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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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
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.
Focuser recommendations
