Used Starlight Feather Touch motorized focuser with Starizona Microfocuser

This is a Feather Touch motorized focuser with 3.5'' (90mm) of travel.  This package includes both the Feather Touch motor (which fits on the focuser) and a Starizona motor (which doesn't), as well as a Starizona Microfocuser controller (which works with the Feather Touch motor).  It is in excellent condition, with parts as shown.  We have hooked it up and tested it, and it works perfectly.  

We believe this is similar to, but not the same as, Starlight focuser model FTF3035B-A, whose specifications are listed below.  This one has a clear aperture in the baffle tube of 61mm.  The threads on the front end, towards the scope, are 93mm.  Because this is such a specific item, additional measurements can be taken and provided to you upon request.  This was previously used with an AT130EDT refractor. 

The Starlight focuser retails new for $660; the Starizona microfocuser with motor goes for $499; for a total of $1159.  This is at absolute steal at almost TWO-THIRDS OFF for just FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS, and won't last.     

Everyone knows that the optics are the number one ingredient in any telescope, but the focuser is of comparative importance when it comes to the viewing or imaging experience. The focuser is the link between the telescope itself and the eyepiece or camera. If it is shaky or jumpy when the draw tube is racked in or out or flexes when heavier eyepieces or accessories are introduced, your focuser can make observing almost impossible. A quality focuser should provide precise positioning of the eyepiece or camera to within .002 inches. Focusing should be smooth and easy, without any backlash, so that the telescope doesn’t vibrate or shake, even at higher magnifications. A decent focuser should be able to handle the weight of today’s multi-element eyepieces, as well as a DSLR or standard CCD camera.

The Starlight Instruments Feather Touch focusers are one of the highest quality focusing mechanisms available to the amateur astronomer today. While they cost more than many focusers on the market, upgrading your stock focuser with a Starlight Feather Touch will be worth it, and with care, it should last a lifetime! You will enjoy a focuser that produces virtually zero backlash and provides a smooth, effortless focusing experience. Feather Touch focusers are designed to hold those big 2" eyepieces or CCD camera/filter wheel imaging set-ups. They are strong and beautifully machined out of quality materials that are well suited to the rigors of astronomy.

The FTF3035B-A 3" Feather Touch Focuser is built to handle heavier loads, with a lifting capacity of 13 - 15 pounds. Graduated markings on the draw tube make it easy to find that "sweet spot" again and again. There is an internal brake built into the system to allow you to control the drag on draw tube movement. This focuser is so smooth, you may just have to put on the brake a little bit to keep the draw tube from gliding on its own! Luckily, the glide factor is easy to adjust with the integral brake.

Dual Speed 10:1 Fine Focus: Starlight Instruments is the original developer of the fine focus reduction unit, an assembly that allows for very accurate, fine focus at a 10:1 ratio. Course focus is achieved with the larger of the two focus knobs, and precise focus is accomplished by turning the smaller knob.

Internal Brake System: The focuser brake controls the “drag” on the draw tube, allowing the user to gradually increase the friction between the draw tube and the pinion. Adjusting the drag helps prevent any downward motion of the focuser caused by that pesky thing called gravity. The brake in this Starlight Feather Touch focuser consists of an internal leveraged leaf spring that is tightened with a thumbscrew. This thumbscrew is also used to lock the pinion shaft. Feather Touch focusers without the internal brake option use a thumbscrew alone to help control drag, which offers less range than the addition of a leveraged leaf spring.

• Model Number: FTF3035B-A
• Focuser Size: 3”
• Draw Tube Travel (DTT): 3.5” or 88.90 mm
• Thread on Draw Tube Side: M75x1 Female Thread
• Thread on Scope Side: M109x1 Male Thread (our measurements show 93mm)
• Lifting Capacity: 13-15 pounds
• Reduction Ratio: 10:1
• Draw Tube Drive Mechanism: Rack & Pinion
• Internal Brake: Yes
• Finderscope Hole Thread Dimension: 8-32
• Racked In from Mounting Face: 3.672" or 93.27 mm
• Racked Out from Mounting Face: 7.368" or 187.15 mm

Starizona MicroTouch Autofocuser - Wired

Features

• Automatic focus with ASCOM-compatible software (FocusMax, MaxIm DL, Sequence Generator Pro, etc)*
• Temperature compensation using built-in thermistor
• All electronics in single hand-controller box -- no separate hub and extra cables
• Manual control with hand-controller box for use visually or with video cameras/webcams
• MicroTouch software for configuring system and remote manual operation

* Note: Autofocusing with FocusMax requires MaxIm DL or CCDSoft for camera control interface. Included Items

• Stepper Motor Unit*
• Motor Cable
• USB 2.0 Cable
• AC Power Supply 
  

The MicroTouch Autofocuser is ASCOM compatible. * Included motor fits 2" Feathertouch Crayford focusers and Feathertouch SCT MicroFocusers (except old-style C14). Other motor options are available for Feathertouch 2.5", 3.0" and 3.5" focusers; direct-drive motors for Feathertouch 3.5" and TEC focusers; Skywatcher refractors; Stellarvue standard focusers; and Takahashi FSQ refractors. Choose the motor above. Also available is a wireless version of the MicroTouch Autofocuser.