Astronomics
Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong.
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 3382
Loc: Right Here
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1. We agree on the cases. Never have liked them, but not much we can do about it. We figured it was better then sending them in a box with no case at all.
2. The lens is blown off and cleaned before shipment. Dust and paint flecks can fall on the lens in shipment. It is a natural occurence.
3. We state it is not an entire FT focuser, but a custom micro focuser for that particular unit. The bolts that hold the Micro to the body will adjust the tension and allow engagement. The knurled knob has a small black teflon peice that cradles the shaft. If you loosened the knob all the way then the saddle peice is now loose in your focuser. That is more then likely why the bolt will not give you drag on the focuser shaft.
Mike
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Michael Bieler
John Winger: An army without leaders is like a foot without a big toe. And Sergeant Hulka isn't always gonna be here to be that big toe for us. I think that we owe a big round of applause to our newest, bestest buddy, and big toe... Sergeant Hulka.
Father and Husband
Owner
www.astronomics.com
www.astronomytechnologies.com
www.cloudynights.com
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Jack Huerkamp
Vendor - Waning Moon
Reged: 10/13/05
Posts: 698
Loc: Louisiana
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Post deleted by Jack Huerkamp
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Orion ED80
Astro-Tech 102EDF
Celestron 6SE with HyperStar
Celestron 6" f/8 Refractor
8" Newtonian/Cassegrain on Byers 812 Mount
Classic C-8
Celestron 11" CPC 100 with HyperStar
17.5" AstroSystems TeleKit
Life Member and ALCOR - PAS New Orleans
 Waning Moon II Observatory
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spaceydee
Postmaster
Reged: 04/16/04
Posts: 16328
Loc: Where the Kittens Are
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Folks, a reminder here that per the terms of service, vendors are supposed to only comment on products you manufacture or resell.
thanks.
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Dee
space-scientist
student violinist
Nexstar8i,SV80S,80/9D,FC100,94 Brandon,TMB92SS,GM8
8" f/7 Discovery,12.5" Portaball, PST
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Jack Huerkamp
Vendor - Waning Moon
Reged: 10/13/05
Posts: 698
Loc: Louisiana
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Dee,
Sorry for the posts. I didn't read the fine print. I have removed them.
However, I would like to know the procedure for disassembling the focuser to try to retrieve the part Michael mentiond should have been there.
Jack
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Orion ED80
Astro-Tech 102EDF
Celestron 6SE with HyperStar
Celestron 6" f/8 Refractor
8" Newtonian/Cassegrain on Byers 812 Mount
Classic C-8
Celestron 11" CPC 100 with HyperStar
17.5" AstroSystems TeleKit
Life Member and ALCOR - PAS New Orleans
Waning Moon II Observatory
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Astronomics
Vendor if you must, AKA The Mighty Kong.
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 3382
Loc: Right Here
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You will have to disassemble the focusing mechanism from the focuser body. There are 8 screws to take off. There are two allen heads on each side of the focuser cover by the focus knobs and the four underneath. Once the cover is taken off the body, the drawtube will come out and you can get to the saddle. It is black with a white interior.
Mike
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Michael Bieler
John Winger: An army without leaders is like a foot without a big toe. And Sergeant Hulka isn't always gonna be here to be that big toe for us. I think that we owe a big round of applause to our newest, bestest buddy, and big toe... Sergeant Hulka.
Father and Husband
Owner
www.astronomics.com
www.astronomytechnologies.com
www.cloudynights.com
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Jack Huerkamp
Vendor - Waning Moon
Reged: 10/13/05
Posts: 698
Loc: Louisiana
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Mike,
Thanks. I will take it apart after dinner.
Jack
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Orion ED80
Astro-Tech 102EDF
Celestron 6SE with HyperStar
Celestron 6" f/8 Refractor
8" Newtonian/Cassegrain on Byers 812 Mount
Classic C-8
Celestron 11" CPC 100 with HyperStar
17.5" AstroSystems TeleKit
Life Member and ALCOR - PAS New Orleans
Waning Moon II Observatory
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Jack Huerkamp
Vendor - Waning Moon
Reged: 10/13/05
Posts: 698
Loc: Louisiana
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Mike,
Well, the focuser is fixed. There were actually 6 screws - two on each side by the focuser knobs and two on the bottom. Once I removed them and took off the single speed focuser knob, I could slide out the shart and lift the saddle off of the focuser. The black plastic Teflon rod that pushes against the focuser shaft was in the bottom of the focuser housing. After re-asembling the focuser, there is now pressure being applied against the focusing shaft and there is about 1/4" of travel left before it bottoms out. I did not see in the instructions that the Tension Adjust and Lock Knob should not be removed as doing so can result in the Teflon piece falling off into the focuser housing. This might be somethng to consider adding to assist others.
I now an anxiously awaiting first light.
Jack Huerakmp
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Orion ED80
Astro-Tech 102EDF
Celestron 6SE with HyperStar
Celestron 6" f/8 Refractor
8" Newtonian/Cassegrain on Byers 812 Mount
Classic C-8
Celestron 11" CPC 100 with HyperStar
17.5" AstroSystems TeleKit
Life Member and ALCOR - PAS New Orleans
Waning Moon II Observatory
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Jack Huerkamp
Vendor - Waning Moon
Reged: 10/13/05
Posts: 698
Loc: Louisiana
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Has anyone come up with a way to dim the finderscope on the AT102EDF? Even at the lowest brightness setting, it is too bright. The way it is constructed, adding anything to the circuitry to dim the LED looks daunting.
Suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jack Huerkamp
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Orion ED80
Astro-Tech 102EDF
Celestron 6SE with HyperStar
Celestron 6" f/8 Refractor
8" Newtonian/Cassegrain on Byers 812 Mount
Classic C-8
Celestron 11" CPC 100 with HyperStar
17.5" AstroSystems TeleKit
Life Member and ALCOR - PAS New Orleans
Waning Moon II Observatory
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7331Peg
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/01/08
Posts: 969
Loc: North coast of Oregon
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Jack,
Haven't come up with a way to dim that finder, but the one sold by Stellarvue is identical and is ideal for night time use. I realize that probably doesn't help you, but it does indicate that there is a way. On the other hand, the Astronomics finder is great for day time use, while the Stellarvue model isn't.
John
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Jack Huerkamp
Vendor - Waning Moon
Reged: 10/13/05
Posts: 698
Loc: Louisiana
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John,
Thanks for the quick response. I will look up the unit you suggested. There may even be some members in our local club who have one that I can try.
Jack
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Orion ED80
Astro-Tech 102EDF
Celestron 6SE with HyperStar
Celestron 6" f/8 Refractor
8" Newtonian/Cassegrain on Byers 812 Mount
Classic C-8
Celestron 11" CPC 100 with HyperStar
17.5" AstroSystems TeleKit
Life Member and ALCOR - PAS New Orleans
Waning Moon II Observatory
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DizzyGazer
member
Reged: 01/14/09
Posts: 41
Loc: Concrete, WA. USA
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Quote:
Has anyone come up with a way to dim the finderscope on the AT102EDF? Even at the lowest brightness setting, it is too bright. The way it is constructed, adding anything to the circuitry to dim the LED looks daunting.
Suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks, Jack Huerkamp
HI Jack,
I also have an At102ED (it's my only scope) and have really enjoyed it's quality. Also, I too had to do some re-work on the FT focuser, as there was a flaw in the inside of the casting that the focuser was rubbing against. A little work with a Dremel tool and I polished it out, reassembled and adjusted and now it is smooth as silk. 
As for the AT reticule sight, yep, it's a bright sucker even at lowest power setting. My suggestion is to go to a garage sale (or the local 7-11) and get a pair of cheap, lightly-tinted sunglasses that have plastic lenses. Then, remove one of the plastic lenses and trim it to fit the backside of the sight window.
Now, that said I have to tell you that I have only tried this to test the theory but have not gone as far as customizing a sunglass lens to cover the area. It actually works pretty good though when I just hold the sunglass lens up to the back of the sight window and then view through it.
I also made a mount that allowed me to mount the reticule sight up on the front scope ring, so that way I wouldn't risk a trip to the chiropractor when trying to sight in on a target. 
To be honest I have adapted a mount so that I could mount my Orion 9x50 RACI, which is my finderscope of choice. I do think that will dim the light enough to make it usable, however, and not cost an arm and a leg in re-engineering the whole thing.
Awesome scope in this rookies opinion, and all I'll ever need in a 102mm refractor.
Hope this is of some help.
Mike
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Astro-Tech AT102ED
Orion Sirius EQ-G
Edge-On and Stratus EP's
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." Calvin Coolidge
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Jack Huerkamp
Vendor - Waning Moon
Reged: 10/13/05
Posts: 698
Loc: Louisiana
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Mike,
Thanks for the reply. I have an Orion 9X50 Right Angle finderscope that I may try to adapt to the scope.
Jack
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Orion ED80
Astro-Tech 102EDF
Celestron 6SE with HyperStar
Celestron 6" f/8 Refractor
8" Newtonian/Cassegrain on Byers 812 Mount
Classic C-8
Celestron 11" CPC 100 with HyperStar
17.5" AstroSystems TeleKit
Life Member and ALCOR - PAS New Orleans
Waning Moon II Observatory
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Jack Huerkamp
Vendor - Waning Moon
Reged: 10/13/05
Posts: 698
Loc: Louisiana
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I have the FeatherTouch MicroFocuser version of this scope and Monday night I had a problem with the fine adjuster. I noticed that turning the knob was not resulting in the draw tube moving. I used the coarse focus knob to achieve focus. If I loosened the friction adjusting screw on the draw tube, then the micro focusing knob would move it. But to keep the draw tube from sliding under the weight of the 1.25" diagonal and MallinCam, I needed to keep the tension knob fairly tight.
Is there a way to adjust the micro focusing mechanism to allow it to move the draw tube when the tension knob is engaged?
Jack Huerkamp
--------------------
Orion ED80
Astro-Tech 102EDF
Celestron 6SE with HyperStar
Celestron 6" f/8 Refractor
8" Newtonian/Cassegrain on Byers 812 Mount
Classic C-8
Celestron 11" CPC 100 with HyperStar
17.5" AstroSystems TeleKit
Life Member and ALCOR - PAS New Orleans
Waning Moon II Observatory
|
Jack Huerkamp
Vendor - Waning Moon
Reged: 10/13/05
Posts: 698
Loc: Louisiana
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Problem resolved. In closer inspection, there was a missing Allen set screw that holds the stainless steeel gear reduction housing to the focuser to keep it from moving. I contacted Astronomics who contacted Starlight Instruments. Wayne from Starlight Instruments called and told me he would send me some replacement screws. They arrived today along with the correct Allen wrench; and after a quick install the focuser works perfectly. Great customer service.
Jack Huerkamp
--------------------
Orion ED80
Astro-Tech 102EDF
Celestron 6SE with HyperStar
Celestron 6" f/8 Refractor
8" Newtonian/Cassegrain on Byers 812 Mount
Classic C-8
Celestron 11" CPC 100 with HyperStar
17.5" AstroSystems TeleKit
Life Member and ALCOR - PAS New Orleans
Waning Moon II Observatory
|
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