Upgrading XT10 Focuser

[david m]

I read a topic on upgrading your telescope focuser. I have an ORION XT10 and when i try to align the optics they have play in them, which makes it almost impossible to get them properly aligned

[admin]

Are you saying when you turn the focus knobs on the focuser, and you're looking through the eyepiece as you focus you're seeing image shift I have the XT12i and have seen image shift when focusing, it kinda bothers me, but it's not high on my repair list.

[david m]

No. When i use my laser collimator to align the mirrors. Once they seem to be aligned i can just grab the focuser and see the laser move out of alignment.

[admin]

a crayford would be a nice upgrade, if your not plnning on photo, you could probably get one for $150-200

[philip d]

When I collimate the XT12, the focuser is all the way in.

And yes if you move the focuser out you will see the Laser beam move out of the center ring on the primary.

Check to be sure the screws holing the focuser are tight.

The focuser on the XT's have some slop in them.

But the first thing I did was collimate the Laser collimator to be sure the beam of the Laser was not out of alignment.

To collimate the laser I purchased a collimating kit on ebay, link below.

I have a line scratched on the focuser and the 1.25" adapter, and also the Laser collimator.

I line all three lines up when using the Laser collimator to be sure it is always the same each time I use it.

I can post some links to replacement focuser's for the XT series, but they are not cheap.



Focusers for orion XT's.

Http://home.comcast.net/~wyorock/wyorock.html http://www.focuser.com/cgi-bin/dman....cgi&category=2 ScopeStuff

[admin]

If your looking to replace your focuser check in to Moonlight Telescope. I have one on my XT10 and its direct replacement so you don't have to drill any holes. The focuser is rock solid and very smooth. I gave up trying to adjust the stock focuer.

.Hows are those ball castors treating you