Hi Bogdan, thank you for the informative video. I own an GSO 8 inch deluxe newtonian and it comes with the same Craiford focusser you discussed. It is stable and strong and the 1:10 gear is perfect for focusing on small details on the moon, planets etc. It is all metal so there is no chance of plastic parts breaking off in the low night temperatures. I have been observing at -15C without problems. It is still usable while wearing thick ski gloves.
I always enjoy your videos Bogdan, and the way you communicate detail. It helps me think through the subject and fills in a lot of the gaps. By chance you seem to choose subject matter which is appropriate to me at exactly the right time 😃….. last time it was diagonals, and this time just as I’m ordering a vixen fine focuser upgrade. I can’t believe they don’t add a quality dual focuser, as even a novice like me finds it lacking in the standard form…… but maybe that’s “how they get you”, and a deliberate strategy 😃 ……almost €200 to buy an upgrade …..grrrrrrr
@Alan price Thank you for the positive feedback! I'm glad that the topics of my videos are relevant to you. I try my best 😃 As for the focuser, it can very well be that this is their product strategy. I've seen other companies do similar stuff and it's not very consumer friendly. But I hope you will enjoy the upgrade nonetheless.
Hello Mr. Bogdan! There's usually a screw for tension adjusting on the reciever part of Crayford-style focusers (along with the locker screw) to prevent moving out of position under heavier eyepieces. This Omegon branded can be a real premium one if it doesn't even need that tension adjusting for dealing with massive eyepieces. The difference between a dual- and a single-speed crayford is at least 2 stellar magnitude (in my experience at least). Everyone who haven't got one already, should upgrade to a dual speed first and get that fancy UWAN later, IMHO. Would you please make a video of that beautiful orrery-planetary in the background?
@蛙先生 Thanks for your input! The tension screw definitely helps, but it still does rely only on pressure to keep the drawtube in place. I believe, that above a threshold (>2Kg and extreme conditions) the drawtube might start to creep in. But, in 99.9% of the cases is should be steady as a rock. Regarding the solar system orrery, i'll take that into consideration 🙂
@@BogdanDamian In most cases it remains a theoretical problem, even the TV Ethos-es together with a barlow doesn't weight 2 kgs. I've only found 3" eyepieces to be over 2 kgs. I hope other people are also interested in that orrery.
Hello, great video. You say you ordered it from Omegon with the 12-inch telescope, is it different from the focuser that comes with the ProDob from Omegon? I am just curious. thanks!
@Yasser Afifi If I remember correctly, then all telescopes in the ProDob series are fitted by default with this focuser. All the other series from Omegon feature the simpler focuser without the 10:1 reducer.
Hello, Mr. Bogdan! Thank you for all your videos and this one came in very handy. I own a Dobson 12" SkyWatcher Classic and since it only has a single speed focuser , I decided to upgrade it with a Lacerta Micro reduction ratio focuser. Do you have any experience or opinion with that product? Thank you.
@Kamil Moučka Hi! I haven't had the chance to test the Lacerta micro reduction ratio focuser upgrade kit, but from what I heard it should be a good upgrade. Easy to install, good quality and the added benefit over the simple Skywatcher focuser is substantial. It will definitely improve your viewing experience.
10:05 Can you tell me which optical tube adapter you used? Is it the Omegon Adapter for attaching a 2'' Crayford focuser to a Skywatcher OTA on Amazon? If so, do you think it can fit on a Celestron advanced vx 8" newtonian? I'm looking forward to replacing the focuser. Thank you!
@Me I didn't need to change the optical tube adapter in order to accommodate the 2" focuser. I just used the one that the telescope came with. I believe that it is this one: www.astroshop.de/adapter/ts-optics-basis-fuer-newton-okularauszuege-fuer-tuben-ab-d-285mm/p,61434 Either way the distance between the screws on any side is 86mm. It's also made for optical tubes with a diameter larger than 285mm. Hope this helps.
Hello Bogdan, I have a 12" skywatcher Dob with a single-speed Crayford focuser. Can I replace it with this Omegon focuser but still use the base for my old one? I don't want to have to do any major customizing. Thank you, Jesse
@jessehardy2427 Hi Jesse! I believe you would need the following two items to be able to use the focuser: OTA adapter: www.astroshop.eu/adaptors/omegon-adapter-for-attaching-a-2-crayford-focuser-to-a-skywatcher-ota/p,33360 and reducer: www.astroshop.eu/adaptors/omegon-v-power-adapter-80-to-78mm/p,51120 Hope this helps.
@cbadcruiser The optical tube adapter came with my 12" ProDob telescope. I didn't purchased it separately. But astroshop sells two items that allows for attaching this focuser to the telescope: Item No. 33360 and 51120 (simply search for them on their website). Here is the link to the focuser: www.astroshop.eu/focusers/omegon-2-newtonian-crayford-focuser-dual-speed-1-10/p,59463
Great video as always! Thanks for taking your time to put this together. I have a skywatcher 200p Dob. I’ve been looking into upgrading towards the dual speed focuser. I’ve found the low profile skywatcher brand from flo. I’ve also seen the kits that just change out the one side of focuser to add smaller wheel adding the 10:1 ratio. Are these kits worth it? Keep up the great work! Thanks
@Paul Kapp Thank you! Dual speed upgrade kits can be a good choice, but decent ones tend to be a bit expensive so you might be better off getting a new focuser all together. If you can get a good deal on a new focuser I would say that's the better alternative. Hope this helps.
Thanks Bogdan for this new informative video! One question, I have a rack and pinion focuser on my 90 mm Meade refractor telescope 🔭 and is not very precise . Do you have any suggestions to upgrade it ? Thank you 🙏🏻 again !
@Fabian Curto Hi Fabian, thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. As for a replacement focuser for your telescope, its a bit difficult to say because I don't know the way the current focuser attaches to the optical tube. Here are some suggestions though: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/Focusers/ci/3424?filters=fct_for-use-with_3977%3Arefractor The focusers from Explore Scientific are usually pretty good. You just have to check how exactly it needs to attach to the optical tube. This one also is pretty decent, but I'm not sure it will fit the 90mm Meade tube: www.apm-telescopes.net/en/dual-speed-2-crayford-focuser-for-sky-watcher-refractors
So I'm guessing I will be upgrading my focuser right away ? I'm still trying to figure out if I'm getting an 8 or 10 inch reflector. Ill need a reducer to i think.
@kevingumfory You don't need to upgrade the focuser from the start, but it's something to keep in mind for later especially if you like observing planets at very high magnifications. In this case a focuser with a reducer makes a lot of sense.
@jbreezy3146 That I don't know as I'm not familiar with the cutout dimensions on a 14" Skywatcher Dob. You might need some extra adapters to make the focuser fit properly. For the 12" ProDob I need the following adapter to make it work: www.astroshop.eu/adaptors/omegon-adapter-for-attaching-a-2-crayford-focuser-to-a-skywatcher-ota/p,33360 www.astroshop.eu/adaptors/omegon-v-power-adapter-80-to-78mm/p,51120
@wayneteachey2714 TS Optics has an adapter with different sizes for different tube diameters. I have this one: tinyurl.com/j6rsd8xh There are two others for smaller optical tubes.
@rvbgym0369 Hi! No, a focuser allows for the length of the light path to be increased or decreased by a few centimeters. This allows the image to get focused right inside your eye. A diagonal on the other hand is used to make viewing through the telescope more convenient by "bending" the light at a certain angle. Typically its 45° or 90°.
@@BogdanDamianHi and wonderful day to you, ok thank you so much for the descriptive answer I bought a 90° televue star diagonal I went with televue as I've heard you recommend it as a option for those who can afford as it is a premium option that would be hard to beat by any other again thank you and beautiful day
Hi Bogdan, thank you for the informative video. I own an GSO 8 inch deluxe newtonian and it comes with the same Craiford focusser you discussed. It is stable and strong and the 1:10 gear is perfect for focusing on small details on the moon, planets etc. It is all metal so there is no chance of plastic parts breaking off in the low night temperatures. I have been observing at -15C without problems. It is still usable while wearing thick ski gloves.
@Marc Steigenga Thanks for your feedback! I'm glad you are enjoying your telescope. It's a great one. Clear skies!
congrats on your new 12"!!! clear skies!
I always enjoy your videos Bogdan, and the way you communicate detail. It helps me think through the subject and fills in a lot of the gaps.
By chance you seem to choose subject matter which is appropriate to me at exactly the right time 😃….. last time it was diagonals, and this time just as I’m ordering a vixen fine focuser upgrade. I can’t believe they don’t add a quality dual focuser, as even a novice like me finds it lacking in the standard form…… but maybe that’s “how they get you”, and a deliberate strategy 😃 ……almost €200 to buy an upgrade …..grrrrrrr
@Alan price Thank you for the positive feedback! I'm glad that the topics of my videos are relevant to you. I try my best 😃
As for the focuser, it can very well be that this is their product strategy. I've seen other companies do similar stuff and it's not very consumer friendly. But I hope you will enjoy the upgrade nonetheless.
Hello Mr. Bogdan! There's usually a screw for tension adjusting on the reciever part of Crayford-style focusers (along with the locker screw) to prevent moving out of position under heavier eyepieces. This Omegon branded can be a real premium one if it doesn't even need that tension adjusting for dealing with massive eyepieces.
The difference between a dual- and a single-speed crayford is at least 2 stellar magnitude (in my experience at least). Everyone who haven't got one already, should upgrade to a dual speed first and get that fancy UWAN later, IMHO.
Would you please make a video of that beautiful orrery-planetary in the background?
@蛙先生 Thanks for your input! The tension screw definitely helps, but it still does rely only on pressure to keep the drawtube in place. I believe, that above a threshold (>2Kg and extreme conditions) the drawtube might start to creep in. But, in 99.9% of the cases is should be steady as a rock.
Regarding the solar system orrery, i'll take that into consideration 🙂
@@BogdanDamian In most cases it remains a theoretical problem, even the TV Ethos-es together with a barlow doesn't weight 2 kgs. I've only found 3" eyepieces to be over 2 kgs.
I hope other people are also interested in that orrery.
Hello, great video. You say you ordered it from Omegon with the 12-inch telescope, is it different from the focuser that comes with the ProDob from Omegon? I am just curious. thanks!
@Yasser Afifi If I remember correctly, then all telescopes in the ProDob series are fitted by default with this focuser. All the other series from Omegon feature the simpler focuser without the 10:1 reducer.
Hello, Mr. Bogdan!
Thank you for all your videos and this one came in very handy. I own a Dobson 12" SkyWatcher Classic and since it only has a single speed focuser , I decided to upgrade it with a Lacerta Micro reduction ratio focuser. Do you have any experience or opinion with that product? Thank you.
@Kamil Moučka Hi! I haven't had the chance to test the Lacerta micro reduction ratio focuser upgrade kit, but from what I heard it should be a good upgrade. Easy to install, good quality and the added benefit over the simple Skywatcher focuser is substantial. It will definitely improve your viewing experience.
@@BogdanDamian Thanks.😀
10:05 Can you tell me which optical tube adapter you used? Is it the Omegon Adapter for attaching a 2'' Crayford focuser to a Skywatcher OTA on Amazon? If so, do you think it can fit on a Celestron advanced vx 8" newtonian? I'm looking forward to replacing the focuser. Thank you!
@Me I didn't need to change the optical tube adapter in order to accommodate the 2" focuser. I just used the one that the telescope came with. I believe that it is this one: www.astroshop.de/adapter/ts-optics-basis-fuer-newton-okularauszuege-fuer-tuben-ab-d-285mm/p,61434
Either way the distance between the screws on any side is 86mm. It's also made for optical tubes with a diameter larger than 285mm. Hope this helps.
Hello Bogdan, I have a 12" skywatcher Dob with a single-speed Crayford focuser. Can I replace it with this Omegon focuser but still use the base for my old one? I don't want to have to do any major customizing.
Thank you, Jesse
@jessehardy2427 Hi Jesse! I believe you would need the following two items to be able to use the focuser:
OTA adapter: www.astroshop.eu/adaptors/omegon-adapter-for-attaching-a-2-crayford-focuser-to-a-skywatcher-ota/p,33360 and
reducer: www.astroshop.eu/adaptors/omegon-v-power-adapter-80-to-78mm/p,51120
Hope this helps.
My 2" R&P focuser with slanted teeth has a 90mm movement. It is on a refractor though.😁
Where did you get the adapter for the focuser? I can't find them anywhere
@cbadcruiser The optical tube adapter came with my 12" ProDob telescope. I didn't purchased it separately. But astroshop sells two items that allows for attaching this focuser to the telescope: Item No. 33360 and 51120 (simply search for them on their website). Here is the link to the focuser: www.astroshop.eu/focusers/omegon-2-newtonian-crayford-focuser-dual-speed-1-10/p,59463
Great video as always! Thanks for taking your time to put this together. I have a skywatcher 200p Dob. I’ve been looking into upgrading towards the dual speed focuser. I’ve found the low profile skywatcher brand from flo. I’ve also seen the kits that just change out the one side of focuser to add smaller wheel adding the 10:1 ratio. Are these kits worth it? Keep up the great work! Thanks
@Paul Kapp Thank you! Dual speed upgrade kits can be a good choice, but decent ones tend to be a bit expensive so you might be better off getting a new focuser all together. If you can get a good deal on a new focuser I would say that's the better alternative. Hope this helps.
Thanks Bogdan for this new informative video!
One question, I have a rack and pinion focuser on my 90 mm Meade refractor telescope 🔭 and is not very precise .
Do you have any suggestions to upgrade it ?
Thank you 🙏🏻 again !
@Fabian Curto Hi Fabian, thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. As for a replacement focuser for your telescope, its a bit difficult to say because I don't know the way the current focuser attaches to the optical tube. Here are some suggestions though: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/Focusers/ci/3424?filters=fct_for-use-with_3977%3Arefractor
The focusers from Explore Scientific are usually pretty good. You just have to check how exactly it needs to attach to the optical tube.
This one also is pretty decent, but I'm not sure it will fit the 90mm Meade tube:
www.apm-telescopes.net/en/dual-speed-2-crayford-focuser-for-sky-watcher-refractors
So I'm guessing I will be upgrading my focuser right away ? I'm still trying to figure out if I'm getting an 8 or 10 inch reflector. Ill need a reducer to i think.
@kevingumfory You don't need to upgrade the focuser from the start, but it's something to keep in mind for later especially if you like observing planets at very high magnifications. In this case a focuser with a reducer makes a lot of sense.
Do you know if this will be a direct fit to my 14 in skywatcher dob?
@jbreezy3146 That I don't know as I'm not familiar with the cutout dimensions on a 14" Skywatcher Dob. You might need some extra adapters to make the focuser fit properly. For the 12" ProDob I need the following adapter to make it work:
www.astroshop.eu/adaptors/omegon-adapter-for-attaching-a-2-crayford-focuser-to-a-skywatcher-ota/p,33360
www.astroshop.eu/adaptors/omegon-v-power-adapter-80-to-78mm/p,51120
Where can one purchase an optical tube adapter for the Omegon focuser?
@wayneteachey2714 Do you mean the 1.25" to 2" adapter or the 2" adapter that screws onto the draw tube of the focuser?
@@BogdanDamian The plate that screws onto the telescope tube so that the focuser can be mounted.
@wayneteachey2714 TS Optics has an adapter with different sizes for different tube diameters. I have this one: tinyurl.com/j6rsd8xh
There are two others for smaller optical tubes.
Thank you!
Hey Bogdan is a focuser also a diagonal?
@rvbgym0369 Hi! No, a focuser allows for the length of the light path to be increased or decreased by a few centimeters. This allows the image to get focused right inside your eye.
A diagonal on the other hand is used to make viewing through the telescope more convenient by "bending" the light at a certain angle. Typically its 45° or 90°.
@@BogdanDamianHi and wonderful day to you, ok thank you so much for the descriptive answer I bought a 90° televue star diagonal I went with televue as I've heard you recommend it as a option for those who can afford as it is a premium option that would be hard to beat by any other again thank you and beautiful day
Baader Morpheus review please
This is helping me in a significant way! fist bump*
His videos have helped me tremendously as I'm getting back into the hobby after 25 years. He reviews the good stuff too which is great.