Antares/GSO/Scopestuff Crayford focusser for SCTs - Any good?

[michaelmorris]

Has anyone tried the Scopestuff (http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_fnc2.htm)

or Antares (http://www.scopesnskies.com/prod/antares/telescope-

focuser/sct/crayford.hml) SCT Crayford focussers on an LX200? (Both

products appear to be identical). They appear very well priced and

recently got a good pretty good review in 'Sky at Night' magazine. Are

they any good?

[russ]

Hi Michael,

Yes i have the Antares SCT Crayford on my Intes 603. Also had the identical focuser (but refractor fitting) on my ED100. Over the moon with both. Smooth and precise, nicely finished. Only criticism is the 360 degree rotation doesn't really work that well. It's an after thought or bodge, whatever you would like to call it. That aside I would give it a solid 7.5/10. I would have to disagree 100% with that Sky at Night review though. The William Optics unit is better finished, smoother still and has a proper 360degree rotation. I couldn't fault my William Optics unit, a solid 9/10, shame I sold it. But it does cost £169 compared to the Antares £89. I couldn't afford £169 this time round, so i'm perfectly happy with the Antares Crayford.

Hope that helps.

Russ

[michaelmorris]

Russ

Is your's manual or have you motorised it?

[russ]

Just manual.....is there a motor kit for it? That would be nice if there was

Russ

[michaelmorris]

According to the 'Scopestuff' website the Rigel Systems nFOCUS unit will fit it.

http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_rnfs.htm

I can't find anyone in the UK who stocks this unit, so I was thinking of trying adapt the Skywatcher auto-focusser unit.

http://www.opticalvision.co.uk/prodtype.asp?PT_ID=65

Alternatively I'll ship the nFOCUS unit direct from Rigel Systems in the USA.

[russ]

great find looks just the job and perhaps something for the birthday list.

Russ