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Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro for Celestron C14 Edge HD SCT
Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro for Celestron C14 Edge HD SCT
Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro for Celestron C14 Edge HD SCT

Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro for Celestron C14 Edge HD SCT

by Starlight Instruments
SKU SI-FTM-C14HD
$370.00 USD - $370.00 USD
$370.00 USD
$370.00 USD - $370.00 USD
$370.00 USD
Price Match Policy!
  • Adds dual-speed 10:1 ratio fine focusing to your telescope
  • Fine focus without the coarse jumps of the stock knob
  • Known to fit the Celestron C14 EdgeHD
  • Designed, machined, and assembled in the USA
  • Takes the HSM20 stepper motor (sold separately)
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
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  • Warranty

  • Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro for Celestron C14 Edge HD SCT

    The Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro for Celestron C14 Edge HD SCT replaces the telescope's single-speed stock focus knob assembly with a dual-speed Feather Touch unit: a black knob for coarse focus and a brass knob for fine focus at a 10:1 ratio. It still focuses by moving the primary mirror, but lets you focus without the coarse jumps of the stock knob, which helps at the high magnifications a C14 EdgeHD is used at.

    Feather Touch Micro: A 10:1 Upgrade for the C14 EdgeHD

    This Feather Touch Micro is known to fit the Celestron C14 EdgeHD. It replaces the factory focusing knob and adds dual-speed control to the telescope's existing mirror focus.

    The black knob is for coarse focus and the brass knob for fine focus at a 10:1 ratio.

    Dual-Speed 10:1 Focusing

    The 10:1 ratio means ten turns of the brass fine knob move the mirror as much as one turn of the black coarse knob, so small mirror movements are much easier. There is no drawtube: the unit turns the telescope's focus shaft.

    Feather Touch standard features include ultra-smooth coarse and fine knobs and an ultra-low backlash system. Fine control helps when finding critical focus on a planet or a close double star.

    The C14 EdgeHD's Demanding Critical Focus Zone

    A telescope's critical focus zone (CFZ) is the tiny range of focuser travel where an image is considered perfectly sharp. For a long focal length instrument like the C14 EdgeHD, this zone is exceptionally small. A single-speed knob moves the mirror a long way for a small turn, so it is easy to go past best focus.

    With the 10:1 fine knob, the same turn moves the mirror a tenth as far, so you can make deliberate, small adjustments near focus.

    Before You Buy: C14 EdgeHD Compatibility Checks

    The FTM-C14HD is known to fit the Celestron C14 EdgeHD SCT. For the standard C-14, Starlight makes the FTM-C14.

    Starlight's instructions say the optical tube must be positioned horizontally before removing the original focus assembly, or the primary mirror could move.

    Installation

    The C14 EdgeHD installation is identical to the FTM-CPC11 instructions, which take eight steps.

    Pull off the rubber knob, remove the three screws of the focus assembly cover (keep them), turn the brass part clockwise to bring the mirror back and remove the screw and washer at the end of the focus shaft. Turn the brass part counterclockwise, quite a few turns, to remove the bearing assembly. Thread the Feather Touch stop onto the focus shaft, which keeps the mirror from falling off the baffle tube, and refit the screw. Thread the Micro Focuser into the stop, tighten the stop with the wrench, run the focuser down until it sits flush and attach it with the three original screws.

    Tools and the Washer

    Starlight's addendum to the shared instructions says to replace the stock washer with the washer provided with the FTM-CPC11, because telescope factory tolerances may cause binding with the stock washer. Ask us whether this washer is supplied before installing.

    To complete the installation, you will need to provide a few common tools:

    • Phillips Screwdriver: For removing the three screws holding the stock focus assembly cover and for the small screw on the end of the focus shaft.
    • Wrench (½” or Adjustable): Needed to securely tighten the internal brass stop of the MicroFocuser onto the telescope's focus shaft.

    Motorization Ready: The Path to an HSM20 System

    The Handy Stepper Motor (HSM20), sold separately, fits any Feather Touch Micro Focuser.

    Separate HSM20 installation instructions are available for the Micro Focuser. With a Focuser Boss II or EFS controller it allows computer-controlled focusing, with temperature compensation using the motor's built-in thermistor.

    Made in the USA

    Starlight Instruments designs, machines, anodizes and assembles its Feather Touch components in-house in Columbia City, Indiana. The brochure lists durable hardened stainless steel, steel and aluminum construction and an anodized aluminum fine focus knob among the Feather Touch standard features.

  • What is the main benefit of the Feather Touch Micro on a Celestron C14 EdgeHD?

    The primary benefit is the addition of a dual-speed 10:1 fine-focus mechanism. It replaces the single-speed stock knob, so you can make the small adjustments that critical focus needs at the C14 EdgeHD's long focal length.

    Does the FTM-C14HD help with planetary imaging?

    Yes. At very high magnification, the 10:1 fine knob lets you make the small adjustments needed to find best focus. Seeing remains the main limit on detail.

    Does fine focus matter for deep-sky targets?

    Yes. Tight stars matter in star clusters and deep-sky images too, and the 10:1 fine knob makes the best focus point easier to find than with the coarse stock knob.

    Does the Feather Touch Micro eliminate "mirror flop" on my C14 EdgeHD?

    No. The Feather Touch Micro is an upgrade to the focusing knob assembly, but it still focuses the telescope by moving the primary mirror along the baffle tube. Therefore, it does not eliminate mirror shift (or "flop"). What it adds is fine focus without the coarse jumps of the stock knob.

    Is installing the Feather Touch Micro Focuser difficult?

    Starlight's instructions (the same as for the FTM-CPC11) take eight steps with a Phillips screwdriver and a 1/2" or adjustable wrench. Keep the telescope tube horizontal during the process.

    What tools do I need to install the FTM-C14HD?

    You will need two tools that are not included in the kit: a Phillips screwdriver and either a ½” or adjustable wrench. These are used to remove the stock components and securely tighten the new Feather Touch Micro focuser.

    What is the washer in the installation addendum?

    The addendum to the shared CPC11 and C14HD instructions says to replace the stock washer with the washer provided with the FTM-CPC11, because telescope factory tolerances may cause binding with the stock washer. Ask us whether this washer is supplied before installing.

    Can I motorize this Feather Touch Micro focuser later?

    Yes. The Handy Stepper Motor (HSM20) fits any Feather Touch Micro Focuser. It is sold separately and runs on a Focuser Boss II or EFS controller.

    Will the FTM-C14HD fit a standard Celestron C14 or only the EdgeHD model?

    It is made for the Celestron C14 EdgeHD. For the standard C-14, Starlight makes the FTM-C14.

    How do I switch between coarse and fine focus on the FTM-C14HD?

    There is no switch. Turn the black knob for coarse focus and the brass knob for fine focus.

    Is the Feather Touch Micro focuser made of plastic or metal?

    Feather Touch standard features include hardened stainless steel, steel and aluminum construction and an anodized aluminum fine focus knob.

    Why is the telescope out of focus after installation?

    The telescope will likely be far out of focus after installation, so you may need to turn the focus knob quite a few times to reach focus.

  • Known to Fit Schmidt-Cassegrain C14 EdgeHD
    Made In USA (designed, machined and assembled)
    Interface / control Manual dual speed, 10:1 fine focus

    • Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro for Celestron C14 Edge HD SCT

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  • Starlight Instruments 2-Year Warranty