I originally got the Skywatcher ED80 Black Diamond as a guide scope but quickly found that I took much better photos through it than the bigger 180 Mak. It's a great scope. The two speed focuser is fine for visual work but it can't hold the weight of a camera (SLR or CCD). The lock screw wasn't designed for the weight and it it easily slips if the scope is at angles above 45 degrees. Are there aftermarket focusers that would mate up to this scope, that would work a bit better with weight on the back end?
Yep. In fact I have to wrap it with an old towel and use pliers to get it tight enough to hold the weight at high angles. It seems to slip more now, probably because I have had it so tight a bunch of times. But it was under designed right out of the box. I haven't ventured yet into taking the focuser apart to see if I can modify anything. It is a nice focuser but seems more appropriate for visual use.
That's really strange. There's a focuser mod thread that looks at how to improve the focuser. Focusers are basically the same, just different scopes. Having said that William Optics will have an alternate focuser as I'm sure Moonlight will.
Are there aftermarket focusers that would mate up to this scope, that would work a bit better with weight on the back end?
Yes there are. Try JMI or Moonlite - even Feathertouch. I recently upgraded the focuser on my very great favorite 100mm refractor - an Orion F6 shorty and bought a JMI that fitted perfectly and now provides all the functionality you could ask. Start with JMI.
Rob, i filed and honed my stock focuser, and the QHY9 plus filterwheel and reducer hangs off it very easy without slippage.
I always image way thru the meridian so the camera is upside down.
Do the mod and you will notice the difference
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