Getting an R200SS very soon, and it's already been modified by shortening the tube 25mm to allow more back focus etc, and has a GSO crayford on it (anyone got an original spare Vixen focuser?).
Seeing the jobs already half-done, any suggestions apart from focuser replacement and thinning the spider vanes to optimise one? Maybe baffles and flocking?
If the tube has been shortened you might want to look at whether the secondary needs to be replaced with a larger one. Flocking is probably a good idea as you suggest. And for a focuser, i reckon the large format Moonlites with the stepper motor look pretty sweet if thats not outside the budget. Importantly they allow you to directly thread a coma corrector/camera to the focuser rather than rely on a compression ring, so no sagging.
i'm still battling to find out if i am able to install a 2" moonlite / feather touch focuser in place of the 3" on the bintel gso scope. a bit hard when i haven't got it yet. details seem scant!
i'm still battling to find out if i am able to install a 2" moonlite / feather touch focuser in place of the 3" on the bintel gso scope. a bit hard when i haven't got it yet. details seem scant!
I have sent an email to Moonlite. I have been emailing the FeatherTouch people who needed the exact dimensions of the gso/bintel focuser to see if it would work (or pay nearly double for the 3"). If the 2" base didn't work they said they'd be able to customize one for me, which is handy but i kind of want to push the button and be ready for the queens b'day w'end...
The R200SS I currently have has a GSO/Bintel Crayford on it. Considering I am using an SXVR M25C OSC CCD, I have no need for a filter wheel, and I can get away with a slim OAG (Teleskop-Express version ordered). Shouldn't be any issue with focus or weight, but we shall see.
If anyone has an original R200SS focuser, give me a yell - I LOVE the original Vixen R&P,s simply because they hold a tonne, and I have become EXTREMELLY used to focusing them (having only Vixen optics now). I dislike Moonlite very much, but may give one a shot if I cannot get an original if the GSO fails to satisfy.
There is a good article online of a guy installing a Moonlite to his R200SS, and the trials and tribulations he went through, greatly assisted by Moonlite. I'll try to find it.