Good if you intend to break the tube down for transport . Not sure if you want to do that or you just want it like mine as a permanent structure.
If like mine than you don,t need em .
They would simplify things a bit but there not cheap.
The tube you can get locally .
Mark
Whoaaa!!!.....those focusers look amazing...when I had my 12.5 in reflector from 1996-1999 it came with a CRAYFORD JMI NGF-3 and before that I was using a helical focuser which I'll never use again...those crayfords are a treat to use , especially at high powers.... I'll have to get another one some day..now that the 12.5 inch is gone !!!
I just had a look at those moonlite focusers. Does anyone know why the upgrade kit for my LXD55 is only $64, whilst the crayford newtonian ones are $100 more? Which one should I get if I was looking for a new focuser? Not that I am...yet...they sure do look really nice and colourful!
Never mind!!! I just figured it out. If I was to upgrade my focuser, I would have to buy one of the CR1 or CR2 models and also purchase an upgrade kit. That would be a total of US$229 or US$329. YIKES!!! I only got confused because the picture in the upgrade kit shows the red focuser itself so I thought that was included in the kit. Then I read the fine print - foiled! Just goes to show it pays to read everything...
Last edited by silvinator; 27-12-2004 at 01:23 PM.
Originally posted by mhodson Graeme as far as the tube goes and what we were talking about with a single truss , did you see the Moonlite truss components .
Good if you intend to break the tube down for transport . Not sure if you want to do that or you just want it like mine as a permanent structure.
If like mine than you don,t need em .
They would simplify things a bit but there not cheap.
The tube you can get locally .
Mark
I have some going very cheaply here (no longer needed as I'm now building an Astrosystems Telekit):
HI all. I thought I'd jump on the end of this post rather than start (and possibly repeat) a new topic. I am shopping for a focuser for my 18" Dobsonain Project.
I have been recommended a Moonlite focuser, the Moonlite CR2 (US$265).
Thanks for that, rumples riot. I have now discovered another brand, JMI. The closest comparison in price is the JMI EV1N from myastroshop.com.au. Were starting to get a bit pricey now, and I did not want to buy all my ATM parts loaded up with all the "bells and whistles", but these three look like a good compromise, between bottom and top of the range.
I have a feathertouch on my new SDM truss dob and I can tell you that its rolls royce quality in every respect and silky smooth. I haven't experienced using a Moonlite but the feathertouch is that good that i cant see any focuser topping it.
FWIW, I havent been that impressed with jmi focusers, especially for the price.
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 .
Mark
I'd better check the one on my newt as well, think its made by the same people. The slop in the draw tube can be removed, involves glueing some brass shim inside the body. Needed about 25 thou for mine, that is a lot of play. Two pieces the inside length of the focuser body and wide enough to leave space for the rack and the locking strip will take up the side and vertical play. No substitute for a good focuser but every little helps.
This focuser on my Newtonian is out of the ordinary and not for every one but has 0 slop , 0 slip , low 25mm profile , no intrusion into the tube lightpath ,no worries about extra in or out travel with 3" travel , handles heavy loads and adaptable to robo focus .
Drawbacks are $$$$$$$$$ and large foot print and more $$$$$$, but it's the best focuser I have used to date.
I have spent a lot of time using the dual speed Feathertouch and Moonlite focusers and several different versions of the JMI focusers. I rate the feathertouch as clearly superior to the other two and definately worth the extra money over the moonlite. The feathertouch is an engineering and machining work of art. It is the rolls royce to use and look at. That having been said the moonlite is an exceptionally good focuser. If you never saw and used a feathertouch you could live happily ever after with the moonlite CR2.
All 3 are made in the USA.
Rumples Riot,
If the JMI and Moonlite get your vote, it's obvious you have never used a dual speed feathertouch
Just to round off my small part of this topic, it was a photo finish but I have decided on a (drum roll)........... Feather Touch FTF2020CR. I couldn't have come to such an informed decision without all the opinions and advice from you all. You have done it again.
