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Upgrading focuser on Meade 80mm Adventure Scope (with pics)
Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2020 11:08 pm
by Bigzmey
I have picked this cute little scope last year.
Other than cream paint the
OTA appears identical to Orion/
SW ST80.
What I like:
OTA, padded backpack, red dot finder.
What I don't like: junky plastic diagonal and EPs.
Have not tried provided photo tripod, but I suspect it should work to a degree.
Overall, a good value for $75 paid on Amazon.
The scope comes with all metal Synta style R@P 1.25" focuser. The focuser is not to bad, but light duty and a bit wobbly. I was looking for an opportunity to upgrade without paying too much.
The opportunity came with Lunt focuser sale. Thanks for the heads up Pakarinen! $87 shipped is more than I paid for the scope, but better than typical list price of $120-130.
The focuser looks identical to
GSO Crayford (none linear bearing), well made, with smooth operation. Installation is no brainer: unscrew 3 screws, swap the focuser, put the screws back. However everybody likes to look at scope pics.
So here you go.
Much better!
Re: Upgrading focuser on Meade 80mm Adventure Scope (with pics)
Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2020 11:55 pm
by Michael131313
Thanks for the info on the upgrade.
Re: Upgrading focuser on Meade 80mm Adventure Scope (with pics)
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2020 5:36 am
by terrynak
Thanks for the report Andrey!
Yup, that scope is identical to the Orion ST80. I didn't bother to upgrade the focuser on mine - fine with the stock 1.25" focuser. Besides, I don't own any 2" eyepeices (!?).
Lately (the past few years) I've been using mine more as a travel scope. Last time I did any serious observing (picking up new DSOs) with it was in August 2018, when I took it to San Luis Obispo. Much darker skies over there than at home.
Re: Upgrading focuser on Meade 80mm Adventure Scope (with pics)
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2020 6:02 am
by terrynak
Have to admit though, I regretted it when I first purchased this scope back in December 2011. Returned the first two samples that Orion sent me.
Spent too much time taking the scope apart and tweaking it than I did observing with it the first year or two that I got it. Sort of a nightmare.
Also horrified to learn less than a year later that Orion reduced the retail price of the scope - could have gotten it for much less.
Anyways, I'm fine with it now, after all these years.
Re: Upgrading focuser on Meade 80mm Adventure Scope (with pics)
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2020 6:36 am
by Ylem
I love my ST80
I have been tempted by the Lunt focuser but I don't have any 2" EPs
Guess that would be a good excuse to buy some
Re: Upgrading focuser on Meade 80mm Adventure Scope (with pics)
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2020 12:54 pm
by pakarinen
My 80 with the Lunt installed is sitting on the table, waiting for a clear (or at least mostly clear) night. Hopefully tomorrow night if the forecast holds. I put a 2 to 1.25 adapter on mine since I only have 1.25 EPs.
@Bigz - Are you going to somehow put an
RDF on it? Since there's no bracket on the Lunt, I was thinking maybe I'd try 25mm
EP as a finder
EP.
Re: Upgrading focuser on Meade 80mm Adventure Scope (with pics)
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2020 8:14 pm
by Bigzmey
Thanks for the feedback everyone!
[mention]pakarinen[/mention] You can definitely install Synta or other style shoe on this focuser for finder attachment.
I will post links and pics for this later on today or tomorrow.
Re: Upgrading focuser on Meade 80mm Adventure Scope (with pics)
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2020 9:16 pm
by Bigzmey
Here is how to install finder shoe. Parts:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Teles ... 2749.l2649
M4, 14mm screw
Then, just remove one of the flat head screws and install it. You can have two shoes, on each side.
Re: Upgrading focuser on Meade 80mm Adventure Scope (with pics)
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2020 9:24 pm
by Ylem
Ah, nice,
I used double face tape and a
RDF on my old setup
Re: Upgrading focuser on Meade 80mm Adventure Scope (with pics)
Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2020 1:46 pm
by pakarinen
Field tested the Lunt last night briefly before I got clouded out. Very noticeable improvement over stock R&P focuser. The fine focus is especially welcome.
Guess I have to get a Crayford for my ST120 now...
Re: Upgrading focuser on Meade 80mm Adventure Scope (with pics)
Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2020 7:16 pm
by Bigzmey
pakarinen wrote: ↑Mon Feb 03, 2020 1:46 pm
Field tested the Lunt last night briefly before I got clouded out. Very noticeable improvement over stock R&P focuser. The fine focus is especially welcome.
Guess I have to get a Crayford for my ST120 now...
Yes, that would definitely increase enjoyment of ST120. Unfortunately, you can't install Lunt focuser with 86mm flange on ST120. You will need either 96mm or 112mm. My advise is to go with 96mm, it fits more scopes. I had 96mm
GSO Crayford on my ST120 and moved it to ST150 eventually.
https://agenaastro.com/gso-crayford-foc ... -96mm.html
Re: Upgrading focuser on Meade 80mm Adventure Scope (with pics)
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2020 11:22 am
by Shorty Barlow
Do those Lunt focusers actually rotate? I'm curios about the visual back set screw, I can only see one.
Re: Upgrading focuser on Meade 80mm Adventure Scope (with pics)
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2020 2:14 pm
by pakarinen
Mine has some itty-bitty Allen screws around the collar like Bigz wrote. I've not tried loosening them yet; been dealing with a TW head to tripod attachment issue.
Not sure if focuser rotation will be necessary once I switch to rings - I'm currently using the tripod attachment rail that came on the scope screwed to a 4-in Vixen rail.
Re: Upgrading focuser on Meade 80mm Adventure Scope (with pics)
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2020 2:14 pm
by pakarinen
pakarinen wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2020 2:14 pm
Mine has some itty-bitty Allen screws around the collar like Bigz wrote. I've not tried loosening them yet; been dealing with a weird TW head to Frotto tripod attachment issue.
Not sure if focuser rotation will be necessary once I switch to rings - I'm currently using the tripod attachment rail that came on the scope screwed to a 4-in Vixen rail.
Re: Upgrading focuser on Meade 80mm Adventure Scope (with pics)
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2020 2:17 pm
by Shorty Barlow
I was wondering more about the screws that hold the diagonal.
Re: Upgrading focuser on Meade 80mm Adventure Scope (with pics)
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2020 9:00 pm
by Bigzmey
Shorty Barlow wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2020 2:17 pm
I was wondering more about the screws that hold the diagonal.
The visual back has just one screw and brass compression ring.
Focuser rotates in a sense that you can loosen 4 little hex screws, rotate focuser and tighten screws back. It has not been designed for rotation on the fly during the observing session.
Re: Upgrading focuser on Meade 80mm Adventure Scope (with pics)
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2020 9:32 pm
by Shorty Barlow
Bigzmey wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2020 9:00 pm
Shorty Barlow wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2020 2:17 pm
I was wondering more about the screws that hold the diagonal.
The visual back has just one screw and brass compression ring.
Focuser rotates in a sense that you can loosen 4 little hex screws, rotate focuser and tighten screws back. It has not been designed for rotation on the fly during the observing session.
OK thanks Bigz.
Re: Upgrading focuser on Meade 80mm Adventure Scope (with pics)
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2020 11:06 pm
by StarBru
Thanks, Bigzmey, for this great info! I also own the Meade Adventure Scope 80, (I paid $100 for it after I found out Orion had discontinued their ST80) and had been wanting to upgrade the focuser but couldn't justify the cost until now! I just now ordered the focuser. At $50 off, it's too good to pass up.
The picture shows the telescope with a dust cap with a solar filter I inserted into the cap.
When I first got the scope, I took the it apart, blackened the whole interior of the tube with some ultra black paint, and then performed a tune-up of the focuser following a thread from AF. I can never spell the user's handle but it starts with an X. The focuser worked a lot better after the tuneup, but now I will finally get the upgrade.
Thanks again!
Re: Upgrading focuser on Meade 80mm Adventure Scope (with pics)
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2020 11:08 pm
by StarBru
I'm thinking about ordering a second Lunt focuser for my 127mm refractor. Does anyone know how long the sale will be on?
Re: Upgrading focuser on Meade 80mm Adventure Scope (with pics)
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2020 11:23 pm
by Bigzmey
StarBru wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2020 11:08 pm
I'm thinking about ordering a second Lunt focuser for my 127mm refractor. Does anyone know how long the sale will be on?
You are most welcome Bruce! My guess is that they are moving the old stock and the sale will last until they are out.
I never saw
GSO focusers going on sale. If anything the prices are creeping up. So, at this price and quality it is a no brainer. I would order two if I had another scope it would fit.
I also use my 80ST for solar but with projection setup.
