ianaiken

I've been fortunate enough to get hold of one of these units from DH. Maybe only people with great first names are allowed them? Actually for me it was because I had a lot of experience with the first SteelDrives and SteelTracks when they came out so Baader wanted me to test one of these units with my SteelDrive that they knew I had. I took the liberty to take it to bits to have a good look as I did with the previous versions I used on both RT and SCT. It is simple design really and sturdy. Build quality is great, the unit feels solid and strong. The top rollers look sturdier than previously but what stands out the most is the Diamond around the shaft, this is what is giving the grip, and I can say it does live up to its claims. Unlike the stock SW Crayfords where it was suggested to file down the drawtube as a quick fix to help with grip (ok so this is like comparing apples with pears but I've been there with the stock SWs), this obviously works directly out of the box. Comparing it with my WO R&P I'd say it was equally as competent but with less shift and tilt/flop than the WO R&P. My GT81 R&P is very sensitive to temp conditions and quite easily it can become sagging. The new SteelTrack is the big brother of the previous SteelTrack. In my testing I never had any slippage and the drawtube was true to the OTA. The key is not to mess about with it and adjust things you're not sure about as it will lead to problems. This is something I found out the hard way with the old version until I understood how it worked and how it could be adjusted back to default. You probably don't get a manual because there is no need to adjust anything but. Documentation lacks on a lot of astro purchases it seems to be industry wide in a lot of cases. The Vernier is useful, I can do 16 rotations of the SCT focussing knob and set the SteelTrack to 10mm (allowing inward and outward motion if needed) and be pretty much in focus saving me a lot of time setting up a camera after a visual session. The Vernier scale also starts in the right place too, I think previously you had to deduct 1mm for true distance. The locking screw is applying friction to the shaft itself. So you can actually run it by slightly applying a bit locking if needed and it does not push into the drawtube at all. Olly I doubt the locking will be needed given how much weight/force the Crayford can take, but it's there anyway. It doesn't harm adjusting it with a bit pressure for the whole focussing run I don't think a final tighten would be needed (if imaging you wouldn't want that anyway as you may need to adjust for temp, at least in my workflow). I didn't do a test with weights but I did attempt to pull it apart using my hands and I can say it has a very strong hold. Shooting at the Zenith I saw no shift in the focuser and to be thankful very little flop in my C9.25 too (although the OTA does need collimating a little bit). I use a SteelDrive on the unit and it works very well powered through a USB hub, even with a bit pressure applied to the locking knob. Because the SteelDrive allows manual movement it couldn't be used to lock the focuser (something like a Lakeside could, not that it's needed). My kit consists of Atik 460EXM, Atik OAG, EFW2 and ASA 0.7 reducer and QHY5LM-II. I was shooting very near the Zenith. NGC6888 work in progress I didn't find any issues with the rotator locking. There are some grubs to tighten carefully (I have a habit of mashing them with too much force) and a main knob which can then be used for locking rotation at the desired angle.I tend not to use this though and just stick with the camera at one angle as I am too lazy to build more flats. I would normally rotate the scope in the rings anyway (except the C9 doesn't have them). So I'm happy at 90 degrees but if I wanted too, I could rotate without issue (I would probably rotate the camera ;-) I agree with all the good points and I cannot comment on the not so good or bad. I use the 3 point clamp which I find better than single clamps, and actually I prefer it over my Clicklock which seems to slip and slide around due to my heavy handed brutus. The SCT version screws directly onto the SCT so a nice solid fit. I think there was an adaptor but this was screw too. In summary the unit is great and up to the job. I don't have to worry about it: 1. It can hold up to its payload claim. For imaging it is ideal, and for visual you will definitely not have anything to worry about. 2. There are no issues with orthogonality. 3. The Vernier scale is useful. 4. The fine focussing knob has can accommodate HTD timing belts, like what you get with the Baader SteelDrive. 5. Focussing is a lump free smooth action. Listen carefully and you may be able to hear the Diamond coating making contact with the shaft, this is what is giving grip. 6. The SCT adaptor is screw fit giving perfect alignment as expected. The RT is adaptor needs to accommodate varying diameters of OTA so not as simple as the SCT I guess, it was a little more tricky on my refractor with the old SteelTrack but once on I didn't have any further problems.