Jump to content

FLO Astro Essentials 2” Adapter replacement for Skywatcher drawtube.


Marmot

Recommended Posts

Hi

i wasn’t sure where to put this post, but I feel this section is as good as the other alternatives. It’s my first attempt to attach a couple of photos so I hope it works!

 

I have only been involved with this interest for a few short months, but I thought the following information may be of interest to other people new to the game who experience the same issue as I did and the solution I found.

 

I am the proud owner of a Skywatcher ST 120 which, for the time being, does everything I want. However, soon after acquiring it I became a little disappointed with the way in which the diagonal attached to the drawtube using a basic thumbscrew. This applied to the 2” adapter (attached directly to the drawtube) and the 2” to 1.25” adapter.  

A quick search on the Net revealed a direct replacement from Baader using their “Click-Lock” attachment method. This seemed ideal, but reviews revealed it to be a little more bulky than the original and therefore using up a little of the focus movement. I set my scope up using the diagonal and eyepieces I thought would use up the most light path to see how much focus was left. The result showed that I only had a few mm left. For this reason I decided against the Baader Click-Lock feeling it would be a close call to achieving focus in certain situations.

i then came across the Astro Essentials 2” compression ring M56 threaded replacement supplied by FLO. It was advertised as a direct replacement and being slightly lower profile than the original. It was also only slightly over half the price of the Baader Click-Lock.

i purchased it without hesitation. The swap was easy. And it does indeed give a couple more mm inward focus travel.

i was then fortunate enough to find a Baader 2” to 1.25” compression ring adapter on eBay for a good price.

hopefully the attached pics show the result. I now feel that anything attached to the focuser is held in a safe secure manner and that there Will be sufficient ‘in focus’ to cope with any combination of my existing diagonal/eyepieces etc.

6D6C6E1C-0F89-4B83-B225-1DA41C114212.jpeg

9925782C-BCEA-41AC-804F-3D554DF313D3.jpeg

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Incidentally, the Baader adapters have a T-thread under that circular plate on the top of the adapter.

 

psFFDik.jpg

 

This allows an extension ring to be threaded on if needed.

 

Vk35tJx.jpg

 

Or a helical focuser threaded into it. Like on my single speed GSO Crayford focuser on my 150mm Newtonian.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interesting to hear the comments from others who have used the same kit to improve the standard focus drawtube.

i completely agree with the positive comments on the Baader 2” to 1.25” adapter: I am not sure what the compression ring is made of (it’s not brass coloured) but it holds 1.25 fittings soo securely and without marking them.

i consider the money spent on this mod as well spent: the value of diagonals and eyepieces can be eye watering, so spending a little more to keep them secure is very worthwhile imo.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I bought a Baader Click lock, I didn't find it took up any noticeable focusing space.  It definitely helped with the tilt problem I had.  Also I feel the camera and EFW is safer with that than screwed on with only 2 small bolts.  

 

Carole 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...