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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 True 3.0" Adapter for Astro-Tech/GSO/TPO 10/12/16" RC SCOPES

by Starlight Instruments
SKU SI-A32-3203-40
$270.00 - $270.00
$270.00
$270.00 - $270.00
$270.00
Price Match Policy!
  • Enables mounting of Starlight Instruments True 3.0" focusers
  • Compatible with Astro-Tech, GSO, and TPO 10", 12", and 16" RC telescopes
  • Precision-machined from high-quality aluminum
  • Ensures a rigid, flex-free connection for heavy imaging loads
  • Manufactured by Starlight Instruments in the USA
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Warranty

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

    The Starlight Instruments True 3.0" Adapter provides the essential mechanical link for upgrading Astro-Tech, GSO, and TPO 10", 12", and 16" Ritchey-Chrétien telescopes. This adapter is specifically designed to mount a Starlight Instruments True 3.0" Feather Touch focuser, replacing the stock unit on these popular RC scopes to unlock their full imaging potential.

    The Upgrade Path for 10", 12", and 16" RC Scopes

    Owners of Astro-Tech, GSO, and TPO Ritchey-Chrétien telescopes know these instruments offer excellent optical performance but are often limited by their stock focusers. This adapter is the first and most critical component for a transformative upgrade, allowing you to install a True 3.0" Feather Touch focuser. This solves common issues like image shift and flexure, providing the stability and precision required for heavy cameras and filter wheels.

    A Precision-Machined Interface for True 3.0" Focusers

    Machined from high-quality aluminum at Starlight Instruments' facility, this adapter is not a generic part. It is engineered with precise threads and tolerances to create a rigid, perfectly aligned connection between your 10", 12", or 16" RC optical tube and a True 3.0" Feather Touch focuser. This solid interface is crucial for maintaining collimation and achieving sharp, round stars across the entire imaging field, especially with large camera sensors.

  • Which focusers is the Starlight Instruments True 3.0" Adapter compatible with?

    This adapter is specifically designed to mount any Starlight Instruments True 3.0" Feather Touch focuser, such as the FTF3015B-A or FTF3025B-A, onto compatible Ritchey-Chrétien telescopes.

    Will this adapter fit my 12" GSO RC telescope?

    Yes. This adapter is purpose-built for the 10", 12", and 16" Ritchey-Chrétien optical tubes manufactured by GSO, which are also sold under the Astro-Tech and TPO brand names.

    What is the benefit of using this adapter to upgrade the focuser on my Astro-Tech 10" RC?

    Upgrading your Astro-Tech 10" RC with a Feather Touch focuser using this adapter eliminates the image shift and flexure common with stock focusers. This provides the rigidity and precision needed to carry heavy imaging cameras and achieve critical focus for astrophotography.

    Is installation of this Starlight Instruments adapter difficult?

    Installation is straightforward for users comfortable with minor hardware changes. It typically involves unthreading the stock focuser assembly from the rear cell of your telescope and threading this adapter in its place. The Feather Touch focuser then attaches directly to the adapter.

    Does this adapter allow for focuser rotation?

    Focuser rotation is a feature of the Starlight Instruments Feather Touch focuser itself, not the adapter. When you install a rotatable focuser model like the FTF3015B-A, this adapter provides the solid base needed for that rotation, allowing you to frame your target perfectly.

    Why is a Starlight Instruments adapter better than a generic one for my TPO 16" RC?

    This Starlight Instruments adapter is precision-machined from high-quality aluminum in their US facility to exact tolerances for both the telescope and the focuser. This ensures a perfect, no-flex fit that prevents tilt and maintains optical alignment, which is critical for the imaging performance of a 16" RC system.

  • Starlight Instruments 2-Year Warranty