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New Telescope of Focuser?

Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equipment Focuser
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Craig Holbrook avatar
Craig Holbrook avatar
UPDATE:
I do have the EAF on this set up to let those know. I forgot to list that. I was more worried about the tube angle since it was sagging in the scope.
I also have since posting this in the forum have purchased a new telescope:
Askar 65PHQ


I will start out with why I am asking this question. I have currently upgraded my imaging system to the QHY 533M camera, QHY Filer wheel and QHY OAG. I did so for 2 reasons. I wanted to dive into the world of Mono imaging and number 2, get rid of the dreaded AMP GLOW from my old ZWO 183MC (uncooled).  
I used the 183MC with a ZWO filter on my old scope with what appeared to be little issue as far as weight went. With my new imaging system is quite apparent that there is a large issue. 
I currently us Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED with the .85 reducer. Let's face it, the focuser on this thing is weak at best. Scope is a doublet but with reducer/flattener it really hasn't performed too  bad. Stepping into mono I think I want to get something that is still wide field, maybe doesn't need to have a flattener and produces good color so I don't get halos. 
I currently us a EQ6R-Pro mount that is mounted on a cement pier in my backyard inside a small shed(observatory). 

Question here is:
1.) Do I just upgrade the focuser on my 72ED? approx. $500
or
2.) Purchase a Quad or Petzval?

Key is I want something with a good focuser that I can attatch my EAF to also. That's gonna last for wide field.

Thanks in advance,

Craig
Ethan Sweet avatar
Ethan Sweet avatar
IMO putting a $500 focuser on a $380 telescope just seems like putting lipstick on a pig. Your first two images are excellent with it however!

Personally, I'd sell the doublet and take those proceeds along with the $500 you planned on spending on the focuser and put it towards the Askar 65PHQ or ZWO 65FF ($899). Same focal length you have now but a Petzval design.

I just shoot with a Canon lens and DLSR at the moment so take what I say with a grain of salt.

I can't find any complaints on this scope however, and it is going to be my next purchase. Just my 2cents.  

CS!
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Oscar avatar
Oscar avatar
Yeah, 65PHQ is good, it's super sharp, and well performing for the price; the stock focuser on the 65phq is already very sturdy - it doesn't tilt even with my heavy image train (2600mm-p, 2x7 EFW, 7 filters, OAG)

only con is it's F/6.4, which is on the slower side IMO (not really slow, but if you plan on making discoveries and stuff, or going for the faintest of PNs, good luck)
Tony Gondola avatar
Tony Gondola avatar
I don't know, it's sooooo easy to spend money in this hobby to fix problems. If you're happy with the imaging performance I would first, see if there any way to can improve the performance of the stock focuser. I've had an evolux 62 and the focuser wasn't that bad. After that, and I haven't researched this but perhaps you can find a cheaper replacement focuser that will work for you? Also, is there any way you can lighten the weight of the imaging train? What kind of performance do you get without the reducer-flattener in this BX world?
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TiffsAndAstro avatar
TiffsAndAstro avatar
Craig Holbrook:
I will start out with why I am asking this question. I have currently upgraded my imaging system to the QHY 533M camera, QHY Filer wheel and QHY OAG. I did so for 2 reasons. I wanted to dive into the world of Mono imaging and number 2, get rid of the dreaded AMP GLOW from my old ZWO 183MC (uncooled).  
I used the 183MC with a ZWO filter on my old scope with what appeared to be little issue as far as weight went. With my new imaging system is quite apparent that there is a large issue. 
I currently us Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED with the .85 reducer. Let's face it, the focuser on this thing is weak at best. Scope is a doublet but with reducer/flattener it really hasn't performed too  bad. Stepping into mono I think I want to get something that is still wide field, maybe doesn't need to have a flattener and produces good color so I don't get halos. 
I currently us a EQ6R-Pro mount that is mounted on a cement pier in my backyard inside a small shed(observatory). 

Question here is:
1.) Do I just upgrade the focuser on my 72ED? approx. $500
or
2.) Purchase a Quad or Petzval?

Key is I want something with a good focuser that I can attatch my EAF to also. That's gonna last for wide field.

Thanks in advance,

Craig


I too have 72ed with the flattener. I think it's slightly non standard so not really a way to replace the focuser?

It might be possible to tweak the screws on the focuser to improve it.

Mine seems fine with my own 533colour camera, but previously using a canon 600d there was some tilt or slop. Probably both ;)

I would look into tweaking those control screws it might be possible to make it good enough for a small sensor.
Dean Ostergaard avatar
Dean Ostergaard avatar
I considered replacing the focuser on my Explore Scientific AR102 but in the end came to the same conclusion as @Ethan Sweet above except for the scope choice.

I ended up buying the Founder Optics Draco 62 Quintuplet for wide field astrophotography and don't regret it.

It comes with a 0.83x reducer that installs right into the focuser draw tube without increasing the overall OTA tube length.

300mm, f/4.8 native
249mm, f/3.9 with 0.83x reducer

When you add in the cost of a reducer to the Askar 65PHQ or ZWO 65FF you're in the same ballpark price-wise.

At the moment it seems I am only one of two users of this scope on AstroBin but I love using it. I really don't understand why it isn't more popular.
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NeilM avatar
NeilM avatar
Have you considered adding an autofocuser?  The gearing should hold the focus setting in place unless it’s very heavy.  Then you can set the focus step to be small to give you accurate focusing adjustments. The good news is that if you later upgrade your scope you can take the autofocuser to that scope - so no loss of money!
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Médéric Hébert avatar
Médéric Hébert avatar
+1 for adding an autofocuser, You can't move the focuser by hand (or gravity) with it installed
Deepan Vishal avatar
Deepan Vishal avatar
Hi,

Your images are looking nice. Third party focusers are nice. But I’d not take the trouble to find one for this scope. 

I see you did your research on Quads and Petzvals. 

One widefield scope I like is Sharpstar 61 edphii. It is a triplet and has a good focuser. It is not perfect, but good enough. I got it cheap in used market. If you’re willing to look at the used items in the marketplace / cloudynights and astromart, you might find good items which will cost you just as much as the focuser.
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