MikeB
sage
Reged: 02/28/05
Posts: 421
Loc: Bidwell, OH
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Anyone here using the feather touch microfocuser on their 8i SE? What do you think of it? Was it hard to install? Any clearance issues? Any input appreciated.
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Mike
Nexstar 8i SE, with feathertouch microfocuser
WO66 orange tube/Vixen mini porta mount
Orion 8x56 mini-giant binos
TV everbright diagonal
32mm TV Plossl
18mm TV Radian
12mm TV Radian
4mm TV Radian
Ultima barlow
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Tel
Postmaster
Reged: 03/31/06
Posts: 7764
Loc: Wallingford England
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Hi Mike, I'm not sure we're talking about the same article but I use a Celestron Motofocuser. Originally only suitable for the N8 and N11 fork mounted 'scopes, having fitted a Ray's Bracket to my old 8i I now have more than adequate clearance at the base to reach the Zenith with this 3" long unit in place.If we ARE talking of the same, you too would have to use a bracket otherwise, although you can fit the MF, you will be limited in OTA altitude to a mere 50-60 degs.
Regards,
Tel
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Truth is the cubed root of Verbosity.
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Tel
Postmaster
Reged: 03/31/06
Posts: 7764
Loc: Wallingford England
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Hi Mike, I looked into this a little further and realise now this is a brand name for the unit marketed by Starlight Instruments Inc. From what I found they only seem to make a recommendation for the new 8SE with its built in adjustable OTA. For us lesser mortals then, it would seem that you could use one but really only in combination with a Ray's Bracket fitted to your 8iSE. Have I got this right ?
Hope this helps,
Regards,
Tel
BTW I find the Celestron focuser is IMHO perfectly adequate particularly since I additionally attempt to do a wee bit of imaging from time to time. It would also seem to be less costly.
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Truth is the cubed root of Verbosity.
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fishnbanjo
member
Reged: 08/21/04
Posts: 67
Loc: Maine
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Took less than 10 minutes and very well worth doing, I also have a JMI Motofocus assembly between the OTA back and the 2" Denkmeier the combination of both of these gives you very fine adjustment not capable of the 8i SE on using the OEM focuser.
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banjo
Celestron Nexstar N8i SE on Heavy Duty Celestron Tripod with JMI Megawedge, Rays Bracket, JMI NGF-S with motor drive, 2" Denkmeier with Dielectric coating and focal reducer, 9x50 Antares finder with dovetail mount and rings, GPS inteface with a Magellan SporTrak Color GPS
Olympus C5050z
Nikon D70
Nikon D2x
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MikeB
sage
Reged: 02/28/05
Posts: 421
Loc: Bidwell, OH
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Sorry if I caused any confusion...I'm talking about the dual speed focuser knob that replaces the factory focusing knob. I was not talking about the crayford focuser that attaches to the visual back. Starizona carries the focuser I'm talking about. Anyone install one on their scope? What do you think of it?
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Mike
Nexstar 8i SE, with feathertouch microfocuser
WO66 orange tube/Vixen mini porta mount
Orion 8x56 mini-giant binos
TV everbright diagonal
32mm TV Plossl
18mm TV Radian
12mm TV Radian
4mm TV Radian
Ultima barlow
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rick rian
Seeker of Truth(s)
Reged: 08/03/04
Posts: 36060
Loc: Upper Mid West
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Hi Mike,
Yes, I installed the feathertouch on my Nexstar8i. Very easy to get the factory unit off and the feathertouch on. It took me about 15 minutes.
It is a wonderful addition ... very smooth operation and well worth the cost.
I highly recommend it!
Clear skies.
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Rickster
Scopes: C8, TV85
Mounts: NexStar 8i mount (w/ Ray's Bracket) on HD tripod, Losmandy GM-8, Helix Hercules Single-Arm Alt/Azm Mount w/ Oberwerk wood tripod
EPs: UO, TMB, TV, Baader
He who knows best knows how little he knows.
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amys
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/12/06
Posts: 2571
Loc: Groton, CT
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That's going to be my next purchase, I think.
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Amy
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fishnbanjo
member
Reged: 08/21/04
Posts: 67
Loc: Maine
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I understood that I did both and just mentioned it since there are some photo's of my 8i SE and didn't want you to think I misunderstood. You can't go wrong with the Feather touch though......
Quote:
Sorry if I caused any confusion...I'm talking about the dual speed focuser knob that replaces the factory focusing knob. I was not talking about the crayford focuser that attaches to the visual back. Starizona carries the focuser I'm talking about. Anyone install one on their scope? What do you think of it?
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banjo
Celestron Nexstar N8i SE on Heavy Duty Celestron Tripod with JMI Megawedge, Rays Bracket, JMI NGF-S with motor drive, 2" Denkmeier with Dielectric coating and focal reducer, 9x50 Antares finder with dovetail mount and rings, GPS inteface with a Magellan SporTrak Color GPS
Olympus C5050z
Nikon D70
Nikon D2x
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Flying_Fox
sage
Reged: 09/12/05
Posts: 324
Loc: Halifax, NS Canada
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Hi Mike,
I have it installed on my 8i. Installs in 15 minutes with no problem. This must be a standard equipment!
Here is the picture:
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Nick
Celestron NexStar 8i SE XLT (with Ray's Bracket) on Heavy-Duty tripod
Stellarvue F50 finder
Starlight Instruments FeatherTouch Microfocuser, JMI EV-1C focuser + RoboFocus
DBK 21AU04.AS + Baader UV/IR cut filter
Denkmeier S2 Power Switch diagonal, Stellarvue BV3 binoviewer, Canon 10x30IS, Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 binoculars
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MikeB
sage
Reged: 02/28/05
Posts: 421
Loc: Bidwell, OH
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Nick,
Thanks for the photo. That helped. Also, I've been thinking of putting a 9x50finder on my scope as well. Even considered the Orion...but I must wear glasses to observe. Does that Orion finder have very good eye relief? Do you think a person could see the whole field of view with glasses? Also, did you have to use Ray's Bracket to balance out the weight of the finder installed? I don't have Ray's Bracket and was wondering if adding the finder would cause me any balance issues.
Thanks.
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Mike
Nexstar 8i SE, with feathertouch microfocuser
WO66 orange tube/Vixen mini porta mount
Orion 8x56 mini-giant binos
TV everbright diagonal
32mm TV Plossl
18mm TV Radian
12mm TV Radian
4mm TV Radian
Ultima barlow
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Bob Griffiths
Getting Grouchy
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 10103
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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The finder should not be a problem ...I ran my 8i for a year with a Antares RACI finder on it without any problem .. Then I went with Rays Brackets when I just had to go with a motofocus and 2 inch Diagonal .. The Motofocus
was the limiting factor..BTW
Bob G.
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CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Gerbring heated clothing in the winter
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
The sky over my head....
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Tel
Postmaster
Reged: 03/31/06
Posts: 7764
Loc: Wallingford England
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Like Bob,I had no problem with the weight of my Antares finder (750grms.) affecting the my 8i's balance nor with the other additions shown (see attached) despite at that time not having fitted Ray's Bracket. Of course without the bracket the altitude of the OTA was severely restricted.
http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s121/Tel_album/C8i004.jpg
Regards,
Tel
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Truth is the cubed root of Verbosity.
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Flying_Fox
sage
Reged: 09/12/05
Posts: 324
Loc: Halifax, NS Canada
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Orion finder is good and eye relief is fine. I wear glasses myself and have no problem with the field of view. However, I am going to buy Stellarvue F50BI finder. It has two focusers. With the Orion finder I either can see the focused stars without the glasses (but the crosshairs out of focus) or the crosshairs with the glasses on (but with stars out of focus). Which kind of makes difficult the precise positioning. Illuminated reticle in the Stellarvue finder is a plus too, especially for the dark places. Last time I've been to the dark place at the star party, I practically could not see the crosshairs in my Orion finder, despite it is thick enough.
Yes, I have Ray's Bracket on my 8i SE, but it was working fine with the Orion finder and without the bracket.
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Nick
Celestron NexStar 8i SE XLT (with Ray's Bracket) on Heavy-Duty tripod
Stellarvue F50 finder
Starlight Instruments FeatherTouch Microfocuser, JMI EV-1C focuser + RoboFocus
DBK 21AU04.AS + Baader UV/IR cut filter
Denkmeier S2 Power Switch diagonal, Stellarvue BV3 binoviewer, Canon 10x30IS, Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 binoculars
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MikeB
sage
Reged: 02/28/05
Posts: 421
Loc: Bidwell, OH
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Thanks for the input everybody. I will probably get the microfocuser and an optical finder for my 8i SE in the future (meaning when funds allow for them). I am also considering the 9x50 GSO finder from AgenaAstro. I figure the GSO is probably the same finder as the Orion. So the specs that Nick provided about ER are probably the same. Again...THANKS!
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Mike
Nexstar 8i SE, with feathertouch microfocuser
WO66 orange tube/Vixen mini porta mount
Orion 8x56 mini-giant binos
TV everbright diagonal
32mm TV Plossl
18mm TV Radian
12mm TV Radian
4mm TV Radian
Ultima barlow
|
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