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Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro for Meade f/8 10" or 12" SCTs
Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro for Meade f/8 10" or 12" SCTs
Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro for Meade f/8 10" or 12" SCTs

Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro for Meade f/8 10" or 12" SCTs

by Starlight Instruments
SKU SI-FTM-M1012-F8
CA$616.00 - CA$616.00
CA$616.00
CA$616.00 - CA$616.00
CA$616.00
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  • Replaces the stock focuser knob on Meade f/8 10" and 12" SCTs
  • Adds dual-speed, high-precision focusing control
  • Eliminates image shift caused by mirror tilt
  • Hardened stainless steel and anodized aluminum construction
  • Designed, machined, and assembled in the USA
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro for Meade f/8 10" or 12" SCTs

    The Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro brings precision dual-speed focusing to your Meade f/8 10" or 12" Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, replacing the coarse stock knob to eliminate image shift and enable critical sharpness for high-magnification visual observation and imaging.

    Dual-Speed Control: Eliminating Image Shift on Meade f/8 SCTs

    The primary challenge with stock SCT focusers is "image shift"—the frustrating wobble of the target in the eyepiece as you change focus. This is caused by the entire primary mirror tilting on the baffle tube. The Feather Touch Micro solves this by providing extremely fine, repeatable control over the mirror's position, using a robust planetary reduction assembly to make backlash and image shift a thing of the past.

    This dual-speed mechanism allows for coarse adjustments to find initial focus, then switches to a fine-focus ratio for nailing the final, perfect position. For planetary imagers trying to resolve Cassini's Division in Saturn's rings or visual observers splitting tight double stars, this level of control is not a luxury; it's essential for achieving the full resolution of your telescope's optics.

    USA-Made Machining: The Feather Touch Build Standard

    Every Feather Touch Micro focuser is designed, machined, and assembled in the USA, adhering to Starlight Instruments' rigorous standards for mechanical excellence. The internal components are crafted from hardened stainless steel and other high-grade materials to ensure a lifetime of smooth, reliable operation without wear or slippage.

    The focuser's housing is precisely engineered for a direct, drop-in fit on compatible Meade f/8 telescopes. Installation is straightforward and does not require permanent modification to your instrument, making it a completely reversible and high-value upgrade.

    Feather Touch Micro vs. Stock Meade Focuser: A Direct Comparison

    Upgrading from the standard Meade focuser knob to the Feather Touch Micro provides several immediate and tangible benefits.

    • Focusing Resolution: The stock knob offers only a single, coarse speed. The Feather Touch adds a second, ultra-fine focus knob, allowing for minute adjustments that are impossible with the original hardware.
    • Image Stability: The primary reason for the upgrade. The stock focuser's inherent image shift makes high-magnification focusing a battle. The Feather Touch Micro's precise mechanism eliminates this shift, keeping your target centered.
    • Tactile Feel: The fluid, backlash-free motion of the Feather Touch provides a superior tactile experience, giving you confidence that every turn translates directly into a precise focus adjustment.

  • Will this Feather Touch Micro fit my Meade 12" f/10 LX200?

    No. This specific model is engineered exclusively for the Meade f/8 10" and 12" Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes. It will not fit the f/10 versions of these telescopes due to differences in the rear cell and focusing mechanism.

    What is "image shift" and how does the Feather Touch Micro fix it on my Meade f/8 SCT?

    Image shift is the apparent movement of the object in the eyepiece when you focus an SCT. It's caused by the primary mirror slightly tilting as it moves along the central baffle. The Feather Touch Micro provides much finer control over the focusing shaft, preventing the sudden, coarse movements that cause the mirror to tilt and the image to shift.

    Is installing the Feather Touch Micro difficult?

    No, installation is designed to be simple and can be done with basic hand tools. The Feather Touch Micro replaces the factory knob on the rear cell of the telescope without requiring any permanent modifications. Instructions are included to guide you through the process.

    Can I still use the original Meade focus knob with the Feather Touch Micro installed?

    No, the Feather Touch Micro is a complete replacement for the original focuser knob assembly. You will remove the stock knob and install the Feather Touch unit in its place.

    How does the Feather Touch Micro help when imaging Jupiter with my 12" f/8 Meade SCT?

    When imaging Jupiter, especially during moments of good seeing, achieving critical focus is paramount to capturing fine details like the Great Red Spot or subtle cloud bands. The Feather Touch Micro's fine-focus control allows you to make tiny, precise adjustments to the focus, ensuring you capture the sharpest possible data without the image shifting in the camera's field of view.

    I'm trying to collimate my 10" f/8 Meade on a star. Will the Feather Touch Micro make it easier?

    Yes, significantly. A key step in collimation is accurately defocusing a star to examine the diffraction pattern. The Feather Touch Micro's smooth, shift-free motion allows you to precisely defocus and refocus the star without introducing wobble, making it much easier to judge the concentricity of the rings and achieve perfect collimation.

  • Made In USA (designed, machined and assembled)
  • Starlight Instruments 2-Year Warranty