Starlight Instruments
Ask an experienced imager which single upgrade changed their results most and a surprising number will name a Feather Touch focuser. Starlight Instruments builds precision focusers and adapters in the United States, and their reputation rests on the same thing every time: a drawtube that holds several kilograms perfectly square and moves in repeatable microns. David Astro carries Starlight Instruments products in Canada, shipping from Canadian stock.
Most of that catalogue is adapters and telescope-specific mounting flanges, because Starlight designs retrofits for a very wide range of tubes. Tell us your telescope and we will identify the correct focuser and adapter combination rather than leaving you to decode a part number.
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Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro for Meade 8.0" SCT (Including Meade LX90, LX200GPS, LX200 Classics & 7" Mak)
Replaces the stock focuser on Meade 8.0" SCTs and 7" Maksutovs Dual-speed coarse and fine focusing Fine focus without the coarse jumps of the stoc...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro for Meade f/10 10" or 12" SCTs
Fits only the f/10 Meade 10" and 12" SCTs (not f/8) Replaces stock focuser on LX90, LX200GPS, and LX200 Classic models Dual-speed coarse and fine ...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro for Meade f/8 10" or 12" SCTs
Replaces the stock focuser knob on Meade f/8 10" and 12" SCTs Dual-speed coarse and fine focusing Fine focus without the coarse jumps of the stock...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Feather Touch Red LED Astronomy Mini Lite
Pure Red LED Emitter: Provides illumination that won't spoil your night vision, critical for visual observing and astrophotography. Compact "Min...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Feather Touch Rotatable 1.25" Crayford Focuser
Optional 10:1 dual-speed reduction for ultra-fine focus control Available with 0.75" (19.05mm) or 1.5" (38.1mm) of drawtube travel 1.25" Crayford ...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Feather Touch Rotatable 2.0" Crayford Focuser
10:1 fine-focus reduction ratio for precise adjustments 8-10 pound lifting capacity supports heavy imaging trains Crayford drive mechanism for zer...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Feather Touch Rotatable 2.0" R&P Focuser
Lifting capacity of 13-15 pounds for heavy imaging trains Rack and pinion drive using the pinion assembly of Starlight's 3.0" focuser 10:1 dual-sp...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Feather Touch TRUE 3.0" R&P Focuser
Drawtube opening over 3.0" on the visual side: accepts 3" accessories Supports heavy imaging trains with a 15-17 pound lifting capacity Precision ...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Finder Scope Bracket for 40-55mm Finder Scope
Fits Finder Scopes with 40-55mm Outside Diameter Lightweight Ring-Based Design Attaches to Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Focusers FSB Mounti...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Finder Scope Bracket w/ 45mm-53mm Sleeve
Accommodates finders with a 45mm to 53mm outer diameter Designed for Starlight Instruments Feather Touch focusers Precision-machined for a zero-fl...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Finder Scope Bracket w/ 50mm-60mm Sleeve
Securely holds finderscopes and guide scopes from 50mm to 60mm in diameter Precision adjustment screws for accurate, stable alignment Designed for...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Finder Scope Bracket w/ Red Dot Finder
Mounts directly to 2.5", 3.0", and 3.5" Feather Touch focusers Includes a red dot finder for intuitive, zero-magnification aiming Provides a stabl...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Focus Motor for RedCat/SpaceCat
Adds electronic focus control to William Optics RedCat/SpaceCat telescopes Enables automated, repeatable focusing for astrophotography Requires a ...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Focuser Boss II Electronic Focusing Control
Controls 1 focuser standard, or 2 with optional board Connects via USB, Serial, and wired Ethernet Optional 802.11 WiFi for full wireless control ...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Hand Controller for Manual Focuser Control
Provides manual focus control for the Focuser Boss II system Tactile push-button interface for use at the eyepiece Ideal for quick visual adjustme...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Handy Stepper Motor w/ Manual Focus Over-Ride
Adds automated, repeatable focusing to Feather Touch focusers Features a simple manual focus override by turning the motor housing Available in th...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Housing Only w/o SIPS Optics
Enables use of one SIPS optical unit on multiple telescopes Designed for the Starlight Integrated Paracorr System (SIPS) Set once per telescope, t...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments JUMBO Fine Focus Knob
Larger diameter for enhanced manual focus precision Improves tactile feel and reduces hand fatigue Direct-fit upgrade for select Feather Touch foc...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Larger Fine Focus Knob
Ergonomic upgrade for finer focus control Larger diameter provides a smoother, more precise feel Ideal for high-magnification imaging and visual u...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Lightweight Feather Touch Rotatable 2.0" Crayford Focuser
Notched-out housing and custom-machined drawtube: 385 g for the 1.5" model 10:1 dual-speed fine focus for critical adjustments 8-10 pound lifting ...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Machined Base to Fit Telescopes Existing Mounting Holes
Custom machined to match your telescope's specific hole pattern Enables installation of a Feather Touch focuser without drilling Preserves the int...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Micro Pinion Assembly - fits Takahashi Epsilon E130/E160mm Telescopes
Adds acclaimed Feather Touch dual-speed focusing Retrofit upgrade for the stock 2.7" Takahashi focuser Compatible with Takahashi Epsilon E130 and ...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Micro Pinion Assembly - fits Takahashi Epsilon E180/Mewlon Cassegrain
Adds Feather Touch dual-speed fine focusing to stock Takahashi focusers Fits Takahashi Epsilon E180 and Mewlon series telescopes Retrofit design i...
View full detailsStarlight Instruments Micro Pinion Assembly Retrofit - fits Takahashi 2.5" Focusers (Sky 90, FCL-90, and FC 100)
Adds 10:1 ratio dual-speed fine focusing Direct retrofit for specific Takahashi 2.5" focusers Replaces only the pinion assembly, retaining the ori...
View full detailsThe Feather Touch System and Its Adapters
Starlight's approach is modular: a focuser body, a telescope-specific adapter that mounts it, and a set of drawtube terminations and motor options that adapt it to your workflow.
- Feather Touch focusers: Dual-speed rack-and-pinion drawtubes with 10:1 fine focus, rated to hold heavy imaging trains without slip at any tube angle.
- Telescope-specific adapters: Machined mounting plates for a very large range of refractors, Newtonians and Schmidt-Cassegrains, holding the focuser square to the optical axis.
- Micro Focusers: Retrofit 10:1 reduction units that add fine focus to an existing stock focuser at a fraction of the cost of full replacement.
- Drawtube terminations: Threaded end pieces that convert the focuser output to standard imaging threads, giving a clean, rigid base for the rest of the train.
- Motor and controller options: Stepper drives and handsets that add absolute positioning and autofocus capability to a Feather Touch body.
- Compression rings and clamps: Even radial clamping in place of single set screws, which removes both barrel marking and induced tilt.
Why Choose David Astro for Starlight Instruments
Starlight's catalogue is precise and dense with part numbers. Selecting from it correctly is most of the work.
- Adapter identification: We match the focuser to your specific telescope's adapter, which is the step that most often goes wrong when ordering unassisted.
- Focus travel checked: We verify that the replacement focuser's profile height still lets your telescope reach focus with your intended camera or diagonal.
- Authorized dealer: Genuine Starlight Instruments products with full manufacturer warranty, handled inside Canada.
- Held in Canadian stock: A deep on-hand selection, shipped domestically with no duties or brokerage fees for Canadian customers.
- In-house service: Fitting advice, retrofit support and diagnostics after the sale.
Starlight Instruments in Canada — Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need the focuser or just the Micro Focuser?
- If your stock focuser holds your load without slipping and you only want finer control, a Micro Focuser retrofit is the economical answer. If the drawtube slips or flexes under an imaging train, replace the focuser.
- Will a Feather Touch fit my telescope?
- Starlight makes adapters for a very wide range of tubes, including many discontinued models. Send us the make, model and drawtube diameter and we will confirm the exact adapter part.
- Can I motorize a Feather Touch later?
- Yes. The system is designed for it, and motor kits attach to the fine-focus shaft without replacing the body, so buying manual first and adding drive later is a reasonable path.
- Is the warranty handled in Canada?
- Yes. As an authorized dealer we handle warranty claims and service domestically, so nothing has to cross a border for support.
Fitting a Feather Touch?
Send us your telescope model and we will specify the focuser and adapter. Canadian stock, full warranty.