[godina06 (Tom)]

Hi all, just a quick update:

I purchased this focuser from cameraconcepts.com. After I noticed the issue on the focuser I contacted Cameraconcepts and received the following response: “ Starlight instruments tells us this is normal operating conditions with this focuser. I would urge you to contact them in order to validate what I am telling you. They told us this when we sent it to them for normal maintenance after we bought it. You can, of course, return it to us for a refund but I would first suggest you speak with Starlight to confirm that I am speaking the truth.”

Cameraconcepts then spoke with the owner of Starlight Instruments about this problem and Starlight Instruments would very much like to take care of the issue. Cameraconcepts advised me about the “inside story": previously a gentleman from Starlight was in charge of operations and he recently left the company without notice, in disarray, and leaving a trail of highly questionable practices. (It appears that his method of taking care of customer service issues was to deny and obfuscate rather than take care of problems).

Starlight is very sorry for the behaviour of my focuser and would like to see to it that my problem is properly taken care of. They believe that there is no reason why this focuser should behave any differently from any other Feathertouch focuser that they have ever made. Cameraconcepts arranged to have an RMA document produced so that I can return the focuser to Starlight and they promise to take care of the issue in a timely manner.

Starlight advised that The focuser I purchased is an economy model that was manufactured at the request of Lunt Solar Systems. It is a single speed focuser that is an upgrade on one of their models. It was something that was designed for the 2017 solar eclipse. Lunt wanted a lower cost option for their scopes. This does not have the pinion assembly that the rest of the Starlight focusers have.

Starlight repaired my focuser at no cost to me and it is much smoother than it was when I sent it to Starlight. However, it is still not as smooth as the 1.25” dual speed focuser that my friend has.

Overall, I am very happy with Starlights customer service and their quick response. I will continue to recommend FT focuser to my friends. In fact, i just purchased a new telescope with a buttery smooth 2.5” FT focuser fitted and I am extremely happy about it.