Celestron Focal Reducer/Field Flattener

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Brand and Model:Celestron Focal Reducer/Field Flattener
Price ($USD):
Type:Focal Reducer
Description:Threads to back of Celestron and Meade 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes

Allows use with 1-1/4" or 2" diagonals

Vote Highlights Vote
Celestron Focal Reducer/Field Flattener
This is the best SCT accessory you can get for the price. It gives you a F6.3 scope for a much wider FOV. I am getting about 1.9° FOV with an UWA 30mm 2" (80° AFOV) eyepiece in a C9.25. If you only use 1.25" eyepieces the low cost 20mm WA (66-70°) eyepieces work great with it.

Overall Rating: 10
Performance:10 Value:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=326133

Celestron Focal Reducer/Field Flattener
Works as advertised on my Nexstar 5. No noticable reduction in sharpness and minimal brightness loss. I tend to forget it's even on the scope after a while. Doesn't work with focal lengths 35mm and larger. A solid investment for S-C owners.

Overall Rating: 9
Performance:9 Value:8
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=123371

Celestron Focal Reducer/Field Flattener
I just recently installed the Celestron F6.3 reducer on my Meade LX90 scope.

It is a wonderful product and I would say the best accessory
so far for this scope.

Fantastic wide field views and increased contrast. The sky next to the moon is now jet black. Thoroughly recommend it.

Overall Rating: 9
Performance:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=351102

Celestron Focal Reducer/Field Flattener
I just leave it on my C8 all the time. For deep sky viewing it can't be beat. The lower power flat field is a big plus with these scopes.

Overall Rating: No Vote
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=130193

Celestron Focal Reducer/Field Flattener
Stars in my Meade 8 inch LX 50 + Celestron 30 mm Ultima clearly show the expected problem of field curvature without the focal reducer. With it the field curvature definitely reduced, however, I was unable to focus stars to sharp pinpoints in the field center. Seems like the unit was introducing a lot of its own aberrations. Also the outer part of the field exhibits some darkening although this is not objectionable. Overall dissapointed and I have returned the unit. Suggest potential purchasers evaluate it on their own scope.

Overall Rating: 5
Performance:5 Value:5
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=78753

Celestron Focal Reducer/Field Flattener
Wonderful device... I have used one on C8, C11, and C14. Worked well on each one.

Overall Rating: 10
Performance:10 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=66603

Celestron Focal Reducer/Field Flattener
I use it a lot more than my barlow!

Overall Rating: 9
Performance:9 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=66316

Celestron Focal Reducer/Field Flattener
After reading a post by Rod M. I bought one. It is the next best accessory to replacing the stock diagonal on my C8 with the Lumicon. It does perform as marketed, I particularly like the views of DSO's with this product.

Regards,

Jeff Lee

Overall Rating: 10
Performance:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=66048

Celestron Focal Reducer/Field Flattener
Works as advertised, although there is still a slight coma in my C9.25. I wouldn't be surprised if the Celestron and Meade focal reducers are the exact same item but with different logos.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=44390

Celestron Focal Reducer/Field Flattener
This item threads on the back of an 8" SCT and reduces the focal length by 37%.
This is better than buying the f/6.3 version of the scope because the f/10 versions have a smaller secondary, and, hence, better contrast.
This is a stunning accessory. It reduces the focal length, allowing for much wider fields, especially if mated to a 2" diagonal. That alone would make it worth the $119-$139 street price, but it also flattens the focal plane and reduces comatic edge-of-field star images significantly. So, you get wider fields and less coma at the edges of those wider fields at the same time!
And you get a second telescope for a cheap accessory price, because there are times you want to use your scope at f/10.
Recommended highly.
Note: If you don't get the same results I did, it's possible your lens is defective. Exchange it for another.

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=44389

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