The Astro-Physics 130 Starfire GTX refractor ushers in a new era focuser…the 3.5” Astro-Physics focuser with a greaseless drawtube and the dual-speed mechanism of the Feather Touch 9:1 Micro.
The focuser has been designed to meet and exceed the high-precision requirements of modern imaging. Today’s smaller pixel cameras can magnify any focuser flexure problems, so we have engineered this focuser from the ground up, reviewing every part so that even the heaviest cameras will be free from flexure and have focusing repeatability. More than a dozen knife-edge baffles are machined into the wall of the drawtube and painted flat black in order to maximize contrast by essentially eliminating any internal reflections.
Visual and imaging astronomers often want a different “feel” to their focusers, as their requirements differ. Adjusting the “feel” of the focuser is easy. There are two adjuster screws located on the underside of the housing. By slightly tightening or loosening the screws one changes the resistance that is felt when turning the focuser knobs. They should be adjusted equally.
A locking brake is also provided in the form of a thumbscrew located on the underside of the focuser block. It allows you to quickly change the tension when using heavier eyepieces or to completely lock the focuser, depending on the pressure exerted
The rotatable-focuser style is incorporated in its design. The “captain’s wheel” locking collar is loosened to rotate the focuser and then tightened to lock the focuser at any chosen angle. To remove the focuser, one simply unscrews the collar completely.
Upgrade possibilities:
Features:
An endcap screws onto the focuser drawtube and can be locked into place using three set screws that are found in the endcap’s surface (this is an optional action that imagers may want to use). The endcap terminates in a 3.5” circular dovetail which ensures absolute orthogonality for your imaging needs and allows you to quickly swap accessories or cameras.
Three adapters are provided: a 3.5” circular dovetail to 2.7” AP thread, a 2.7” AP thread to 2” compression and a 2” to 1.25” compression.
A digital focusing system is available for imaging automation. Visual observers may also enjoy using the available hand paddle with the digital system. See the Focuser Boss II Electronic Focusing Control Kits for more details.
The focuser has 4.5" (115 mm) of travel and weighs 6.9 lbs. (3.14 kg.).
There may be circumstances when you do not need all the adapters with the focuser. For example, you may be using custom adapters for imaging pruposes only. For this reason we offer the same focuser as described above, but without the 3.5” circular dovetail to 2.7” AP thread, the 2.7” AP thread to 2” compression and the 2” to 1.25” compression adapters. It does include the Drawtube Endcap with the three thumbscrews (S35RFAA).
The focuser has been designed to meet and exceed the high-precision requirements of modern imaging. Today’s smaller pixel cameras can magnify any focuser flexure problems, so we have engineered this focuser from the ground up, reviewing every part so that even the heaviest cameras will be free from flexure and have focusing repeatability. More than a dozen knife-edge baffles are machined into the wall of the drawtube and painted flat black in order to maximize contrast by essentially eliminating any internal reflections.
Visual and imaging astronomers often want a different “feel” to their focusers, as their requirements differ. Adjusting the “feel” of the focuser is easy. There are two adjuster screws located on the underside of the housing. By slightly tightening or loosening the screws one changes the resistance that is felt when turning the focuser knobs. They should be adjusted equally.
A locking brake is also provided in the form of a thumbscrew located on the underside of the focuser block. It allows you to quickly change the tension when using heavier eyepieces or to completely lock the focuser, depending on the pressure exerted
The rotatable-focuser style is incorporated in its design. The “captain’s wheel” locking collar is loosened to rotate the focuser and then tightened to lock the focuser at any chosen angle. To remove the focuser, one simply unscrews the collar completely.
Upgrade possibilities:
Features:
An endcap screws onto the focuser drawtube and can be locked into place using three set screws that are found in the endcap’s surface (this is an optional action that imagers may want to use). The endcap terminates in a 3.5” circular dovetail which ensures absolute orthogonality for your imaging needs and allows you to quickly swap accessories or cameras.
A digital focusing system is available for imaging automation. Visual observers may also enjoy using the available hand paddle with the digital system. See the Focuser Boss II Electronic Focusing Control Kits for more details ( or )
The focuser has 4.5" (115 mm) of travel and weighs 5.8 lbs. (2.62 kg.).
For all orders exceeding a value of 100USD shipping is offered for free.
Returns will be accepted for up to 10 days of Customer’s receipt or tracking number on unworn items. You, as a Customer, are obliged to inform us via email before you return the item.
Otherwise, standard shipping charges apply. Check out our delivery Terms & Conditions for more details.
