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csa/montana
Den Mama

Reged: 05/14/05

Loc: montana

Astrocrumb filter slide?
#5360425 - 08/09/12 06:09 PM

Any users of the "Original" filter slide? Just curious what your opinion is on a dob?

Thanks!

Post Extras:

bunyon
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/23/10

Loc: Winston-Salem, NC

Re: Astrocrumb filter slide? new

[Re: csa/montana]
#5360644 - 08/09/12 08:30 PM

I use mine on the 15 and love it. You have to play with it a little in installation in order to get smooth sliding but once it's settled, it's outstanding.

Post Extras:

Markovich
professor emeritus

Reged: 05/22/07

Loc: Central Ohio

Re: Astrocrumb filter slide? new

[Re: bunyon]
#5360652 - 08/09/12 08:34 PM

Love mine...

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csa/montana
Den Mama

Reged: 05/14/05

Loc: montana

Re: Astrocrumb filter slide? new

[Re: Markovich]
#5360663 - 08/09/12 08:43 PM

Thanks Paul & Mark. It's something I really want to get, down the road for my 16"; it would be quite convenient for using filters.

Post Extras:

bunyon
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/23/10

Loc: Winston-Salem, NC

Re: Astrocrumb filter slide? new

[Re: csa/montana]
#5360669 - 08/09/12 08:46 PM

It's best for blinking between them. I had tried for years to see the planetary in M15 but it wasn't until I put the slide in that I was sure I had it.

Post Extras:

okieav8r
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/01/09

Loc: Oklahoma!

Re: Astrocrumb filter slide? new

[Re: csa/montana]
#5360758 - 08/09/12 09:50 PM

I have one Carol. It's one of those accessories that makes me ask myself, "how did I ever get along without this?". No more putting on and taking off filters--they're always there. I love it!

Post Extras:

csa/montana
Den Mama

Reged: 05/14/05

Loc: montana

Re: Astrocrumb filter slide? new

[Re: okieav8r]
#5360915 - 08/09/12 11:56 PM

How difficult is it to install?

Post Extras:

okieav8r
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/01/09

Loc: Oklahoma!

Re: Astrocrumb filter slide? new

[Re: csa/montana]
#5361163 - 08/10/12 06:34 AM

Quote:

How difficult is it to install?

I think it depends on what kind of focuser you have Carol. In my case, my Feathertouch has a threaded drawtube. There is an aluminum tube that screws into the end of the tube. Then, you attach the slide receiver rail onto the tube with a thumbscrew clamp, then insert the filter slide into the receiver rail. It literally takes less than a minute to do. But I don't know how it installs on other focusers.

Post Extras:

bunyon
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/23/10

Loc: Winston-Salem, NC

Re: Astrocrumb filter slide? new

[Re: okieav8r]
#5361200 - 08/10/12 07:26 AM

On my Dob, it doesn't attach to the focuser at all. It screws into the secondary cage. I did find it a little tricky but mostly because I have fat, unskilled fingers. With the help of a friend, it was simple. Maybe 5 minutes.

Post Extras:

Markovich
professor emeritus

Reged: 05/22/07

Loc: Central Ohio

Re: Astrocrumb filter slide? new

[Re: bunyon]
#5361257 - 08/10/12 08:22 AM

Ditto for the unskilled fingers....took me about 15 mins, It really is a great addition. LIke Paul mentioned, the ability to "blink" between filters is great. I find that blinking between a O-III filter and an empty slot is the best for making those faint nebulae pop out.

Post Extras:

Shawn H
Postmaster

Reged: 05/16/07

Loc: Equatorial Guinea, West Africa

Re: Astrocrumb filter slide? new

[Re: csa/montana]
#5361277 - 08/10/12 08:39 AM

Carol
My upper cage is wood (on my 18") so I simply screwed it on, I believe your upper cage is metal soo you might have to put it in place & pencil mark the holes to drill out small holes afterwards! But even that should be easy enough!

Post Extras:

Shawn H
Postmaster

Reged: 05/16/07

Loc: Equatorial Guinea, West Africa

Re: Astrocrumb filter slide? new

[Re: Markovich]
#5361284 - 08/10/12 08:45 AM

Quote:

Ditto for the unskilled fingers....took me about 15 mins, It really is a great addition. LIke Paul mentioned, the ability to "blink" between filters is great. I find that blinking between a O-III filter and an empty slot is the best for making those faint nebulae pop out.

I love to blink between my OIII & Ultrablock to see which one works best! Sometimes the narrowband Ultrablock works better than the OIII line filter on certain nebulae!

Post Extras:

csa/montana
Den Mama

Reged: 05/14/05

Loc: montana

Re: Astrocrumb filter slide? new

[Re: Shawn H]
#5361312 - 08/10/12 09:07 AM

Thanks everyone! Looks like this will be my next purchase!

Shawn, you are correct, the upper cage is metal. My focuser is a GSO two speed.

Post Extras:

John rombi
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 08/14/05

Loc: Sydney, Australia

Re: Astrocrumb filter slide? new

[Re: csa/montana]
#5362238 - 08/10/12 07:03 PM Attachment (16 downloads)

Hi Carol,
I installed the Moonlite filter slide.
You will have to reposition your spider vain first, before you install the slide.
You only need simple tools...a drill (with sharp drill bits)rule and the necessary nuts & screws.
Take your time and be patient with the process, and above all else MEASURE TWICE AND CUT ONCE, and have fun.
Here is an image of the slide (with the repositioned spider) on my 12" Lightbridge.

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csa/montana
Den Mama

Reged: 05/14/05

Loc: montana

Re: Astrocrumb filter slide? new

[Re: John rombi]
#5362624 - 08/10/12 10:56 PM

Ohh, that's a deal breaker for me; having to reposition the spider. I really don't want to tackle that. Is this only with the Moonlite filter slide, or all?

Post Extras:

John rombi
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 08/14/05

Loc: Sydney, Australia

Re: Astrocrumb filter slide? new

[Re: csa/montana]
#5362829 - 08/11/12 03:11 AM

Carol, unless you can position the filter slide on the outside of the tube, you will have to mount it on the inside.
This will mean a repositioning of the spider veins.
Your scope is a GSO built unit, and all production models world wide are made with the SV crossing in front of the focuser.
Don't let it discourage you. Just measure the distances between the holes and their height from the top of the tube, then drill the new holes. Remember to swab the new holes with a rust resistant solution, before reassembly.
If you need further advice, I'm happy to help.

John.

Post Extras:

kfiscus
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 07/09/12

Loc: Albert Lea, MN, USA

Re: Astrocrumb filter slide? new

[Re: csa/montana]
#5362831 - 08/11/12 03:14 AM

Carol, don't let it be a deal breaker. It rightfully gives one pause drilling 4 new holes in a scope. Measure many times and drill carefully. Have a plan and backup plan for capturing wood or metal shavings. The benefits of the slide outweigh the risks.
I'm getting ready to put an Astrocrumb 'original' slide on my Z12 and will be rotating my spider. I'll do it when I flock my tube. The bottom hole will get plugged with an extra Orion XT handle knob. I read on a CN thread of someone using black vinyl plugs from the hardware store to dress up the original holes. I wish there was a way to get the manufacturers to rotate the stock position of the spiders. It shouldn't make any difference to them at all.

Edited by kfiscus (08/11/12 03:16 AM)

Post Extras:

Shawn H
Postmaster

Reged: 05/16/07

Loc: Equatorial Guinea, West Africa

Re: Astrocrumb filter slide? [Re: csa/montana]
#5362835 - 08/11/12 03:28 AM

Quote:

Ohh, that's a deal breaker for me; having to reposition the spider. I really don't want to tackle that. Is this only with the Moonlite filter slide, or all?

No the Moonlite is a carbon copy of the Astrocrumb! Look at your upper cage, if a spidervane is attached directly in front of the focuser, it will have to be moved because the slide you pull out from the top of your upper cage. If the spidervane is in the way, this is impossible! The photo is very good, and is self explanatory!

Post Extras:

Shawn H
Postmaster

Reged: 05/16/07

Loc: Equatorial Guinea, West Africa

Re: Astrocrumb filter slide? [Re: John rombi]
#5362841 - 08/11/12 03:43 AM

Carol
In John's photo, you see where the wires of the dew heater come into the upper cage! Thats the hole where his spidervane was, he simply rotated the spider! and used the hole for his dew heater wires!

Post Extras:

csa/montana
Den Mama

Reged: 05/14/05

Loc: montana

Re: Astrocrumb filter slide? [Re: Shawn H]
#5363057 - 08/11/12 09:36 AM

I just went down & looked at the scope; yes it would have to be moved. For me, as I said; that's a dealbreaker. I won't attempt drilling 4 more holes & messing with the spider vein. Might be easy for you guys, not so easy for me. It's very disappointing; however, I really appreciate all of your responses!

If, down the road; I get another visit from a fellow CN'r, I might consider moving the SV then, but that could be a long time.

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