The Flip-Flat Robotic Flat Fielder from Alnitak and Optec (size 4-Inch to 6-Inch) is a lens cap and flat-field illumination source for small to medium size refractors. This particular model is best suited for OTA's between 4-inch and 6-inch.

It acts as a dust protection device and provides flat-field illumination in a convenient and compact package.

Alnitak Astrosystems' flagship product, the Flip-Flat, is a robotic lens-cap and flat field illumination source for small to medium size refractors. With hundreds of Flip-Flats already in the field being used by satisfied customers, we’re confident that our product continues to meet the needs of discriminating astroimagers around the world. The Flip-Flat employs advanced electroluminescent lamp panel technology to provide a uniform source of illumination for the production of high quality flat field frames necessary for serious astroimaging and photometric work. With the Flip-Flat, on-demand flat fields with uniformity errors less than 1-percent are now possible. In addition to providing excellent flat fields, the Flip-Flat protects the objective lens of the telescope from dust that typically plagues remote installations where the user cannot manually replace the lens-cap after an imaging session. The Flip-Flat is easily mounted to the front of any telescope tube (or rigid dewshield) with an OTA outside diameter between 4-inch (100 mm) and 8-1/8-inch (206 mm). The Flip-Flat is attached to the telescope OTA with industrial nylon zip straps and easily removable for transport and storage. A simple Windows interface provides the ability to open and close the Flip-Flat and turn on the light source. The intensity of the light can be adjusted to one of 255 levels.

 

Product Specifications:

 

• Lamp Diffuser Diameter: 7.7-inch (195 mm)
• Lamp Illumination Diameter: 6.7-inch (170 mm)
• Control Box Dimensions: 2.25 x 3.15 x 4.2-inch (57 x 80 x 106 mm)
• Weight: 1-pound 6-ounces (0.6 kg)
• Lamp Pivot Arm: 6.1-inch (155 mm) length
• Range of Pivot Arm: 95-degrees
• Power requirements: 5VDC provided by USB interface
• Minimum OTA/dewshield OD: 4-inch (stock #OP-19050)
• Maximum OTA/dewshield OD: 8.125-inch (stock #OP-19052)
• Alnitak Software Compatibility: Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and 8.
• Command Line Program: AACmd.exe

  

IMPORTANT: Note that the diameter of the fully illuminated lamp for each of the Flip-Flat models is 6.7-inch or 170 mm, regardless of the model purchased. To accommodate the smaller 4-inch to 6-inch OTAs, we add a spacer to the mounting bracket which better centers the lamp over the OTA. For the larger OTA, the bracket is machined down and an over-sized ring is added to block any stray light from interfering with the flat lamp.

OPT Product Number: OP-19050