Upgrading my SW 80ED stock focuser to a Baader Diamond SteelTrack - Steps and surprises

[Vox45]

 

Hello all,

I've decided to document the upgrade of my stock focuser to a Baader Diamond  SteelTrack as I ran into some issues and surprises and this might help others avoiding them.

 

 1^st surprise : The Baader Diamond  SteelTrack does not fit a SW 80ED without an adapter.

2^nd surprise: You need to remove one grub screw on the adapter and replace it with the thumbscrew from the original focuser ring to keep the ability to rotate the focuser

3^rd surprise: there are no screws supplied with the dovetail shoe (the focuser does not have a dovetail shoe built in, you need to buy one separately)

4th surprise: I already had a clicklock screwd on the 80ED stock focuser. IT WILL NOT FIT on the Baader SteelTrack. You need to buy a different model

 

What you will need to buy along with the focuser

 

 

1x adapter to mount

 

1x Dovetail shoe (optional)

 

1x Baader clicklock (optional) I already had a clicklock installed on the 80ED stock focuser. IT WILL NOT FIT on the Baader SteelTrack. You need to buy a different model.

 

Step 1 Remove the stock focuser

 

Step 2 Align the adapter with the OTA holes

 

Step 3 Remove the rotation ring on the Baader Diamond SteelTrack focuser

 

Step 4 Fit the Baader focuser into the adapter ring and secure with the grub screws.

Be very careful as I applied almost no pressure and still managed to damage the screws. They are quite soft.

 

 

Step 5 (optional) Install the Dovetail shoe

surprise! There are no screws provided with the dovetail shoe. I will need to find the reference and buy some.

 

I am quite happy with the result. There is no comparison between the stock focuser and the Baader Diamond Steeltrack.

 

Edited March 16, 2021 by Vox45

[Vox45]

Here are some pictures comparing the 2 focusers:

 

Edited March 16, 2021 by Vox45

[johninderby]

The focuser should rotate if you loosen the grub screws around the ring. Replace one of the grub screws with a thumbscrew.

Edited March 16, 2021 by johninderby

[Adam J]

I had a scope with the original steal track and it rotated on a ED80. If you replace one of the grub screws with a focuser make sure it's nylon tipped.  

[Vox45]

Ho that is nice to know. I was a bit disappointed to lose the ability to rotate the focuser !

-> I took the thumbscrew (with a nylon tip) from the original ring and removed a grub screw on the adapter.

-> I was able to fit the thumbscrew and now I can rotate the focuser as it use to do.

 

I would still buy the clicklock anyway for its ease of use when swapping/installing my camera so I don't feel bad spending money on it (I sold the old one so the extra cost was minimal) but I feel better knowing I can also rotate the focuser  

Thanks for your input guys ! 

Edited March 16, 2021 by Vox45

[Shimrod]

5th Surprise  -the original focuser will fetch around £80 if you sell on here or ebay - I had put mine to one side thinking it was not really worth anything

I also had a 6th surprise - the screws holding the orignal focuser where so tight I stripped the heads and had to drill them out - not an uncommon problem.

It's amazing how quickly a £250 focuser becomes a £350 focuser - but I wouldn't swap mine back.

[Merlin66]

I replaced the M4 screws, holding the focuser to the OTA with stainless dome headed screws.

I use the SW focuser motor belt driven to the 10:1 knob on all my ED80 ‘s.

(Three of them used for solar imaging)

 

[Vox45]

4 hours ago, Shimrod said:

5th Surprise  -the original focuser will fetch around £80 if you sell on here or ebay - I had put mine to one side thinking it was not really worth anything

I also had a 6th surprise - the screws holding the orignal focuser where so tight I stripped the heads and had to drill them out - not an uncommon problem.

It's amazing how quickly a £250 focuser becomes a £350 focuser - but I wouldn't swap mine back.

Interesting, I too thought that it was worth next to nothing  I will try and sell it then.

I did not have any issues with the screws, I was lucky I guess. The price did add up, but the focuser is such a beauty, I can feel the difference in the smoothness of the movement. I do not regret, and it was a xmas gift