SanDiegoPaul
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/22/05
Posts: 622
Loc: San Diego
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but it is WAYYYY longer than the OEM Meade electric focuser was. Now I wonder how to get a Polar Alignment with this unit in place?
Looks like I need to pull the MoonLight unit off in order to get my Polar Align done.
Anyone else have this issue on a 10"?
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Meade 10" Lx200-R with Moonlight SCT Focuser
Mitty Evolution Wedge
AT-80 Guide Scope
SBIG ST402ME CCD Imager
Canon Digital Rebel DSLR
Meade DSI-c CCD for Guiding
Please visit my gallery!
http://www.pbase.com/sandiegopaul/
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snufus
sage
Reged: 09/10/05
Posts: 379
Loc: Round Rock, TX
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Paul,
I cannot give you much advice on the polar alignment issue but I will say congrats on getting a Moonlite. Once you own one there you will never go back! 
I would ping Ron at Moonlite and ask him what he thinks as I am sure he has gotten the question before and Ron is always willing to help.
Which model did you get by they way? It sounds like the Focal Reducer model.
Best Always,
Daniel
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Best Regards,
Daniel
Scopes
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Meade 12'' LX200R #1
Meade 12'' LX200R #2
Orion Premium 102ED
William Optics 66SD
William Optics 66ZS
Mounts
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Celestron CGE #1
Celestron CGE #2
Meade LXD750
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SanDiegoPaul
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/22/05
Posts: 622
Loc: San Diego
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Yup that's what I have is the FR model. 
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Meade 10" Lx200-R with Moonlight SCT Focuser
Mitty Evolution Wedge
AT-80 Guide Scope
SBIG ST402ME CCD Imager
Canon Digital Rebel DSLR
Meade DSI-c CCD for Guiding
Please visit my gallery!
http://www.pbase.com/sandiegopaul/
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imjeffp
Senior Space Cadet
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 4431
Loc: Cedar Park, Texas
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I just pull mine to do the alignment. Not that big of a deal. Of course, I'm also semi-permanently mounted. You don't have to go to polar home to drift align.
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Blog
ST80 • AT80EDT/LXD650
ETX-90/DS-2000 • 10" LX200 Classic ("The Quarter-Meter Telescope at the Heritage Park Observatory")
SPC900NC • DMK21AF04 • Digital Rebel XT
  
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astroturf
journeyman
Reged: 04/09/08
Posts: 7
Loc: Australia
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I have a Moonlight focusser mod CS I think
I found that a diagonal attached to the focuser would hit the bottom of the forks limiting travel near zenith
I had a low profile version of the mounting flange/block machined & anodised locally which works a treat & offers 1/2" of clearance between the diagonal & fork bottom, the only drawback is that the FR can no longer be used at the front of the focuser should the need arise
Other than that, it's an excellent focuser
Cheers
Bryan
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Joel
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/08/04
Posts: 2330
Loc: Merrimack, NH
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Anyone had any luck focusing with a dslr with a focal reducer in the path with this focuser? I got one at NEAF and I've tried to focus with a 6.3 reducer but couldn't reach focus. I know it won't work with my Stiletto but I thought it would with just the camera in it.
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Joel
10" LX200GPS UHTC-SMT
Vixen 80EDsf
Canon unmodded 350D
QHY8
Turkey Hill Observatory
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imjeffp
Senior Space Cadet
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 4431
Loc: Cedar Park, Texas
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Quote:
Anyone had any luck focusing with a dslr with a focal reducer in the path with this focuser? I got one at NEAF and I've tried to focus with a 6.3 reducer but couldn't reach focus. I know it won't work with my Stiletto but I thought it would with just the camera in it.
??
Something's not right. You're not using a diagonal between the camera and the focuser are you?
With the FR in the front of the focuser, and the camera attached directly to the rear using a 2" barrel to t-thread adapter and a t-ring, I don't have any issues at all.
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Blog
ST80 • AT80EDT/LXD650
ETX-90/DS-2000 • 10" LX200 Classic ("The Quarter-Meter Telescope at the Heritage Park Observatory")
SPC900NC • DMK21AF04 • Digital Rebel XT
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Joel
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/08/04
Posts: 2330
Loc: Merrimack, NH
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No diagonal Jeff but I can't use the Stiletto to focus as I expected because it's a diagonal.
I only played with it one night and I will go back to it to try again. One thing I miss on my LX200 is the microfocuser which I used in front of the computer with my wireless Autostar. That was great. I've thought of taking the Moonlite off.
If I can get my focus going then I'd planned to motorize the focuser.
Thanks for comfirming it does work in that application Jeff. I'll try it again.
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Joel
10" LX200GPS UHTC-SMT
Vixen 80EDsf
Canon unmodded 350D
QHY8
Turkey Hill Observatory
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imjeffp
Senior Space Cadet
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 4431
Loc: Cedar Park, Texas
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I use the Stiletto in the same configuration, so I'm not sure what issues you may be having.
I'm sure you know this, but let's run through the process (at least my process):
1. Attach FR to front of Moonlight. Attach Moonlight to rear of scope.
2. Adjust Moonlight to roughly mid-position.
3. Insert eyepiece. Center scope on bright object. Rough focus using telescope focuser.
4. Remove eyepiece. Insert adapter, t-ring & camera.
5. Fine-tune rough focus in viewfinder using telescope focuser. Lock mirror.
6. Remove camera from t-ring, attach Stiletto.
7. Fine-tune focus using Moonlight. Lock Moonlight.
8. Remove Stiletto, attach camera.
9. Take amazing photo, publish in S&T and APOD. (Still having a little difficulty with this last step.)
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Blog
ST80 • AT80EDT/LXD650
ETX-90/DS-2000 • 10" LX200 Classic ("The Quarter-Meter Telescope at the Heritage Park Observatory")
SPC900NC • DMK21AF04 • Digital Rebel XT
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Joel
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/08/04
Posts: 2330
Loc: Merrimack, NH
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#1 check
#2 not exactly but I moved it through it's full range
#3 haven't tried that but I usually focus my Stiletto using my sync star when I start it up
#4 check
#5 I don't bother with that
#6 check
#7 tried but failed
#8 tried just focusing using Nebulosity and the Canon but couldn't get it. One thing that hinders me is that I have to focus the Moonlite and go look at the monitor in the warm room.
#9 uh, yeah what you said...
Thanks for the checklist Jeff that kind of stuff is really helpful. It actually confirmed what I need to do and I'll try the eyepiece to get me in the ballpark next time.
One question, do you lock the primary mirror down on your LX200? Can I keep it like that and just use the Moonlite?
I will have to give the Moonlite another shot this weekend if the skies are clear and I hope it goes better. I did only give it one night and sometimes you just have a bad night.
Thanks for the help!
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Joel
10" LX200GPS UHTC-SMT
Vixen 80EDsf
Canon unmodded 350D
QHY8
Turkey Hill Observatory
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Joel
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/08/04
Posts: 2330
Loc: Merrimack, NH
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Actually I see you lock your mirror in step #5.
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Joel
10" LX200GPS UHTC-SMT
Vixen 80EDsf
Canon unmodded 350D
QHY8
Turkey Hill Observatory
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imjeffp
Senior Space Cadet
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 4431
Loc: Cedar Park, Texas
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Yeah, but unless you're always using the camera, you can't just lock it and forget it. The Moonlight doesn't have nearly the range that the scope's focuser does.
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Blog
ST80 • AT80EDT/LXD650
ETX-90/DS-2000 • 10" LX200 Classic ("The Quarter-Meter Telescope at the Heritage Park Observatory")
SPC900NC • DMK21AF04 • Digital Rebel XT
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jonbosley
professor emeritus
Reged: 10/19/05
Posts: 540
Loc: Texas
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Along a vein not to off track - can you reach focus with the f3.3 reducer and a moonlight + filter wheel. Moonlight where honest and said they were unsure.
thanks,
Jon
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C11 XLT Celestron
Atlas Goto Mount on Concrete Pier
WO 66 SD Doublet APO Refractor
Philips SNC900NC Webcam
Faymax FC-1000m Webcam with cooling fan
Orion Star Shoot Deep-Space CCD
POD Observatory
www.whitedwarfobservatory.com
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GardnerPacificCA
sage
Reged: 07/26/07
Posts: 204
Loc: California, USA
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does anyone here use this moonlite and Meade f6.3 reducer for visual use?
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All the best,
Gardner
Meade LX200R 10" UHTC GPS
Orion Astroview 120ST EQ "Moonlite Focuser"
Canon 10x42L IS WP Binoculars
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GardnerPacificCA
sage
Reged: 07/26/07
Posts: 204
Loc: California, USA
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Quote:
does anyone here use this moonlite and Meade f6.3 reducer for visual use?
I should have specified "Focal Reducer model Moonlite"...anyone know if this works in FR mode for visual?...thanks in advance.
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All the best,
Gardner
Meade LX200R 10" UHTC GPS
Orion Astroview 120ST EQ "Moonlite Focuser"
Canon 10x42L IS WP Binoculars
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