Focuser upgrade for the SkyWatcher SkyLux 190MN

Feb 7, 2023

I just bought the ZWO EAF with the temp sensor and hand control for it. Works great for me.

Topic starter

IOTD Staff

Feb 7, 2023

Thank you for the reply. You are using the EAF on a SkyLux 190MN?

Clear skies,
Kevin

Well Written

Feb 7, 2023

Kevin Dixon:
Hi folks,

I just purchased a SkyWatcher SkyLux 190 Maksutov Newtonian and would like to upgrade the focuser. I would like to receive suggestions on a solid focuser that would work well with this telescope. If you own this telescope and have upgraded the focuser, I would very much like to hear about your choice of focuser and your experience with it. Thank you!

Clear skies,
Kevin

* I have the 190MN with its stock focuser, but have ordered a FeatherTouch to replace it. I ordered the FT in August, but lead time is veeeery long. FeatherTouch/StarlightIbstruments has an adapter ring so that the focuser fits to the base plate. The position of the focuser under the secondary is very critical, and you don't want to mess with it too much.
MoonLite also supplies a focuser that matches the 190MN. What electronic focus motor you use with it is less relevant. Mine is a Pegasus Astro FocusCube.

https://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=140193

cs,

Wim

Helpful

Topic starter

IOTD Staff

Feb 7, 2023

Thank you very much for the helpful information.

Clear skies,
Kevin

Well Written Respectful

Feb 7, 2023

Kevin Dixon:
Thank you for the reply. You are using the EAF on a SkyLux 190MN?

Clear skies,
Kevin

Yes, that's correct. It fits quite nicely with the stock focuser.

Well Written Respectful

Topic starter

IOTD Staff

Feb 7, 2023

Excellent. Would you happen to have a picture of the mounted EAF that I could look over? Thank you!

Clear skies,
Kevin

Well Written Respectful

Feb 7, 2023

Kevin Dixon:
Excellent. Would you happen to have a picture of the mounted EAF that I could look over? Thank you!

Clear skies,
Kevin

Sorry for the low resolution. The only picture I had was one of the whole scope so I cropped and circled how it looks.

Topic starter

IOTD Staff

Feb 7, 2023

Thank you so much. Greatly appreciated!

Clear skies,
Kevin

Well Written Respectful Supportive

Topic starter

IOTD Staff

Feb 7, 2023

Good evening - one more question - were you able to attach the EAF with the hardware supplied by ZWO or did you have to use different hardware.

Thank you.

Kevin

Feb 8, 2023

Kevin Dixon:
Good evening - one more question - were you able to attach the EAF with the hardware supplied by ZWO or did you have to use different hardware.

Thank you.

Kevin

I was able to install it using the included hardware.

Topic starter

IOTD Staff

Feb 8, 2023

Excellent. Thanks very much!

Clear skies,
Kevin

Oct 24, 2023

Wim van Berlo:
Kevin Dixon:
Hi folks,

I just purchased a SkyWatcher SkyLux 190 Maksutov Newtonian and would like to upgrade the focuser. I would like to receive suggestions on a solid focuser that would work well with this telescope. If you own this telescope and have upgraded the focuser, I would very much like to hear about your choice of focuser and your experience with it. Thank you!

Clear skies,
Kevin

* I have the 190MN with its stock focuser, but have ordered a FeatherTouch to replace it. I ordered the FT in August, but lead time is veeeery long. FeatherTouch/StarlightIbstruments has an adapter ring so that the focuser fits to the base plate. The position of the focuser under the secondary is very critical, and you don't want to mess with it too much.
MoonLite also supplies a focuser that matches the 190MN. What electronic focus motor you use with it is less relevant. Mine is a Pegasus Astro FocusCube.

https://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=140193

cs,

Wim

Hi, could you please let me know which FeatherTouch model as well the adapter you ended up with?

Well Written Respectful

Topic starter

IOTD Staff

Oct 24, 2023

Hello Pavle,

I ended up purchasing a Moonlite focuser for my StarLux 190MN. I chose the CR 2" format high-res stepper motor Newt focuser with the battery-operated hand controller. I selected the 2.37" compression ring and the MN-190 Unit-Kit

I am very pleased with the Moonlite focuser. It helps to yield pinpoint stars with the 190MN and easily handles the weight of my Starlight Xpress camera and filter wheel.

Clear skies,
Kevin

Well Written Helpful Concise

Oct 24, 2023

Pavle Culum:
Wim van Berlo:
Kevin Dixon:
Hi folks,

I just purchased a SkyWatcher SkyLux 190 Maksutov Newtonian and would like to upgrade the focuser. I would like to receive suggestions on a solid focuser that would work well with this telescope. If you own this telescope and have upgraded the focuser, I would very much like to hear about your choice of focuser and your experience with it. Thank you!

Clear skies,
Kevin

* I have the 190MN with its stock focuser, but have ordered a FeatherTouch to replace it. I ordered the FT in August, but lead time is veeeery long. FeatherTouch/StarlightIbstruments has an adapter ring so that the focuser fits to the base plate. The position of the focuser under the secondary is very critical, and you don't want to mess with it too much.
MoonLite also supplies a focuser that matches the 190MN. What electronic focus motor you use with it is less relevant. Mine is a Pegasus Astro FocusCube.

https://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=140193

cs,

Wim

Hi, could you please let me know which FeatherTouch model as well the adapter you ended up with?

I never bought a FeatherTouch. The one that I had ordered through Astroshop.eu was the FTF2015BCR with this Adapter at a total price of about $ 800
However, after a year, Astroshop still couldn't set a delivery date. In stead, I bought the much cheaper Omegon Steeltrail for only $ 306. Both focusers have the 78 mm base diameter, identical to the stock focuser (low profile Crayford focuser).

Helpful

Oct 25, 2023

Wim van Berlo:
Pavle Culum:
Wim van Berlo:
Kevin Dixon:
Hi folks,

I just purchased a SkyWatcher SkyLux 190 Maksutov Newtonian and would like to upgrade the focuser. I would like to receive suggestions on a solid focuser that would work well with this telescope. If you own this telescope and have upgraded the focuser, I would very much like to hear about your choice of focuser and your experience with it. Thank you!

Clear skies,
Kevin

* I have the 190MN with its stock focuser, but have ordered a FeatherTouch to replace it. I ordered the FT in August, but lead time is veeeery long. FeatherTouch/StarlightIbstruments has an adapter ring so that the focuser fits to the base plate. The position of the focuser under the secondary is very critical, and you don't want to mess with it too much.
MoonLite also supplies a focuser that matches the 190MN. What electronic focus motor you use with it is less relevant. Mine is a Pegasus Astro FocusCube.

https://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=140193

cs,

Wim

Hi, could you please let me know which FeatherTouch model as well the adapter you ended up with?

I never bought a FeatherTouch. The one that I had ordered through Astroshop.eu was the FTF2015BCR with this Adapter at a total price of about $ 800
However, after a year, Astroshop still couldn't set a delivery date. In stead, I bought the much cheaper Omegon Steeltrail for only $ 306. Both focusers have the 78 mm base diameter, identical to the stock focuser (low profile Crayford focuser).

Thanks so much for the info, i will definitely check them out. Did you require an adapter for the Omegon focuser?

Oct 25, 2023

Kevin Dixon:
Hello Pavle,

I ended up purchasing a Moonlite focuser for my StarLux 190MN. I chose the CR 2" format high-res stepper motor Newt focuser with the battery-operated hand controller. I selected the 2.37" compression ring and the MN-190 Unit-Kit

I am very pleased with the Moonlite focuser. It helps to yield pinpoint stars with the 190MN and easily handles the weight of my Starlight Xpress camera and filter wheel.

Clear skies,
Kevin

Great to hear, Kevin. I hope you're enjoying the new focuser!

Well Written Respectful

Oct 25, 2023

Pavle Culum:
Thanks so much for the info, i will definitely check them out. Did you require an adapter for the Omegon focuser?

No, the base of both focusers have the same dimensions; 78 mm diameter. But I did need a 1mm shim to lift the focuser ever so slightly. The focuser has such a low profile that the coarse focus knobs are lower than the focuser body. Normally that is no problem, but with a Pegasus Astro Focuscube attached, the focuser needs a specific orientation, and the knobs will just touch the OTA. A 1 mm shim between the base plate and the focuser's body cleared it just enough.

Well Written Helpful Insightful Concise

Oct 25, 2023

Wim van Berlo:
Pavle Culum:
Thanks so much for the info, i will definitely check them out. Did you require an adapter for the Omegon focuser?

No, the base of both focusers have the same dimensions; 78 mm diameter. But I did need a 1mm shim to lift the focuser ever so slightly. The focuser has such a low profile that the coarse focus knobs are lower than the focuser body. Normally that is no problem, but with a Pegasus Astro Focuscube attached, the focuser needs a specific orientation, and the knobs will just touch the OTA. A 1 mm shim between the base plate and the focuser's body cleared it just enough.

Thank you for the confirmation!

Nov 13, 2023 · Edited: Nov 14, 2023

Wim van Berlo:
Pavle Culum:
Thanks so much for the info, i will definitely check them out. Did you require an adapter for the Omegon focuser?

No, the base of both focusers have the same dimensions; 78 mm diameter. But I did need a 1mm shim to lift the focuser ever so slightly. The focuser has such a low profile that the coarse focus knobs are lower than the focuser body. Normally that is no problem, but with a Pegasus Astro Focuscube attached, the focuser needs a specific orientation, and the knobs will just touch the OTA. A 1 mm shim between the base plate and the focuser's body cleared it just enough.

I finally got a chance to mount the focuser to the scope. Would you happen to have an electronic focuser motor, and if so - where on the focuser did you mount it? I'm having trouble finding the right mounting holes for it.

Edit: disregard please, i managed to get it mounted via one of the tensioner grub screws. Fits like a glove now.