Telescope Focuser

Hi there

I've gotten so nervous using the current focuser on the 127mm refractor that I've ordered a new one from Telescope Service.

The last time I was out clinched the deal, I use a William Optics 2" diagonal with a Moonfish and Hyperion eyepieces, so there's some weight there, the diagonal is held in place by a pair of screws that I have to tighten. On one occasion I turned back to the scope to find that the EP was pointing at the ground, causing my heart to speed up a little, and that was it. The TS focuser uses the brass compression ring to clamp the diagonal. I went for the regular focuser as I feel that the 1:10 microfocuser won't get the use.

www.telescope-service.com/ATM/focusers.html#REFok

I also ordered a sheet of Astrosolar film, I use the 80mm for solar viewing, making a 127mm solar filter will add to the solar observing thrill.

I'll let you know how it turns out when it's installed and working.

Paul,

Just ordered a new focuser myself, a moonlite CR with motorfocus to replace the standard crawford that came with my Orion Dob

3 screw compression rings to hold the EP's better but primarily to hold a heavy Howie Glatter Laser collimator dead centre in the focuser that I have on order. Motor focus to eliminate image shake and wobble which makes focusing very hard. Low profile so that I can bring cameras to focus in particular the mallincam that I have a feeling I won't be able to resist for much longer.

Coincidentally, I just emailed Orion to give out about them not getting a replacement encoder for my broken DSC to me yet. Its been 2 months now. I told them as recompense, that I wanted an RS232 cable to connect my scope computer to a laptop/pc. I also told them that i wanted 2 front tube Dust covers/caps. Why?? and what does that have to do with your last point??

Well I didn't want to cut holes in the one cover I have that came with the scope. I do of course need to keep that as a solid cover/cap. With two spares however!! I can use one as a hartmann mask by cutting 3 holes in it and I will use the other to make an 4-5in offset Solar filter with a sheet of astrosolar film. No worrying about how I would fabricate a solar filter that would fit snuggly and securely to the front of my OTA. A modified Orion XT12 dust cover/cap is designed to fit!!

Funny that we both were thinking about ordering the same type of things at the same time.

Motorfocus? Man, how lazy can you get? :lol:

Motorfocus? Man, how lazy can you get? :lol:

Oh, my aching fingers!!

Its hard to focus at higher mags when the object is bouncing around in the FOV by the very act of focusing!! Come on!! I'm not that lazy!!

Although next time we are up at cloon wood or wherever...I'll give you 20 quid to unpack my gear from my car.....come on...easy money man!

Although next time we are up at cloon wood or wherever...I'll give you 20 quid to unpack my gear from my car.....come on...easy money man!

I don't get out of bed for less than 50.

Hi

The focuser arrived today, installed it on the scope and knew that there was a problem, in my 8mm and 13mm EPs, it wouldn't come to focus, it wouldn't rack out far enough.

I contacted Patrick at TS and am confident that he will cme up with a solution.

One good thing, the weather doesn't look too promising in the next couple of days.