Thanks for the heads up! I am replacing mine, but I've already got a 2.5" Moonlite on order, due to arrive tomorrow.
The original steeltracks seemed to get good reviews from what I recall, so those could be a good option. As far as I can see the new ones at least only come in 2" though?
Lee - Where is the flattener ? If you move to a bigger sized camera sensor then you will need the flattener. If you incorporate the flattener in your optical train will you be able to achieve the correct back focus.
Also does the moonlight have a motorised focuser ?
The flattener's not there as I don't have an adapter that will give me the spacing I need. I won't have any issues with backfocus here: the stock focuser was within a couple of mm of being fully extended without the flattener in place.
Initial tests showed some increased eccentricity in the the frames around the edges which I had assumed was slight curvature requiring the flattener to fix, but I've had other subs since that didn't exhibit this, so I'm not sure whether I'm going to outlay for an adapter at this point.
The Moonlite isn't motorised. I'll see how this goes in terms of focus shift over the evening as I'm still not sure whether that was the OTA or the focuser. I've got (most of) the parts to motorise it (DIY route) if need be.
I can now confirm that it was temperature all along. Not really a surprise to most I suspect, but honestly was for me because I've never had an issue with any scope I've owned before.
So now to get motorised/automated focusing built...
I can now confirm that it was temperature all along. Not really a surprise to most I suspect, but honestly was for me because I've never had an issue with any scope I've owned before.
So now to get motorised/automated focusing built...
I told you...
But more seriously, the telescope and all "attachments" look great - once you get it motorised and automatically compensated for focus shift with temperature change - I am certain this gear will put a big smile on your face each time you will aim the telescope at the skies and let it do "its thing".
haha, yeah, everybody did, but I always have to learn the hard way ;-)
I've just ordered some new shaft couplers since the Moonlite has a different size shaft and hopefully I can get the automated focusing sorted out shortly.
I think I'll skip temperature compensation at least initially, and just refocus between every sub... my longest ever sub were 40min narrowband and I've been manually refocusing about every 30-60mins so I think that should do ok to begin with at least.
If you want to sell the original , I will buy it off you .
if it eliminates the slip and can be easily motorised then that's a win IMO.
