Focuser for the Solarmax 90

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Focuser for the Solarmax 90

Post by ffellah »

Hello all: I am considering upgrading the focuser of my SM90 to a Crayford style focuser. What are the options at various price points ?

Thank you,

Franco


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Re: Focuser for the Solarmax 90

Post by marktownley »

Image2020-05-10_09-52-18 by Mark Townley, on Flickr

Feather touch for me every time!


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Re: Focuser for the Solarmax 90

Post by ffellah »

Thank you, Mark, I will check the pricing out. Any other suggestions ?

Franco


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Re: Focuser for the Solarmax 90

Post by rsfoto »

ffellah wrote: Mon Jun 29, 2020 8:38 pm Thank you, Mark, I will check the pricing out. Any other suggestions ?

Franco
Hi Franco,

Eventually a rack and pinion ?

I personally do not like the Crayford system.


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Re: Focuser for the Solarmax 90

Post by marktownley »

ffellah wrote: Mon Jun 29, 2020 8:38 pm Any other suggestions ?
There are Moonlites too I believe. However, while the moonlites are huge upgrade from virtually any stock focuser, and, I have 4 moonlites on different scopes. There are fundamental things I really don't like about them - the draw tube pits and chips where the roller bearings ride over it leading to a gritty and bumpy feel when focusing which I don't like, and secondly the bearings go on the focuser, 3 of mine have suffered broken bearings through nothing but normal use. Now i've read on CN many times that Ron at Moonlite will happily replace draw tube and send out new bearings, and I hear nothing but excellent things about his customer service and fair play. However for me the design of the Moonlites is fundamentally flawed and it frustrates me, especially at the money!

The price difference between the Moonlites and Feather Touch really isn't huge, but my perspective is a Moonlite is a 10 year investment whereas a feather touch is a lifetime investment.

Your other options I guess is getting a coupling ring made up at precise parts, then there is a whole raft of third party focusers with the standard m90 connection you could mate to it https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/ad ... %20/page/5

Mark


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Re: Focuser for the Solarmax 90

Post by ffellah »

Thanks a lot, Mark, for your post.

Franco


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Re: Focuser for the Solarmax 90

Post by Highbury Mark »

I don’t have experience with the SM90, but with a Lunt 50 I had a Moonlite focuser (very nice, no problems at all), and with Lunt 60 and my current Takahashi FC-100, I have Feathertouch 2” focusers. It’s been said a million times before, but they are in a different class. Even with significant weights hanging off the end, they are just superb,


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Re: Focuser for the Solarmax 90

Post by DeepSolar64 »

In time I too will upgrade from the stock helical focuser. It works but doesn't feel " natural " to me. I would have certainly preferred a rack and pinion focuser over the helical. Moonlite and FeatherTouch are certainly even better. Still, it helped make the SMII series more affordable. They are discontinued now. The SMIII series all have two speed rack and pinion focusers.


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Re: Focuser for the Solarmax 90

Post by alpha76 »

hello everyone, I also think of changing the eyepiece holder of my SM90 would have models and reference

thank you so much


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Re: Focuser for the Solarmax 90

Post by DeepSolar64 »

alpha76 wrote: Sun Jul 26, 2020 6:44 am hello everyone, I also think of changing the eyepiece holder of my SM90 would have models and reference

thank you so much
FeatherTouch and Moonlite are probably the best choices for replacement focusers for the SolarMax 90 but I am sure they are others.

https://starlightinstruments.com/

https://www.focuser.com/


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Re: Focuser for the Solarmax 90

Post by Rusted »

Be aware that Feathertouch focusers are heavy.
The drawtube alone on my 3.5" could be used as a diver's weight. ;)
I have no experience of the smaller models but must assume the trait is universal to all.
On the plus side, the extra weight, at the tail end, can be very handy to give a nose heavy 'scope a nice [face] lift.


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