20 replies to this topic

[AlienRatDog]

Is the GSO crayford an upgrade to the stock focuser or the same?  The most this would carry is a 31mm Nagler/2" Everbrite diagonal.  Sorry to 

[drew2578]

I'll tell you this.  I have the same scope and getting the moonlite focuser is the best upgrade I've done to it.  I'm not sure what the price of the GSO is, but if you plan to keep the scope for a long while get the moonlite and you won't have to worry about focuser problems again.

[bob midiri]

I second what Drew said

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[John Huntley]

I suspect that the GSO would not be much, if any, of an upgrade to the stock crayford. As per the posters above, the Moonlite is a superb addition to these fine scopes.

 

 

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[jring]

Hi,

 

while there is probably fancier focusers, the stock one on the SW ED 80/100/120 series is perfectly adequate for most uses if well adjusted - the one on my ED80 has to carry a 40mm ES68 which makes uncle al's grenade look slim and it works smoothly and without slip at zenith.

 

Maybe try the stock one first and adjust it - if it still doesn't work to your satisfaction, you can still upgrade...

 

Here's the instructions I used to adjust mine - thanks to Tommy Nawratil of Teleskop Austria

 

https://teleskop-aus...g_justieren.pdf

 

Joachim

[Jeff B]

If you don't have a SW 120ED already, may I suggest getting it and trying it out with the stock focuser first.  

 

I've an earlier version, with a lesser quality focuser which I use with heavy bino-viewers.  The viewer with eyepieces weigh more than the Nagler or even the bigger Pans but the stock focuser works just fine for now (even in cold ambient temperatures, where the moonlites and FT's really start to shine IME).  I did have to spend a little time adjusting the focuser to get it to work well with the load though.  The biggest thing was to replace the visual back to keep the viewer/diagonal assembly from rotating due to torque.  I suspect as the stock focuser wears, I'll eventually need to replace it and I'd be looking at the Moonlites.   They look really cool too IMO.

 

I did have to cut back the OTA and the focuser draw tube to make it bino-friendly.

 

Nice scope!

 

Jeff

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[Toddeo]

I, also have a SW120ED with a Moonlite focuser. I also own a SW80Ed with a stock focuser. I use it with a full size dslr(Canon) and a planetary camera. After adjusting the stock focuser by using the instructions in the previous posts, the stock focuser is more than adequate to handle anything I attache to it.  It is "alittle" tricky- to adjust-at first, but after you figure it out - it works great! Per instructions, I did use all of the set screws to get it to "feel" right.

[AlienRatDog]

Ok, so the smart thing will be to play with and adjust the focuser (I hope to get one soon!).  If adequate, I can take my time and save up for a moonlite...Thanks guys!

[drew2578]

There is a good chance I probably would have stuck with my stock focuser if I only did visual with the scope.  I adjusted mine and worked decently.  I only use the scope now for AP and the Moonlight is second to none for stable and repeatable results especially when using a high res stepper.  Have never had mine slip even one step even with full load pointing at zenith (which my stock focuser would do every now and then).

 

This really is the only main upgrade this scope needs.  I love mine (both scope and focuser).

 

Cheers!

[SteveG]

FWIW, last night I just did a teardown and adjust on my ED100 focuser. It had worked fine for years, but recently started slipping. I spent a lot of time filing the flat surface on the bottom of the draw-tube. Mine is a very simple single speed, so once I had it back together it was pretty easy to adjust. I first tightened the tension screw until the draw-tube would always move with the focus wheel. After that, the wheel would spin with enough down force, so I adjusted that out by loosening the 2 leveling screws on either side of the tension screw, then retightened the tension screw.

 

When I was done I placed the focuser in the freezer for about 20 minutes. I pulled it out and hung a 2" diagonal and my N22T4 eyepiece in it, and holding the unit vertically I tested it. It held the weight with ease, and I could fully raise and lower the combo.

[junomike]

Ok, so the smart thing will be to play with and adjust the focuser (I hope to get one soon!).  If adequate, I can take my time and save up for a moonlite...Thanks guys!

This is what I'd do!

Also, surf the classifieds for a used one with the Focuser upgrade already done.

 

Mike

[gfeulner]

I second what Drew said

I'll third what Drew said!

 Gerry

[sctt50]

I have a SW120ED that I've gotten a lot of enjoyment from (visual and AP).  The stock focuser has never been as smooth as the Feathertouch that came with my Televue scope, but it was quite functional for me.  Reasonably smooth in operation and more than capable of handling my DSLR weight.

 

Over time however, the focuser got a little "rough".

 

Thankfully, some kind soul has posted detailed instructions on how to adjust the SW focuser and so I gave it a try.  Sadly I'm not very mechanically inclined (two left thumbs...) and I not only didn't fix the "rough", I also made it less stable (it would slip under the weight of DSLR).  I know that adjustment is possible and that others have had great success, but I wasn't successful.

 

Today I decided to contact Skywatcher to inquire about repair to my focuser (tune-up really).  Within 1 minute of me sending the email, they had responded yes!  The price for their skilled repair: FREE.  I pay the shipping there and they'll even cover the return shipping.

 

Tomorrow I'll send the focuser off for service and I'll report back when I have an update on the focuser after adjustment.

 

But I must say that I'm VERY impressed with Skywatcher's prompt and generous offer to adjust my focuser!

 

Thanks,

 

Scott

[Peter Besenbruch]

There is no reason to upgrade the focuser on the SW120, unless you are pretty serious about astro-photography. The stock focuser will hold a 2" diagonal plus Nagler 31mm.

[baron555]

My original focuser would always slide with heavy diagonals and EPs. Now it has an FT and never moves unless I make it so.

[YKSE]

I'm with others about playing with the stock focusers.

Both stock focuser on my 80ED and 120ED are very smooth after adjustment by the guide posted above, I tested with 2" diagonal, binoviewer (500grams), and two zooms (another 1000 grams), there were not slip with the scopes pointing at zenith. I uppgraded one to Baader focuser only for shortened the light path for binoviewer.

[peter k]

I'm with others about playing with the stock focusers.

Both stock focuser on my 80ED and 120ED are very smooth after adjustment by the guide posted above, I tested with 2" diagonal, binoviewer (500grams), and two zooms (another 1000 grams), there were not slip with the scopes pointing at zenith. I uppgraded one to Baader focuser only for shortened the light path for binoviewer.

Can you tell me roughly how much shorter the Baader focuser's light path is than the original SW focuser?   Does anyone know if the GSO focuser has a shorter light path than the SW original?  

 

Thanks.

Edited by peter k, 11 February 2017 - 01:56 PM.

[YKSE]

Baader focuser is 20mm (+-1mm) shorter than the stock focuser.

[AlienRatDog]

I just pulled the trigger on a used SW120ED that already has a Moonlight 2" dual speed focuser, I suppose I need not to worry about slippage with my 31mm Nagler anymore...

[AhBok]

Congrats. I have a Moonlite on my SW 100ed and really like it . . . really . . . a lot!

[jring]

I just pulled the trigger on a used SW120ED that already has a Moonlight 2" dual speed focuser, I suppose I need not to worry about slippage with my 31mm Nagler anymore...

Congratulations - let us know how you like it when it's with you...

 

Unfortunately over here the SW EDs are not very common on the used market... seems like most are keepers.

 

Joachim