Feather Touch Focuser Rotatable 2" Diameter Dual Speed 1.5" Draw Tube Travel, Brake and Compression Ring # FTF2015BCR

This Feather Touch dual-speed focuser from Starlight Instruments is a premium, low profile, 2” focuser designed for Dobsonian reflectors, refractors, and catadioptric telescopes. This fully rotatable and ultra-precise Crayford-type focuser makes visual observing a pleasure, and its backlash-free operation and high load capacity makes it a must-have for critical imaging and astrophotography applications. The focuser also completely eliminates image shift inherent in focusing Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes using stock focusers.

Depending on the accessories used in this low-profile focuser, the drawtube travel of 1.5” can allow it to swing through the arms of larger fork-mounted catadioptric telescopes when used with one of the adapters manufactured by Starlight Instruments. When fully extended, the focuser measures 3.005” from the mounting plate. Note, however, that smaller catadioptric telescopes will not be able to swing through the arms of a fork mount. The focuser also works with Dobsonian reflectors, refractors, and Ritchey-Chretien telescopes.

The focuser attaches to the telescope using a Starlight Instruments base adapter (sold separately). Available adapters for this focuser include:

• Model PAF-SI-A20-200A-11 adapter for Meade Lightbridge truss-tube Dobsonian telescopes
• Model PAF-SI-A20-212 adapter for Celestron C11 and C14 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes
• Model PAF-SI-A20-215 adapter for Meade and Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes with small threads (24 threads per inch)
• Model PAF-SI-A20-271 adapter for AstroTech and GSO 6” and 8” Ritchey-Chretien telescopes and newer William Optics Megrez 80/90mm and GT81 refractors
• Model PAF-SI-BA20FL flat base with leveling screws for Dobsonian reflectors with flat wood sides

This Feather Touch focuser includes coarse and fine focus knobs with a 10:1 reduction ratio for superb accuracy and repeatability. Despite its fine-focus precision, the focuser has a lifting capacity of up to 8-10 pounds through manual adjustment of the drawtube friction using a built-in brake. The capacity is sufficient for even the largest 2” eyepieces as well as many CCD cameras and filter wheels. The adjustable friction brake also allows the user to accommodate eyepieces with a wide range of weights. The focuser can be locked in place for long-exposure imaging. This Feather Touch Focuser includes a 2” drawtube with a soft brass compression ring that will not mar eyepiece barrels. Dual thumbscrews provide a more secure hold on heavy eyepieces and cameras.

All Starlight Instruments focusers are made from the best available materials, and no shortcuts are taken in design or fabrication. The focuser body and knobs are made from anodized aluminum to prevent corrosion. The moving parts of every precision-machined Starlight Instruments focuser are made from polished stainless steel to enhance durability. Hardened stainless steel raceways are matched to stainless steel ball bearings that give a buttery smoothness to the drawtube motion with zero backlash. All-steel construction of the running gear and friction plate make this focuser much more durable than less expensive focusers that use aluminum plates.