Telescope Reviews: Dual speed focuser

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apolloadama
member

Reged: 05/17/12

Loc: Sacramento, CA

Dual speed focuser new

#5312572 - 07/11/12 09:08 AM

I have an Orion XT8. I am thinking of upgrading the single speed Crayford focuser it came with to a dual speed. Orion makes a dual speed. I have also read positive things about Moonlite focusers. Recommendations?

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Raginar
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/19/10

Loc: Rapid CIty, SD

Re: Dual speed focuser new

[Re: apolloadama]
#5312574 - 07/11/12 09:10 AM

The generic ones made by GSO/Orion are not in the same category as JMI/Moonlight/etc. It all depends on what you'd like to spend and what you're trying to correct for.

I've heard good things about moonlights!

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rflinn68
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 03/09/12

Loc: Arkansas

Re: Dual speed focuser new

[Re: Raginar]
#5312589 - 07/11/12 09:26 AM

Depends on what you want. The Moonlight will cost more than your scope cost but they are nice. My Astro-Tech 8" imaging tube came stock with a GSO 2 speed and I like it as long as I remember to lock it down once I get the camera focused. My advice is scan the classifieds, there's usually some good deals in there or S&S. Good luck
Rich

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Jon Isaacs
Postmaster

Reged: 06/16/04

Loc: San Diego and Boulevard, CA

Re: Dual speed focuser new

[Re: rflinn68]
#5312647 - 07/11/12 10:38 AM

Quote:

Depends on what you want. The Moonlight will cost more than your scope cost but they are nice. My Astro-Tech 8" imaging tube came stock with a GSO 2 speed and I like it as long as I remember to lock it down once I get the camera focused. My advice is scan the classifieds, there's usually some good deals in there or S&S. Good luck
Rich

The GSO two speeds are good focusers, simple but effective. I have a couple of them, they handle 3+ pounds of eyepiece and Paracorr without a problem.

Like most replacement focusers, mounting it to the Orion Scope probably requires an adapter. Agenaastro and Scope stuff both sell the GSO focusers as well as adapters.

Jon

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DonR
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 11/15/06

Loc: Georgia, USA

Re: Dual speed focuser new

[Re: Jon Isaacs]
#5312670 - 07/11/12 10:55 AM

The Moonlite is a very nice focuser. I have one on my Orion 8" f/4.9 reflector. Getting the Universal Install Kit (extra cost) will mean you won't need to do any cutting or drilling on your OTA. The kit comes with 1" and 1/2" spacers, which may be all you need.

Whatever focuser you get, you should do some measuring and refer to the focuser specs to determine if it will work, and what options and extras will be needed - unless someone who has installed the same focuser on the same OTA can save you the trouble.

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tezster
professor emeritus

Reged: 07/14/09

Loc: Missisauga, Canada

Re: Dual speed focuser new

[Re: DonR]
#5312745 - 07/11/12 11:57 AM

I don't have experience with Moonlite focusers, but I've installed GSO/Antares dual-speed crayfords on a short tube refractor I used to own (since sold), and a low-profile newtonian version on my dob as well, and have been pleased with the performance of both.

Once you've used to a dual-speed, it's hard going back to using a scope without a micro-focuser.

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Old Rookie
sage

Reged: 09/05/08

Loc: North Central Ohio

Re: Dual speed focuser new

[Re: tezster]
#5312763 - 07/11/12 12:26 PM

I put a Moonlite dual speed on a 12" Skywatcher that I once owned. Had I known how well it would turn out and how nice it was to use, I would have done it sooner.

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Gastrol
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 11/04/11

Loc: los angeles

Re: Dual speed focuser new

[Re: Old Rookie]
#5312776 - 07/11/12 12:34 PM

I don't know who makes your focuser on your Orion dob but if it's a recent GSO crayford style single speed focuser you can get a dual speed conversion kit for it for about $60. That's what I did on my Lightbridge and it made a HUGE improvement.

http://agenaastro.com/gso-dual-speed-crayford-focuser-upgrade-kit.html

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Rocketlawnchair
member

Reged: 06/17/11

Loc: Toronto, ON

Re: Dual speed focuser new

[Re: Gastrol]
#5312796 - 07/11/12 01:05 PM

I haven't used a Moonlite, but I have heard only good things about them.

I have a Feathertouch dual speed and I love it. Very robustly built and a joy to use. I find it hard going back to single speed focusers now.

Dave

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rflinn68
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 03/09/12

Loc: Arkansas

Re: Dual speed focuser new

[Re: Rocketlawnchair]
#5312845 - 07/11/12 02:12 PM

Just got my ScopeStuff (GSO) focuser in for my SCT and I love it. Its very similar to the one on my AT 8" Newtonian. Hard to beat for the money IMHO.

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Jon Isaacs
Postmaster

Reged: 06/16/04

Loc: San Diego and Boulevard, CA

Re: Dual speed focuser new

[Re: rflinn68]
#5312941 - 07/11/12 04:39 PM

Feathertouch focusers are really the standard that others are measured against. High end scopes like Astro-Physics use rack and pinion Feathertouch focusers because they are precise, smooth and carry a heavy load without floundering. Moonlites are very nice as well.

But either of these will end up costing as much or more than an 8 inch Dobsonian, somehow it doesn't quite make sense to me to spend $350+ on a focuser for a $400 scope...

I think the GSO two speed is a more than adequate focuser, mine handle a 31mm Nagler + Paracorr and yet are capable of precisely focusing at 600x-800x when that is desired.

Jon

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Jan Owen
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 02/12/06

Loc: Sun City West, Arizona

Re: Dual speed focuser new

[Re: Jon Isaacs]
#5313050 - 07/11/12 05:29 PM Attachment (25 downloads)

Edited by Jan Owen (07/11/12 05:34 PM)

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dyslexic nam
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 01/28/08

Loc: PEI, Canada

Re: Dual speed focuser new

[Re: Jan Owen]
#5313452 - 07/11/12 09:59 PM

I have a Moonlite on my 8" dob and I love it. One of the best astro investments I have made - aside from the 8" dob itself.

Having said that, I upgraded from a GSO 2speed, and there was a far greater gain in performance going from the single speed to the GSO 2-speed than there was going from the GSO to the Moonlite.

Again I love my premium focuser, but I suspect that you would be very happy with the GSO.

Either way, I would strongly recommend you get one or the other - being able to nail crisp focus is a huge benefit while observing.

Cheers and clear skies.

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frolinmod
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 08/06/10

Re: Dual speed focuser new

[Re: Jon Isaacs]
#5313588 - 07/11/12 11:40 PM

When I buy an expensive 3" Feather Touch rack and pinion focuser to put on a cheap telescope, I keep the original focuser in the garage. When sell the scope, I put the original focuser back on. The Feather Touch stays with me!

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NorthBoundTrain
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 11/23/11

Re: Dual speed focuser new

[Re: frolinmod]
#5313594 - 07/11/12 11:49 PM

I purchased a Moonlight CR1 for my Orion 8" f/4.9 back in early 06' Since I used it mainly for imaging I upgraded it with the DC motor focus. It is a wonderful piece of equipment, and I have never had an issue with it. The CS from Moonlight is second to none. You wont be disappointed in one either dual speed or motorized!

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Startraffic
sage

Reged: 02/12/06

Loc: Lat. 39.143345, Long. -77.1748...

Re: Dual speed focuser [Re: apolloadama]
#5313761 - 07/12/12 05:43 AM

apolloadama,
I put a GSO on my 8" R200SS & a Moonlite 2 speed on my 10" SNT. I like the Moonlite better but it did cost 2.5x as much. It has made an enormous difference in the SNT, not as much in the R200SS but a great change over the stock R&P.

Clear Dark Skies
Startraffic
39.138274 -77.168898

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bilgebay
Post Laureate

Reged: 11/06/08

Loc: Türkiye - Istanbul and Marmari...

Re: Dual speed focuser new

[Re: Startraffic]
#5313885 - 07/12/12 08:43 AM Attachment (17 downloads)

Years ago, I purchased a Feather Touch FTF2015BCR for my C9.25. It proved to be a lifetime investment.

Since then, I either manufactured or purchased adaptors for this focuser to allow me to use it on all my scopes. Recent applications have been to fit it to my SVP 8" and Lightbridge 16" Newtonians. FT focuser makes a great difference. Swapping the focuser is very easy and the collimation of the newts are hardly effected.

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