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stets
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Reged: 04/13/06
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coronado helical focuser replacement question
      #3434652 - 11/07/09 12:52 PM

Is there a way to relace the helical focuser that comes with a Coronado scope with a more precise rack and pinion focuser?

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skyward_eyes
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Reged: 12/12/06
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Re: coronado helical focuser replacement question new [Re: stets]
      #3435055 - 11/07/09 05:30 PM

Starizona in Tucson, AZ made a custom adapter for my friends Solarmax 60 that replaced the whole rear assembly with a 2" Feather touch focuser.

Heres a LINK


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Alan Friedman
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Reged: 08/30/07
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Re: coronado helical focuser replacement question new [Re: skyward_eyes]
      #3435205 - 11/07/09 07:20 PM

Greg Piepol also has a dual speed focuser (feathertouch, I think) on his 90mm solarmax. Helical focusers are awful for imaging. I replaced the massive helical focuser on my Zeiss APQ for a feathertouch.

Alan

--------------------
Alan Friedman
www.avertedimagination.com


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stets
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Re: coronado helical focuser replacement question new [Re: Alan Friedman]
      #3435229 - 11/07/09 07:39 PM

Thank you Kevin and Alan ... much appreciated.

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Awesomelenny
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Re: coronado helical focuser replacement question new [Re: stets]
      #3435333 - 11/07/09 08:52 PM Attachment (5 downloads)

Moonlite makes a truly well made focuser for the Coronado SM90 telescope. Mine is the prototype. It handles the SBIG level heavy duty cameras VERY well! Contact them too.

--------------------
Len

Meade 178 ED APO
127mm Astro_Tech ED APO
4" f/15 Model 166 Unitron with UNIWITT Pier
Televue Genesis SDF 101mm f/5.4
W.O. Zenithstar 66
2.4" f/15 Model 128C Unitron
Coronado Solarmax 90 DS Telescope
Losmandy Titan; G-11; all w/Gemini
All in a "Backyard Observatory"
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
Psalm 19:1


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stephenramsden
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Reged: 08/17/07
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Re: coronado helical focuser replacement question new [Re: Alan Friedman]
      #3435482 - 11/07/09 10:25 PM

Or you could just buy an off the shelf feathertouch, unscrew the helical focuser, and then have an adaptor made at a local machine shop like this...


--------------------
Stephen W. Ramsden
Atlanta, GA--USA

NASA SOLAR SYSTEM AMBASSADOR

www.solarastrophotography.com
www.SolarScopeReviews.com
www.stephenramsden.com


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stets
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Re: coronado helical focuser replacement question new [Re: stephenramsden]
      #3435919 - 11/08/09 07:59 AM

Thank you Len and Stephen for the pictures of your set-ups.

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Ralph Marantino
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Re: coronado helical focuser replacement question new [Re: stets]
      #3435972 - 11/08/09 09:06 AM

I love the helical on my 70mm Coronado as much as my feather Touches on all my other scopes.

--------------------
Lunt H-alpha LS100THa/B3400
Rockland Astronomy Club
Member BAA Solar Section
Central Appalachian Astronomy Club
Astronomical League
DSPST,PST & 70mm Coronado Cal K telescope.2.2A
Zeiss 2 inch prism diagonal&Zeiss Zoom EP
2inch APM Herschel Wedge in a 94mm F7 Brandon
14.5 inch f4.2 Starmaster Dob(Zambuto mirror)
TeleView Genisis SDF with 1000 Oaks Glass filter
Zeiss 63mm f13.5 refractor 1000 Oaks Glass filter
Itty Bitty Solar Radio Telescope.
LHRIES Lite Solar Spectrometer


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Mapman2
member


Reged: 09/09/08
Posts: 22
Re: coronado helical focuser replacement question new [Re: skyward_eyes]
      #3436296 - 11/08/09 12:32 PM

Quote:

Starizona in Tucson, AZ made a custom adapter for my friends Solarmax 60 that replaced the whole rear assembly with a 2" Feather touch focuser. ...




I also had Starizona modify my SolarMax 60 with the 2" Feathertouch focuser. They did a very nice job. I recommend you contact them. This is a GREAT mod to the SolarMax.


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marktownley
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Re: coronado helical focuser replacement question new [Re: Mapman2]
      #3436374 - 11/08/09 01:08 PM

I got an adapter to try and mate my Moonlite SCT focuser to my SM40, but it sits too far back to reach focus. I don't want to cut the SM40 tube down incase I sell it in the future to get a bigger beast

I'm still working on it tho as the helical in indeed rubbish! I'm hoping to come across a 2nd hand decent refractor focuser on ebay or somewhere to take the project further. Don't really want to shell out a load of £££ to find it doen't work...


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LarryAlvarez
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Re: coronado helical focuser replacement question new [Re: stets]
      #3443532 - 11/12/09 09:22 AM

I too had issues with the helical focuser. Threre is a cheaper way than getting something machined or buying the Coronado adapter. See the how to on my website on using the back end of an old focuser for it and an NGF-C focuser.
Telescope adapter


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robert_arnold
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Reged: 11/08/05
Posts: 1411
Loc: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Re: coronado helical focuser replacement question new [Re: marktownley]
      #3443860 - 11/12/09 12:22 PM

Mark, I have a Skywatcher focusser looking like the one in the post from Larry if that is any use to you
Robert

--------------------
ED80 ED100 Helios-120+105-ERF PST SM40 DMK31AF03 CaK-B600 LS75F/B1200
www.robertarnold.co.uk


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