Hi All,

Some of you may know that I have an Orion XT6. In other words, it is a f/8 150mm Newtonian Reflector on a Dobsonian base. I purchased it two years ago, and I love it. Thanks to recommendations by some IFAS members I upgraded some of the hardware on the scope. For example, last year I replaced the red dot finder with a 10X50 finder scope, and a Telrad. Both items have greatly enhanced my experience at the eyepiece.

This year I'd like to upgrade the 'rack and pin' focuser that came with the scope. I have spent the past few weeks reading around on 1.25" focusers for the XT6, and I am considering upgrading to this focuser:

www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_inf...h-T2-connection.html

If anyone as any thoughts with regards to upgrading the focuser, I'd love to hear from you.

Clear skies,

Darren.

I replaced the focuser on my 8" Newtonian with this same focuser.  It is a vast improvement on the original, the brass compression ring protects the eyepieces while holding them secure, the action is smoother and focusing easier.
I had to perform a little surgery on my tube, because the holes did not line up exactly, it was a simple job using a drill to make new holes.
Why are you going for the 1.25" focuser?  I would recommend the 2" version, that way you can employ 2" eyepieces and this allows you to have a wider field of view.  It is a little more expensive because you have to buy the base plate extra, but in my opinion it is worth the extra expense for the greater variety of eyepieces that open up to you.

Hope this helps.

Paul.

Hi Paul, 

Very many thanks for your reply - I really appreciate it. I was opting for the 1.25" because I only saw one scope on CN that fitted a 2" focuser. It looked amazing, and that observer raved about how it performed. It seemed like a bit of work to get it right though. More importantly, some people were saying that there are illumination issues because of the size of the secondary mirror in the XT6. I saw some detail figures on the size of one's scope, the focuser, and illumination percentage. As I am not entirely sure what all the details meant the whole thing scared me off, but your message has encouraged me to take a closer look.  I'd love a 2" focuser for the reasons you have outlined. 

Some might say that I should go up to a bigger scope. I'm just not there at the moment. I feel there is still plenty for me to see with the 6" mirror. And truth be told, I don't think I'd ever sell the XT6. 

I had another great session with it this morning.... More about that shortly! 

Clear skies, 

Darren. 

Hey Darren

They say the best scope you have is the one you use, there is no need to change your scope, a 6" will show so much .
I'm as confused as you about illumination percentage and all that, go for the 1.25" focuser and enjoy.

Let us know how you get in.

Paul

...or go and buy a 2" focuser.
You will never regret it!!

Clear skies,

Aubrey.

Hi Paul and Aubrey, 

Thanks a million for your supportive messages... I'm not sure what to do. Unlike your last suggestions (the 10X50, and the Telrad), I won't be buying both. Can you imagine what mounting both focusers would look like on the scope  

I'll keep you posted. 

Thanks again, 

Darren. 

Hi Darren.

If you do go for a 2" focuser, you will discover there are plenty of 2" reasonably priced eyepieces available.

Clear skies,

Aubrey.

Hi Darren,

I have a 2" focuser going spare.  It was given to me by Roy Stewart (I think) so it's yours if you want it.

You are in Dundrum near the town center arn't you?  I can drop it over to you if you like.

Michael.

flt158 wrote:

Hi Darren.

If you do go for a 2" focuser, you will discover there are plenty of 2" reasonably priced eyepieces available.

Clear skies,

Aubrey.

Hi Aubrey, 

That's great to know, and now that Michael's kind offer I'm looking forward to checking them out! 

Clear skies, 

Darren. 

michael_murphy wrote:

Hi Darren,

I have a 2" focuser going spare.  It was given to me by Roy Stewart (I think) so it's yours if you want it.

You are in Dundrum near the town center arn't you?  I can drop it over to you if you like.

Michael.

Hi Michael, 

That is very kind of you to offer, and I'm more than happy to pay for it. 

I'm not sure if you have my mobile, so here it is: 085 7222 934.

Once again, thanks a million! 

Darren. 

Hi Michael, 

Very many thanks for dropping over last night with the focuser. It was great catching-up again, and we must do it again soon. 

I'm in the process of contacting a few companies about installations kits, and I plan to give Stephen a call in Ktech tomorrow. 

I'll keep you all posted on how this pans out. 

Thanks again, 

Darren. 

Hi Darren, 

Good to see you as well. I hope you manage to get the adapter.
If not, I can pop over again and we can have another 3 hour chat!! We should invite more people the next time

Michael.

Haha! Yeah, the time flew past alright. I'll stock up on the teabags then! Some say 'the more the merrier', while others say no more than four with 2m social distance Either way it'll be a bit of craic! 

When it comes to the illumination thing what i think they mean is that the secondary mirror on the scope is designed for 1.25" eyepieces. The larger 2" eyepieces are wider than the 1.25" secondary so you lose  some of the extra width of the 2" eyepiece as the secondary is only sending light to the middle part and not to the edges as it is too small. If you  increase the secondary size you will block off some more of the light going into the scope.

Hi 'stepryan'

Very many thanks for the additional information. The other night when Michael dropped round he spoke about various types of 'trade-offs' we make when upgrading. And your message articulates this particular trade-off very well indeed. 

I never got to chance to phone Stephen in Ktech yesterday as I got bogged-down on some work stuff. So, I'll call him tomorrow. 

It'll be interesting to get his take on things too. 

Chat soon, 

Darren.