How does the Feather Touch Micro improve focusing on a Meade LX200 12" SCT?
The Feather Touch Micro replaces the standard single-speed knob with a dual-speed mechanism. This gives you a fine-focus knob that makes minute, controlled adjustments, eliminating the image shift and backlash inherent in the stock focuser. For a 12" f/10 SCT, this means you can achieve critical focus for high-resolution planetary imaging or visual observation without your target jumping across the field of view.
Will this Feather Touch Micro focuser help me achieve sharp focus on Jupiter with my Meade 10" f/10 SCT?
Yes, absolutely. High-magnification planetary observing on targets like Jupiter (Jove) or Saturn requires extremely precise focus to resolve cloud bands, the Great Red Spot, or the Cassini Division. The stock focuser often overshoots the point of perfect focus. The Feather Touch's fine-focus control allows you to make tiny, repeatable adjustments to nail the focus, even when seeing conditions are unsteady.
Can I install this Feather Touch Micro on my f/8 Meade SCT?
No. This specific model is engineered exclusively for the f/10 versions of the 10" and 12" Meade SCTs. It will not fit the f/8 models, which require the FTM-M1012-F8 model from Starlight Instruments.
Is the Feather Touch Micro for Meade SCTs difficult to install?
Installation is designed to be user-friendly and typically takes only a few minutes with basic hand tools. The kit includes the necessary hex wrench. The focuser assembly directly replaces the factory knob on the rear cell of the telescope.
Why choose this Feather Touch Micro over an external Crayford focuser for my Meade SCT?
The Feather Touch Micro is an internal upgrade that refines the telescope's existing focus mechanism. This has two key advantages over an external Crayford focuser:
-
No Added Backfocus: It doesn't change the optical path length, so you won't have issues reaching focus with your existing accessories.
-
Less Weight/Leverage: It adds minimal weight directly to the rear cell, avoiding the balance and leverage issues an external focuser can create.
An external focuser is a good solution for heavy imaging trains, but for visual use and light imaging, the Micro Focuser is a more streamlined and integrated solution.
What exactly is "image shift" and how does the Feather Touch Micro solve it on my LX90?
Image shift, or "mirror flop," is a common issue in SCTs where the primary mirror tilts slightly as it moves along the baffle tube during focusing. This causes the star you are focusing on to jump or drift in the eyepiece. The Feather Touch Micro solves this by providing extremely smooth, precise control over the mirror's movement, preventing the sudden shifts caused by the coarse stock focuser mechanism.
