Rapido 450
Rapido 450 is a Newtonian telescope for altazimuth use. It is a derivation of the Dobson concept, but with performance and executive quality pushed to the extreme.
The sore point of any super-cheap Dobson-inspired model is the problem of maintaining the optical axis, not only due to mechanical deformations but optical too, because of the usually large diameter and the difficulties of being able to always manage it at 100% of your own skill.
Rapido 450 is a technological evolution of the Dobson concept, born for educational purposes but modified by us for peerless visual observation of evanescent objects (and much more) under very dark skies.
In the Rapido 450, you can mount a coma corrector that makes observations even more enjoyable, or a binoviewer, or even high-performance eyepiece with fields up to 100°.
The mechanical components are designed and optimized for all these possibilities. And last but not least, everything is easily transportable in a small car, thanks to the packaging system and the modular nature of the telescope.
Rapido 450 is the point of arrival for demanding visual observers that can enjoy with very dark skies.
Description
Rapido 450 is a reflector telescope with a classical Newton scheme (parabolic primary mirror, flat secondary mirror).
Designing a high-performance Newtonian telescope today does not have a purely industrial purpose. Indeed, the wide low-end commercial offer already satisfies most of the users.
MaxProjectTM Team wanted to confirm that even in simple and classic configurations the quality cannot compromise.
This project wanted to introduce some important innovations, in pure NortheK style.
The first innovation is the use of a sophisticated cell for altazimuth telescopes, equipped with floating supports and zero expansion systems, to allow the 35mm ultra-thin optics of this instrument to reach and maintain the thermal stasis throughout the observing session.
A full-bodied rear and side fans system, to simultaneously cool the mirror’s “core” and its surface, makes acclimatization extremely fast and precise.
The following graph shows how the telescope actually behaves during the observing session in a limit situation.
The very favorable focal ratio (f/4) still allows good portability and the use of equatorial platforms or other systems, which permit more comfortable observations.
No difficulty in making planetary observations even at very high magnifications. Also, the collimation is very easy, thanks to the micrometers system. Field tests have shown that even after long displacements the collimation barely has to be revised and, when necessary, the required time does not exceed two minutes.
Obstruction is limited to a secondary mirror with a minor axis of 100mm, to give excellent results in any kind of observation.
There are many possible regulations, to allow the customer the most congenial setting and to provide it with a tailor-made telescope.
The instrument is designed to be completely disassembled and stored in four cases, each of which can be lifted by a single person and easily reassembled.
The storage cases are made of wood; they are sturdy and divided into compartments in order to make transport and assembly-disassembly extremely easy.
As in the NortheK tradition, each component is made with CNC machining, only using high-quality alloys. The truss tube is made of carbon fiber, with self-centering conical joints to quickly put the system in axis. Very little remains to be done before the observing session
| OPTICAL FEATURES | |
| Optical scheme | Newton |
| Nominal optical opening | 460 mm |
| Actual optical opening | 450 mm |
| Focal ratio | f 4 |
| Primary mirror focal length | 1840 mm |
| Actual focus | 1840 mm |
| Back Focus – M.F. all inside | 350 mm |
| Thickness of primary mirror glass | 35 mm |
| Glass of primary and secondary mirrors | Supremax 33 di Schott |
| Substrate | Alluminio quarazato SiO2 |
| Optical surface correction | diffraction limited |
| Strehl ratio | 0,96 |
| Average reflectivity | 94% |
| Primary diaphragmation | 5 mm |
| Diameter of the secondary mirror | 100 mm |
| Thickness of the secondary mirror | 15 mm |
| Actual obstruction including the engineering | 25% |
| Diameter of the 100% illuminated field | 20 mm |
| MECHANICAL FEATURES | |
| Maximum diameter of the instrument | 610 mm |
| Internal diameter of the tube | 518 mm |
| Maximum lenght of the tube, without accessories | 1900 mm |
| Weight of the heaviest piece | 28 kg |
| Cell holding the primary | NortheK AZ 460 |
| Secondary holder | NortheK AxyS A1 |
| Structure of the whole tube | NortheK UnitorK 460 |
| Outer protection | Hard anodization, black colour |
| Nuts, bolts and counterweight | Stainless steel, Ergal |
| STANDARD SUPPLY | |
| Standard searcher | 8×50 achromatic |
| Focus | Feather Touch 2″ |
| Tool box and wood boxes for transport | Included |
| Maintenance manual | Included |
| Optical cap | Included |
| OPTION AND ACCESSORIES | |
| Feather Touch Mkit 20 motor | A richiesta |
| Data may change without notice |
Note: All the stock service products have a standard back focus. It is possible to configure longer or shorther back focus upon request and according to the instrument use. This might require a longer lead time. Before you come to a decision, please ask for details and clarifications.
| Product Code: RAPIDO 450 | Sale unit: piece |
Product traceability and security codes: every NortheK O.T.A. has its identification number stamped in a specific and fixed position and it contains alla production data and the relevant code of the customer who bought it. This number guarantees the originality of the projects, the traceability of the product and the Made in Italy manufacture. The stamp is laser marked and cripted
