I'm looking to replace the focuser on my ED80 - does anyone have any suggestions or warnings.....
Would like as much in-out travel as possible, to allow more gadgets later!
Cheers!
I got a GSO 10:1 microfocuser from Andrews. Works really well, change over took about 3 minutes, undo 3 screws, slide out the old, in with the new, retighten the screws. It also has the ability to rotate the focuser independently of the scope, so framing is that little bit easier.
I got a GSO 10:1 microfocuser from Andrews. Works really well, change over took about 3 minutes, undo 3 screws, slide out the old, in with the new, retighten the screws. It also has the ability to rotate the focuser independently of the scope, so framing is that little bit easier.
cheers
Mark
what size did you get?
Refractor type, 112mm (suits 112mm i.d. of refractor tube) $199.00
Refractor type, 96mm (suits 96mm i.d. of refractor tube) $149.99
Refractor type, 86mm (suits 86mm i.d. of refractor tube) $119.00
M-M LP type $109.00
I have the WO 10:1 focuser. Smooth as silk. Best photography investment I have bought for the ED80 after the WO 0.8 FR.
I looked at a couple of others that were less expensive and found that there was a slight amount of play in the fine adjustment knob. The WO has none at all and is very direct. I also found that the focuser is slightly shorter than the original Orion one so you may need a small extension tube or a FR to reach focus. This may also be the case for other 10:1 focusers. I find when I'm using the 300D and the Orion Prime Focus adapter I need to leave the adapter out about 5 mm or so to ensure I get enough out focus. It isn't an issue but you should be aware of it. Longer profile adapters may not need this.
F-RT-Z80 Retrofit 2 speed 10:1 microfocuser knobs for M80 II SD, ED, SUPERAPO, ZS80, ZS, etc. Works with all clones,too! $219.00 from andrews comms web site
The one I bought from Andrews was the F-SYN2S Synta 2" Crayford focuser with 10:1 2-speed microfocuser and (7 x 50) quick release finderscope bracket for $379. http://www.williamoptics.com/accesso...a_features.htm
This one is a newer design than mine. It has a longer focuser travel as well as the graduated focuser barrel. It also comes with the WO finderscope bracket.
h0ughy do the others come with finderscope brackets?
The one I bought from Andrews was the F-SYN2S Synta 2" Crayford focuser with 10:1 2-speed microfocuser and (7 x 50) quick release finderscope bracket for $379. http://www.williamoptics.com/accesso...a_features.htm
This one is a newer design than mine. It has a longer focuser travel as well as the graduated focuser barrel. It also comes with the WO finderscope bracket.
h0ughy do the others come with finderscope brackets?
Got to agree with what the others have said here, I have a William Optics replacement, mine is an early one without the 2 speed reduction and has the shorter draw tube although this has not caused me any problems as I use a Takahashi wide camera adapter which takes the camera further out.
Any problems, no, once I had the adjusters suitabily tensioned, the weight of the camera makes no difference.
EDIT: Mine came with the finderscope bracket and foot.
The one that fits the ED80 is the $149.00 version, the 96mm size. The down size, which I only noticed after purchase/installation is that it does not have a finderscope bracket.
It helps to get focus when there is no diagonal in the optical train Lee. A diagonal adds a considerable distance to the length of a scope and without it you may not get to focus (certainly won't using an eyepiece). The extra long draw tube helps to over come that problem. The thing to remember though is that the further away from the focuser your camera gets the greater the lever arm moment is on the focuser/drawtube assembley. You need to make sure there is a good strong connection between these two elements so you don't get sagging and slop with the weight of the camera attached.
My ED80 is fitted with an ED100 Crayford Focuser. Exactly the same size (both models use the same tube) but it has a very very long barrel. The ED100 focuser came with a longer barrel than the ED80.
You can wind focus out for about a week
Works great when Barlowing, no need for an extension tube
Here you can see it wound out. Look how long that sucker is!
I have the Bintel item, as stated it doesn't have a finderscope bracket, but bintel have an add on. I fitted my red dot finder with a siingle screw no problem. You may also need to buy an extension as well to reach focus, I had to. The fit on mine was a little on the loose side, I had to shim it a little with some old shirt box plastic for a snug fit. The 10:1 focusser is very nice, but there is some shift when the focus lock is used, whether this is normal or not I can't say. If I were buying again I would definitely go for the WO Item.
You won't regret it Lee. While it may not be a Moonlite it's not far off and it certainly doesn't have the price of a Moonlite either.
Just looked at the Moonlite website...
The basic red Synta focuser + Delivery to Oz is $309US ($347AU)
Compares well with the WO unit pricewise as you'll have to add $10+ for delivery within Oz too.
Cheers
Doug
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is that it does not have a finderscope bracket.
, if I ever decide to upgrade again, I think, perhaps I might look at a MoonLite focuser.
