SGL suggested cable tie for fine focusing

[Dibp]

I read an earlier post about using a cable tie to help with fine focusing. I have just tried it out and what an amazingly great recommendation. A real game changer for me!

Whoever suggested this needs a medal!

[jjohnson3803]

I've also seen a wooden chopstick (I guess you have to drill a hole in the knob) and a slice of foam swimming pool noodle slipped over the knob.  The cable tie worked well when I had a Mak.

 

 

[bosun21]

A wooden clothes peg was my choice before fitting an electric focuser.

[Louis D]

Since my 127 Mak's focuser shaft's rubber grip split and wouldn't stay on anymore, I wrapped racquet grip tape around the bare shaft.  I then slipped a shortened handlebar foam grip over the grip tape.  All of that foam and foam tape really help to limit the transmission of vibrations when focusing.  I still put Sorbothane pads under each tripod leg to dampen residual vibrations in about a half second.  If I touch the foam lightly enough, I can fine-tune focus without transferring vibrations.

[LondonNeil]

Clothes peg, happened to be a plastic one,  works for me and my mak127. 

If I had any time to fill and wanted a project  then

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404745433617?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=qwwqhj7st-w&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=ouq3u5EnS2m&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334627692102?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=uvN6TlBwRuK&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=ouq3u5EnS2m&var=543754084678&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154315989482?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=6vY1lLMqS_C&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=ouq3u5EnS2m&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350886203682?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=byYLbsXtRYO&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=ouq3u5EnS2m&var=620167071161&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Plus a battery holder and some bracketry  wouldn't cost too much.  I don't have the time though!

[LondonNeil]

BTW, with the skywatcher at least,  the fine focus issue that remains is the target moving in the fov as focus is shifted the other way, as a result of the way the mirror is moved.  So I've bought a baader t2 diagonal with a focusing ep holder. Yet to try it but expect it to solve that issue but it feels a bit stiff so I may end up preferring the peg.

 

[Steve Ward]

Best thing I ever did or my Mak180Pro was fit one of these to the visual back ... 😉

https://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/sky-watcher-dual-speed-2-crayford-focuser-for-sct-telescopes.html

Apologies to the sponsors but you don't sell them ... 

[bosun21]

I must be lucky as I have barely had any image shift with the three Maksutovs I've owned. I do however fit electric focus kits to them. I have just received the kit for my new 180 which I will fit later. The only image shift I seen in the 180 was while collimating it at 432x. Even then it was really small just moving it off the direct centre. 🤞