Pimping up the Starfield 102mm

[Mr Spock]

Well, to me it's not an extravagance. It is a basic need 😜
Seriously, the fitting on the Starfield is the only weakness it has. It's so stiff it takes three hands to change accessories. Not anymore... 

Perfect! 👍

 

[Knighty2112]

Can’t beat Baader click lock gear. Works a treat all the time! 👍🏻

[RobertI]

Nice. Yes the twist lock style arrangements are a real pain, good for imaging I guess where you need things centred, but not for visual. I replaced mine too, but not with anything as nice as your Click-Lock.

[Mr Spock]

A very expensive accessory for something that only gets used when I switch from night to solar. But once you've used one of these, there's no going back.

Plus I had a scare a few weeks ago. The diagonal and LVW suddenly turned upside down due to the original not gripping well despite feeling tight. Fortunately the diagonal had a firm hold of the LVW or it could have been serious 

[bosun21]

I also was thinking to fit a Baader clicklock on my Starfield but the original fitting on mine is working well and requires only one hand. I was also wanting to save in-focus for my binoviewer. I must admit though, the scare that @Mr Spock had with his LVW is giving me food for thought 😱

[Mr Spock]

The Baader is the same depth as the original fitting 

[Highburymark]

Not cheap but the best engineering never is, and will last a lifetime. Looks great too.

[bosun21]

21 hours ago, Mr Spock said:

The Baader is the same depth as the original fitting 

You have convinced me. Order pending. 🙂

[bosun21]

On 11/11/2022 at 17:57, Mr Spock said:

The Baader is the same depth as the original fitting 

Is it a straightforward swap? I can see three tiny screws. Do I remove them and it screws off? Or is it a different procedure? Sorry for being a pest with my questions.

[Mr Spock]

No, the whole assembly unscrews from the focuser tube. 

[bosun21]

On 12/11/2022 at 22:05, Mr Spock said:

No, the whole assembly unscrews from the focuser tube. 

I have ordered the clicklock but I tried to loosen the existing twist lock and it won’t budge. How tight was yours and do I need to buy a couple of strap wrenches? Once again sorry for the questions. Thanks 

[Carl Au]

On 11/11/2022 at 16:02, Mr Spock said:

Well, to me it's not an extravagance. It is a basic need 😜
Seriously, the fitting on the Starfield is the only weakness it has. It's so stiff it takes three hands to change accessories. Not anymore... 

Perfect! 👍

 

Interesting. 

Does the Starfield have the same 3 point 2 inch to 1.25mm fitting as the Altair Astro version (There is definitely variation between the different sports of this scope even if it’s just a different coloured focuser (or part there of) Always reminds me of a ships wheel. I love mine, silky smooth and easy to securely fit a 2 inch diagonal with one hand. I did however buy a 1.25 Baader click lock adapter which I used for attaching a Lunt Herschel Wedge as I found the original one awkward to use and not as smooth as the wonderfully engineered 2 inch fitting. 
 

I adore my scope, I have said it before, but I really should start a KUO fan club 

Edited November 14, 2022 by Carl Au

[Mr Spock]

34 minutes ago, bosun21 said:

I have ordered the clicklock but I tried to loosen the existing twist lock and it won’t budge. How tight was yours and do I need to buy a couple of strap wrenches? Once again sorry for the questions. Thanks 

Mine unscrewed quite easily.

[Paz]

I have this scope by another brand name and I also hate the twistlocks. I didnt realise the whole 2" twistlock will come off and can be replaced!