The Standard Newtonian Power x Switch Package
See the Standard and Denk II Power x Switch Package Manual for details and a lot of photos after reading the information below.

With Newtonians
This system is designed for use in a Newtonian with a 1.25" focuser or a 2" focuser with 1.25" adapter. The Power x Switch allows any Newtonian to operate at two instant magnifications though some focus adjustment is necessary. With the Power x Switch Arm "IN", the magnification will be 1.2X and with the Power x Switch Arm "OUT", the magnification will be 2.5X. A 1.25" Newtonian Spacer Tube is included as well as a 1.25" Part S Cell. A 1.25" nosepiece is also provided. The Newtonian Spacer Tube and Part S are shipped threaded to the 1.25" nosepiece and all three are threaded into the Power x Switch which is attached to the Binoviewer. The Newtonian Tube is 4.5" long and is inserted completely into the focuser until the Power x Switch is flush with the focuser rim. Pushing the Power x Switch Arm to the "IN" position allows a low 1.2X magnification and moving the Arm to the "OUT" position creates 2.5X power and the focuser is racked outward. It's very easy to use and all Newtonians are guaranteed to reach focus in both magnification modes.

For Very Fast Dobs
Because of the steeper light cones generated by fast Newtonians with rations of F/4.5 and less, the 2 Newtonian OCS for the Power x Switch System is highly recommended as an upgrade to the Standard Newtonian Power x Switch Package ($199). It has a very large 37mm clear aperture front element and provides superior illumination than the 1.25 OCS. This 2 version of the OCS is standard with the Denk II Newtonian Power x Switch Package.

Refractor Use
For those who own a refractor as well as a Newtonian, the Standard Newtonian Power x Switch Package may be used in a refractor with a 1.25" star diagonal. The hollow Newtonian Spacer Tube is separated from the 1.25" nosepiece that remains in the Power x Switch. 1.25" Part S is detached from the Newtonian Spacer Tube and threaded into the filter threads on the telescope-side of the star diagonal. The Newtonian Spacer Tube is not used with a Refractor. The binoviewer, Power x Switch and 1.25" nosepiece is then inserted into the eyepiece-side of the star diagonal and the Power x Switch can then be used for low and high magnifications.

Coronado Filters
The 1.25" S Cell may also be used in Coronado Blocking Filter Diagonals. These BF diagonals have filter threads on the telescope side and the 1.25" S Cell must be installed when the binoviewer is used, or focus will not be possible. The binoviewer with Power x Switch can then be loaded in the front of the Coronado Diagonal for H-a use. Operation is essentially the same as with night use in a Refractor. Note: The 1.25" S Cell must be used at all times in the 1.25" Coronado Diagonal or focus and Power x Switching will not be possible. When using a Solarmax90 Telescope®, the 1.25" Refractor OCS Cell is unnecessary because that telescope has a special shortened tube designed to allow the Denkmeier Binoviewer to reach focus (see S&T Magazine Maxscope 90 Hot Product description in Jan 2004 issue).


With SCTs
This Package also operates with any SCT. With the Power x Switch Arm in the "OUT" position, magnification will be 1.15X due to the interaction of the SCT primary and secondary mirror. However, with the Power x Switch Arm in the "IN" position, the Newtonian Power x Switch will create a very large amount of focal reduction. Illumination will be poor with certain eyepieces and focus may not be possible, depending on the amount of back focus capability of the particular SCT tube assembly. The true SCT Power x Switch Package is recommended if the SCT is your primary telescope. (See information on the Standard or Denk II SCT Power x Switch Package) If 2X is desired, the 1.25" S Cell may be threaded to the binoviewer nosepiece that is threaded for 1.25" filters as well. In this way, 2 magnifications are possible when using the Standard Newtonian Power x Switch Package on SCTs.

SCTs Without Abundant Backfocus
In the event that an atypical SCT does not provide an ample amount of back focus, it may be necessary to use this package in the same way that it is used for Refractors. This means that the 1.25" S Cell would need to be used in the SCT diagonal filter threads at all times for focus to be achieved. For the major brands of SCTs, use of the 1.25" S cell in the diagonal will not be necessary.

With Maks,Classical Cassegrains, Mewlons, Tec Maks
With any telescope that uses a star diagonal but cannot provide the back focus necessary for the binoviewer to reach focus, the system is essentially used in the same way as it is with a refractor. Scopes like Takahashi Mewlons®, TEC Maksutovs®,Classical Cassagrains, and Tal Klestovs require the system to be used as if these scopes were refractors. Just follow the refractor instructions and remember that the 1.25" S Cell must be installed in the star diagonal at all times.
When using telescopes like Questars®, Meade ETX90 and 125s®, Meade Maksutovs, Orion® Maks, Intes Micros® and some others, the 1.25" S Cell should not be installed in the star diagonal. Focal reduction will be possible using the Power x Switch in these telescopes and because of the long focal length and small relative aperture of many of these designs, reduction will be very desirable though the true SCT Power x Switch System is again, the best choice if an SCT is your primary telescope. With the Power x Switch Arm in the "OUT" position, normal magnifications will result and by adding the 1.25" S cell to the binoviewer nosepiece and keeping the Power x Switch Arm in the OUT position, 2X magnification will result. These magnification factors are in comparison to magnification using the same eyepiece as a single the telescope with no binoviewer.