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Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro for Celestron C8 (NOT CPC/NexStar SE)
Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro for Celestron C8 (NOT CPC/NexStar SE)
Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro for Celestron C8 (NOT CPC/NexStar SE)

Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro for Celestron C8 (NOT CPC/NexStar SE)

by Starlight Instruments
SKU SI-FTM-C8
CA$490.00 - CA$490.00
CA$490.00
CA$490.00 - CA$490.00
CA$490.00
Price Match Policy!
  • Replaces stock focuser on Celestron C8 SCTs
  • Provides ultra-fine, dual-speed focusing control
  • Eliminates mirror shift and image slop
  • Adds zero back focus to the optical train
  • Designed for C8 models with a flat rear cell (non-CPC/SE)
  • Made in the USA
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro for Celestron C8 (NOT CPC/NexStar SE)

    The Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro Focuser is a high-precision, bolt-on upgrade for your Celestron C8 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope. It replaces the original single-speed focus knob to provide the fine adjustment necessary for critical astrophotography and high-power visual observation, completely eliminating the image shift that plagues standard SCT mirror-focusing mechanisms. This American-made focuser is engineered specifically for older Celestron C8 models that feature a flat rear cell.

    Dual-Speed Focusing for Your Celestron 8" SCT

    The core of the Feather Touch Micro is its robust, backlash-free dual-speed mechanism. This system gives you a coarse knob for rough focusing and a secondary fine-focus knob for making minute, repeatable adjustments. This level of control is essential for achieving perfect focus when imaging planets like Jupiter or splitting tight double stars like Albireo (Beta Cygni), where the stock focuser's coarse movement makes it nearly impossible to hit the critical focus zone without overshooting.

    Compatibility Check: For Flat-Back Celestron C8 OTAs Only

    This micro focuser is designed exclusively for Celestron C8 telescopes that have a flat rear cell. Before ordering, you must inspect the back of your optical tube. If the area around the focus knob is flat, this is the correct model for your telescope. If your C8 has a triangular pattern cast into the rear cell, you own a CPC or NexStar SE series telescope, which requires a different version of the Feather Touch Micro Focuser.

    A 0mm Back-Focus Upgrade for Your C8 Imaging Train

    One of the primary challenges of SCT astrophotography is managing the limited back focus, especially when using focal reducers, off-axis guiders, and filter wheels. While an external Crayford-style focuser can also improve focusing, it consumes several inches of precious back focus. The Feather Touch Micro Focuser provides the same level of precision without using any back focus at all, as it directly upgrades the telescope's internal mechanism. This makes it the ideal focusing solution for imagers who cannot afford to extend their optical train.

  • How do I know if this Feather Touch Micro Focuser fits my Celestron C8?

    You must check the physical appearance of your telescope's rear cell. This model is only for C8s with a flat back. If the back of your telescope has a triangular pattern around the focuser, you have a CPC or NexStar SE model, and this focuser will not fit.

    What is the main advantage of the Feather Touch Micro Focuser over the C8's stock focuser?

    The two main advantages are precision and image-shift elimination. The dual-speed control allows for extremely fine adjustments that are impossible with the standard knob. More importantly, it removes the "image shift" or "mirror flop" that causes the view to jump whenever you change focus direction on a stock SCT.

    Will installing the Feather Touch Micro on my C8 help with planetary imaging of Jupiter or Saturn?

    Absolutely. High-resolution planetary imaging requires perfect focus. The Feather Touch Micro allows you to make tiny, controlled adjustments to the mirror position, ensuring you can precisely focus on details like the cloud bands of Jupiter or the Cassini Division in Saturn's rings, even when seeing conditions are challenging.

    Why should I choose this Feather Touch Micro instead of an external Crayford focuser for my C8?

    The primary reason is back focus. An external focuser adds several inches to your imaging train, which can prevent you from reaching focus with accessories like focal reducers or certain cameras. The Feather Touch Micro adds zero back focus, making it a superior choice for complex imaging setups on a Celestron C8.

    Is the installation of the Feather Touch Micro Focuser on a C8 difficult?

    Installation is straightforward for most users and can typically be completed with simple hand tools. The process involves removing the stock rubber focus knob and its mounting flange, and then bolting the Feather Touch unit in its place. Detailed instructions are available for download.

    Does this Feather Touch Micro Focuser work for deep-sky imaging with my C8 and a focal reducer?

    Yes, it's an excellent choice for this application. Because it doesn't consume any back focus, you can easily use it in an imaging train that includes a focal reducer, an off-axis guider, and a camera, while still benefiting from precise, shift-free focusing for sharp stars across the field.

  • Known to Fit Celestron C-8 Schmidt-Cassegrain SCT
    Made In USA (designed, machined and assembled)

    • Feather Touch Micro Focuser for Celestron C8

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  • Starlight Instruments 2-Year Warranty