Helical focuser on a 1-speed R&P?

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pakarinen United States of America
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Helical focuser on a 1-speed R&P?

#1

Post by pakarinen »


Has anybody used a helical focuser with a single-speed R&P for fine focusing? Would that even work? Seems like it would in theory, but I know nada about helical focusers. Crazy idea?
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I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do.
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AT50, AT72EDII, ST80, ST102; Scopetech Zero, AZ-GTi, AZ Pronto; Innorel RT90C, Oberwerk 5000; Orion Giantview 15x70s, Vortex 8x42s, Navy surplus 7x50s, Nikon 10x50s
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notFritzArgelander
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Re: Helical focuser on a 1-speed R&P?

#2

Post by notFritzArgelander »


Not crazy at all.
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
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Lady Fraktor Slovakia
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Re: Helical focuser on a 1-speed R&P?

#3

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Helical focusers are great for fine focus.
I think you will like using one.

Were you looking at a specific brand?
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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Bigzmey United States of America
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Re: Helical focuser on a 1-speed R&P?

#4

Post by Bigzmey »


I have Baader T2 diagonals (with helical focuser built in the EP holder) on a few scopes. Works nicely for fine focusing.

https://agenaastro.com/baader-1-25-t2-e ... cuser.html
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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pakarinen United States of America
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Re: Helical focuser on a 1-speed R&P?

#5

Post by pakarinen »


Well, fuh on me. I found a RACI diagonal on Agena with a helical focuser - not looking at any specific brand. If I had known they existed / could be used with a single-speed for fine focus, I might not have bought Crayfords for my ST80 and ST120. :doh: Live and learn...

I've been casually looking at some 90mm fracs, but most are single-speed and I didn't want to bother with potentially replacing a focuser, so I wrote them off. Maybe I should reconsider. :think: OTOH, I probably should get the tripod / mount combo for my 102ED figured out first.
=============================================================================
I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do.
=============================================================================
AT50, AT72EDII, ST80, ST102; Scopetech Zero, AZ-GTi, AZ Pronto; Innorel RT90C, Oberwerk 5000; Orion Giantview 15x70s, Vortex 8x42s, Navy surplus 7x50s, Nikon 10x50s
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Bigzmey United States of America
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Re: Helical focuser on a 1-speed R&P?

#6

Post by Bigzmey »


pakarinen wrote: Fri Oct 21, 2022 6:01 pm Well, fuh on me. I found a RACI diagonal on Agena with a helical focuser - not looking at any specific brand. If I had known they existed / could be used with a single-speed for fine focus, I might not have bought Crayfords for my ST80 and ST120. :doh: Live and learn...

I've been casually looking at some 90mm fracs, but most are single-speed and I didn't want to bother with potentially replacing a focuser, so I wrote them off. Maybe I should reconsider. :think: OTOH, I probably should get the tripod / mount combo for my 102ED figured out first.
One benefits from a good focuser in other ways, not just for fine focus. Better alignment, larger payload, diagonal rotation, no slope.
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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