how to focus the altair 10x60 finderscope

[paul j]

Hi all.I have an altair 10x60 finder scope and I can't seem figure out how it focuses.the more you twist things at the back it feels like it's gonna come loose.I've had a go and I've never managed get into focus.anybody know if you focus it with the 60mm ring on the end?

[ItIsOnlyMe]

If it's this one http://www.altairastro.com/product.php?productid=16335 then you twist the knurled ring that is below the silver illuminatior for the illuminated reticle. If you twist things at the objective end it will fall to pieces.

[paul j]

that's the one.oh right I give that a go.at moment I got the adapter on with the qhy5 Camera on I go give that a twist then.sounds daft question but I didn't want it fall apart.many thanks much appreciated.

[swag72]

I struggled with this when I got mine - I wish they had sent instructions! If you have the QHY5 attached and want to focus that, the focuser is a helical focuser and so you need to unscrew the adaptor half way down and then when you have achieved focus you tighten it with the locking screw and hey presto! I was worried about it all falling to bits, but had to take it apart to work out how it worked!

With the illuminated eyepiece, as already said above.

[ItIsOnlyMe]

If you are using as a guidescope I think you need the extension and different focuser in this pic.....http://www.altairastro.com/product.php?productid=16468&cat=108&page=1

I don't have the guide version so not sure on that one.

[paul j]

is it possible to focus still with the Camera attached obviously its don't have the illuminated reticle attached.I use to have to slightly pull the Camera out to help with focus.

[paul j]

yep bought that extension piece too.its lovely bit kit but yeah don't come with instructions.

[paul j]

thanks swag :-)

[swag72]

You have the adaptor to change it into a guider and put your QHY5 into the back, yes?

**Sorry, posts crossed!!! ****

[paul j]

yes sorry I should of explained better.yeah I bought both sets so I can use the guided too

[brantuk]

You only need to twist the diagonal off when fitting the guider adaptor. To focus normally for visual use, turn the helical adjuster on top of the diagonal for rough focus and lock off, then twist the eyepiece itself - which if it's like mine - will provide fine focusing.

To adjust the guider adaptor (once fitted in place) you need to undo the locking ring and turn the tube out then lock off once in focus (use a bhatinov mask). There's plenty of throw but some cameras may need an extension tube.