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Digital focuser for Epsilons

Focuser
Takahashi Epsilons •5 replies•120 views
Giovanni Paglioli avatar
Giovanni Paglioli avatar
Hi there!
I'm a proud owner of an old Epsilon 210 f3. I've recently discovered that a peculiar digital focuser has been developed for the 180 and I'm wandering if it is possible tu use it also on the 210. Someone has infos about? Other possible choices like the FLI Atlas or similar ones? Did someone has experience on adapting digital focusers on the 210 or bigger brothers?

Thanks!
Götz Golla avatar
Götz Golla avatar
Hi Giovanni,

I presume with digital focusers you mean focusers with build-in motor and corresponding software ? So not a focuser with attached digitally steered third-party motor ?  I have no experience with focusers with build-in motor since they are fairly expensive and do not integrate at all with the ASIAIR. But I know others who use them and are happy. They hopefully will speak for themselves here.

Götz
Dave & Telescope avatar
Dave & Telescope avatar
HI Giovanni,
I am currently using an Optec TCF Leo low profile focuser for my 180. Very happy with it. Info is here:  https://optecinc.us/products/19740
While the 210 is not listed in the "Tak Epsilon Kits" I bet they could come up with an adaptor solution for it. Their engineering is first rate. 
Regards
Dave
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Giovanni Paglioli avatar
Giovanni Paglioli avatar
Hi Gotz and yes, I'm talking about low profile focusers with internal motors. A retrofit external motor Is not a choice for the 210 since it has a very peculiar focuser which is helical with an included rotator. 
Giovanni Paglioli avatar
Giovanni Paglioli avatar
Hi Dave
I should contact optec mabye but, as You can see in the above image, the 210 Is very different from the smaller brothers in terms of mechanics. It Is quite old and the whole focusing system and holder should be changed in order to work properly. The Rohss corrector must be placed inside the new focuser to work. Seems to be possible but I suspect very high prices for the development… I will try anyway ti contact them. The other solution Is ti develop myseof a project to accomplish this task…
Dave & Telescope avatar
Dave & Telescope avatar
Hi Giovanni,
Yes that is quite different! The corrector on mine does thread into the Optec. They have an adaptor for it. You could tell them the dimensions and thread of 210 and  see what they say. The other contact you could try is Tak America here in the US. They are Tak experts and might have suggestions for other focuser set ups.
https://www.takahashiamerica.com/service/
Hope this helps to get things going!

Dave
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