Dale Forbes
Swarovski Optik, Austria
a while ago I got to see and play with a new prototype balance rail that swaro was developing for digiscopers. I have just found a picture of it on a swaro micro site (for the new magnesium telescopes).
I am not sure if they had intended to show it because I have not seen any official announcement from swaro about it (besides this site) and it does not seem to be on their website anywhere else. funny.
but I was rather impressed by it. some things that stood out to me included:
I don't know why I didn't think of this before, but I just searched for it and found it for sale online already. I must have been sleeping when they released it.
I am not sure if they had intended to show it because I have not seen any official announcement from swaro about it (besides this site) and it does not seem to be on their website anywhere else. funny.
but I was rather impressed by it. some things that stood out to me included:
- it supports the telescope in two positions, making for a more stable mounting (especially noticeable when the dSLR mirror flaps),
- works for both the ATS/STS and ATM/STM telescope ranges,
- has a quick-release locking lever for rapid position adjustment (and removal). when locked, it will not come loose
- telescope cannot rotate on rail (a problem with my old rail)
- the rail support can be slid off the rail and used independently as a support base on a table, tree, bench, etc.
I don't know why I didn't think of this before, but I just searched for it and found it for sale online already. I must have been sleeping when they released it.