ED80 "collar" on the focuser

[daz]

I don't know what the correct name for this "collar" is, but its the bit on the end of the draw tube that takes the diagonal.

So, does anyone know of a replacement part that uses brass compression rings rather than the standard 2 set screws?

Cheers

[MartinB]

There was a guy who used to post on the forum 2 or 3 years ago. He was in Spain or somewhere - he posted about this mod to his ED80. I'll try to hunt out the thread but difficult when I can't remember what his name was! You might remember

[Milamber]

Mercury Systems SFA2

hth

Arthur

[daz]

Excellent - thanks Arthur

[Rob]

Good call Ant.. been looking myself

[Ant]

Your welcome

[Milamber]

[Rob]

And well done Arthur for knowing!!!

[Rob]

mind you looks like a tough one to find as they have gone out of business

[Rob]

Hummmm 2" Click-Lock Eyepiece Clamp

Optical Accessories

[Rob]

Good call Ant.. been looking myself

What a plonker I am... sorry Daz, that was meant for you, not Ant. I was trying to call Ant while writing the reply here. That will teach me, men can't do 2 things at the same time!!!!!

Ant please give me a call as I cant get through

[MartinB]

Here was the thread I was thinking of http://stargazerslounge.com/equipment-reviews/40951-sfa2-visual-back.html Same company but defunct it seems

[Rob]

Shame. Would have loved one of these for C80ED....

[Milamber]

Pity there's no one around that can knock a few up...

It's a simple matter to drill the two holes out and re-thread to M5 - then use the standard M5 nylon thumbscrews...

Arthur

[Milamber]

Ah. Right, how does it go again?

"Ta Daaa....!"

Arthur

PS - price a bit scary though, but even so - maybe someone should tell that bloke looking for one on Astro Buy-Sell about these ones

[blinky]

Come on Arthur, I'm sure you can knock these up for a bit less than that!

[Milamber]

Nah. Ambermile could I expect though - but health matters loom large at the moment I am afraid.

Arthur

[Rob]

Come on art!!... you top man, you. show your skills off sir.

[daz]

@Rob - D'oh!!!

@Martin - yes, that's one I found, and that finefocuser have stopped trading

@Arthur - I'll tell him!!!

Reading on CN, it looks like people don't like selling them, even if they don't have the scope for it!!

[Milamber]

Sorry people, I really do wish I could help but... I cannot physically do it at the moment. In a month maybe... annoying I know but that's the way it has to be, let the nasty medicine do it's stuff.

Arthur

[Rob]

Fair enough sir... looking forward to your return to the top!

[Rob]

I understand the thread on these draw tubes (my Celestron 80ED included) is a T2?

[Milamber]

No - T2 is a 42mm thread. This is nearer 56mm - the adapter bit that goes into the 2" hole to give a 1.25" fitting is T2 on the outside

[Rob]

hang on, just thinking this through. The thread is on the outside of the draw tube?.... Well acually there are 2 rings on my C80ED, one looks to be a locker job!.

[Rob]

Blimey... why cant these people agree a universal external & internal thread!!!.

I see what you mean Arthur. glad I'm in IT!!!