?? New Focuser for LB

[circumpolar (Matt)]

I'm sick of looking at my current focuser modified by shims and washers!
It's the only way to get it perpendicular to the OTA. As I'm currently flocking the tube, pulling everything appart, I wish I had a set of adjustable footscrews on the focuser baseplate.

I'm thinking of getting a 'Moonlite Focuser' CR Newtonian 8:1 ratio with brass compression ring drawtube.

Any suggestions or advise on drawtube length (1" - 2.75") and spacer width would be great.
Or maybe an alturnative. Nothing over $300.
Any problems with this type of focuser on a 12"LB?

Thoughts...

[gbeal]

Matt.
How come you need the shims in the first place?
Can you buy the Moonlite for the $300 limit?
Does the Moonlite have an adjustable base anyway?
In my case I have the Feather Touch, and feel it is slightly better than the others, but that is just me. (alright, I have three of them, but who's counting, LOL).
In the case of the F/T it is able to be supplied with a completely adjustable base.
Gary

[PhilW]

With the dollar where it is, I'd go for the FeatherTouch. Get the adjustable base option that Gary suggests; it saves a lot of messing around with shims.

[circumpolar (Matt)]

Originally Posted by gbeal

Matt.
How come you need the shims in the first place?
Can you buy the Moonlite for the $300 limit?
Does the Moonlite have an adjustable base anyway?
In my case I have the Feather Touch, and feel it is slightly better than the others, but that is just me. (alright, I have three of them, but who's counting, LOL).
In the case of the F/T it is able to be supplied with a completely adjustable base.
Gary

Thanks for the feedback.

The shims are needed to align the focuser perpendicular to the tube. Using my catseye telecat sight tube I can see that it is not alligned unless it is pushed up on two corners.

The moonlight focusers seem to be cheaper then the feathertouch. They are under $300 depending on the model.

The moonlight seems to have adjustable base plate (from what I read). If anyone knows otherwise please let me know.

[circumpolar (Matt)]

Originally Posted by PhilW

With the dollar where it is, I'd go for the FeatherTouch. Get the adjustable base option that Gary suggests; it saves a lot of messing around with shims.

I agree. The shims are are whats propting me to spend money on a better focuser. Aligning the focuser is very painfull when you can't just turn a screw to get it right.

All the featertouch models I have looked at with adjustable plates seem to be well over $350 (US dollar I'm guessing??).