103 replies to this topic

[John Huntley]

Dena told me they now realize the FC100 models have at least two different focuser housing designs. I'm guessing that the diameter of the focuser housing on your 100DL is significantly wider than 68mm (the diameter of the 100DC housing).

 

Here is an image of the MPA-TAK2.5 on my 100DC. You can see how much wider the Tak2.5 radius is compared with the 100DC focuser housing.

 

 

The Tak2.5 was actually functional and the focus action was excellent. The leveler balls were nearly fully extended out of the MPA body.  Also, the coarse focus knob could not be attached because the pinion shaft wasn't long enough.

 

Attaching and removing the MPA multiple times helped me understand how the leveler ball extension versus machine screw tension (the screws attaching the MPA to the focuser housing) precisely adjust the focus tension. 

 

It's an ingenious design. 

The FT Tak2.5 is the one that I use on my DL - it fits the focuser diameter really nicely with the leveler balls more or less invisible.

 

I did need to have several tries at fitting the MPA before I was happy with it's action. I used the full FT focuser on my TMB/LZOS as a target for the action that I wanted to achieve and after a few tries, I got that.

 

It is a clever and very well engineered design. Hard to source over here in the UK though.

Edited by John Huntley, 16 October 2024 - 04:48 PM.

[25585]

My brass TV 85 came with one. Its better than the made-for-TV FT OE one on my green 85.

[John Huntley]

My brass TV 85 came with one. Its better than the made-for-TV FT OE one on my green 85.

Two TV 85's !!!

 

Lucky man 

[Look at the sky 101]

I was considering a StarLight Instruments MPA-TAK2.5 focuser for my 100DC, and sent an email asking about backorder status for it on Friday, October 4. Even though the business hours are listed as Mon-Thursday, within 30 minutes I had a reply from Dena Joseph saying she had one left in inventory and could ship it to me that day. I hopped on it. 

 

BUT, the TAK2.5 was too large. The Tak focuser housing on the DC is 68mm in diameter, and the Tak2.5 is designed to fit a larger focuser housing, which I guess must vary between the FC-100 telescopes. Anyway, I reached out to Dena about the issue, and got excellent and prompt customer service -- I sent images of the MPA mounted on my telescope, and the StarLight tech suggested trying the MPA-TAK-FS60/76. The TAK-FS60/76 was shipped on Thursday, October 10 and arrived at my home Saturday morning.

 

It fit perfectly and the focus motion is amazing -- a substantial improvement over the original Tak focuser, which is adequate for low to moderate magnification but frustrating at higher magnifications. My one gripe about the otherwise outstanding Takahashi FC-100DC. The MPA coordinates with the Tak aesthetic beautifully. I'm delighted with the update.

 

I was not aware that the founder of StarLight Instruments, Jon Joseph, passed away unexpectedly in 2021 when he was only 56. His wife Dena, a stay-at-home mother of four, took over the business and kept it running. Fortunately, she has a degree in accounting, excellent customer skills, and from what I have seen not a small amount of gumption. I am one of many, many customers happy that FeatherTouch focusers are still available to the astronomy community.

 

Thank you Dena! 

 

Here are some pictures of the MPA-TAK-FS60/76 on the 100DC.

 

 

 

Am I glad I stumbled upon this thread?
Thanks for the info.