
The "FeatherTouch Micro" SCT focuser, made by Starlight Instruments, is a replacement for the simple focusing knob used in the LX200 scopes. It is easily installed, and provides both coarse adjustment and 10:1 fine adjustment (gold-colored knob in photo above). I installed this focuser partly because I was finding incredibly huge backlash in the focusing system. Although it did resolve some of the backlash, the FeatherTouch only functions as a focuser "knob" - the main focusing mechanism is still turning a connecting piece that screws the primary mirror up and down the central shaft. You can see the FeatherTouch mounted on the scope in the photo below: |
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Soon after installing the Feathertouch, I added a RoboFocus motor, so that I could do automated focusing (e.g., using FocusMax, or one of the routines included in MaximDL, PCFocus provided in the AstroHub, or other software/hardware that I have). The photo below shows the RoboFocus turning the Feathertouch coarse knob using a sprocketed belt. This worked reasonably well, but there was still considerable backlash in the system ... that eventually convinced me to purchase a TCF-S focuser. |
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