Marmot Posted April 29, 2021 Share Posted April 29, 2021 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. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightspore Posted April 29, 2021 Share Posted April 29, 2021 I used the same visual back on my 80ED Evostar, although it now has a rotating aftermarket focuser. ALL of my scopes have Baader 2" ~ 1.25" adapters. They're the best you can get IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightspore Posted April 29, 2021 Share Posted April 29, 2021 Incidentally, the Baader adapters have a T-thread under that circular plate on the top of the adapter. This allows an extension ring to be threaded on if needed. Or a helical focuser threaded into it. Like on my single speed GSO Crayford focuser on my 150mm Newtonian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazAstro Posted April 29, 2021 Share Posted April 29, 2021 Yep, they're good, I have one on my 72ed. I did find that to grip my image train securely I had to drill and tap a 3rd screw though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmot Posted April 29, 2021 Author Share Posted April 29, 2021 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carastro Posted April 29, 2021 Share Posted April 29, 2021 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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