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BlueHawk08
member
Reged: 08/18/07
Posts: 18
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I'm not into high-end Astrophotography yet (CCD, etc.), to the point that I don't even have a Wedge mount so as to allow polar alignment. So far, I'm happy to use Az-Alt GoTo function for observation/data collection on double stars or variable stars. Next summer I'm going to get a wedge and try some adapter/DSLR photography.
My question is whether anyone has any advice on the issue of whether at this point I should purchase an electric focuser such as the Meade 1209, or purchase a good manual multi-speed focuser (probably a little more expensive) like a JMI or a WO? Is there any practical distinction in the visual focus result between the two? Does the manual focuser allow a finer result? Does anyone find either the electric or the manual focuser better for astrophotography use?
Thanks.
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Rich
8" LX90GPS
ETX90
Nikon SLR
DSI w/ autostar suite
Stellarium 9.0
Deep Sky Planner
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Kolenka
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/01/08
Posts: 600
Loc: Seattle Area, WA, USA
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The only real difference is how it gets moved. The Meade 1209 is run by a stepper motor, and so there are tiny gaps between each 'step' in the motor that you can't reach with it. I haven't seen anyone claim this is a problem though.
It really boils down to taste. I find a manual focuser a bit easier to use because I can quickly adjust and do very slow fine focus as needed. Some like the motor-driven focuser instead for their reasons. I don't think one is superior than the other.
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Meade 10" LX200R
Orion 80ED
Nagler 7T6, 9T6, 13T6, 17T4, 26T5
Canon XSi (Modded), TIS DMK 31AF03
Northwest Astro Photoblog
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dwitek
member
Reged: 07/03/08
Posts: 87
Loc: White Lake, Michigan
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I find the manual focuser easier, as well. I seemed to keep going past and back and forth and then second guessing my focusing with the electric. With the manual and can make little adjustments either way and know how far I'm turning it.
If, however, you think you might want to remotely control the scope someday that's another matter as you will need an electic focuser for sure.
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10" LX200 EMC Classic
Peterson Eye-Opener system
2" Dielectric Diagonal
JMI NGF Crayford focuser
Meade DSI Pro III
Piggybacked Stellarvue 80mm NHNG
I need an autoguider but don't want to tell my wife
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SanDiegoPaul
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/22/05
Posts: 622
Loc: San Diego
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Count me in too. THis summer I got a Moonlight focuser for my SCT and it's the best thing I've done to her since I got her.
The Meade stuff is ... hmmm now, ... rather just OK. And that's it.
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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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biggles
super member
Reged: 10/12/06
Posts: 104
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 the REAL reason for the electric focuser is that the is no mirror flop.
The method is course focus with the manual focus, settle, then complete with electric.
MUCH needed for photography.
clear skies
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Kolenka
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/01/08
Posts: 600
Loc: Seattle Area, WA, USA
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Quote:
the REAL reason for the electric focuser is that the is no mirror flop.
The method is course focus with the manual focus, settle, then complete with electric.
MUCH needed for photography.
But, at the same time, you don't have to use a motorized focuser. There are at least 3 brands I can name off the top of my head that make 2-speed crayford focusers that do the same job as the Meade #1209.
--------------------
Meade 10" LX200R
Orion 80ED
Nagler 7T6, 9T6, 13T6, 17T4, 26T5
Canon XSi (Modded), TIS DMK 31AF03
Northwest Astro Photoblog
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tjbdallas
journeyman
Reged: 05/15/07
Posts: 5
Loc: Dallas, TX
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Keep in mind that you are restricted on high high up you can get when a 1209, focal reducer, and imager is mounted. The imager can hit the base of the LX90 if you get too high. I wound up having to take my 1209 off when imaging.
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biggles
super member
Reged: 10/12/06
Posts: 104
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 yep!...I have to agree with you on that!...pays yer money and takes yer choise! 
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Nobias
member
Reged: 10/19/08
Posts: 32
Loc: Oklahoma City
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Following tjbdallas's advice -- Big 10-04 on a big camera and gear hitting the scope base. I paid no mind to that when I bought a scope (LX-90) for remote control Astrophotography and If I was not so nervous and stayed near the scope i would of had a nightmare. I never did hit anything but came close. You can set the scopes software to not allow the scope to go high enough to hit your scope. But I dont trust that either, since if it fails to work - with meade that is possible (experience talking there) - you wont know it if you are remoting.
What I wanted to say was that when purchasing equipment "keep the distance factor upmost in your mind" so as not to bottom out you camera or anything on the base or forks. You will still agonize over that choice cause good equipment will hit the base while cheap is smaller and less likely.
As to focusers. I would say to get a good electric one. It will pay for itself in the long run. If it has a manual fine adjustment on it as well, great. dont know of a good one though that does. If it has stepper motors and you need to get between those steps to be hyper accurate in your focusing remember that the correct method of connecting the scope to the camera can have some adjustment in it that allows you to adjust the optical path length to get that best focus.
Fork Mount scopes were a great idea when cameras were manual and the CCD's were obly for observatories - or the rich. I really dont' understand why the manufacturers dont make the forks taller to avoid just this situation.
It might have something to do with a wedge tilting the scope and taller forks puts more torgue on the base and the RA Drive but, it is usually only an extra inch or maybe two that would fix this problem.
Though come to think about it (and I had to just go look at my scope to verify this) with an equitorial wedge and only looking south (or north in the S. hemisphere) you can look straight up and not hit the base. Looking North However it would be hard to get above 30-50 degrees without hitting base (depending on your Latitude). Not knowing this exposes how often I have used my wedge huh?
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