Hello all,
Just bought my first scope - RedCat 51 Gen III. Unfortunately right out of the box, the focuser hits a hard stop right before the 10mm mark. I’ve read and understand that the advertised 30mm of travel is really only either 23mm or even 26mm, but I cannot get past 10mm. Again, this is brand new and out of the box. Wondering if anyone else has had this? I cannot seem to find anyone that references this same issue online.
Cheers,
Sam
I think I would contact the vender ASAP.
One thing I learned the hard way was do not wait.
Worst case scenario, they might put you off to the manufacturer for warranty service. Which isn’t a bad thing, if it goes in for warranty service it usually gets a really good going over.
My first telescope developed a cracked guide wheel in the focuser, which scratched the draw tube horrendously. Orion replaced the focuser under warranty. Which is most of the telescope. I knew what was wrong before contacting them. But never let on I had disassembled it.
My currant telescope has a Rack & Pinion focuser. It was a pre-requisite for me. I don’t ever want another Crayford focuser. They might be fine for visual where you are fingering them, but I want the absoluteness of an R&P with my electronic focuser.
SonnyE · Jan 20, 2026, 04:13 AM
I think I would contact the vender ASAP.
One thing I learned the hard way was do not wait.
Worst case scenario, they might put you off to the manufacturer for warranty service. Which isn’t a bad thing, if it goes in for warranty service it usually gets a really good going over.
My first telescope developed a cracked guide wheel in the focuser, which scratched the draw tube horrendously. Orion replaced the focuser under warranty. Which is most of the telescope. I knew what was wrong before contacting them. But never let on I had disassembled it.
My currant telescope has a Rack & Pinion focuser. It was a pre-requisite for me. I don’t ever want another Crayford focuser. They might be fine for visual where you are fingering them, but I want the absoluteness of an R&P with my electronic focuser.
I’m already on it at this point. Thank you for the feedback SonnyE. I was really looking forward to breaking this thing in but all good things come in time. Be well,
Sam
Sam McLeod · Jan 20, 2026, 07:08 AM
SonnyE · Jan 20, 2026, 04:13 AM
I think I would contact the vender ASAP.
One thing I learned the hard way was do not wait.
Worst case scenario, they might put you off to the manufacturer for warranty service. Which isn’t a bad thing, if it goes in for warranty service it usually gets a really good going over.
My first telescope developed a cracked guide wheel in the focuser, which scratched the draw tube horrendously. Orion replaced the focuser under warranty. Which is most of the telescope. I knew what was wrong before contacting them. But never let on I had disassembled it.
My currant telescope has a Rack & Pinion focuser. It was a pre-requisite for me. I don’t ever want another Crayford focuser. They might be fine for visual where you are fingering them, but I want the absoluteness of an R&P with my electronic focuser.
I’m already on it at this point. Thank you for the feedback SonnyE. I was really looking forward to breaking this thing in but all good things come in time. Be well,
Sam
Sorry to hear you are experiencing troubles, Sam. Hope it works out soon, with a permanent fix. My 80mm did. Just a manufacturing defect.
Figured I’d close this discussion out by giving an update:
I reached out to Williams and was instructed to go through my retailer for an exchange. High Point Scientific, my retailer, confirmed the issue was due to an assembly error and promptly exchanged my scope at no additional cost to me. Just got the new one in and shot M42 as my first capture. It is fantastic! Cheers
So glad to hear it, Sam!
But…. there’s always a but. No pictures = didn’t happen.
🤣 Just teasing.
Really glad of your fully positive outcome. Hopefully Williams will evaluate it to see where the failure occurred.
Don’t forget to post your pictures so inquiring minds can see. 🤪
SonnyE · Feb 8, 2026, 08:54 PM
So glad to hear it, Sam!
But…. there’s always a but. No pictures = didn’t happen.
🤣 Just teasing.
Really glad of your fully positive outcome. Hopefully Williams will evaluate it to see where the failure occurred.
Don’t forget to post your pictures so inquiring minds can see. 🤪
Ha! Good point. I’ve nearly finished my post processing but need to dive deep and see what other features I can teach myself on Photoshop before I post.
You’ll see it soon!