Focusers

[CoombellKid]

I'm looking for a focuser for my next project and really dont want spend more
than $250.00-$350.00 looking for something that is a step up from something
like a low profile GSO 1:10

Any ideas muchly appreciated

regards,CS

[gbeal]

For me, only one. The Feather Touch. One on the 16" for visual. One on the imaging scope, with the digital motor unit. Auto-focus is something to be seen.
Gary

[iceman]

I'm not sure what you'll get in that price range.. The jump from the GSO to the next "great" brand is quite a hike..

The moonlite CR2 is very nice. I haven't used a feathertouch but as Gary said i'm sure they're great.

[CoombellKid]

Gary,

Can you get one for AUS$350.00? I thought they were quite expensive. Dont need auto-focus.

regards,CS

[CoombellKid]

Mike,

What would I be looking at for a moonlite CR2

Maybe it is best for the price I'm willing to spend to stay with a GSO

regards,CS

[GrahamL]

Been a bit slack rob ..heres a pic of those moonlite connecter blocks
I have a double top and bottom ,I think they'll work in that set up to 20"
from memory ..they work great btw put the poles in the bottom and slightly tighten them drop the cage into the top balls and walk away,the scope is aligned pretty much evn before you tighten anything up ,they don't need much of a twist to lock onto the balls btw.

My focuser you used the other night.I hadn't cleaned the draw tube that night which is something you should do most every time you use it (takes a few seconds).. I know its not a feather touch but it it as good as my gso crayfod
It was about a $100 delivered..I also couldn't get good focus with it the other night as my secondary had
shifted a little on the clutch plate up top.. first long drive with my scope :).. strangely the primary ,which i suspected would move a little stayed spot on.

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2yw78zn&s=3
http://i28.tinypic.com/11keel4.jpg

[gbeal]

Rob, indeed they are expensive, but price them with others in the same class first.
And, in your original posting it was evident that you wanted better than what you already have, so anything better is likely to hurt the pocket.
I reckon buy the best and be happy.
Starlight Instruments is the place, and their prices are here.
It will depend on what you buy, and then what it fits onto.
The basic focuser is US265. You then need a base to suit your application (flat or curved) and these start at US$25. They also need (again if required) an eyepiece adaptor, and these are about $35.
So it all adds up, but I seriously doubt you will wear it out, and never be unhappy with it.
I did have a few around to alleviate the "shipping from the unknown vendor on the other side of the world" reluctance, but at present don't have any. They are a great company to deal with.
Gary

[wavelandscott]

Having used them all either on my scopes or others, I'd rank them this way...

#1 Feathertouch
#2 Moonlight (I've got 2)


#3 JMI
#4 GSO...

To my mind the Feathertouch and Moonlight are in a different class, hence the space (with the Feathertouch just above the Moonlight)...the JMI was better made than the GSO but did not have the same buttery smoothness feel to focusing that the Moonlight or Feathertouch has...

Best to check the web for curent pricing I got my Moonlight CR2 a few years ago...service was excellent with deliver to me here in Sydney within a few days...I have one on a Bintel 8 inch dob and one on my Discovery Truss Dob. The Discovery started with an older JMI focuser...it was okay but not a smooth as I was looking for.

[Garyh]

Hi Rob,
If you don`r mind just a single speed crayford maybe a Wyorock focuser might suit? They are rock solid and low profile and cost around $150US..
But there webpage doesn`t seem to be working?
You could try there email address....
wyorock@comcast.net
cheers Gary

[TrevorW]

WO Skywatcher replacement focuser
My new WO Synta replacement focuser arrived today cost $300 odd but well worth it.

As you can see from the attached photos typical WO build quality.

Undid three screws took out the old focuser slotted in the new simple as that the fit was perfect.

The focuser is as smooth as a babies bottom, has a fully rotatable head so screw down the diagonal and you can rotate it at will or lock it in place your choice.

3" of travel in the draw tube focused everything from my 4mm to 40mm without a hitch,

My only complaint is the dovetail shoe and bracket supplied was not the standard Synta/Skywatcher dovetail shoe which you'd expect when the focusers meant to be a replacement for the standard focuser.

Unfortunately you either need to buy the WO finder rings and bracket or source a dovetail plate from somewhere else or as I have temporarily attach the finder to the scope rings.



Attached Thumbnails http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=42484&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1210251559 (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment_browse.php?a=42484) 82.5 KB2 views
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=42485&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1210251559 (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment_browse.php?a=42485) 123.8 KB4 views
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=42486&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1210251559 (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment_browse.php?a=42486) 121.3 KB3 views
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=42487&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1210251559 (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment_browse.php?a=42487) 107.8 KB6 views
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=42488&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1210251559 (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment_browse.php?a=42488) 125.6


Hope it may help

:)

[PhilW]

I am going for the Feathertouch. It is gorgeously tactile to use. Having said that, the Moonlite is superb too.

The other option is to get a GSO, pull it apart & regrease everything properly.

[CoombellKid]

Thanks for that. I wonder how hard that design would be to make. But
I liked how they worked on your scope.



Actually I gave your focuser a bit of a whirl,I thought it was rather nice
for the price you paid. Looking at the picture, have you raised it? I mean
is the brass looking riser a part of the focuser?

regards,CS

[CoombellKid]

Gary,

US$265.00 on the current rate is still within the budget. But will the rate
still be good when it's time to buy.

Still worth taking in, I do have bigger plans so I'm still tossing up whether
or not to spend up a bit on this one.

regards,CS

[acropolite]

Bintel have an equivalent (https://www.bintelshop.com.au/Product.aspx?ID=7469)that they assured me bolts straight on.

[GrahamL]

no its just mounting hardware really ,I got my father to turn those up for me out of brass just for looks..The focuser comes with a kit which is pretty much some differant sized spacers so you can select and adjust the height .

[CoombellKid]

The brass does give it a nice look. Where did you get the focuser from?

regards,CS

[GrahamL]

http://www.kineoptics.com/HC-2.html :)


this scope shown in the instillation pics on that site is worth a look
amazing amount of work in it!!
http://www.cloudynights.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&si=MMICKELS&page=2&sort=1&perpage=12&password=&ppuser=2204&stype=2