Making flats can be quite cumbersome, especially if you stride towards automation and simplification of the process. Our flat panels can automate the process of creating flat frames with your refractor telescope, eliminating the need for improvised methods like using LCD screens, the sky with a t-shirt, and similar hacks. Our first ASIAIR supported flat panel makes making flat frames with your telescopes part of automated routine, without hacks like LCD screens, sky with T-shirt etc.
We are offering 4 main categories of flat panels:
- motorized flap panels (FP2) – for telescopes up to about 235mm diameter, open/close and brightness controllable via ASCOM/Indi/ASIAIR, optional integrated dew heater, custom opened position, obstacle detection…
- lens flat panel (FTL2) – manual flat panel for lenses, adjustable for different diameters, brightness controllable via ASCOM/Indi/ASIAIR
- basic flat panel (FT2) – a classic among flat panels and a natural upgrade from DIY alternatives like T-shirts, tablets, and similar makeshift solutions, brightness controllable via ASCOM/Indi/ASIAIR
- wall mounted (WFT2) – for larger telescopes, in various sizes, brightness controllable via ASCOM/Indi/ASIAIR
Motorized Flap Panels (FP2)
Deep Sky Dad Flap Panel enables automation of making flats, protecting your optics from unwanted dust when not imaging and (optionally) preventing dewing issues of LED panel with built in heater.
Features:
- Compact modular design
- Compression rings customized especially to your telescope
- ARM cortex processor for good performance and connectivity
- Cross-platform control panel (Windows, Linux, Mac-OS)
- Easy installation (no bolts, 1x hand tightening knob)
- Dimmable LED light
- Servo motor with 270 degrees of motion and improved mechanics
- High brightness selection resolution (12-bit, 0-4096)
- Manual control with button
- Built in magnets, which snap the panel nice and tight when opened/closed
- Custom open position (disabled by default)
- Integrated obstacle detection (disabled by default)
- Automatic range calibration
- ASCOM support (up to 6 concurrent devices, with automatic port detection)
- INDI support
- ASIAIR support (optional, with special cable)
- Built-in LED heater to prevent dew accumulation on the LED surface (optional)
- PC connectivity: USB-C cable (included)
- Power requirements: 12V 3A (not included)
Dimensions
We are currently offering the following 5 different categories of flap panels:
| Category | Dimensions (W x H x D in mm) | Min. dewshield dia. (mm) | Max. dewshield dia. (mm) | Effective LED diameter (mm) | Weight (g) |
| FLAP100 | 138 x 188 x 100 | 40 | 103 | 75 | 470 |
| FLAP125 | 164 x 213 x 100 | 104 | 128 | 100 | 526 |
| FLAP150 | 189 x 238 x 100 | 129 | 154 | 125 | 647 |
| FLAP170 | 209 x 258 x 100 | 155 | 175 | 145 | 700 |
| FLAP194 | 234 x 282 x 100 | 176 | 202 | 169 | 800 |
| FLAP260 | 301 x 348 x 100 | 203 | 268 | 235 | 1175 |
Diameter for our motorized flap panels can be customised free of charge, so if you don’t find one which suits your telescope, write us to always@deepskydad.com and we’ll find a solution. For details regarding dimensions, weight, installation instructions and advanced features, you can also check the user manual and software section.
Flap Panels for Lenses (FTL2)
Deep Sky Dad Flat Panel for Lenses can be a nice addon to your lens setup or small refractor for the field work. The way it differs from standard flat panels is the fact that you can simply put it onto the different lens dewshields after you finish imaging via 3 tightening bolts. We are offering it in 3 different sizes: FTL100, FTL150 and FTL170.
Features:
- Compact modular design
- ARM cortex processor for good performance and connectivity
- Cross-platform control panel (Windows, Linux, Mac-OS)
- Easy installation (3x hand tightening knob)
- Dimmable LED light
- High brightness selection resolution (12-bit – 0-4096)
- Manual control with button
- ASCOM support (up to 6 concurrent devices, with automatic port detection)
- INDI support
- ASIAIR support (optional, with special cable)
- PC connectivity: USB-C cable (included)
- Power requirements: 12V 3A (not included)
We are currently offering the following 3 different sizes of flat lens panels:
| Category | Dimensions (D x d) | Min. dewshield dia. (mm) | Max. dewshield dia. (mm) | Effective LED diameter (mm) | Weight (g) |
| FTL100 | 112 x 99 | 16 | 84 | 75 | 230 |
| FTL150 | 162 x 99 | 66 | 134 | 125 | 380 |
| FTL170 | 182 x 99 | 86 | 154 | 145 | 430 |
Basic Flat Panels (FT2)
The Deep Sky Dad Flat Panel is a classic among flat panels and a natural upgrade from DIY alternatives like T-shirts, tablets, and similar makeshift solutions. Despite lacking advanced features, it provides an excellent entry point into frame calibration, offering affordability and a compact design. We offer our flat panels in four different sizes.
Features
- Compact design
- ARM cortex processor for good performance and connectivity
- Cross-platform control panel (Windows, Linux, Mac-OS)
- Dimmable LED light
- High brightness selection resolution (12-bit – 0-4096)
- Manual control with button
- ASCOM support (up to 6 concurrent devices, with automatic port detection)
- INDI support
- ASIAIR support (optional, with special cable)
- PC connectivity: USB-C cable (included)
- Power requirements: 12V 3A (not included)
Dimensions
We are currently offering the following 4 different categories of flat lens panels:
| Category | Dimensions (D x d) | Effective LED diameter (mm) |
| FT170 | 177 x 14 | 140 |
| FT194 | 201 x 14 | 164 |
| FT260 | 267 x 14 | 230 |
| FT300 | 307 x 14 | 270 |
Wall Mounted Flat Panels (WFT2)
The Deep Sky Dad Wall Flat Panel can be installed inside observatories, positioned near the telescope pier or tripod, allowing the telescope to be parked in alignment with the panel. This is particularly useful for larger telescopes with a truss design, where automated flap panels can pose challenges due to space constraints, as motorized flaps require room to open and close. The panel features an integrated input port and comes with a separate control box, which connects via a male DC connector.
Features
- ARM cortex processor for good performance and connectivity
- Cross-platform control panel (Windows, Linux, Mac-OS)
- Installation via pre-drilled holes in the edge of the panel
- Dimmable LED light
- High brightness selection resolution (12-bit – 0-4096)
- Manual control with button
- ASCOM support (up to 6 concurrent devices, with automatic port detection)
- INDI support
- ASIAIR support (optional, with special cable)
- PC connectivity: USB-C cable (included)
- Power requirements: 12V 3A (not included)
Dimensions
We are currently offering the following 2 different sizes of flat lens panels:
| Category | Dimensions (W x H x D) |
| WFT3030 | 328 x 328 x 18 |
| WFT6060 | 628 x 628 x 18 |
Below you can also watch a few YouTube videos of our flaps in action.