Weight of Askar 130 PHQ Focuser - Forums

Topic starter

Frequent contributor

Mar 28, 2025

Might anyone know what the weight of just the stock focuser is for the Askar 130 PHQ refractor?

I'm replacing it with the Moonlight WR3.5, which weighs 8 lbs.

Thanks!

Jerry

Well Written

Brian Sweeney

Mar 28, 2025

It's just slightly over 4 pounds. I replaced mine with a WR3.0 nitecrawler

Jerry Gerber

Topic starter

Frequent contributor

Mar 28, 2025

Thanks Brian!
Are you happy with the Night Crawler? Any reason you went with the 3.0 rather than the 3.5?

Jerry

Well Written Respectful Engaging

Brian Sweeney

Mar 28, 2025 · Edited: Mar 28, 2025

The nitecrawler is amazing and built like a tank! I already had the 3.0 from my previous, 115mm telescope. I confirmed with Ron if it would work on the 130 and it does!

Previously, I had the ATIK 16200 camera with 50 mm filters and now have a Player One Zues camera with an even larger sensor and the same filters, so I feel like I would have noticed any issues by now if it was too small.

Jerry Gerber

Topic starter

Frequent contributor

Mar 28, 2025

Brian, I'm shooting with the asi2600mm, it's not a full frame sensor.

Will the WR 3.0 allow me to use the whole frame without any vignetting?
I'd aactually prefer to get the lighter focuser.

Jerry

Brian Sweeney

Mar 28, 2025

Here is a raw frame with only the autostretch applied if you want to double check for yourself.
https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared/cgUdG237Q66pyBjhUG9t6g.kB-0NDCR0AbfJIZwSsEpnl (46MB)

Your camera sensor is smaller than mine, so you should be good!

Jerry Gerber

Topic starter

Frequent contributor

Mar 28, 2025

Thank you for posting those pictures.

I wonder why Ron at Moonlight says I should get the 3.5?
I'd rather spend less & keep weight down as long as framing doesn't suffer.

Brian Sweeney

Mar 28, 2025

I am not sure on that. I can only speak from my personal experience.

Jerry Gerber

Topic starter

Frequent contributor

Mar 28, 2025

Strange, Ron says that the 3.0 'might' clip the bottom edge of the light cone.
I'm not eeven sure what the 3.0 or 3.5 refers to. Is it the size of the opening?

Thanks
Jerry

Brian Sweeney

Mar 28, 2025

Yes. The 3.0 has a 3 inch hole. The 3.5 has a 3.5 inch hole

Jerry Gerber

Topic starter

Frequent contributor

Mar 29, 2025

Thanks again Brian for sharing your experience with me.

Well Written Respectful Supportive

Carlos Tejeda

Mar 29, 2025

Always had the curiosity of knowing if the Moonlite focuser is well center when rotates.

Dark Matters Astrophotography

Mar 29, 2025

Carlos Tejeda:
Always had the curiosity of knowing if the Moonlite focuser is well center when rotates.

It most definitely keeps the field properly centered. It’s a very well built unit. Probably over engineered but that’s a good thing in cases like this.