Feather Touch

[LDW1]

Sorry but I couldn't find one appropriate forum to put this in so here it is here.  Talking to my dealer here in Canada he told me that Feather Touch are starting to ship / supply their 1.25" single speed focusers for the Lunt LS50 ha scopes once again.  I have been waiting for mine for almost a year, I will get it next week.  I can hardly wait, the stock helical focuser has been resricting the use of my  LS50 since I received it last Aug.  PS:  If there is a better place to insert this post could the powers that be please do it, as long as it can be seen by those that are waiting.

[Highburymark]

That’s good news. I hated the helical when I had an LS50. The FT will be a perfect replacement.

[John]

Quite a while back I had an LS50 with the FT upgrade. My 1st experience of FT focusing excellence. The original helical focuser was also supplied but that looked rather basic to say the least.

 

[Highburymark]

I had what I believe was the first Moonlite to be made for a Lunt 50, which unfortunately isn’t made anymore, so good that the FT is reappearing, though no doubt at a hefty price. Worth it though, especially for binoviewers and cameras. My Lunt helical seized up and the whole scope had to go back to Germany for a fix.

[LDW1]

With tax and ship it came to almost $500 C !

[LDW1]

Here is what I have been waiting almost a year for !  The Lunt LS50Ha will be happy, lol !

[Stu]

Can’t beat a nice Feathertouch, and that looks really nice! Looks very neat and compact. I had wondered whether dual speed would be better but from a bit of reading it’s not necessary on these scopes, and actually the dual speed version looks a bit ungainly in comparison. Make sure to post an image of it fitted, and enjoy! 👍

[LDW1]

I am not so sure they even make a 2 speed for the Lunt 40/50  scopes ?

[Stu]

10 minutes ago, LDW1 said:

I am not so sure they even make a 2 speed for the Lunt 40/50  scopes ?

I saw this one linked to on one of the threads I read. No idea of it’s available or not. Looks a bit ungainly to me.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/specialist-focusers-borg-tele-vue-lunt-gso-rc/feathertouch-125-dual-speed-focuser-for-lunt-ls50-solar-telescopes.html

[niallk]

I too have the Moonlight - replacing the stock helical is a great upgrade for the LS50!

I find the 2-speed focusser invaluable: it really takes the fine adjustment facility to eek out the finest surface details (running double stacked).  I'm always amazed at how subtle structure resolves with the slight adjustment of focus.  I love my lil' LS50DS 😍

Edited March 2 by niallk

[LDW1]

2 hours ago, Stu said:

I saw this one linked to on one of the threads I read. No idea of it’s available or not. Looks a bit ungainly to me.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/specialist-focusers-borg-tele-vue-lunt-gso-rc/feathertouch-125-dual-speed-focuser-for-lunt-ls50-solar-telescopes.html

Notice the ad mentions the adapter that it says is requied, so really how much do you gain for all that extra cost, if it fits !

[LDW1]

56 minutes ago, niallk said:

I too have the Moonlight - replacing the stock helical is a great upgrade for the LS50!

I find the 2-speed focusser invaluable: it really takes the fine adjustment facility to eek out the finest surface details (running double stacked).  I'm always amazed at how subtle structure resolves with the slight adjustment of focus.  I love my lil' LS50DS 😍

I will say one thing, Lunt sure doesn't identify a 2 speed for the 50 in too great detail, the 60 and greater yes because they are now duel use scopes ie nite or daytime viewing.

[Stu]

1 hour ago, niallk said:

I'm always amazed at how subtle structure resolves with the slight adjustment of focus.

Totally agree with this, for both Ha and White Light. A small fraction of a turn on the fine focus really makes the granulation pop in white light.