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IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
Starlight Instruments 3.0" Adapter for Astro-Tech/GSO/TPO 10/12/16" RC Scopes
Starlight Instruments 3.0" Adapter for Astro-Tech/GSO/TPO 10/12/16" RC Scopes
Starlight Instruments 3.0" Adapter for Astro-Tech/GSO/TPO 10/12/16" RC Scopes

Starlight Instruments 3.0" Adapter for Astro-Tech/GSO/TPO 10/12/16" RC Scopes

by Starlight Instruments
SKU SI-A30-1903-40
$250.00 - $250.00
$250.00
$250.00 - $250.00
$250.00
Price Match Policy!
  • Adapts 10", 12", and 16" RC Scopes
  • For Starlight Instruments 3.0" Focusers
  • Compatible with Astro-Tech, GSO, and TPO Models
  • Precision-Machined for a Secure, No-Flex Fit
  • Enables Heavy-Payload Astrophotography
1 in stock
Qualifies for FREE Shipping in CONUS on orders over $350.
  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Warranty

  • Starlight Instruments 3.0" Adapter for Astro-Tech/GSO/TPO 10/12/16" RC Scopes

    This Starlight Instruments 3.0" Tube Adapter provides the essential mechanical interface to replace the stock focuser on your 10", 12", or 16" Astro-Tech, GSO, or TPO Ritchey-Chrétien telescope. It enables a direct upgrade to any Starlight Instruments 3.0" Feather Touch focuser, transforming your imaging train's stability and precision for serious astrophotography.

    Enabling a 3.0" Feather Touch Focuser Upgrade

    By installing this adapter, you create a solid, non-flexing mounting point for a 3.0" Feather Touch focuser. This upgrade is critical for astrophotography, eliminating the image shift and flexing common with stock focusers when supporting heavy cameras, filter wheels, and off-axis guiders, resulting in sharper stars and more reliable autofocus.

    Precision Fit for 10", 12", and 16" RC Telescopes

    Machined by Starlight Instruments for a perfect fit, this adapter is specifically designed for the rear cell of Astro-Tech, GSO, and TPO 10", 12", and 16" Ritchey-Chrétien optical tubes. The adapter ensures correct mechanical alignment, providing a seamless transition to the superior mechanics of a Feather Touch system.

  • What is the purpose of the Starlight Instruments 3.0" Adapter for Astro-Tech RC scopes?

    This is a mechanical part that allows you to remove the stock focuser from your 10", 12", or 16" Astro-Tech, GSO, or TPO RC telescope and replace it with a high-precision 3.0" Starlight Instruments Feather Touch focuser.

    Will this adapter improve my imaging with a heavy camera on my 12" GSO RC?

    Yes. While the adapter itself is a passive part, it enables the installation of a Feather Touch focuser. A 3.0" Feather Touch focuser is designed to handle heavy imaging loads without flexing or image shift, a common issue with stock focusers on these RCs. This leads to sharper stars and more reliable autofocusing routines.

    Is this adapter compatible with an 8" Astro-Tech RC?

    No, this adapter is specifically designed for the 10", 12", and 16" models of Astro-Tech, GSO, and TPO Ritchey-Chrétien telescopes. It will not fit the 8" or other models not explicitly listed.

    Does this adapter screw directly onto the telescope tube?

    Yes, Starlight Instruments tube adapters are designed to attach directly to the telescope's rear cell, typically using the same mounting points as the original stock focuser. This provides a secure, rigid connection essential for astrophotography.

    I want to install a Posi Drive motor system on my 10" TPO RC. Is this adapter part of that process?

    Yes, this adapter is the first and most critical step. You would use this adapter to mount a 3.0" Feather Touch focuser, and then the Posi Drive Motor System (PDMS) would be installed onto the Feather Touch focuser itself. This adapter creates the necessary foundation for the entire automated focusing system.

    Why would I choose a 3.0" focuser for my 16" RC instead of a 2.0" one?

    A 3.0" focuser provides a larger clear aperture, which helps prevent vignetting (darkening of the corners of the image) with large-format camera sensors. For a large instrument like a 16" RC, a 3.0" focuser and this corresponding adapter are recommended to support a robust, fully-illuminated imaging train.

  • Product Type Focuser Tube Adapter
    Focuser Size 3.0"
    Telescope Compatibility Astro-Tech/GSO/TPO 10", 12", 16" RC

    • 3.0" Adapter for Astro-Tech/GSO/TPO 10/12/16" RC Scopes

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  • Starlight Instruments 2-Year Warranty