Focuser recommendations

[Astroman]

Hi all,

Do any of you have focuser recommendations for an 8" (tube diameter 254mm) I am mainly after a rack and pinion 1.25" and 2" preferred. I have emailed Matthew Lovell of telescopes-astronomy for his recommendation on one he sells (1.25"/2" RACK & PINION FOCUSERS $90AUD$ OR $54US$) About my price range. unless I can get a crayford for the same price :D

Any help appreciated, I just want a dedicated focuser for my dob, instead of using the one off the TAL-1 which is moulded for a smaller tube.

[RAJAH235]

Andrew, If you can afford one, buy the Crayford. Much smoooooother movement. Or *electrify* your R&P. :P :D L.

[rumples riot]

I think that Mike will agree with me that you should get Moonlite CR2 focusor. When I was visiting Mike he showed me the Moonlite installed on his scope. I must say just by handling it in daylight, it felt extremely smooth. It has a course focus which is fast and a fine focus which is very smooth. Mike could tell you so much more. I must say that I have a crayford focusor on my Orion 80mm ED and it was not as smooth as the Moonlite.

Anyway I suggest that you ask Mike for more detail.

[Vermin]

I've just been playing with my new Starlight Instruments Feathertouch focuser - wow, it's so smooth. no slop at all, nice compression rings instead of thumb screws. Not at all cheap though.

http://www.globaldialog.com/~obsessiontscp/Feathertouch1.jpeg

[rumples riot]

That looks lovely Vermin. Looks a little like the microfocusor on the meade. I bet it is a treat to use. Very nice.

[Starkler]

The GSO crayford is great value at $99 and has brass compression rings on both the 2inch and 1.25 inch adapter.
The form of the base should match an 8 incher ota nicely.

[RAJAH235]

Looks like a very expensive unit Vermin. All those ball bearings! With a vernier to boot. Nice tho. L.

[Astroman]

Starkler, when you say GSO Crayford, what is the GSO? Not up with this forums short form wording yet.

There are certainly alot of different types available, I will have a look at all possibilities and let you know my decision.

Mike/Paul, Where in Australia sell these focusers, I did a search on Gooooogle but came up empty handed, do these have to be ordered from overseas?

[iceman]

Andrew, GSO is Guan Sheng Optics. They make all the GSO dobs we all own and buy from Andrews and Bintel. Good quality stuff for a good price.

If you're on a budget, the GSO crayford $99 is the way to go.

If you want to spend a bit more for better quality and a fine focus knob, get a moonlite. They're not cheap, but they really are good. Check out my moonlite upgrade page (http://www.iceinspace.com/?moonlite).

I bought the unit 2nd hand from Vermin, and then bought the install kit from DBA Astronomy in the US (link is on that page). You can get the whole units from them, or from the moonlite company main page.

So yes, overseas is really the only way to get these.

[Astroman]

I am looking at the crayford style focuser from william optics right now. Available through Frontier Optics. Has anyone gone through them before and how is their service?

[Starkler]

This is identical to the GSO crayford just the base mount plate is slightly different.

[Astroman]

If it's similar, where would I be able to get a GSo from then? I have looked at the usual websites like bintel etc.. but haven't found one for views. and current prices.

[ving]

andrewscom.com.au :)
$99 AU

I think this i the way for you to go.

[Starkler]

Aussie astro dealers tend to not update their websites very often.
Drop Lee at Andrews Comms in Sydney an email . He will have them unless his stock got sold out.

[Astroman]

Just as a small update:

The price of the William Optics 2" Newtonian focuser is $239.00 plus $10 P&H.

a little out of my price range unfortunately.

[Astroman]

Hi again,

I contacted Lee and in his reply he says:

Yes, I have Guan Sheng 2" (with 1.25" adaptor) Newtonian focusers in stock at $99. I have Guan Sheng Crayford style focusers due into stock again about the end of this month at $149. I have generic Crayford style focusers (same quality) in stock now for $149.
Please add $11 for registered mail -or- express mail costs to Adelaide.

So I am guessing a newtonian focuser is a Helical or rack and pinion. See how I go saving to $150

[iceman]

The crayford ones must've gone up, or maybe they were on special before.. I think Starkler ordered his from o/s and the price was around the same as the $99 local.

[Starkler]

Nope it was about $170AU incl shipping from DBA.

This was before Lee got his in. I convinced him to order some so anyone who got one for $99 owes me :P

Even at $149 they are still a good buy. Its well worth the extra money.

[Astroman]

Okay thanks for that guys, at least it gives me something to aim for. Man this scope is going to cost a fortune when I finally finish it in 2046.