I have the ED127 FCD-100 refractor which has great optics, but a sub par focuser, which has alot of slop. Even after tighening up the internals, this stock focuser was simply not viable for astrophotography. So I decided to go for a feather Touch focuser.
David was very helpful in providing advice plus ensuring I had the correct part number and mating adapter for my refractor.
David also provided excellent advice on the best approach on how to remove the stock adapter. Removing the stock focuser is easy, but the adapter ring is glued into place, but after 3 heating cycles, I was able to succefully remove the old ring.
I placed my order on July 20th and was prepared to wait the estimated 4 to 6 months lead time. However, on Aug 17th, big surprise, I received my new Feather Touch focuser.
This is solid, beauitful top quality product. Moving the focuser in and out is so very smooth. With a Pegasus motor attached, there is just no sound when it moves. Unlike when I had the same motor attached to the stock focuser, which made some concerning noises.
The ED127 refractor came with some 38mm long extensions to help reach focus. I have successfully used a 2x Powermate with this refractor using a ZWO ASI533MC Pro camera. However, I needed 134mm of extensions plus the focuser at 32mm to reach focus. Even with this very long setup that has a camera, rotator and filter drawer at the end of the extensions, the Feather Touch easily handles the load, with almost no flexiture.
Even with this long setup, I was able to create an excellent T point super model with my MX+ Mount from Software Bisque. After capturing a 200 plus T point model, my result was a RMS of 7.1 arcsec. I was able to easily capture 2 minute unguided exposures of M16 (ie pointing South) with totally rounds stars in all four corners at 1904mm focal length.
This focuser is an incredible upgrade to the ED127 FCD-100 refractor, which now makes an amazing astrophotograhy rig.
Extra note: I did not order any end cap for this focuser. I made use of RAFCamera to create an adapter that matches the m75 focuser end thread with the m68 thread of the Explore Scienific exentions. The attached photo shows my setup with the new Feather touch with the extensions needed for the 2x Powermate.
I highly recommend this focuser as well as the David Astro store.
I also recommend RAFCamera, if you need a specialized adapter. Rafael is excellent to work with. It only took 1 month to create a new adaptor design and receive the actual part.
