Starblast 6 focuser

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Seadawg216
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Starblast 6 focuser

#1

Post by Seadawg216 »


Everything I've researched regarding the Starblast 6 indicates that the weakest part is the plastic focuser. Is it that bad where it would be a deal-breaker or is it really ok? I have a SB 4.5 & want to bump it up a tad. I am older & leaning towards the full size Skyline 6 but fear it would be more of a hassle & I wouldn't be as inclined to set it up as frequently as the SB 6, but it comes with the nice Crayford. Your forums are awesome & you always provide exceptional remarks.
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Re: Starblast 6 focuser

#2

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Hello, full plastic focusers are usually workable with light weight eyepieces but will usually not stand up well if using larger/ heavier ones.
Depending on your budget and style of focuser, a metal aftermarket focuser can be purchased to replace the stock one.
Here is a quality replacement 1.25" focuser: https://agenaastro.com/gso-1-25-crayfor ... speed.html
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Starblast 6 focuser

#3

Post by Seadawg216 »


I take it that it would fit & be relatively easy to replace?
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Re: Starblast 6 focuser

#4

Post by Lady Fraktor »


You would have to make measurements to be sure, that is only one example though.
There are most likely others of varying size/ length.
The Orion telescope manual may have the racked in/ racked out height listed to compare.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Starblast 6 focuser

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Post by Seadawg216 »


Thank you. I'll check it out.
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Re: Starblast 6 focuser

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Post by Lady Fraktor »


You could also try asking Orion for those measurements, one of the phone techs may be bored :)
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Starblast 6 focuser

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Post by Ylem »


Seadawg216 wrote: Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:11 pm Everything I've researched regarding the Starblast 6 indicates that the weakest part is the plastic focuser. Is it that bad where it would be a deal-breaker or is it really ok? I have a SB 4.5 & want to bump it up a tad. I am older & leaning towards the full size Skyline 6 but fear it would be more of a hassle & I wouldn't be as inclined to set it up as frequently as the SB 6, but it comes with the nice Crayford. Your forums are awesome & you always provide exceptional remarks.
They certainly don't make the scope a deal breaker.

As Lady Fraktor says it will work fine with Plossls and other standard weight EPs.
I added some heavy weight grease to tune mine up that was on my old Orion 6" Dob.

I miss that scope, had too many and donated it to my club, yet today I think it was one of my favourite scopes.
Clear Skies,
-Jeff :telescopewink:


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Orion 80ED
Celestron C5, 6SE, Celestar 8
Vixen Porta Mount ll
Coronado PST
A big box of Plossls
Little box of filters
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Re: Starblast 6 focuser

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Post by Ylem »


Seadawg216 wrote: Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:25 pm I take it that it would fit & be relatively easy to replace?
I would check with Agena directly, they sell a lot of focusers.

I do know for a fact that you have to drill new holes if you put it on the 130 Newt.
Clear Skies,
-Jeff :telescopewink:


Member; ASTRA-NJ



Orion 80ED
Celestron C5, 6SE, Celestar 8
Vixen Porta Mount ll
Coronado PST
A big box of Plossls
Little box of filters
:D



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Re: Starblast 6 focuser

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Post by Seadawg216 »


Thank you Jeff & Lady Fraktor. I had been looking at the Starblast for a long time. I found a 4.5" SB EQ for $50 with no EPs so I bought a 32, 20 & 6mm plus a barlow & Cheshire. The wife was a little surprised when I spent almost $150 for the "accessories." I really like it, but still want the 6" tabletop. Don't care for the EQ1 tripod. The Skyline 6 is enticing but I don't think I'd pull it out as often. That's why I question the focuser on the Starblast.
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Re: Starblast 6 focuser

#10

Post by Bigzmey »


Ylem wrote: Wed Feb 17, 2021 10:38 pm
Seadawg216 wrote: Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:25 pm I take it that it would fit & be relatively easy to replace?
I would check with Agena directly, they sell a lot of focusers.

I do know for a fact that you have to drill new holes if you put it on the 130 Newt.
Agena sales baseplates to adapt GSO focusers for scopes 6" and up.
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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