ZWO CAA for the 6" Carbonstar - Forums

Topic starter

Feb 19, 2025 · Edited: Feb 19, 2025

I have the 6" Carbonstar RC and am thinking about buying the ZWO CAA rotator.

My current configuration is Scope -> Tilt plate -> Focuser -> Manual Rotator ->Askar OAG -> Askar Filter Drawer - > Camera

Can I take out the Manual Rotator and install the CAA in the image train (not necessarily in the same place as the manual rotator)? I am not sure how backfocus works on the RC6. I think it would work, but just wanted others opinions before I buy.

Thanks

John Bozeman

Feb 19, 2025

The ZWO CAA rotator hasn't been released yet. It doesn't look like it will be any time soon.

Well Written

Keith Geissler

Topic starter

Feb 19, 2025

John Bozeman:
The ZWO CAA rotator hasn't been released yet. It doesn't look like it will be any time soon.

It was released at the end of December. It's currently backordered.

https://www.highpointscientific.com/zwo-caa-camera-angle-adjuster

Tony Gondola

Frequent contributor

Feb 19, 2025

As someone who really cares about composition I'm out there rotating the camera all the time. It would be wonderful to just sit at my desk and do it. It's on my short list of upgrades for sure.

Shawn Thiessen

Feb 21, 2025

Since you aren't using a focal reducer, you can realistically install the CAA wherever you want. There's no strict back focus requirement on these Ritchey's, and if you can reach focus because you don't have enough in-travel, just take one of the extension tubes out. Super easy to work out.

Well Written Helpful Concise

Elmiko

Feb 21, 2025

Hi Kieth.
I have two of the Zwo Caa Rotators. I ordered mine on December 26th, the day it was released.
I have mine on two Refractors. The Telescope side of the rotator has an M54 female thread. So if you don't have a male M54 adapter you will need to order one. The camera side of the rotator comes with two adapters an M 54 and an M 48 female.
I have mine installed on the ends of the focuser tube, then a filter drawer, then the camera.
I know that they're back ordered, but worth the wait. It's a great piece of equipment.
Hope this helps.
Mike

Helpful

Keith Geissler

Topic starter

Feb 21, 2025

Shawn Thiessen:
Since you aren't using a focal reducer, you can realistically install the CAA wherever you want. There's no strict back focus requirement on these Ritchey's, and if you can reach focus because you don't have enough in-travel, just take one of the extension tubes out. Super easy to work out.

the only problem I saw that my OAG would be very close to where the CAA is. No room really for the CAA to rotate, without hitting the focuser of the OAG. Right now my RC has the one 50mm long tube coming out of the OTA. I thought i could use the 25mm tube instead. Then add a 25mm spacer after the rotator. Basically just move that 25mm from the tube to a different spot in the image train. That way the CAA won't rube the OAG.