PlaneWave CDK350 (14-inch) Telescope System

Product Details

• Description
• Specifications
• Included Items
• Recommended Products
• Reviews

• PlaneWave 14-inch CDK Features:

  • For time frames or questions, please contact us at 800-483-6287.
  • Dual Carbon Fiber Truss Design: Minimizes thermal expansion which causes focus shift with changes in temperature.
  • Carbon Fiber Lower Light Shroud: Protects the primary mirror from damage and from stray light.
  • Fused Silica Optics: Synthetic amorphous silica glass of the highest purity and one of the most transparent glasses available. Superior optical and thermal properties to most other glass in the world.
  • Dovetail expansion joint: Allows for the difference in thermal expansion between carbon fiber and aluminum. The expansion joint allows the aluminum dovetail to expand and contract without stressing the carbon fiber lower truss.
  • Cooling Fans: Three fans blow filtered air onto the back of the primary mirror to help it quickly equilibrate to the ambient temperature. The fans are controlled by a switch on the optical tube or can be controlled by a computer if the optional EFA Kit is purchased.
  • Delta-T Ready: Internally wired with polyimide film heater pads and temperature sensors that can be controlled with the (optional) Delta-T controller.

  The PlaneWave CDK Design

  Created to meet the demands of both the serious imager and visual observer, the PlaneWave CDK (Corrected Dall-Kirkham) design far exceeds the off-axis performance of most commercial telescope designs, including the Ritchey Chretien. The RMS spot sizes at the edge of a 35 mm frame remain smaller than a single pixel on the most advanced CCD cameras available to most astronomers today. Most telescope images degrade as you move off-axis from either coma, off-axis astigmatism, or field curvature. The CDK design suffers from none of these problems.

  The PlaneWave CDK is coma-free, has no off-axis astigmatism, and has a flat field. The design is a simple and elegant solution to the problems posed above. The CDK consists of three components: an ellipsoidal primary mirror, a spherical secondary mirror, and a lens group. All these components are optimized to work in concert in order to create superb pinpoint stars across the entire 52 mm image plane.

  One of the unique features of the PlaneWave CDK design is its ease of collimation and achievable centering tolerance for a telescope of its class. This ease of alignment and collimation guarantees the user will be sure to get the best performance out of the telescope possible, each and every night. The end result at the image plane of the CDK design is pinpoint stars from the center of the field of view out to the corner of the field of view.

  Important Order Information:

  • For time frames or questions, please contact us at 800-483-6287.
  • If these are out of stock, PlaneWave requires a 50% deposit at the time your order is placed. If you decide to cancel that order, the manufacturer will keep $800 from your deposit. (Lead time for out of stock is about 90 days.)
  • We also need to know which CCD camera you will be using so that we can inform you of the proper adapters for your set-up.
  • Shipping charges will be quoted separately. Just contact OPT for a shipping quote. The quote will include a shipping crate.

  L-Series Mount Features:

  • For time frames or questions, please contact us at 800-483-6287.
  • Direct-drive motors on each axis for smooth, fast, and virtually silent movement of the telescope
  • Slew speeds up to 50 degrees per second
  • High-resolution encoders on each axis for precise positioning
  • Zero backlash
  • Zero periodic error
  • PointXP mount modeling software
  • Enclosed electronics

  The L-Series mount combines versatility, simplicity, and affordability by combining all the technology of our Observatory class telescopes into a compact stand-alone mount. In its Alt/Az configuration, it is considerably more compact than its German equatorial counterpart, allowing a larger telescope to fit in a smaller enclosure.  Unlike German Equatorial mounts, there are no meridian flips to deal with, and no large protruding counterweights to create a dangerous hazard in a public observatory. Alt/Az is more intuitive to use and no polar alignment is needed. Besides, it is the way the pros do it!

  Direct drive motors and encoders	Direct Drive motors and on-axis encoders eliminate the need for gears, thereby eliminating backlash and periodic error. With high-resolution encoders providing the feedback for the direct-drive motors, not only will the telescope track without periodic error and backlash, but the mount will also counter wind gusts with precise servo feedback.
  Incredible Slew Speed	The direct-drive motors can move the telescope at speeds up to 50 degrees per second for tracking satellites or just to minimize target acquisition time.
  Dual mounting bracket	PlaneWave style mounting bracket to hold CDK17/20 onto the inside of the fork arm with the additional option of mounting a scope on the outside of the fork arm. The optional dovetail clamp is required for this.
  Azimuth dovetail balance system	Provides precise center of gravity balance whether in Alt-Az or Equatorial configuration
  Through the mount cabling	Access panels in the fork arm and azimuth axis allow for camera equipment cabling through the inside of the mount.
  Proven CDK700/PW1000 Technology	The L-Series uses the same proven technology as the CDK700 and 1-Meter PW1000 which are being used in Universities around the world.

• specifications

  Aperture	356 mm (14")
  Back Focus	282 mm
  Computerized	Computerized
  Dawes Limit	0.33 arcseconds
  Drive Type	Direct
  Focal Length	2563 mm
  Focal Ratio	f/7.2
  Freight	Yes
  Head Design	Altitude Azimuth
  Highest Magnification	712x
  Instrument Capacity	100 lb
  Latitude Range	0 to 90 Degrees
  Light Gathering Power	2586x
  Mount Head Weight	110 lb
  Optical Design	Corrected Dall Kirkham
  PEC	Yes
  Tracking Accuracy	0.3 Arcseconds
  Tube Diameter	468.3 mm/9.37 inches
  Tube Length	889 mm
  Tube Weight	48 lb

• included items

  • For time frames or questions, please contact us at 800-483-6287.
  • PlaneWave CDK350 (14-inch) Telescope OTA
  • PlaneWave L-350 Direct Drive Mount
  • 12V DC Power Supply (Not included with European Orders)
  • English Hex Wrench Set (European Orders Only)