Nightmare on Astro Street

Jerry Gerber:
Moonlight's focuser includes a rotator, which is going to add length to an already long telescope, increasing issues with imaging near Zenith,

why can't you add a pier extension?

and, with or without the moonlight, your length wont be the same when you're focused?

I can tell you the moonlite focuser works very nicely on my PHQ 130.
Reach out to Ron and tell him about your length concerns. I have had him create custom spacers in the past.

Jerry Gerber:
Dear Askar owners,

I am having a hell of a time finding a focuser to replace the stock focuser that is not working well at all at a dark sky site.  Feathertouch does not make a focuser for this scope, Moonlight's focuser includes a rotator, which is going to add length to an already long telescope, increasing issues with imaging near Zenith, I don't want to spend $3200 for Optec's option, and finding adapters for the Esatto 3" (the focuser I think will best fit my needs and budget) and the Pegasus Prodigy microfocuser is very difficult as I am not sure what size I would need when customizing adapters using Precise Part's website.

Has anyone replaced the Askar 130PHQ's stock focuser with another focuser/EAF?  I control everything via NINA and ASCOM.

Thanks!
Jerry

The moonlight focuser should not add any length to your scope Jerry. What determines the length of your scope is the focal length / focal ratio you are working on at the time. Using a moonlight focuser or the native focuser is not going to change where your camera sensor needs to be to achieve focus in relation to your objective lens, at least not on the PHQ since all the glass is inside the OTA ahead of the focuser.

Ashraf AbuSara:

Jerry Gerber:
Dear Askar owners,

I am having a hell of a time finding a focuser to replace the stock focuser that is not working well at all at a dark sky site.  Feathertouch does not make a focuser for this scope, Moonlight's focuser includes a rotator, which is going to add length to an already long telescope, increasing issues with imaging near Zenith, I don't want to spend $3200 for Optec's option, and finding adapters for the Esatto 3" (the focuser I think will best fit my needs and budget) and the Pegasus Prodigy microfocuser is very difficult as I am not sure what size I would need when customizing adapters using Precise Part's website.

Has anyone replaced the Askar 130PHQ's stock focuser with another focuser/EAF?  I control everything via NINA and ASCOM.

Thanks!
Jerry

The moonlight focuser should not add any length to your scope Jerry. What determines the length of your scope is the focal length / focal ratio you are working on at the time. Using a moonlight focuser or the native focuser is not going to change where your camera sensor needs to be to achieve focus in relation to your objective lens, at least not on the PHQ since all the glass is inside the OTA ahead of the focuser.

Hi Ashraf,

I'm not referring to the focal length but rather the actual physical length of the telescope and image train. It's already fairly long and requires a pause before meridian to avoid hitting the pier. 

Unless we are able to use a pier extension it's probably not going to work, at least that's what Ed is saying.

Jerry Gerber:

Ashraf AbuSara:

Jerry Gerber:
Dear Askar owners,

I am having a hell of a time finding a focuser to replace the stock focuser that is not working well at all at a dark sky site.  Feathertouch does not make a focuser for this scope, Moonlight's focuser includes a rotator, which is going to add length to an already long telescope, increasing issues with imaging near Zenith, I don't want to spend $3200 for Optec's option, and finding adapters for the Esatto 3" (the focuser I think will best fit my needs and budget) and the Pegasus Prodigy microfocuser is very difficult as I am not sure what size I would need when customizing adapters using Precise Part's website.

Has anyone replaced the Askar 130PHQ's stock focuser with another focuser/EAF?  I control everything via NINA and ASCOM.

Thanks!
Jerry

The moonlight focuser should not add any length to your scope Jerry. What determines the length of your scope is the focal length / focal ratio you are working on at the time. Using a moonlight focuser or the native focuser is not going to change where your camera sensor needs to be to achieve focus in relation to your objective lens, at least not on the PHQ since all the glass is inside the OTA ahead of the focuser.

Hi Ashraf,

I'm not referring to the focal length but rather the actual physical length of the telescope and image train.

Jerry, let me simplify this for you

with your stock focuser, when you become focused on a star, and you measure the length from the front of the scope dew shield to the back of the camera, for the sake of my explanation I'll just say that you measured 36 inches

now, if you were to replace the stock with the Moonlight, and you get focused on a star again, and if you measured the front of the dew shield with the back of the camera, you would still get 36 inches

yes, nothing changed, the physical length is the same; of course, in my comparison example, I'm not counting focus drift from temperature fluctuations

EDIT: but, it's different if you plan to slew to the zenith with your focuser racked all the way out or, past the correct focus position - I don't know if a moonlight will work for you if you do that

also, Jerry, assuming the Moonlight is heavier than your stock focuser, you also have the advantage of heavier weight at the back of the scope

that means, in order to get balanced on the mount, the scope will need to be shifted slightly forward, which gives you even more space at the back of the scope (from the camera to the floor or whatever you're worried your scope will hit when pointing to zenith)

Oscar:
also, Jerry, assuming the Moonlight is heavier than your stock focuser, you also have the advantage of heavier weight at the back of the scope

that means, in order to get balanced on the mount, the scope will need to be shifted slightly forward, which gives you even more space at the back of the scope (from the camera to the floor or whatever you're worried your scope will hit when pointing to zenith)

If that's the case I may be in luck!

Jerry Gerber:

Oscar:
also, Jerry, assuming the Moonlight is heavier than your stock focuser, you also have the advantage of heavier weight at the back of the scope

that means, in order to get balanced on the mount, the scope will need to be shifted slightly forward, which gives you even more space at the back of the scope (from the camera to the floor or whatever you're worried your scope will hit when pointing to zenith)

If that's the case I may be in luck!

The NiteCrawler is much heavier than the stock focuser so there will be balancing to do. There may also be a need for an additional counterweight but you’d need to evaluate that based on what you have in place now.

Jerry,

Did you reach out to Primalucelab and ask about an Esatto adapter for the Askar? They may already have one.

Jerry Gerber:

Ashraf AbuSara:

Jerry Gerber:
Dear Askar owners,

I am having a hell of a time finding a focuser to replace the stock focuser that is not working well at all at a dark sky site.  Feathertouch does not make a focuser for this scope, Moonlight's focuser includes a rotator, which is going to add length to an already long telescope, increasing issues with imaging near Zenith, I don't want to spend $3200 for Optec's option, and finding adapters for the Esatto 3" (the focuser I think will best fit my needs and budget) and the Pegasus Prodigy microfocuser is very difficult as I am not sure what size I would need when customizing adapters using Precise Part's website.

Has anyone replaced the Askar 130PHQ's stock focuser with another focuser/EAF?  I control everything via NINA and ASCOM.

Thanks!
Jerry

The moonlight focuser should not add any length to your scope Jerry. What determines the length of your scope is the focal length / focal ratio you are working on at the time. Using a moonlight focuser or the native focuser is not going to change where your camera sensor needs to be to achieve focus in relation to your objective lens, at least not on the PHQ since all the glass is inside the OTA ahead of the focuser.

Hi Ashraf,

I'm not referring to the focal length but rather the actual physical length of the telescope and image train. It's already fairly long and requires a pause before meridian to avoid hitting the pier. 

Unless we are able to use a pier extension it's probably not going to work, at least that's what Ed is saying.

Like others mentioned, the physical length of your scope as a refractor is going to be determined by your focal length. All things being equal, whether you use your native focuser or the moonlight, the distance between the back of your camera and the tip of the front of your scope should remain the same when in focus.

Jerry Gerber:

Ashraf AbuSara:

Jerry Gerber:

Ashraf AbuSara:

Jerry Gerber:
Dear Askar owners,

I am having a hell of a time finding a focuser to replace the stock focuser that is not working well at all at a dark sky site.  Feathertouch does not make a focuser for this scope, Moonlight's focuser includes a rotator, which is going to add length to an already long telescope, increasing issues with imaging near Zenith, I don't want to spend $3200 for Optec's option, and finding adapters for the Esatto 3" (the focuser I think will best fit my needs and budget) and the Pegasus Prodigy microfocuser is very difficult as I am not sure what size I would need when customizing adapters using Precise Part's website.

Has anyone replaced the Askar 130PHQ's stock focuser with another focuser/EAF?  I control everything via NINA and ASCOM.

Thanks!
Jerry

The moonlight focuser should not add any length to your scope Jerry. What determines the length of your scope is the focal length / focal ratio you are working on at the time. Using a moonlight focuser or the native focuser is not going to change where your camera sensor needs to be to achieve focus in relation to your objective lens, at least not on the PHQ since all the glass is inside the OTA ahead of the focuser.

Hi Ashraf,

I'm not referring to the focal length but rather the actual physical length of the telescope and image train. It's already fairly long and requires a pause before meridian to avoid hitting the pier. 

Unless we are able to use a pier extension it's probably not going to work, at least that's what Ed is saying.

Like others mentioned, the physical length of your scope as a refractor is going to be determined by your focal length. All things being equal, whether you use your native focuser or the moonlight, the distance between the back of your camera and the tip of the front of your scope should remain the same when in focus.

Yes, I see that now. The issue is width, not length. We're trying to determine if this is going to work.

I see. What is the issue with the width? I have a very long Refractor with the TOA-130 and the NC. I also have a relatively small mount with the HAE69ec. I did end up putting a couple of risers.

I understand that your focuser is not working well due to dust ingress and causing issues, if this is correct, then can I ask how a new focuser going to cope with that same dust ingress any better, an option maybe is to get a new focuser the same from Askar if they would sell you one, and then fit some sort of material cowling over the focuser tube, with maybe an elasticated fit at either end so it can expand and contract with the focuser, and stop probably 99% the dust ingress. Just an idea..