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Switched Systems focuser


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I'm sure other members of the forum may have these or similar, but I took the plunger and got one which is now fitted to my 250mm Orion Optics Europa Newtonian.

When I originally got the scope, I hadn't realised the importance of a good focuser, something you learn with experience. It had a basic 1.25mm R&P focuser which I replaced with a Vixen-style low-profile version. The problem was that the hole in the tube wasn't big enough for a 2 inch Crayford which would have been the ideal.

If I wanted a Crayford I was faced with making a bigger hole in a very thin aluminium tube or replacing the tube altogether. One option was risky and the other probably too expensive. I had also heard of folks having problems fitting after-market focusers so it might have meant going back to Orion Optics for them to do the necessary. Their stuff is good, but it ain't cheap.

Anyway, the electric focuser is fitted and working. It looks as though it will need some tweaking but the operation seems straightforward enough. All I need is a dark sky and a cooperative star or two. Hope to post a report when I can do that.

Geoff

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Managed to get out last night and trained the camera on Vega (between the clouds).

Found it so much easier to focus even though the star was not exactly in the middle of the laptop screen. No more jumping around each time you touch the focuser.

Possibly a bit more challenging with fainter deep-sky objects as it is easy to 'overshoot' the focus point, but all in all very pleased with it. Just need the clouds to clear properly so I can practise a bit more.

Geoff

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KK

You are of course, correct as always. I was thinking that myself but the Synscan does sometimes behave a little strangely and the go-to's tend to go-to somewhere but not the right place.

The mere fact that I can now focus something on the laptop screen and it doesn't gyrate wildly when I touch the focuser has got to be a definite improvement.

Geoff

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Geoff,

Have you got yourself an illuminated reticule? Using a 6mm Rigel (http://www.firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=illumreticuleep) and a three star allign (and then normally a re-centre on a star close to where I want to be imaging just for good measure) will put stuff smack bang in the middle of my viewfinder, or my TouCam.

I'd also flash the SkyScan to v3.12 if you haven't already.

Hope that's not teaching granny to suck eggs!

Cheers,

Chris

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Found it so much easier to focus even though the star was not exactly in the middle of the laptop screen. No more jumping around each time you touch the focuser

Geoff

Its 'bliss' isn't it Geoff :D

I have three motor focusers, one on the ED80 and two on the LX200GPS, and for imaging purposes it just makes life soooooo much easier.

KK's advice is 'spot on', get your focusing done on star first, lock everything up, and then 'slew' to your chosen DSO.

Dave

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Chris

Granny here :D

I did actually get a Skywatcher illuminated reticle to improve go-to's and for drift alignment, but it had to go back.

For some reason, although I could see the lines, it was too fuzzy either side of them and I was losing the star. Not sure if that's my eyesight or a problem with the reticle. I am waiting to hear from the dealer when they have had a chance to check it out in a telescope.

I do have a touch of astigmatism, but I generally have no problem with focusing and the eyepiece functioned perfectly well as a 'normal' eyepiece and when I examined it in a dark room so it is something of a mystery.

I'm sure everything will be fine when the clouds roll away in a month or so as long as it doesn't interfere with a bingo evening!

Geoff

Synscan is up to date

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