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Old 04-07-2013, 08:28 PM
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pvelez (Pete)
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Simple but effective

My Tak FSQ has been out of commission for months now. The Robofocus was not up to the task - due in part to clumsy installation on my part I'm sure. So I've been waiting patiently for a Bellepheron to arrive - should be here any month now...

I saw a post somewhere here suggesting that a dew heater will reduce the shift in focus over a session. Determined to get some imaging done, I bought one this afternoon.

After manually focussing, I've started on the Cat's Paw - looking at CCDIP the focus has been remarkably stable - with no need to refocus.

Brilliant!

Whoever it was who suggested this - many thanks

Pete
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Old 04-07-2013, 09:53 PM
cfranks (Charles)
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Pete,

Stupid question maybe, did you fit the Dew Heater in the normal place on the Dew Shield, or wrap it round the focuser? My FLT132 has a FeatherTouch focuser and I have to focus about every 10 to 15 mins. and I do use a standard Dew Heater.

Charles
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Old 05-07-2013, 06:56 AM
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pvelez (Pete)
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Charles

I wrapped it around the draw tube near the camera. Its the contraction with the cold that throws the focus out. Keeping it warm reduces this - its doesn't stop it entirely but it makes it much more manageable. Last night I needed to refocus after about 90 minutes as the temperature dropped significantly over this period. Normally I would need to do it every 30 minutes.

The FSQ106 has a very narrow focus range - without an electronic focuser it can be a real pain. When the new focuser arrives, I expect to keep the dew strap on

Pete
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Old 05-07-2013, 09:15 AM
cfranks (Charles)
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Thanks Pete, I'll give it a try.

Charles
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Old 05-07-2013, 09:30 AM
Poita (Peter)
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That's a great tip. Well worth trying.
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Old 05-07-2013, 05:40 PM
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graham.hobart (Graham stevens)
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focus tip

That's a great tip. Will try it on the FS 60 which has a focus point with a DSLR like trying to park a bus on a needle in high winds.
(Manual of course!)
Graz
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