I have received a few messages and emails regarding my recent purchase of the Esprit 150. Rather than responding to general questions individually, I thought I would just start a new thread and attach some pics.
My only two comments I would make at this stage are:
- I have been unable to actually use the new scope because I am still waiting on my new mount (well, that and the weather). So from an "optics quality" point of view, I cannot comment.
- Regarding the "cosmetic finish" of the scope, I am extremely happy. There were/are no scratches or imperfections on the tube or any of the accessories. I am comparing this to my Skywatcher 200 dob and Williams Optics Megrez90, and to a friends LX850. Very, Very, happy with the quality of finish.
I have attached a few pics that should show how the scope presents.
Having inspected a 150, 120 and 100 personally, they certainly have improved a LOT over the initial offerings, and I would be happy owning one again (well, I owned the 80), as optically they are VERY nice. My early-ish 80 had a few niggles, but all easily corrected if you are so inclined or perturbed by them.
It is very nice to see that SW takes on criticism of their items and responds accordingly.
Just on a different note, and probably not really relevant here, ... but....... With all the excitement of the new Telescope and the Observatory construction, I didn't notice I had hit, and surpassed the 200 post mark. I have been a member for ten and a half years. That's about 20 posts a year on average.
I suppose I had better slow down. If my wife sees this, she will think I am getting chatty.
Just on a different note, and probably not really relevant here, ... but....... With all the excitement of the new Telescope and the Observatory construction, I didn't notice I had hit, and surpassed the 200 post mark. I have been a member for ten and a half years. That's about 20 posts a year on average.
I suppose I had better slow down. If my wife sees this, she will think I am getting chatty.
Darrell
Haha, don't look at Lewis' post number then. Discussion of things of importance on IIS is not chatting, it is an educational opportunity.
It is the same focuser as on the 120, just with a flange to fit the larger OTA.
I found the SW focuser on these easy to fix. Mine had a similar issue, and I just tightened things down and adjusted as necessary. Took about 20 minutes, and in the time I owned it, never had the issue again (I did use permanent Loctite)
Bang on Lewis , I was lucky to get a hold of an Esprit 120 focuser as the owner of this 120 gave up and grabbed a Moonlight after it
continued giving him trouble .
I fitted it onto my 127mm iStar and just like Lewis found that after a little studying and adjusting it is really nice , even after 1 year it has not had to be touched , it's a very good R&P focuser now .
One thing with these is that those 4 tightening down allen screws ( the larger ones , 4mm from memory ) on the bottom ,,, DONT ! over tighten them as it throws any adjusting you have done to that point ( you start chasing your tail , frustrating ! ) , to get a nice feel goes straight out the window , just nip them up . I used ' Blue ' Loctite .
I think that bottom piece flexes under to much pressure .
Brian.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LewisM
It is the same focuser as on the 120, just with a flange to fit the larger OTA.
I found the SW focuser on these easy to fix. Mine had a similar issue, and I just tightened things down and adjusted as necessary. Took about 20 minutes, and in the time I owned it, never had the issue again (I did use permanent Loctite)
Last edited by brian nordstrom; 01-06-2018 at 05:42 PM.
You would like to think that if you spent the best part of 7k on a 150 Esprit or any of the other models for that matter the last thing you should have to worry about is if the focuser is effective or not it should just work ,The standard R&P focuser on a small Tak can hold in my experience around 2kg of stuff and not bat an eyelid ,No problems it does what it should just work.......
You would like to think that if you spent the best part of 7k on a 150 Esprit or any of the other models for that matter the last thing you should have to worry about is if the focuser is effective or not it should just work ,The standard R&P focuser on a small Tak can hold in my experience around 2kg of stuff and not bat an eyelid ,No problems it does what it should just work.......
Have seen a number of Tak's that had focusers that were poor out of the box. I had one that was by no means satisfactory for imaging, no matter how it was adjusted. My Esprit (8 months old) is perfectly fine.
And that's not acceptable for any premium scope of any type the focuser should just work as you expect it to whether it's for visual or imaging and shouldn't have to mess around adjusting something that should just work ,people like me who have no mechanical understanding whatsoever expect these things to work and know for a fact i would never attempt to mess with any of my equipment....
Quote:
Originally Posted by garymck
Have seen a number of Tak's that had focusers that were poor out of the box. I had one that was by no means satisfactory for imaging, no matter how it was adjusted. My Esprit (8 months old) is perfectly fine.
Agree with Gary, but I have only experienced ONE Tak that had a so-so focuser so far (a Sky 90).
My current FSQ-85 has a perfect focuser.
Adjusting a Tak focuser is VERY easy if you follow the correct sequence, as otherwise, you are chasing your butt. The first place to check though is the CAA, THEN the focuser, as the CAA is usually the item needing correction (clean and regrease and tighten - even Astrodon show how to do this). You then need to adjust the drawtube tension so that there is no movement laterally or vertically or torsionally with the drawtube and THEN adjust the rack and pinion (the FSQ focuser makes this EASY).
I spent the better part of $1000 on a sweet FT3035 for my 127mm triplet APO and it's the best focuser ever made bar NONE ! ,,, lots of cash and a beautiful focuser but .....
;... Yes it needed a bit of adjustment out of the box , like anything mechanical you tune it to suit yourself , that's life .
Some people just need to moan ? it's not a perfect world .
I used a Feathertouch focuser on my TEC180 and it was very reliable. Testing by Yuri though did show it did flex more upright than when it was upside down. So I tended to use it upside down after that.
I agree Feathertouch focusers are fabulous. But you can't beat a good Astrophysics focuser. Now that is heavy duty and well made. A thick stainless steel drawtube you could drive your car over and it would not flex. Aluminium is a weak metal.
Dear all,
Today I decide to took apart the Esprit 120ED focuser. Did not touch the four inner screws!!!
Tight a little all screws that were possbile. Works really fine now. Hope it will last. I love the otics!!!
Thanks for your attention!
Regards, Fernando
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fernando
Hi Darrell,
My name is Fernando and I am in Brasil. I own a SW Esprit 120ED. It is about 5 years old. I love the otics and the easy that it is to fit my Cannon.
However, I am not happy at all with the stock focuser; loose right knob and other minor problems. Thinking about replacing it.
I am kind of planning getting the Esprit 150 for imaging, mainly. What is your opinion, feeling about the focuser?
Bang on Lewis , I was lucky to get a hold of an Esprit 120 focuser as the owner of this 120 gave up and grabbed a Moonlight after it 
, just nip them up . I used ' Blue ' Loctite .
.
lots of cash and a beautiful focuser but ..... 
