Antares crayford for 6" F/8 refractor ?

[John]

I'm thinking of replacing the standard focusser on my Konus / Synta 6" refractor and Rother Valley Optics have the Antares dual speed crayford which is stated to be suitable for that scope for around £140. Has anyone tried this upgrade ?. Is it a straight swap using the existing screws ?. I have some heavy eyepieces so any comments on the focusser's ability to cope under strain would be helpful as well.

I don't have the funds for a Moonlight, unfortunately

Thanks.

[Andrew*]

Hi John,

If I remember correctly, every Skywatcher scope from the ED80 up uses the same focuser attachment. You keep the adaptor ring on the scope and fit the new focuser to that. I am assuming the Konus will be the same.

However, the Antares focuser itself may use a different system altogether, and not have the same one-size-fits-all approach. I'm sure if you phone RVO they will be able to advise you, but best to have the relevant measurements to hand.

I have what is in essence probably the same focuser on my 16" Lightbridge. I have used the 20T2 and 28mm UWANs on it without problems - they are both over 1kg in weight! Of course, a dob's focuser is always horizontal, so you may have a different experience in the 'frac.....

HTH

Andrew

[johninderby]

Agena Astro has a telescope compatibility table and photo guide for fitting the GSO focuser that should help.

https://www.agenaastro.com/Articles.asp?ID=205

https://www.agenaastro.com/Articles.asp?ID=206

I've been testing the new TS Monorail linear crayford which is about £30.00 more than the Antares but with nearly twice the load capacity and has much less flex. I'll be posting a review later this afternoon.

John

[Moonshane]

not sure about the Anatres one but I have the Skywatcher one which is a lovely upgrade and with a little 'convincing' due I think to paint on the inside of the adapter collar, it was a straight replacement. I am readlly glad I went for it. I am fairly sure this is the same fitting as the Celestron 150mm so might be a good swap for yours too? I seem to recall that the Skywatcher one is more highly regarded than the Antares/GSO but may be wrong. the one I got is this one:

Dual Speed Crayford Focuser for Sky Watcher Refractors - Ovl171 - Astronomical Accessories - Telescopes which does not seem to be available on FLO anymore for some reason.

[argonaut]

I also went for the Skywatcher 1701 focuser. It should be a direct fit with the OTA.

Here is mine on the back end of my 6" f/10 Achro. The fitting is 96mm with 3 equi-spaced 4mm holes which are 8mm in from the face of the focuser.

FLO didn't advertise these so mine was bought from Harrison Telescope.

[John]

Thanks for all the feedback folks. Some interesting alternatives as well

shanefarrell / argonaut - is the Skywatcher focusser rotatable ? - that would be helpful when I'm using the scope on an EQ mount.

Thanks

[Moonshane]

hi John

yes, indeed. the little knob at the top near where the focuser connects to the OTA acts like a clutch and you turn the whole thing (obviously apart from the bit that actually connects!). To my knowledge and looking at them in detail, I feel sure this is the same one as that supplied with WO scopes, just with different branding and knobs. I must admit though that I don't often feel the need to rotate it unless as occasionally happens, the finders are a little hard to reach at some angles.

[John]

Thanks Shane

[argonaut]

There are also 3 equi-spaced grub screws which you can adjust on the rotation mechanism. These fit into a recess inside the focuser.

I needed to strip mine down when it crashed to the floor during the build. So I decided while I was in there I would strip it down completely.It's very well made inside.

Glen.