Focuser replacement - ED80

[Lee]

I'm looking to replace the focuser on my ED80 - does anyone have any suggestions or warnings.....
Would like as much in-out travel as possible, to allow more gadgets later!
Cheers!

[Heian]

Lee,

I got a GSO 10:1 microfocuser from Andrews. Works really well, change over took about 3 minutes, undo 3 screws, slide out the old, in with the new, retighten the screws. It also has the ability to rotate the focuser independently of the scope, so framing is that little bit easier.:)

cheers
Mark

[h0ughy]

what size did you get?

Refractor type, 112mm (suits 112mm i.d. of refractor tube) $199.00
Refractor type, 96mm (suits 96mm i.d. of refractor tube) $149.99
Refractor type, 86mm (suits 86mm i.d. of refractor tube) $119.00
M-M LP type $109.00

[[1ponders]]

I have the WO 10:1 focuser. Smooth as silk. Best photography investment I have bought for the ED80 after the WO 0.8 FR. ;)

I looked at a couple of others that were less expensive and found that there was a slight amount of play in the fine adjustment knob. The WO has none at all and is very direct. I also found that the focuser is slightly shorter than the original Orion one so you may need a small extension tube or a FR to reach focus. This may also be the case for other 10:1 focusers. I find when I'm using the 300D and the Orion Prime Focus adapter I need to leave the adapter out about 5 mm or so to ensure I get enough out focus. It isn't an issue but you should be aware of it. Longer profile adapters may not need this.

[h0ughy]

F-RT-Z80 Retrofit 2 speed 10:1 microfocuser knobs for M80 II SD, ED, SUPERAPO, ZS80, ZS, etc. Works with all clones,too! $219.00 from andrews comms web site

[[1ponders]]

The one I bought from Andrews was the F-SYN2S Synta 2" Crayford focuser with 10:1 2-speed microfocuser and (7 x 50) quick release finderscope bracket for $379. http://www.williamoptics.com/accessories/synta_features.htm

This one is a newer design than mine. It has a longer focuser travel as well as the graduated focuser barrel. It also comes with the WO finderscope bracket.

h0ughy do the others come with finderscope brackets?

[h0ughy]

not sure?:shrug:

[JohnG]

Got to agree with what the others have said here, I have a William Optics replacement, mine is an early one without the 2 speed reduction and has the shorter draw tube although this has not caused me any problems as I use a Takahashi wide camera adapter which takes the camera further out.

Any problems, no, once I had the adjusters suitabily tensioned, the weight of the camera makes no difference.

EDIT: Mine came with the finderscope bracket and foot.

Cheers

[Heian]

The one that fits the ED80 is the $149.00 version, the 96mm size. The down size, which I only noticed after purchase/installation :doh: is that it does not have a finderscope bracket.

Mark

[[1ponders]]

I'm thinking of upgrading to the newer WO with the longer draw tube.

[JohnG]

Ummm :confuse3:, if I ever decide to upgrade again, I think, perhaps I might look at a MoonLite focuser.

http://www.focuser.com/cgi-bin/dman.cgi?page=productdetail&plugin=dstore.cgi&product=CF

One can dream. :D

Cheers

[[1ponders]]

Your are a cruel man JohnG :sad:

[Lee]

Sounds like WO is the way to go then..... the longer draw tube is used in place of a diagonal - correct??

[[1ponders]]

It helps to get focus when there is no diagonal in the optical train Lee. A diagonal adds a considerable distance to the length of a scope and without it you may not get to focus (certainly won't using an eyepiece). The extra long draw tube helps to over come that problem. The thing to remember though is that the further away from the focuser your camera gets the greater the lever arm moment is on the focuser/drawtube assembley. You need to make sure there is a good strong connection between these two elements so you don't get sagging and slop with the weight of the camera attached.

[ballaratdragons]

Lee,

My ED80 is fitted with an ED100 Crayford Focuser. Exactly the same size (both models use the same tube) but it has a very very long barrel. The ED100 focuser came with a longer barrel than the ED80.
You can wind focus out for about a week :lol:
Works great when Barlowing, no need for an extension tube :thumbsup:

Here you can see it wound out. Look how long that sucker is! :eyepop:

[acropolite]

I have the Bintel item, as stated it doesn't have a finderscope bracket, but bintel have an add on. I fitted my red dot finder with a siingle screw no problem. You may also need to buy an extension as well to reach focus, I had to. The fit on mine was a little on the loose side, I had to shim it a little with some old shirt box plastic for a snug fit. The 10:1 focusser is very nice, but there is some shift when the focus lock is used, whether this is normal or not I can't say. If I were buying again I would definitely go for the WO Item.

[Lee]

Thanks for all the replies - I'm thinking WO..... sexy focuser too.... :D

[[1ponders]]

You won't regret it Lee. While it may not be a Moonlite it's not far off and it certainly doesn't have the price of a Moonlite either.

[dugnsuz]

Just looked at the Moonlite website...
The basic red Synta focuser + Delivery to Oz is $309US ($347AU)
Compares well with the WO unit pricewise as you'll have to add $10+ for delivery within Oz too.
Cheers
Doug:thumbsup:

[[1ponders]]

yeah but who just wants the basic unit :P :lol:

[dugnsuz]

Too true!:D

[Lee]

Ordered the WO Synta unit from Andrews..... :cool2:

Thanks for all the advice....

[citivolus]

Is anyone having difficulty with availability of the WO focuser? My dealer says it is out of stock at WO, and I've had a backorder in with him for the past month.

[Lee]

Andrews Communications (http://www.andrewscom.com.au) in Sydney had one (at least) in stock as of yesterday.....

[Lee]

Wow! Arrived in post today..... Take a win Andrews! :thumbsup:
The darn finder bracket didn't come though.... will have to chase it up.....

BTW - how does the finder attach - looks like I need to pull out a grub screw and attach it in - correct???
Got my GPUSB today too! What a nice surprise to come home to.... :D

[[1ponders]]

Yep you need to pull out one of the grub screws and put it there.


Don't you know you are supposed to spread these little packages out so the you can experience gratification every day........plus avoid all those embarassing questions :P

[acropolite]

The finder bracket does attach where the grubscrew is.

[Lee]

Also - I ordered a StellarVue finder from SDM Telescopes yesterday - got a confirmation email saying it was on its way 2 hours later! Hats off! Lucky my fiancee is very understanding! :D

[[1ponders]]

Does she know how much all this is costing? And how much you spent on her engagement ring? ;)


:lol:

[Lee]

Yep!
She is interested in astronomy too, saying that - she likes to look at speccy things once everything is set up!
Besides after the blown-budget observatory, this is small change! :lol:

[acropolite]

Perhaps you should put an extra N in there (financee). Can you post some photos when you've installed the focusser, I'll be interested to know if you need any additional extensions to reach focus.

[dugnsuz]

Hi All,
Been following this thread with interest...
Has anyone tried the 96mm GSO crayford refractor unit?
It looks quite chunky on the GSO website...
http://www.gs-telescope.com/content.asp?id=93
If it is on a par with the units on their Dobs then it might be the good middle ground at $149 for a chap on a budget, like wot I am!:P
They also list an 8x50 finder bracket for this focuser - can't find it on the Andrews website though.
All the best
Doug:thumbsup:

[acropolite]

That's the one I have (see this post (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=262052&postcount=16)), for the money it's a good unit, my only complaint is that the focus lock screw causes some focus shift. For photography purposes that probably won't pose a problem as it also has a focus friction adjustment.

[Lee]

She does handle the finances.... I just spend it all!

Will post photos....... watch this thread.

[Lee]

Phil - I haven't got a photo at the moment..... the WO Synta focuser is within a couple of mm the same size (in terms of in/out travel) - I've had no probs getting anything to focus. Much easier to get great focus actually, with the delightful 10:1 focuser! CCDs - DSI Pro and DMK21 reach focus through a 2" diagonal, or through a 35mm extension piece (which they needed with the stock focuser anyway)....