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My Moonlite crayford on my C6-R is finally getting to the point I cannot keep it functioning anymore.
The slider plate inside is deformed and the pinion has a slight bend in it after almost 15 years of abuse.
The third set of roller bearings are not lasting well either!
The GSO crayford on the Antares 105mm has given 20+ years of good effort but is in need of retirement as well.
I recently stopped at Baader Planetarium and checked on the Baader Steeltrak which is very nice and I would put it between a Moonlite and Starlight.
The TS R&P looks like a good one as well and is likely a GSO or Long Perng offering.
Any suggestions?
I do not need larger than 2" and dual speed/ rotating are not very important for me.
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both 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, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101) The only culture I have is from yogurt
That looks surprisingly like the GSO on the Antares.
I wonder if they have updated the mechanicals in 20 years
How solid is the drawtube? With the diagonal in is there any shift if you press on the side of the diagonal?
Is the slide on the bottom a cutout in the drawtube or a plate?
I am getting spoiled with the Starlight reverse crayford on the SV80 and the Starlight R&P on the 105.
Unfortunately I cannot replace them all with Starlight focusers though.
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both 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, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101) The only culture I have is from yogurt
Regular GSO Crayford is not bad, but more light duty. Linear Bearing is just better built all around. On my 150ST it provides smooth action with Baader clicklock 2" diagonal, 2" filter wheel and a heavy wide field EP (over 1kg payload). Regular GSO Crayford I had before could not handle that smoothly.
Both good suggestions, I still have the bad habit of steering the telescope by the diagonal so a new focuser needs to be tough.
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both 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, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101) The only culture I have is from yogurt
Nothing personal against imagers but they are messing with my options...
Every focuser I have looked at the drawtubes are shorter than needed for camera connection. :Boo:
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both 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, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101) The only culture I have is from yogurt
Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Sat Oct 15, 2022 5:32 pm
Nothing personal against imagers but they are messing with my options...
Every focuser I have looked at the drawtubes are shorter than needed for camera connection. :Boo:
I don't mind needing extension tube for visual, this leaves you some in focus travel for binoviewers or EP turret.
:Stop: Zakázať všetky adaptérové trubice na vizuálne pozorovanie! :blee:
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both 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, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101) The only culture I have is from yogurt
I need something that is going to take the force of me moving a C6-R around by the drawtube.
A bad habit I know but I have never been able to stop myself from doing it
The CR2 Moonlite focuser body was 1/3 the length of the stock focuser but the drawtube was 115mm long.
From dragging the telescope by the drawtube I went through 3 set of bearings over the years!
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both 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, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101) The only culture I have is from yogurt
Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Sun Oct 16, 2022 3:35 am
I need something that is going to take the force of me moving a C6-R around by the drawtube.
A bad habit I know but I have never been able to stop myself from doing it
The CR2 Moonlite focuser body was 1/3 the length of the stock focuser but the drawtube was 115mm long.
From dragging the telescope by the drawtube I went through 3 set of bearings over the years!
I was wondering why your Moonlite did not last. I have trained myself to move scopes by OTA.
I just grab the diagonal and push/ pull. It puts a lot of side torque on the focuser.
I am quite amazed that the Starlight on the Stellarvue has held up to this for 16 years now without a bit of complaint.
Unfortunately I can not afford € 1.000 each for 3 focusers so I am really leaning towards the Baader Steeltrack for the Vixen and C6-R and possibly the TS GSO for the Antares.
The Starlight on the AOM is amazing, I have never used a R&P that is so smooth!
It is right up there with the reverse crayford on the SV.
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both 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, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101) The only culture I have is from yogurt
I ordered 2 Baader Steeltrak today for the C6-R and Antares.
If they appear to be sturdy enough to deal with my shenanigans, I will order one for the Vixen in the spring.
That is the last of the astro budget to the relief of the finance officer!
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both 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, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101) The only culture I have is from yogurt
Unfortunately it is so... at least for 2-3 years.
Retirement in 5 years so all extra € are being invested.
This year I got a astro storage shed, new mount, new telescope and a couple of eyepieces which were purchased mostly through selling old equipment.
Collectors are a crazy lot at times!
I have a very good start on my retirement setup though so not much is required.
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both 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, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101) The only culture I have is from yogurt
Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Mon Oct 17, 2022 7:55 pm
Unfortunately it is so... at least for 2-3 years.
Retirement in 5 years so all extra € are being invested.
This year I got a astro storage shed, new mount, new telescope and a couple of eyepieces which were purchased mostly through selling old equipment.
Collectors are a crazy lot at times!
I have a very good start on my retirement setup though so not much is required.
I know what you mean. I did a few strategic purchases just before the prices started going up. Now I am well equipped to cruse for years with maybe occasional EP here and there.
Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Fri Oct 14, 2022 6:40 pm
The GSO crayford on the Antares 105mm has given 20+ years of good effort but is in need of retirement as well.
If you ever need to find a good home for your soon to be retired focuser my grab and go ST80 would be very keen to offer one
Peter
Handful of refractors, a pair of old binoculars, tin box full of plossls and orthos, couple of EQ mounts with some wooden legs
A friend in Bratislava is going to see what he can do with it, you would need a step down adapter to get it to fit the ST80 tube which would look awkward
After a quick look at sites a focuser for a ST80 is not common here.
Gabrielle See Far Sticks: Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser 127/1200 BV, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS 100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, SXP2, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II, Stellarvue M2C, Argo Navis encoders on both 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, Tak prism, TAL, Vixen Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss (1000101) The only culture I have is from yogurt