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Best value focuser/rotator for TOA-130NS?

Takahashi TOA-130 Refractors Focuser Buying Advice
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John Stone avatar
John Stone avatar
Hi,

I'm considering purchasing a TOA-130NS because of the amazing published spot diagrams of the 645 0.99x flattener.

I'm looking for a 'galaxy' scope so the 1000mm focal length appeals to me.    

I know that I'll have to replace the 2.7" focuser so I'm looking for options.   I already own a WandererAstro M68 rotator.

1.) $3.5k -- Moonlight WR35, great focuser but it's 2/3 the price of the scope which seems excessive.
2.) $2.2k -- Feathertouch FT3445B-A + Wanderer v2 M68 rotator + Oasis Rose electronic focuser
3.) $3.6k -- Optec Gemini, see comment from #1.
4.) $2k --  ESATTO 4" robotic focuser + Wanderer v2 M68 rotator 

Here's a picture of something close to what I'm thinking.

I welcome any and all advice and comments...   what are your recommendations?

Thanks.

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Richard Higby avatar
Richard Higby avatar
Hello John,

We went for a simple ZWO EAF Auto focus unit and have never looked back.

Cheers from Tasmania.

Richard
Daniel Cimbora avatar
Daniel Cimbora avatar
After using the ZWO EAF with the stock 4" focusur on my TOA-130NFB for some time, I ponied up for the WR35.  No regrets whatsoever.  It's rock solid, no sag, bombproof so far.

Worth it to me.  Plus, I can move it to my next scope if that day ever comes!

PS, I like that you're using 3 rings on your TOA.  I'm doing the same thing!

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Dark Matters Astrophotography avatar
Dark Matters Astrophotography avatar
MoonLite NiteCrawler WR35 is the focuser of choice that I would pick over any of the others in that list.
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Ashraf AbuSara avatar
Ashraf AbuSara avatar
Not sure if there are some hidden costs I missed but the NC was about $3k for me with adapters.

​​​Another option is just getting the NFB version and slapping an electronic focuser and rotator on it. I haven't tried it but I know a lot of folks who had no problems with that focuser.
Scotty Maxwell avatar
Scotty Maxwell avatar
Since you specified "value" instead of "cheapest", I'll put my money where my mouth is.  I own a WR35 for my FSQ106EDX4 ($3,300 new with tax and shipping), I own another WR35 for my TOA130NS ($2,200 used, sent to Ron for a tune up for $100) and I own a LR25 for my EdgeHD 11" ($1,600 used, sent to Ron for $100 tune-up).  Any of my scopes that have any kind of heft to them get a Moonlite XRX5Focuser.  The ability to put in a call to Ron and get personal help from the owner of the company on anything also carries a lot of value.

-Scotty


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Antonio Parisi avatar
Antonio Parisi avatar
I think it depends on your train weight … I have a Playerone usbc filter wheel with a Zeus playerone Mono (very slim and lightweight ) with that flattener or with the new reducer all with a Touptek focuser and I have no issues..
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Cheers
Antonio
I use an OAG as well same brand.
Philippe Lemaitre avatar
Philippe Lemaitre avatar
Wr35 for me. Never any pb. Extremely precise.
Michele Bayliss avatar
Michele Bayliss avatar
I have that exact scope and I started with a ZWO but it didn’t work very well. The WR 35 is the Cadillac of focusers and if you do any serious Astro imaging you won’t regret it. The other ones aren’t really  comparable. You won’t regret it.
Nick Grundy avatar
Nick Grundy avatar
I love the TOA-130. Honestly, I've bought a lot different scopes since, and it's always my favorite. It's definitely the one scope i'll never sell. 

I got the NFB version, and just added the ZWO EAF. I've never had any problems with AF or slippage. (payload is OAG, EFW, asi6200mm) I'm constantly tempted by the esatto/arco combination, but just haven't had a good reason to pull the trigger. 

sounds like there's a lot of votes for the nitecrawler though
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Timothy Martin avatar
Timothy Martin avatar
I’m sure you could get any of those four options to work. I have three WR35s on three rigs, including one on a TOA130. I also have a Gemini on another rig. Both are rock solid. I never even think about focus or rotation—it just works. I will give a slight edge to the WR35 because unlike the Gemini, it doesn’t require an external controller that has to be mounted somewhere. 

Just FYI, the TOA with 645 is a monster. It’s the best scope I’ve ever owned. It uses a C5 with the giant medium-format 100-mpix IMX461 sensor. The field is perfect all the way to the edges. If seeing is decent, the FWHM consistently comes in at about 2.6, which means I can drizzle. That effectively turns it into a 2000mm rig with a 400-mpix sensor.
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Michael S. avatar
Michael S. avatar
I got good results from the stock focuser, however I went to the Moonlight because it has the rotator and I am not price sensitive.

I have been very happy with the Moonlight but I hardly ever use the rotator.
thekubiaks avatar
thekubiaks avatar
WR35 has been flawless, works beautifully
John Stone avatar
John Stone avatar
Okay, I’m convinced/. WR35 for the win.

Any thoughts on spacers before the focuser vs spacers after?

Second question:

anyone figure out how to use an AO unit with a TOA?  Maybe put it before the flattener?

Philippe Lemaitre avatar
Philippe Lemaitre avatar
I have WR35 1.7'" flange extender in front and extender adapters in the back. When you order you just have to tell them the scope, and flattener you are using they will provide everything needed with your order. No extra cost.
Daniel Cimbora avatar
Daniel Cimbora avatar
Philippe Lemaitre:
I have WR35 1.7'" flange extender in front and extender adapters in the back. When you order you just have to tell them the scope, and flattener you are using they will provide everything needed with your order. No extra cost.

Plus, you will get extenders of a variety of lengths so you can ensure that you reach focus. I believe the WR35 focus travel is 0..5", which doesn't sound like much, but with various combinations of extenders you can easily reach focus centered in the wR35's travel, then you're GTG forever.
Shannon Foye avatar
Shannon Foye avatar
I'll add another recommendation for the NiteCrawler WR35. I installed a second 1.7 flange adapter in front of the focuser to reduce the length of the imaging train. There is a Precise Parts drawtube extender between the focuser and flattener. I have three MoonLite TOA tube rings sandwiched between two MoonLite dovetail plates.

John Stone avatar
John Stone avatar
Quick follow up question:

Does anyone ever pick any color other than red?
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Dark Matters Astrophotography avatar
Dark Matters Astrophotography avatar
John Stone:
Quick follow up question:

Does anyone ever pick any color other than red?



We have two black and one red WR35.