Redcat51 Loose Focus Help

William Optics Redcat 51 Focuser Beginner Help Needed
3 replies•106 views
Trey Wood avatar
Trey Wood avatar

Hey All,
Just got a redcat51 (first edition) from CN classifieds and everything is fine up until i tried shooting last night. The focus ring locks but it doesn’t hold in place very well. Any pressure or adding/removing my bahtinov mask slides the focus back to neutral.
Have you guys had this issue and if so, any idea on how to fix it. Everything i look up is people having theirs focus ring stuck, which is not my case.

I know a EAF will resolve this issue, however, I would rather that not be the factor in being able to use the scope or not.
Thanks!

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Tony Gondola avatar
Tony Gondola avatar

If this is the one you have this page from the manual might be helpful:

📷 redcat.jpgredcat.jpg

Trey Wood avatar
Trey Wood avatar

Tony Gondola · Feb 13, 2026, 11:12 PM

If this is the one you have this page from the manual might be helpful:

📷 redcat.jpgredcat.jpg

It wasnt but thanks for checking anyway.
Just posting this here for future if anyone has this issue.
I added a thick rubber band to cover the focuser wheel and the frame (indicated by the green band).
Causes the focuser to be really stiff but actually has helped a lot.

It stays very still and making small adjustments is actually easier.

Definitely will be getting an EAF soon though.

📷 image.pngimage.png

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OtarokoOno avatar
OtarokoOno avatar

The rubber band sounds like a good interim solution until you receive your EAF equipment. Could try taping it after getting into focus, which is how most folks with regular telephoto lenses hold their focus. EAF will certainly help as the temperature fluctuates throughout the night.

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