Moonlite... Ron Newman

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Lowjiber
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Moonlite... Ron Newman

#1

Post by Lowjiber »


I have a couple of Moonlite focusers and love 'em. The owner of Moonlite is Ron Newman. He knows his stuff when it comes to focusers.

Yesterday (Sunday), I decided to end my hassles with the focusing unit on my prime solar imaging scope. Now, if you've ever been on the Moonlite website https://focuser.com/, you quickly realize that your are but a Stranger-In-A-Strange-Land and know little-to-nothing about what you need for your particular operation... There are literally hundreds of combinations that the custom-built focusers can have.

So, I did what I always do... I composed an email to Ron that explained what I was doing and what scope I was using. Since it was Sunday afternoon, one would believe that a normal person might respond in the coming week... Ron is not a "normal" person.

Ron responded within a hour with a detailed configuration that I needed. He said, "Let me know the color and I'll build you one." Done! No trying to dig through the various components listed on the website to get everything just right... "Nuthin". I love that kind of personal service.:)

I hate giving recommendations when other people are spending THEIR money. However, I make an exception in this case... If you are looking for a quality, custom-built focuser that fits your needs, look no further than Moonlite.
John (Urban Astronomer) Apertura AD10 Dob; XLT 150 Dob; XLT 120EQ; Lunt Solar 60 PT/B1200; ES AR102; SW Pro 100ED; 2 SW Pro 80ED's; 90mm Eq; WO Z-61; SW 90mm Virtuso Mak; 2 Orion ST-80's; Quark-C; Cams: Polemaster, ASI120MM-S, ASI174MM & ASI174MM-C
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Re: Moonlite... Ron Newman

#2

Post by helicon »


I have a moonlite on the AR152. Silky smooth as you know John! 8-)
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
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Re: Moonlite... Ron Newman

#3

Post by Solsearcher »


Adding moonite remote focusers was the first thing I did to my solar scopes . Having the ability to focus without shaking the scope is a valuable asset for imaging . Ron sold me an extra motor so I could add remote etalon tuning to one of my scopes , Moonlite all the way for me .
IMG_3172.JPG
Solar scopes (Coronado Ha) 60mm double stack , 90mm double stack , 150mm single stack .
W/L scope Williams Optic Megrez 110mm / Lunt herschel wedge .
Night scope Celestron 9.25 XLT
Mounts HEQ6 , HEQ5 , Losmandy G8
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Re: Moonlite... Ron Newman

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Post by yobbo89 »


Solsearcher wrote: Mon Sep 07, 2020 3:00 pm Adding moonite remote focusers was the first thing I did to my solar scopes . Having the ability to focus without shaking the scope is a valuable asset for imaging . Ron sold me an extra motor so I could add remote etalon tuning to one of my scopes , Moonlite all the way for me .

Image
ahh, i was woundering why your scope had two focuser motors :)
scopes :gso/bintel f4 12"truss tube, bresser messier ar127s /skywatcher 10'' dob,meade 12'' f10 lx200 sct
cameras : asi 1600mm-c/asi1600mm-c,asi120mc,prostar lp guidecam, nikkon d60, sony a7,asi 290 mm
mounts : eq6 pro/eq8/mesu 200 v2
filters : 2'' astronomik lp/badder lrgb h-a,sII,oIII,h-b,Baader Solar Continuum, chroma 3nm ha,sii,oiii,nii,rgb,lowglow,uv/ir,Thousand Oaks Solar Filter,1.25'' #47 violet,pro planet 742 ir,pro planet 807 ir,pro planet 642 bp ir.
extras : skywatcher f4 aplanatic cc, Baader MPCC MKIII Coma Corrector,Orion Field Flattener,zwo 1.25''adc.starlight maxi 2" 9x filter wheel,tele vue 2x barlow .

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Re: Moonlite... Ron Newman

#5

Post by Solsearcher »


ahh, i was woundering why your scope had two focuser motors :)
As John says Ron is great to deal with , here is the variable speed 2 channel remote he recommended for my application . It puts etalon tuning as well as focus on the same remote . Another option now is to have it on keyboard .
IMG_3174.JPG
Solar scopes (Coronado Ha) 60mm double stack , 90mm double stack , 150mm single stack .
W/L scope Williams Optic Megrez 110mm / Lunt herschel wedge .
Night scope Celestron 9.25 XLT
Mounts HEQ6 , HEQ5 , Losmandy G8
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Re: Moonlite... Ron Newman

#6

Post by dcrowson »


I can't say enough good things about Ron and Moonlite, too. I've used his focusers for years.

My only wish would be for his site to be more up to date or better laid out. I tend to find that when I contact him (which is not often - his stuff just works), there are models not shown on the site.

Dan
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Re: Moonlite... Ron Newman

#7

Post by Lady Fraktor »


I bought my first Moonlite in 2005 and it has been working well ever since.
The block under the drawtube is getting worn and after contacting Ron about it he has offered to fix it and tweak it all at no charge, I just pay for the shipping.
Ron was excellent to deal with years ago and still is today. :)
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
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Re: Moonlite... Ron Newman

#8

Post by kt4hx »


My 17.5" dob has had a Moonlite CR-2 focuser since it was built several years ago. I have no plans to change it as it still works flawlessly.
Alan

Scopes: Astro Sky 17.5 f/4.5 Dob || Apertura AD12 f/5 Dob || Zhumell Z10 f/4.9 Dob ||
ES AR127 f/6.5 || ES ED80 f/6 || Apertura 6" f/5 Newtonian
Mounts: ES Twilight-II and Twilight-I
EPs: AT 82° 28mm UWA || TV Ethos 100° 21mm and 13mm || Vixen LVW 65° 22mm ||
ES 82° 18mm || Pentax XW 70° 10mm, 7mm and 5mm || barlows
Filters (2 inch): DGM NPB || Orion Ultra Block, O-III and Sky Glow || Baader HaB
Primary Field Atlases: Uranometria All-Sky Edition and Interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas
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"Astronomers, we look into the past to see our future." (me)
"Seeing is in some respect an art, which must be learnt." (William Herschel)
"What we know is a drop, what we don't know is an ocean." (Sir Isaac Newton)
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Re: Moonlite... Ron Newman

#9

Post by Lowjiber »


dcrowson wrote: Mon Sep 07, 2020 8:18 pm I can't say enough good things about Ron and Moonlite, too. I've used his focusers for years.

My only wish would be for his site to be more up to date or better laid out. I tend to find that when I contact him (which is not often - his stuff just works), there are models not shown on the site.

Dan
That's why I always contact him directly, phone or email. Just tell him your problem and will fix you up.:)
John (Urban Astronomer) Apertura AD10 Dob; XLT 150 Dob; XLT 120EQ; Lunt Solar 60 PT/B1200; ES AR102; SW Pro 100ED; 2 SW Pro 80ED's; 90mm Eq; WO Z-61; SW 90mm Virtuso Mak; 2 Orion ST-80's; Quark-C; Cams: Polemaster, ASI120MM-S, ASI174MM & ASI174MM-C
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Re: Moonlite... Ron Newman

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Post by yobbo89 »


once you go moonlite ahhh :)
scopes :gso/bintel f4 12"truss tube, bresser messier ar127s /skywatcher 10'' dob,meade 12'' f10 lx200 sct
cameras : asi 1600mm-c/asi1600mm-c,asi120mc,prostar lp guidecam, nikkon d60, sony a7,asi 290 mm
mounts : eq6 pro/eq8/mesu 200 v2
filters : 2'' astronomik lp/badder lrgb h-a,sII,oIII,h-b,Baader Solar Continuum, chroma 3nm ha,sii,oiii,nii,rgb,lowglow,uv/ir,Thousand Oaks Solar Filter,1.25'' #47 violet,pro planet 742 ir,pro planet 807 ir,pro planet 642 bp ir.
extras : skywatcher f4 aplanatic cc, Baader MPCC MKIII Coma Corrector,Orion Field Flattener,zwo 1.25''adc.starlight maxi 2" 9x filter wheel,tele vue 2x barlow .

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Re: Moonlite... Ron Newman

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Post by XCalRocketMan »


I second all the accolades for Ron and Moonlite. I purchased a Moonlite a number of years ago for my EdgeHD11. It was awesome. Then I got the Hyperstar and realized I still needed an autofocuser, so I sold the Moonlite and got a Feathertouch with remote. Since I got my WO GT102 I haven't been using the Hyperstar and decided that I needed a quality remote focuser again so I can lock down the mirror, focus on planets without image shift, etc, etc. You guessed it, bought the Moonlite again. Should never have sold it - it's one of the best investments I've made on my rig.
Scopes Celestron EdgeHD-11; William Optics GT102; William Optics ZS61; Criterion Dynamax-8 SCT
Mounts AP1100GTO mount w/APCCpro; iOptron iEQ30 Pro; Criterion Dynamax-8 SCT
Lenses Hyperstar-III; Celestron 0.7x FR; WO Flat/Reducer 0.8x
Guiding Celestron OAG w/ASI174mm mini; WO 50mm; Orion ST80
Cameras and Filters ZWO2600mm Pro w/Optolong 3nm NB and RGB; ZWOASI1600mm Pro (ZWO LRGB and Astrodon Ha-5nm, Oiii-3nm, Sii-5nm), QHY10, Canon 50D; ASI174mm mini; ASI462MC; ASI120MC
Misc Moonlite focuser on Edge - Feather-Touch focuser on GT102; ZWO EAF on ZS61; ZWO 2" and 31mm FWs; Kendrick Dew System, Temp-est Fans
Software NINA; PHD; APT; BYE; PI; APP; PSP; Registax; FireCapture; SharpCap
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Re: Moonlite... Ron Newman

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Post by Lowjiber »


FOLLOW UP...

The Moonlite arrived last week and I'm going to light it this morning if the sky clears by noon.

Because my solar scope (one of four) is short-coupled, I needed to add a Dec counterweight to the front of the vixen rail... No laughing! :lol:

Like all Moonlites, I always say that if Lassie came running up to the house to tell me that Timmy fell in the well, I'll just take my Moonlite down an pull the little rascal to safety.:)

Pics attached...
FOCUSER TOP VIEW.jpg
BACKEND.jpg
COUNTERWEIGHT KLUDGE.jpg
John (Urban Astronomer) Apertura AD10 Dob; XLT 150 Dob; XLT 120EQ; Lunt Solar 60 PT/B1200; ES AR102; SW Pro 100ED; 2 SW Pro 80ED's; 90mm Eq; WO Z-61; SW 90mm Virtuso Mak; 2 Orion ST-80's; Quark-C; Cams: Polemaster, ASI120MM-S, ASI174MM & ASI174MM-C
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Re: Moonlite... Ron Newman

#13

Post by lostone »


Ron is an awesome person. I have a Nitecrawler and CLS 2.5" When you call Moonlite you actually speak to Ron. He has helped me out on several occasions with making sure I got the exact adapters I need for my focusers and equipment. I just talked to him the other day about getting an adapter for my 2.5" us use a Takahashi Collimating Scope. Sure enough he had the proper one in stock and It will be at my doorstep on monday. I have never received this kind of customer service from any other vendor.
Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most! :tease:

Scope: Explorer Scientific 127CF, Askar FR600, Planewave CDK 14""
Guide Scope & Camera: ASI 174, ZWO OAG-L
Camera: QHY 268 Mono, QHY 600 Mono
Mount: Planewave L-350, Skywatcher EQ8-Rh Pro, Losmandy G11
Accessories: Moonlite Nitecrawler WR30, WR35, Eagle 3&4 Pro, QHY CFW3/7 Filterwheel, QHY Polemaster,
Software: N.I.N.A., CdC, Planewave 3, Pixinsight
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Re: Moonlite... Ron Newman

#14

Post by messier 111 »


I was wondering precisely, whether they were good.
thanks for this thread. :text-thankyoublue:
I LOVE REFRACTORS , :Astronomer1: :sprefac:

REFRACTOR , TS-Optics Doublet SD-APO 125 mm f/7.8 . Lunt 80mm MT Ha Doublet Refractor .

EYEPIECES, Delos , Delite and 26mm Nagler t5 , 2 zoom Svbony 7-21 , Orion Premium Linear BinoViewer .

FILTER , Nebustar 2 tele vue . Apm solar wedge . contrast booster 2 inches .

Mounts , berno mack 3 with telepod , cg-4 motorized , eq6 pro belt drive .

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Re: Moonlite... Ron Newman

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Post by helicon »


Yes, they are excellent.
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
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