Old style focuser...

[ibraidwo]

Hi all,

I picked up an old 6" reflector on a Vixen SP mount via an auction house recently, however it has a very unusual focuser that I haven't seen before.

It appears to focus by manually moving the tube in and out, tightening the nylon screw then rotating the whole tube for fine adjustment.

Can anyone tell me anything about it and how old it is likely to be? Possibly even what the reflector is? Manufacturer?

I have stripped the whole scope down to clean it thoroughly.

Many thanks in advance,

 

Ian

[Robindonne]

Helical focuser?

the previous  owner could at least find the right spot to place the mount🙂

That flipped finderscope looks also like a vixen one i think.  
Maybe the tube is painted in the mount color?

Most of the retired veterans are asleep i guess.  You’ll probably have the answer on your question tomorrow morning around 9🙂

Edited September 7, 2020 by Robindonne

[John]

Astro Systems FG150 newtonian I think. I used to have one many years ago. Made in Bedford.

They also came on an alt-azimuth mount on a pillar.

Helical focuser was an option. Mine had a Vixen rack and pinion.

David Hinds mirrors in those - good quality.

Peter Drew (a member here) had some involvement in the design I believe along with Rob Miller who went on to work with Astro Physics in the USA.