Many years ago on a visit to my GP with an ear infection caused by the ubiquitous foreign object I was earnestly advised that the only thing that should ever be placed in the affected orifice was ones elbow. The GP lit up his Woodbine and dismissed me as a stupid boy.
I was six at the time.
I fear that at the age of 70 I am in danger of depositing my elbow in my ear.
I have a TSA 120 with 2.7" focuser to which I have fitted the MEF-3 microfocuser. The scope is on a G11.
The other night, probably at least a month ago this being Melbourne, I found myself with my head between my knees, my right hand over the top of my head attempting to achieve perfect focus (yeah, right) and in that instant of sanity realised I needed help.
Can anyone recommend an electrical focuser that would fit the MEF-3 or fit on to the other side of the focuser shaft to allow me to retain the MEF-3 functionality but also allow for driven focusing when my body position imitates extreme yoga?
I am aware of the SkyWatcher item from Bintel at around $100 and I have also looked at Motofocus but that site does not appear to cater for TSA 120s and are of course considerably more expensive. One final point, l do not need computer control.
In my withered memory cells I do seem to recollect that Lewis had some similar query but am unable to find the outcome.
Mamba
Hello Phil,
Thanks for the advice on going for the SkyWatcher, I am assuming that a bit of Swiss file work on the mounting plate will be required to make it fit.
Could you let me know to which side of the Tak focuser you fitted the unit, was it the 7-1 side or the standard side.
I will get the unit anyway as it is not going to break the bank if it goes pear shaped.
Dave Cooke
Hello Stu,
I only image about 10% of the time, I am mainly visual but when I do image I already have and use the Batinov mask and have to say it works brilliantly.
My problem is that a relatively large refractor on an equatorial mount can sometimes put the eyepiece in very difficult positions especially when directed around the zenith and this causes me difficulty in reaching for the focuser knobs while at the same time looking through the eyepiece which can at times be around knee level. I could of course extend the tripod legs but then I would have problems at lower star altitudes.
The only real solution is to lose about 45 years.
I have now ordered the SkyWatcher focuser motor and will suck it and see. If you notice the unit for sale in a couple of weeks time you know it didn't work.
Dave Cooke
Hello Phil,
I have now ordered the SkyWatcher focuser and will probably be here by Wenesday. Thanks for the help and it is clear that you are very happy with the product given the number that you have.
I wil post on here how I get on when I have done the job.
Dave Cooke
I have now received and fitted the SkyWatcher electric focuser to the TSA 120 and there were no problems or difficulties once I realised that there were two flexible drives in the pack.
There is only one screw hole on the underside of the Tak fucuser so the mounting plate is only held on by the single Tak screw which may prove a problem.
My only worry is that the slow setting is not actually that slow and I worry that due to the speed of movement it will be difficult to obtain perfect focuse without dancing in and out Oaky Dokyish. (Sorry)
Dave Cooke
