Hi all,
I feel the time has come to replace my focuser on my 12" dob as was pointed out to me when the the scope was being collimated on the weekend that there was alot of movement in it which tends to make it a little more harder to get correct collimation.
What is a good focuser for the price,Or what focuser would you buy yourself for Xmas
I'll be watching this thread with interest too, because like you, my stock focusser in those GSO scopes isn't the best, and has a bit of slop and wiggles around if you don't have the screw tight.
I don't see there being any cheap options though, it's probably best to buy an expensive moonlight focusser or something. I think Gary has done something like that, hopefully he'll see this and reply
Hi Mike,
Yes i hope to get some good reply's here as it has now started to get me mad As i have just had the mirror replaced under warranty and now this problem, Makes you wonder somtimes
Here is a link for you on the focuser that hardin are putting on there new dobs.
There a helical crayford design , in that you turn the focuser tube to wind it in and out.
It uses a crayford bearing set up which allows for a faster screw motion than normal helical threads.
I actually got this given to me , and was going to get a Starlight instuments feather touch focuser as they use a Stainless steel tube so you don't wear grooves in them from the bearing , but have not seen the need with this unit .
You will have to be aware of the mounting distances though. , but that is easaly fixed.
The Kine handles a powermate and 30mm 80deg 2"eyepiece weight.
Mark
Graeme , if your on a budget you might want to give Andrews a go as he has some Crayford focusers for sale. There $150 but I have not seen one , so can't coment on quality.
They do look a lot like the cheap ones JMI are now keeping for people on a budget . Chinese I think ?
It might be helpfull Graeme If I let others with a GSO Dob know , to check there focuser alignment with a laser as we did with yours.
We had to space Graemes focuser on one side as the laser was pointing off to one side of the diagonal by about 15mm . I am not talking about didgonal off set either . This is towards the side of the tube not towards the mirror . Spacing was not a problem but the play in the focuser could not be removed .
The GSO focuser would be fine for a longer focal ratio scope but for an f5 or less you really need to have better accuracy in the set up and draw tube .
Your newly replaced mirror looks a lot better with out that cat urine mark on the surface .
Also nice NOT to see cleaning scratches on it where a dealer tried to clean it .
Hi Team,
I have been down this road, many times. I am more scrooge than all of you, but am the first to suggest one brand, and suggest it wholeheartedly. Moonlite.
Ron Newman is the guy, and he is an all round great guy. Personal service, attention to detail, and more than happy to deal with us south of the border.
If you want I can/will sort a few images out, but I have had two CR1 (single speed) models, and two dual speed.
I currently have the CR1 on the 10" newt, and the CS2 on the Mewlon. I have attached a quick shot of the rear end of the Mewlon, and can, if you wish shoot an image or two of the newt, although once you have seen one, they all look the same.
Cost? Not cheap, but if you want cheap, leave it like it is. Happy? You bet.
Any further info? Let me know.
Moonlites page is http://www.focuser.com/cgi-bin/dstor...front=moonlite
Gary
Further to my first posting, there may be a very easy solution, via Moonlite, they produce adaptors to fit their focusers to original equipment.
Try http://www.focuser.com/cgi-bin/dstore.cgi?category=Orion+XT-Hardin+DSH-Skywatcher+Focuser+Upgrade+Adapter
If all else fails write to Ron, mention the thread, and ask him. I know he is keen to facilitate his product onto the everyday scopes in use, and he will know if yours (GSO?) is the same as those already catered for.
Good luck, let us know how it works out.
Gary
Hi Graeme.
shoot Ron a message, explain the requirement, and see what he suggests. He was quoted on the CloudyNights Forum as suggesting to a potential dual rate buyer that all he needed was the single rate model, so if that isn't honesty I'll eat my hat, yuk!
Gary
Hay Graeme , if your going to blow the budget , have a look at these . These are the Roll Royce of focusers , won't wear due to stainless friction plates instead of Aluminium . As fitted to astro physics refractors . You might have to sell the scope to import one of these
Hi Mark,
wow, they do look nice, and yes they are considered the best.
I for some reason ended up with the Moonlite range, and haven't looked back.
In answer to Ice's enquiry I have just checked Moonlites page and the CR1 is US$165, and the CR2 is US$265. Ron tends to ship via Express (for tracking purposes) and from memory this runs to about $25 - $30 each package.
Gary
The $165 for the CR1 is better value than getting the unknow chinese version . A litle more expensive than the $150Aus but worth it for a better quality. I know Graemes scope is an F5 and he could benifit from the CR2 reduction ratio , but that is going up a bit in price.
Mark
P.S. Graeme that wish list is getting awfully big >>and expensive
So what is the original complaint with the focuser as supplied on the GS dob ?
I improved mine greatly by dissassembling and cleaning out the gunky "glue grease". Neither metho or kerosine would disolve it, but paint thinner did.
I then used a small amount of automotive grease and tweaked the screws on the bottom plate.
The motion is much easier and smoother now, with just a hint of binding at a certain spot in the travel.
Originally posted by Starkler So what is the original complaint with the focuser as supplied on the GS dob ?
I improved mine greatly by dissassembling and cleaning out the gunky "glue grease". Neither metho or kerosine would disolve it, but paint thinner did.
I then used a small amount of automotive grease and tweaked the screws on the bottom plate.
The motion is much easier and smoother now, with just a hint of binding at a certain spot in the travel.
Hi Starkler.
My Focucers is smooth to use but it has that much side play in it that it makes it very hard to align the scope, That is why im going to change the focuser other gso scopes maybe fine i just dont like it.
Hi Guys
Thank you for all the great info and tips.I think i have made my mind up on what i will get, I just got to have a talk the minister or war .
Hey Mark well now i have a new mirror and will be getting the focuser i just need to change the tube and the secondary and it will be all brand new again
Originally posted by mhodson Hay Graeme , if your going to blow the budget , have a look at these . These are the Roll Royce of focusers , won't wear due to stainless friction plates instead of Aluminium . As fitted to astro physics refractors . You might have to sell the scope to import one of these
Focuser What would you Buy
As i have just had the mirror replaced under warranty and now this problem, Makes you wonder somtimes
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