Welcome to Optec's Home on the Web
"Helping Astronomers Measure the Stars since 1979"
Optec is a designing and manufacturing firm specializing in electro-optical products used in astronomy, atmospheric science and microscopy. We are located in the small town of Lowell, Michigan near the banks of the Grand River. Our company is small but we utilize state-of-the-art equipment and techniques in the design and manufacture of our products. Our reputation for high quality and well designed products is very well established.
Products Available Now:
#19235 Keller EZ-Saddle
The
latest component of the Libra dovetail system, Optec's new Keller EZ-Saddle
makes mounting large telescopes quick and easy. Designed by Allan Keller
of PlaneWave Instruments, the EZ-Saddle provides a smart mounting platform for any size
telescope but was especially designed for OTA's such as the PlaneWave Instrument
12.5inch CDK. Featuring plenty of mounting options and bolt package
kits for the Paramount Versaplate and AstroPhysics SB3622 plate, the EZ-Saddle
offers a standard Losmandy "D" plate receiver saddle.
Some
of the unique design improvements include placing the clamp tensioning knobs
on the bottom side making them easy to reach when mounting the telescope.
Safety features include a stability bar along the bottom edge to provide
enough relief to reach down to tighten the clamps located on the opposite
side. Available in early July, contact Optec or PlaneWave
Instruments to order - specify Paramount or AstroPhysics bolt kits.
#17663 Precision 2-inch to 1-1/4" Adapter
Optec's
latest accessory item for the TCF-S focuser line, the precision 2-inch to
1-1/4-inch self-centering adapter is a joy to use. The internal non-slip
brass compression ring will not mar or damage expensive eyepiece, yet still
provide the secure fit you've come to expect from Optec's adapter line.
Click here for more information about this latest 2-inch to 1-1/4-inch adapter. Compatible with any 2-inch focuser or receiver tube.
Coming August 2010...
Equuleus Orthogonal Adjuster
The
new Equuleus Orthogonal Adjusting device allows extremely fine adjustment
to correct for non-orthogonal optical systems. This new design "Tip-Tilt"
plate allows corrections as large as 1-1/2 degrees. Weighing in at
only 12-oz. with a thickness around 1/2-inch, the Equuleus sports a full
3-inches of clear-aperture. Front and back connections are 3"x24tpi
standard female threads for maximum versatility.
The new Equuleus promises to provide rigid orthogonal adjustment for the most discriminating astrophographers.
Contact Optec for pricing and availability.
Available now - Lighter Weight with 20-lb. Payload capacity.
Libra Alt-Az Dovetail Adjustment Plate
Optec's new Libra Alt-Az adjustable mounting base allows easy adjustment
in altitude and azimuth of guide scopes mounted to a
Losmandy-style dovetail system. Unlike simple 2-axis
stage adjusting systems that allow alignment of an imaging camera on a secondary
scope, the Libra Alt-Az allows easy alignment of a secondary scope's optical
axis to that of the primary. Features include:
- Fine control for adjustments in altitude and azimuth
- Solid construction - anodized aluminum and knurled aluminum fasteners
- Fits any 4" "D" dovetail system - female to male mount for easy integration
- Altitude adjustment of 4-degrees
- Azimuth adjustment of 9-degrees
- Capable of holding up to 25 lbs.
Click here for more information.
New Products under development
- Ted Agos adapter for Meade/Celestron f/6.3 telecompressor for use
with Pyxis.

- Automated Flip-mirror option for the SSP-3A and SSP-5A photometers.
- New DSI 3.5-24tpi spacer set.
- New Astrophysics 2.7 spacer set - 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1-1/2, and 3-inch lengths. Click here to learn more.
Optec engineers continue to develop new products to make your astronomy programs even easier. Contact us for product innovations you'd like to see available.



