Baader 2" Diamond Steeltrack Low-Profile Dual Speed Focuser for Newtonian Reflectors
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Please note: We are unable to recommend a specific base plate for your telescope - there is no standardization in the industry and we do not have the hole mounting specification for most scopes. You will therefore need to compare the base plate specifications provided in the description below with the tube/focuser specifications on your telescope and make a choice yourself.
A. Introducing Baader Diamond Steeltrack Premium Focusers
In recent years, the Crayford style of ball-bearing guided focuser has become popular due to its smooth motions, absence of pinion backlash, and rigid drawtube support. Baader's new Diamond Steeltrack Premium Focusers incorporate a number of innovative features that further enhance the smoothness and robustness of the Crayford focuser.
Baader's innovative diamond-geared drive system delivers the smooth totally backlash-free action of a friction drive with the positive non-slip high load capacity of a rack and pinion. Additional improvements in the bearing-guide system help to take the Baader Diamond Steeltracks (BDS) far enough beyond all other crayford-type focusers that some have called them 'Baaderford'.
B. 2" Newtonian Low-Profile Diamond Steeltrack Focuser: Baader part # BDS-NT or 2957230
Upgrade practically any Newtonian, small or large, with all of the smoothness, precision, and features of Baader Planetarium's 2" Newtonian Low-Profile Diamond Steeltrack Focuser.
- Low profile - overall height of only 50mm
- Fully baffled and blackened drawtube kills off-axis stray light.
- Tube hole size of 2.4" diameter required for drawtube clearance.
- Focuser travel of 40mm (1.57").
- Versa-base, fits tubes 8" dia and larger. Center-to-center hold spacing along optical axis = 66mm (minimum) to 93mm (maximum). Center-to-center hole spacing perpendicular to the optical axis = 93mm.
- Optional NT flat base plate and optional low-profile (1mm) 2"/1.25" Pushfix reducer adapter available separately.
- Weighs 2lb-3.7oz (1012g).
C. General Specifications for all Baader Diamond Steeltracks
Baader Diamond Steeltrack (BDS) Focusers have the following specifications:
Drive System
- True diamonds form a micro-geared high precision drive system never accomplished before.
- In comparison to conventional crayford or rack & pinion drives, this micro-geared movement has zero backlash, zero cogging, and zero flexure.
- Diamond Steeltrack 2" focusers lift a payload of 6kg (13 lbs) straight up, without slipping, without excessive bearing preload (bearing preload can be increased further if necessary).
- Bearing system utilizes unbreakable instrument grade roller-bearings instead of simpler ball bearings - handles higher loads with greater rigidity and accuracy. No Teflon-pads anywhere.
- 1:11 stainless steel fine-focus mechanism, ready for attachment of the optional Steeldrive temperature-compensating motor drive system. The brass reduction gear is prepared to accept the timing belt of the Steeldrive motor-drive unit. The outer case of all Diamond Steeltracks have a dovetail cut into the driving-axis housing to accommodate the motor block of the Steeldrive unit.
- Detachable drive block assembly is reversible for right hand or left hand fine-focus operation and for attaching the Steeldrive motorblock onto Diamond-NT-Steeltracks for newtonian telescopes.
- Shortest possible mechanical design achieves optimum balance between focuser height (backfocus) and rigidity requirements.
- Zero shift locking knob to precisely stop any movement without affecting optical axis adjustment.
Focusing Drawtube
- Each bearing individually adjustable for precise alignment of mechanical vs. optical axis.
- Ultra-hard subzero coated bearing races – precision milled and much harder than anodizing or stainless steel.
- Oversized 55mm inner clear diameter, to prevent vignetting, with anti-reflection knife-edge baffles.
Clamping System
- S58 Dovetail ring-clamp built into focusing tube for accepting optional T-2 / M48 / M68 and other S58 direct-thread adapters to enable direct thread connection of accessories and cameras without 2" clamp.
- 2" eyepiece clamp with hardened bronze clamp ring (length of clamp: 12.5mm (0.5") included as standard.
- Two auxiliary threads (M60x1 and M55x0,75) cut into the NT focusing-tube for attachment of dedicated field flatteners or focal reducers/corrector.
- Optionally available: 2" Baader Clicklock-clamp with integrated S58 dovetail (added length: 16mm (5/8")).
Other Information
- Country of Manufacture: China
Please note: We are unable to recommend a specific base plate for your telescope - there is no standardization in the industry and we do not have the hole mounting specification for most scopes. You will therefore need to compare the base plate specifications provided in the description below with the tube/focuser specifications on your telescope and make a choice yourself.
A. Introducing Baader Diamond Steeltrack Premium Focusers
In recent years, the Crayford style of ball-bearing guided focuser has become popular due to its smooth motions, absence of pinion backlash, and rigid drawtube support. Baader's new Diamond Steeltrack Premium Focusers incorporate a number of innovative features that further enhance the smoothness and robustness of the Crayford focuser.
Baader's innovative diamond-geared drive system delivers the smooth totally backlash-free action of a friction drive with the positive non-slip high load capacity of a rack and pinion. Additional improvements in the bearing-guide system help to take the Baader Diamond Steeltracks (BDS) far enough beyond all other crayford-type focusers that some have called them 'Baaderford'.
B. 2" Newtonian Low-Profile Diamond Steeltrack Focuser: Baader part # BDS-NT or 2957230
Upgrade practically any Newtonian, small or large, with all of the smoothness, precision, and features of Baader Planetarium's 2" Newtonian Low-Profile Diamond Steeltrack Focuser.
- Low profile - overall height of only 50mm
- Fully baffled and blackened drawtube kills off-axis stray light.
- Tube hole size of 2.4" diameter required for drawtube clearance.
- Focuser travel of 40mm (1.57").
- Versa-base, fits tubes 8" dia and larger. Center-to-center hold spacing along optical axis = 66mm (minimum) to 93mm (maximum). Center-to-center hole spacing perpendicular to the optical axis = 93mm.
- Optional NT flat base plate and optional low-profile (1mm) 2"/1.25" Pushfix reducer adapter available separately.
- Weighs 2lb-3.7oz (1012g).
C. General Specifications for all Baader Diamond Steeltracks
Baader Diamond Steeltrack (BDS) Focusers have the following specifications:
Drive System
- True diamonds form a micro-geared high precision drive system never accomplished before.
- In comparison to conventional crayford or rack & pinion drives, this micro-geared movement has zero backlash, zero cogging, and zero flexure.
- Diamond Steeltrack 2" focusers lift a payload of 6kg (13 lbs) straight up, without slipping, without excessive bearing preload (bearing preload can be increased further if necessary).
- Bearing system utilizes unbreakable instrument grade roller-bearings instead of simpler ball bearings - handles higher loads with greater rigidity and accuracy. No Teflon-pads anywhere.
- 1:11 stainless steel fine-focus mechanism, ready for attachment of the optional Steeldrive temperature-compensating motor drive system. The brass reduction gear is prepared to accept the timing belt of the Steeldrive motor-drive unit. The outer case of all Diamond Steeltracks have a dovetail cut into the driving-axis housing to accommodate the motor block of the Steeldrive unit.
- Detachable drive block assembly is reversible for right hand or left hand fine-focus operation and for attaching the Steeldrive motorblock onto Diamond-NT-Steeltracks for newtonian telescopes.
- Shortest possible mechanical design achieves optimum balance between focuser height (backfocus) and rigidity requirements.
- Zero shift locking knob to precisely stop any movement without affecting optical axis adjustment.
Focusing Drawtube
- Each bearing individually adjustable for precise alignment of mechanical vs. optical axis.
- Ultra-hard subzero coated bearing races – precision milled and much harder than anodizing or stainless steel.
- Oversized 55mm inner clear diameter, to prevent vignetting, with anti-reflection knife-edge baffles.
Clamping System
- S58 Dovetail ring-clamp built into focusing tube for accepting optional T-2 / M48 / M68 and other S58 direct-thread adapters to enable direct thread connection of accessories and cameras without 2" clamp.
- 2" eyepiece clamp with hardened bronze clamp ring (length of clamp: 12.5mm (0.5") included as standard.
- Two auxiliary threads (M60x1 and M55x0,75) cut into the NT focusing-tube for attachment of dedicated field flatteners or focal reducers/corrector.
- Optionally available: 2" Baader Clicklock-clamp with integrated S58 dovetail (added length: 16mm (5/8")).
Please note: We are unable to recommend a specific base plate for your telescope - there is no standardization in the industry and we do not have the hole mounting specification for most scopes. You will therefore need to compare the base plate specifications provided in the description below with the tube/focuser specifications on your telescope and make a choice yourself.
A. Introducing Baader Diamond Steeltrack Premium Focusers
In recent years, the Crayford style of ball-bearing guided focuser has become popular due to its smooth motions, absence of pinion backlash, and rigid drawtube support. Baader's new Diamond Steeltrack Premium Focusers incorporate a number of innovative features that further enhance the smoothness and robustness of the Crayford focuser.
Baader's innovative diamond-geared drive system delivers the smooth totally backlash-free action of a friction drive with the positive non-slip high load capacity of a rack and pinion. Additional improvements in the bearing-guide system help to take the Baader Diamond Steeltracks (BDS) far enough beyond all other crayford-type focusers that some have called them 'Baaderford'.
B. 2" Newtonian Low-Profile Diamond Steeltrack Focuser: Baader part # BDS-NT or 2957230
Upgrade practically any Newtonian, small or large, with all of the smoothness, precision, and features of Baader Planetarium's 2" Newtonian Low-Profile Diamond Steeltrack Focuser.
- Low profile - overall height of only 50mm
- Fully baffled and blackened drawtube kills off-axis stray light.
- Tube hole size of 2.4" diameter required for drawtube clearance.
- Focuser travel of 40mm (1.57").
- Versa-base, fits tubes 8" dia and larger. Center-to-center hold spacing along optical axis = 66mm (minimum) to 93mm (maximum). Center-to-center hole spacing perpendicular to the optical axis = 93mm.
- Optional NT flat base plate and optional low-profile (1mm) 2"/1.25" Pushfix reducer adapter available separately.
- Weighs 2lb-3.7oz (1012g).
C. General Specifications for all Baader Diamond Steeltracks
Baader Diamond Steeltrack (BDS) Focusers have the following specifications:
Drive System
- True diamonds form a micro-geared high precision drive system never accomplished before.
- In comparison to conventional crayford or rack & pinion drives, this micro-geared movement has zero backlash, zero cogging, and zero flexure.
- Diamond Steeltrack 2" focusers lift a payload of 6kg (13 lbs) straight up, without slipping, without excessive bearing preload (bearing preload can be increased further if necessary).
- Bearing system utilizes unbreakable instrument grade roller-bearings instead of simpler ball bearings - handles higher loads with greater rigidity and accuracy. No Teflon-pads anywhere.
- 1:11 stainless steel fine-focus mechanism, ready for attachment of the optional Steeldrive temperature-compensating motor drive system. The brass reduction gear is prepared to accept the timing belt of the Steeldrive motor-drive unit. The outer case of all Diamond Steeltracks have a dovetail cut into the driving-axis housing to accommodate the motor block of the Steeldrive unit.
- Detachable drive block assembly is reversible for right hand or left hand fine-focus operation and for attaching the Steeldrive motorblock onto Diamond-NT-Steeltracks for newtonian telescopes.
- Shortest possible mechanical design achieves optimum balance between focuser height (backfocus) and rigidity requirements.
- Zero shift locking knob to precisely stop any movement without affecting optical axis adjustment.
Focusing Drawtube
- Each bearing individually adjustable for precise alignment of mechanical vs. optical axis.
- Ultra-hard subzero coated bearing races – precision milled and much harder than anodizing or stainless steel.
- Oversized 55mm inner clear diameter, to prevent vignetting, with anti-reflection knife-edge baffles.
Clamping System
- S58 Dovetail ring-clamp built into focusing tube for accepting optional T-2 / M48 / M68 and other S58 direct-thread adapters to enable direct thread connection of accessories and cameras without 2" clamp.
- 2" eyepiece clamp with hardened bronze clamp ring (length of clamp: 12.5mm (0.5") included as standard.
- Two auxiliary threads (M60x1 and M55x0,75) cut into the NT focusing-tube for attachment of dedicated field flatteners or focal reducers/corrector.
- Optionally available: 2" Baader Clicklock-clamp with integrated S58 dovetail (added length: 16mm (5/8")).
Other Information
- Country of Manufacture: China
Baader 2" Diamond Steeltrack Low-Profile Dual Speed Focuser for Newtonian Reflectors