Padded carry bag included
DEC mounting bracket
Counterweight and CW shaft
Vixen dovetail saddle for scope mounting
Optional ball heads available separately (#3305A)
Optional tripod (#3221)
Optional Go2Nova® 8408 hand controller (#8408)
Optional DSLR camera shutter trigger cable

PACKAGE CONTENTS
SkyGuiderTM Pro camera mount
Alt-azi base (installed)
AccuAlignTM dark field illuminated polar scope (installed)
Micro USB charging cable
Padded carry bag
DEC mounting bracket w/ camera mounting disk
1.35kg counterweight
CW shaft
One Year Limited Warranty (90 day on battery)

ZWO 120MM Mini Description:

The NEW ZWO ASI120MM MINI or ASI120MINI is an excellent choice for an affordable planetary and deep sky camera for those who have just started in astro photography, but cannot spend a fortune on a specialist astro photography camera or want to replace a modified webcam or a cheaper planetary imager. It replaces the extremely popular ASI120MM, but offers wider compatibility with various guiding solutions, guidescopes and off axis guiders as it comes in a more compact, 1.25" format body.

It also comes with an AUTOGUIDER PORT so you may use it for planetary imaging or when you take images of deep sky with another camera (a dSLR or a cooled ZWO) you may use this camera for guiding!

With the ZWO ASI120MM MINI camera you can achieve better results than with those beginner cameras. We are not saying that anything is wrong with those cameras like the TSSI, Scopiumcam or some converted webcams, but this is just simply better for a still affordable price.

According to customer feedback, these cameras worth every penny invested.
Mostly used for planetary imaging, it can also be used for deep sky imaging up to a certain level. This monochrome version is recommended for L-RGB or narrow band deep sky photography if you want to get out the best data from your camera and achieve sharp, contrasty deep sky images or planetary images, although you might also consider the USB3.0 version of the ASI120MM, the ASI120MM-S, that is slightly more expensive, but offers higher frame rates.

However if you don't want the hassle of using filters and stacking LRGB images into a colour image or cannot spend much time and happy to go for a compromise, simply choose the colour version, the ZWO ASI120MC-S.
With this monochrome version, you might also need a filter wheel and a set of L-RGB filters or H-alpha and OIII filters, and maybe even H-beta and SII filters as well for narrow band astro photography...) or you can use it just as it is as a very affordable guide camera.

Features of the ZWO ASI120MM Mini
Recommended for guiding and imaging the Sun, Moon and some deep sky objects.
(To image the Sun you'll have to use a proper front solar filter or Herschel wedge depending on your telescope. Please contact us if not sure! For imaging deep sky, you should also consider buying a filter wheel, LRGB and narrow band filters as well.)
Resolution: 1280X960 at up to 30fps
Long time exposure up to 1000s! (although depending on the focal ratio of your telescope and whether you use another camera for guiding or not, you might need to limit it to a much shorter time...please ask.)

Autoguider Port
Built-in RAW mode and Grey mode output support. Only about 30% storage space required compared to the Color data format!
Peak Quantum Efficiency: 75% (better than ICX618)
No fixed pattern noise (FPN)!
Full aluminum housing with standard 1.25" interface
M28.5 internal thread.

SOLAR IMAGING Please note, this camera features a Micron branded chip and thus it might produce Newton's rings (an interference pattern in imaging) when used with H-alpha solar telescopes. ZWO ASI CMOS cameras with a Sony chip or Celestron Skyris or Moravian Instruments G0 and G1 CCD cameras might be a better choice for solar imaging. From the ZWO range we'd recommend the ASI174MM or ASI174Mini for solar imaging. Never-the-less, there are quite a few customers who use an ASI120MM camera successfully for solar imaging.

Specification of ZWO ASI120MM

Sensor: 1/3″ CMOS AR0130CS(Mono)
Resolution: 1.2Mega Pixels 1280×960
Pixel Size: 3.75µm
Exposure Range: 64µs-1000s
ROI: Supported
ST4 Guider Port: Yes
Focus Distance to Sensor: 8.5mm
Shutter Type: Rolling Shutter
Protect window: AR coated window
Operating System Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux
Interface: USB2.0
Bit rate: 12bit output(12bit ADC)
Adaptor:1.25″ / M28.5X0.6
Dimension: φ36mm X 61mm
Weight: 60g or 3.1 ounces (without lens)
Working Temperature: -5°C—45°C
Storage Temperature: -20°C—60°C
Working Relative Humidity: 20%—80%
Storage Relative Humidity: 20%—95%
Supported resolution

Binning 1×1:

1280X960@35FPS
1280X720@46FPS
1024X768@54FPS
800X600@90FPS
640X480@118FPS
320X240@224FPS

Binning 2×2:
640X480@35FP

More resolutions can be user defined

WHAT'S IN THE BOX:

ASI120MM Mini monochrome camera
ST4 cable
USB cable
1.25" nosepiece with male T-thread
1.25" end cap for above nosepiece
CD (with instructions, drivers and software, although we recommend to download the latest versions online)

Some items that are showing as in stock are in stock at our holding warehouses, not at the shop. To double check the stock levels at the shop, please contact us on 01909774369 or sales@rothervalleyoptics.co.uk.

The delivery times for most items is 1 - 2 days but again, please double check stock levels on important orders before placing an order via the website.

The delivery costs for courier next day are for mainland UK only. If you live in the Scottish Highlands/Islands, Channel Islands or Northern Ireland, then a shipping surchage will apply. please contact us for prices. Smaller items can still go 1st class via Royal Mail.

Please note that if you are wanting to take advantage of our Saturday and Sunday timed services or next day pre 12 or pre 10:30 services, you MUST check that the stock is here at the shop before placing orders. Also, orders using the Saturday and Sunday services must be placed before 1pm the previous working day. Also, please remember to check that the stock is here at the shop before placing orders. If the stock is not at the shop, we won't be able to ship on any of the timed services. 

Please note International customers will need to contact us for a shipping price prior to ordering via the website. We don't ship all items internationally. It is at our discretion what we ship outside of the UK. This all depends on the size and weight of the items. Please get in touch with us for any postage costs. Please note we do NOT ship telescopes or heavy items outside of the UK. This is due to massive postage costs and problems regarding returns.

If you have any questions regarding stock levels or delivery, please get in touch.

Zygo Interferometer Testing For ED Refractor Telescopes!

We are extremely pleased to announce our Zygo Interferometer is now installed and ready for use! Our experienced staff can test refractor lenses up to 120mm aperture and provide a comprehensive 2 page report showing the optical quality and Strehl ratio, plus much more information. We are using the very latest Zygo MX software to provide a more detailed report compared to other standard reports.

The interferometer is essentially a measuring instrument. Within the interferometer is a calibrated laser that is pointed through the optical test surface, then onto a high quality reference sphere, then back through the test subject then to an internal camera which gives us the measurement on the screen. From this, we can adjust the position of the test optic and the reference sphere to obtain a perfectly calibrated system. The more central the laser to the test optic and then on return, the better and more accurate reading and measurement we can take. This takes a lot of adjustment to get the best results from the optical surface. Once the measurement has been taken, we are provided with a series of results that show the optical quality of the surface plus other information. Continue reading for an explanation of the individual values and you can also see a test report that was done on one of our RVO Horizon 60 OTAs. 

We are offering certain telescopes with a Zygo test at an extra cost. Mainly ED doublets and triplets. All available telescopes with a Zygo test report are listed here. Just select Zygo Test Report from the drop down box at the top of the listing and we will test the optics in house and provide a full 2 page report with your scope. This will show you the optical quality of your telescope optics. We can also offer this service on your refractor telescope. Please get in touch for more details about this. 

At Rother Valley Optics, one thing we pride ourselves on is customer service and quality of our equipment. When we test your telescope, we will ensure that it is of the highest quality otherwise, we will reject the scope under our strict quality control and test another model for your peace of mind. One of the main values to look at when testing a refractor is the Strehl ratio. The higher this number, the higher quality lens you have. At Rother Valley Optics, we will guarantee the highest possible Strehl ratio for your telescope.  We will aim to provide 0.95 Strehl or higher on Takahashi, RVO Horizon, William Optics and many more! Generally, the higher the Strehl ratio, the lower the Astigmatism and Coma meaning a better image quality from your instrument. 

Other measurements such as the PV and RMS are important too. With these measurements, the lower the number the better as it shows less curvature on the lens. The flatter an optical lens, the better it will perform. The PV rating (Peak To Valley) is a measurement from the highest point (Peak) to the lowest point (Valley). From this we get the RMS (Root, Mean, Square). This is a similar figure to the PV and measured exactly the same way. The RMS is basically an average height difference from the PV so again, the lower the better. As you can see form the example below, we measured an RMS of just 0.027 wave which is a very good value.

We also measure the Power with our systems which is essentially the error from the reference sphere to the test optic. The reference sphere we use on our system is a very high quality sphere so the closer to zero the Power, the less error between the 2 elements thus ensuring a higher quality optical surface. 

You will also see some more values such as Astigmatism and Coma. Again, these are measured by the interferometer when we take measurements of the optical surface after adjustment. These are values which ideally would be at 0 but as our test optics are all curved lenses, there will always be astigmatism and coma present. The lower the number, the less of these aberations you will effectively see but with most refractors, you can buy field flatteners which will compensate for the coma anyway. The astigmatisms value is explaining the error between the symmetrical curvature of the lens. Basically, no lens will be perfectly symmetrical, the lower the astigmatism, the more symmetrical the lens surface is. 

Once the Zygo test report has been completed, the optical alignment is thoroughly tested and tuned to ensure they are spot on before they leave us. 

All available telescopes are on the website at the link below and ones we've tested already that are available straight away are also listed.

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/zygo-tested-refractors.html

Here is an example of the test what we provide. This was a test on one of our Horizon 60 ED OTA's.

For any questions about this amazing new service, please either call 01909774369 or email sales@rothervalleyoptics.co.uk.

Are you interested in this product but would like to speak to someone with some more information? Simply fill in the form below and we will get back to you as soon as we can!

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