ED 127 is here

Moon (James) · #1 01-06-2009, 09:47 AM

I took the plunge and ordered an ED127. I sent the money on Tue 26 May, it arrived in Melbourne on Friday 29 and in my hands today. Too bad it spent the whole weekend with TNT!

01 Jun 2009 08:22:00 Campbellfield Shipment Delivered In Good Condition.
01 Jun 2009 06:37:24 Melbourne Out For Delivery.
29 May 2009 09:26:01 Melbourne Shipment Received At Destination Depot.
29 May 2009 04:25:53 Melbourne Shipment Released From Customs.
28 May 2009 05:01:13 Pudong International Airport Shipment In Transit.
28 May 2009 04:52:15 Pudong International Airport Shipment Received At Transit Point.
28 May 2009 03:06:00 Nanjing Shipment In Transit.
27 May 2009 21:12:06 Nanjing Shipment In Transit.
27 May 2009 20:52:44 Nanjing Shipment Received At Origin Depot.

There was a test report inside the box, but it doesn't have a serial numer on it - looks like just a photocopy from one of the first scopes they made. Did anyone else get this piece of paper too?

I'll let you know how I get on.

James

AdrianF (Adrian) · #2 01-06-2009, 03:50 PM

What is the focuser like?
I amongst others on this site have bought of of these scopes and I am not 100% happy with the focuser and I am contemplating buying a new focuser at tax time but not sure whether to go with the "new improved" north group focuser for $225 or Moonlite for $700 - $800.

Would be very interested in your comments on this scope. My comments are they are very good optically I couldnt fault it in that respect but the focuser did let it down. I did not get and paper work with mine except invoice/receipt not even an instruction manual.

Adrian

desler · #3 01-06-2009, 04:02 PM

Congratulations James, But I've just been outside, guess with this weather your going to have a few days to get the set up just right.

Hope you really enjoy it!

Darren

Moon (James) · #4 01-06-2009, 04:08 PM

I ordered the scope with the "advanced dual speed focuser for camera" (not the "normal dual speed focuser only for observing"). This added $120USD to the price. It seems ok, but only time will tell. From a quick look this morning, I would say it looks about same standard if not better than a WO style focuser.
If it doesn't work out, I'll get a moonlight at tax time too.

I've attached a PDF of the test report. It's dated 12-3-2008, so I would be surprised if it's from my particular sample, although it might be of interest to some readers here.

AdrianF (Adrian) · #5 01-06-2009, 06:22 PM

If it's as good as the WO focusers then I will more than likely get the north group one.

Adrian

Tandum (Robin) · #6 01-06-2009, 08:34 PM

I'm also keen to hear what that new focuser is like.
But it looks like rain for another week yet

Gilman told me there would be an ascom motor drive for it in July.

AdrianF (Adrian) · #7 01-06-2009, 09:00 PM

Yes I also am very interested but I am also keeping an eye on the exchange rate at the moment it is 80.5 cents much better than the 60 something a couple of months ago hope the $ heads north again and not south. If the $ gets to around 85 cents again I will probably get the Moonlite focuser otherwise it's the north group one.

Adrian

h0ughy (David) · #8 01-06-2009, 09:10 PM

any photos yet - especially the focuser and the front lens element

Moon (James) · #9 01-06-2009, 10:19 PM

As requested, here are some quick snaps.

1. The box. Not a single word printed to identify the factory. Business card and invoice from our friend.

2. Top view of the focuser

3. Focus lock. This works very well.

4. 10-1 focuser. The 10 works well. The 1 is a bit jumpy. Might need a very small adjustment.

5. Lock screws - one for the rotator and one to hold the entire focuser to the OTA

6. Another view of the screw that holds the focuser to the OTA - don't like this - it just digs into the OTA thread.

7. Objective lens. Notice the spots where the black paint has chipped off already?

8. Bottom view

saturn c (Leo) · #10 01-06-2009, 11:45 PM

very nice .love it !

AdrianF (Adrian) · #11 02-06-2009, 10:00 AM

Looks good. Now all we need is a users report

(if this bl**dy weather ever lets up. Bright and sunny this morning guaranteed to cloud over as I get closer to knockoff time and then clear up sometime after I go to bed....

)

Adrian

h0ughy (David) · #12 02-06-2009, 10:10 AM

wonder how much weight it will handle

Moon (James) · #13 02-06-2009, 10:13 AM

Looks like the weather has really set in here as well. Sorry....

After having a good look a the focuser last night, it does have some minor problems. As I mentioned in the post above, it doesn't feel as smooth as the WO. In addition, the rotator is very strange. When it's locked down it seems fine. But when rotating, it seems really loose - too loose I would say. At one point it got really stuck, then it freed itself again. Maybe it needs a clean out.

AdrianF (Adrian) · #14 04-06-2009, 12:03 PM

James
I have an invoice waiting for me to pay for the North Group focuser but I am unsure as to pay for it or wait until Tax Time and buy the Moonlite focuser.

What is your first opinions about the NG focuser? Is it worthwhile? Or should I wait?

Adrian

Moon (James) · #15 04-06-2009, 01:41 PM

Adrian,

Last night I noticed a break in the clouds and rain so I took the new scope out for quick spin. I made a Bahtinov Mask, and practiced focusing with my DSLR, and took a few snaps of the moon.
Overall, it did the job. As I mentioned above, the coarse focus does not feel very smooth, but the fine focus is what you really need and it works well. The focus lock is perfect - it seems like it will hold any load you throw at it. When it was all locked down, the whole rig seemed stable to me (except for my camera adaptor

) .

It's tough for me to say which way you should go - I don't want to give you the wrong advice and you get something you're not 100% happy with.

I'm sure this focuser is a step up from the "normal dual speed focuser only for observing" model, and I'm sure the Moonlite is even better still.

If you are going for perfection, then the collimatable capability of the Moonlite is what you really want. I might even get a Moonlite myself sometime down the track when this thing is in an observatory, but for now this will do me fine.

One thing is for sure - this scope deserves a nice focuser, right?

For those lucky people with a Moonlite, does the scope fit in the supplied case with the focuser still attached? What options are best to order? ED127 Flange, 4.5" drawtube I assume and the Lacey Controller? (they also offer Cercis and Moonlite controllers)

AdrianF (Adrian) · #16 04-06-2009, 02:22 PM

Thanks James yes you are right the scope does deserve a good focuser the scope itself I cannot fault even with the cr*ppy focuser for visual but that is not why I bought the scope. I am undecided which way to go I like the idea of the Moonlite but at the moment is out of reach (unless I sell my 10" GSO) the North Group focuser is within reach without selling anything. But if I wait 2 months then I can get the Moonlite focuser..................maybe stop being impatient and wait.

A break from the rain? I would like to see that. Hang on there is something bright in the sky could it be the sun...........yes

but clouds on every horizon

Adrian

allan gould · #17 04-06-2009, 03:08 PM

Wait and get the Moonlite. I have it on my scope and it is a gem and can not recommend it highly enough. I bought the lock down focus model and not the motor focuser. Its worked perfectly for me.

AdrianF (Adrian) · #18 05-06-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allan gould

Wait and get the Moonlite. I have it on my scope and it is a gem and can not recommend it highly enough. I bought the lock down focus model and not the motor focuser. Its worked perfectly for me.

I will wait and buy a Moonlite focuser in August (hope the exchange rate is good). Its a pity we couldnt buy one of these and attach to the ED127 http://www.williamoptics.com/wo_shop...hp?cPath=26_31.

Adrian

marki · #19 05-06-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moon

Adrian,

One thing is for sure - this scope deserves a nice focuser, right?

For those lucky people with a Moonlite, does the scope fit in the supplied case with the focuser still attached? What options are best to order? ED127 Flange, 4.5" drawtube I assume and the Lacey Controller? (they also offer Cercis and Moonlite controllers)

Adrian, I do not have a 127 but have an 80 (meade) version which I put a Moonlite 2 speed on and that still fits in its case OK (very nice focuser by the way).

I also have a Moonlite with the stepper motor option on my LX200. When I bought this the only options for controllers offered by moonlite were the Lacey and Cercis. I bought the Cercis which works well for photography but is too slow for visual stuff. I have since bought the moonlite controller which has two speed options and this takes care of both the visual and photography options. It works well with Maxim DL focus routines etc and is a joy to use. I have not used the Lacey version so can offer no useful comment. I would definately recommend the moonlite controller over the cercis. It even has a built in temp sensor which makes setting up temperature compensation easy. On the cercis you need to buy an optional sensor and cable. The only advantage the cercis has is that it can control 2 focusers at once (primary and guidescope) and has a metal case Vs the moonlites single focuser control and plastic case. The moonlite also has both serial and usb hubs fitted so you can choose which ever is easier whilst the cercis only provides serial connections. Please note that the moonlite stepper motors are pinned to also allow the use of robofocus controllers so its simply a matter of plugging in the controller and off you go, you do not have to rewire anything to make it work. It really depends on your use as to which controller is best for you.

Mark

Tandum (Robin) · #20 07-06-2009, 01:25 AM

I wonder if they'll flog em without a focuser ......
I have asked this in an email