Looking for focuser recommendations

[kbrown]

I have a 10" skywatcher newt. I've replaced the 2" stock focuser already with one of these:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-focusers/dual-speed-low-profile-1252-inch-crayford-focuser.html

While it does the job I feel it's a bit on the flimsy side when I put my filter wheel and atik 383l+ on it. If it's not tightened up to a point is actually a bit hard to operate, there will be flexures and hence collimation problems.

Can anyone recommend a quality focuser similar to this one?

[Littleguy80]

I have the Baader steeltrack on my 10" SkyWatcher newt which I'm using on a dob mount. Works well for me. 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/baader-diamond-steeltrack-focusers/baader-steeltrack-diamond-nt-for-newtonians.html

I've just started using it with some Lunt 100 degree eyepieces which I believe are around 3kg. Doesn't seem to cause any issues

[kbrown]

17 minutes ago, Littleguy80 said:

I have the Baader steeltrack on my 10" SkyWatcher newt which I'm using on a dob mount. Works well for me. 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/baader-diamond-steeltrack-focusers/baader-steeltrack-diamond-nt-for-newtonians.html

I've just started using it with some Lunt 100 degree eyepieces which I believe are around 3kg. Doesn't seem to cause any issues

That looks tons better already. Thank you!

 

Has anyone got experience with Lacerta Octo60 Rack and Pinion focusers?

https://www.365astronomy.com/lacerta-octo60-rack-and-pinion-precision-dual-speed-focuser-with-8-bearings-m59-thread-and-2-centerlock-self-centering-eyepiece-holder.html

 

[Stargazer McCabe]

1 hour ago, Littleguy80 said:

I've just started using it with some Lunt 100 degree eyepieces which I believe are around 3k

Just in case anyone reading this is considering the Lunt 100* eyepieces, let me reassure you the heaviest of my 3 is the 20mm and it weighs 700g. I just had to go and weigh them having seen Neil’s comment which must have been an inadvertent typo 

[Uplooker]

My personal opinion, obviously, the best focusers are rack and pinion. Unfortunately good ones are very hard to come by these days. As you have found Crayford’s have a tendency to slip unless tightened to within an inch of their lives!

As has been suggested, the Baader steel track is a good one to go for, they are due to release, sometime soon (no idea when) a focus controlled for the steel track. So that may be the one to go for.

APM still do R&P focusers but are more for fracs. 

[Littleguy80]

27 minutes ago, Stargazer McCabe said:

Just in case anyone reading this is considering the Lunt 100* eyepieces, let me reassure you the heaviest of my 3 is the 20mm and it weighs 700g. I just had to go and weigh them having seen Neil’s comment which must have been an inadvertent typo 

Thank you for the correction! I have to admit I just grabbed the value off the APM website without thinking. Looking at it now, it’s obviously wrong! Silly me! 

[SkyGibbon]

I have the same focuser you do, and also am not very happy with it. I mainly bought it to achieve 1x on my 10" newt/dob with binoviewers. The lower retaining ring that keeps the extension tube in the focuser has slowly unscrewed itself twice by adjusting the extension tube. One time hitting my mirror, causing a tiny ding. Nothing to lose sleep over, but be careful until you get it replaced. I ended up using locktite on mine.

Something like this may work, but it is not low profile.

https://agenaastro.com/gso-2-linear-bearing-crayford-focuser-for-reflectors-dual-speed.html