Mak Focuser Upgrade

[A McEwan]

Hi all,

Just asking who has upgraded the focuser on their Maksutov and how do you feel about the upgrade? I'm thinking specifically about my Skymax 180 Pro and would like some input. (The Borg helical one didn't work out for me)

Many thanks,

Ant

[david o]

Shame about the Borg Ant, it looked like a good idea. What went wrong?

Be interested myself to see any suggestions.

Wonder if one of them Feathertouch SCT focusers would fit?

[johninderby]

If you get the Skywatcher Maksutov to SCT adapter http://www.firstlightoptics.com/proddetail.php?prod=synta_SCT_adapter then you could fit any SCT type Crayford focuser.

John

[A McEwan]

The Borg seemed like a good idea but in practice it was not up to the job of holding a diagonal and eyepiece and still being smooth and easy to turn. It tended to be sticky, which I think was caused by it being slightly overloaded and the weight pushing down on the surfaces, increasing friction.

Thanks for the link to the adapter ring - that may come in handy. I'm sure there is a FT model that fits, but I'm not sure my pockets are that deep at the moment!

Any other reports on their focuser upgrade?

[alex_stars]

a decade in and I'd like to revive the discussion as I am at the same point of updating my Skymax 180 focuser.

@A McEwan, do you remember what the payload was when you used the Borg helical. I am in contact with TS and they state that their helical focuser (https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p7051_TS-Optics-1-25--und-T2-Micro-Helical-Schneckenfokussierer---T2-Anschluss.html) should easily carry about 500g of equipment. In my case that would be sufficient, both for visual as well as imaging.

Also what did you end up using for your Mak, would be interesting to know.

Clear Skies,

Alex

[nfotis]

I bought a used dual speed focuser from TS for fitting to my Skymax 127 (unfortunately, it couldn't clear the original focuser). It looks sturdy enough:

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p781_TS-Optics-2--Dual-Speed-Crayford-Focuser-with-SC-thread-connection.html

 

There's also a monorail version

https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p4299_TS-Optics-MONORAIL-2--Focuser---Dual-Speed---M90x1-Thread-Connection.html

 

Hope this helps,

N.F.

[alex_stars]

Thanks N.F.

I think for my application these Crayford focusers are oversized as my "payload" on the focuser is about 500 g not several kilos as with DSLR imaging, so I try to keep the overall weight down on my scope.

Clear Skies,

Alex

[nfotis]

Well, it's not only a matter of payload, but accuracy as well. It should be quite accurate when imaging, and you can easily add a focusing motor if you wish.

An OAG and guider, a filter wheel and a cooled camera often reach 3 kg in total, so it might be a good idea to get a sturdy focuser.

It's a bit heavy, though, I have to admit that.

Cheers,

N.F.

Edited September 25, 2020 by nfotis

[alex_stars]

Again thanks for the input, N.F.

As I do planetary observing and imaging I never exceed a payload of 1 kg, even with a motorized filter wheel (e.g. the one from ZWO), but you make a good point about the focusing motor! That might be interesting in the future.

Cheers and clear skies,

Alex

[fredvanner]

I bought the "Dual-Speed 2" Crayford Focuser for SCT Telescopes" (£134 from FLO) for our SkyMax 150. It has been excellent - fine focus adjustment with a Bahtinov mask and focus lock usually lasts all night.

[alex_stars]

Thanks everybody for your input.

I worked out a lightweight option with a few Baader EP holders, which works very well for me.

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/363512-lightweight-visual-back-for-a-180-mak-with-micro-focusing/

Clear Skies,

Alex