Elara

Thank you for the positive encouragement! I have seen the Meade Mods video on YTube. On other forums showing a Starlight Microfocuser (SCT) being installed, things looked ‘fiddly’? Perhaps I’m making too much of what appears easy? Question: Is it straightforward to detach the end of the focuser, therefore ‘learning’ how to re-attach. Is that the ‘stem’ you mention ( at about 5:25pm) on the attached copy photo? Apologies to any dyslexics, but I’m mechanically ‘similar’, so don’t want to end up bodging it!! Thanks for any help! I

Thanks for the post and photos! I’ve just had my Meade 12” SCT (possibly an original LX200 OTA) serviced, cleaned and primary mirror/secondary recoated. My ‘first light’ opportunity was yesterday and I was reminded of how much ‘play’ there is with the focuser. The scope has travelled a bit since collecting it, so it needs collimating again which I didn’t do due to the limited ‘clear sky’ opportunity. My question is whether the Peterson focuser upgrade is easy to do for a ‘non-diy’ type such as myself. (To the OP: I’d add that the scope sits on a NE6R with 4 counterweights and seems to balance nicely. I’m a visual observer only btw)

Thank you all! - very helpful stuff! I may well get RVO to do the Rowan mod. but I’ll look at the @kbrown YouTube video first. Clear skies!

I’ve a NEQ6-Pro, bought early 2014, so 9 years old. I’m going to sell my 12” Meade SCT (in good condition, primary and secondary recoated very recently ) I’m considering a smaller aperture refractor and getting into AP. Question: Is it worth upgrading the NEQ6 mount ie Rowan belt mod. and/or investing in a Dark Frame Optics ‘tune up’? I’ve funds set aside but should those be invested instead in the future AP setup. Many thanks in advance for your suggestions.