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Starlight Instruments Micro Pinion Assembly - fits Takahashi Epsilon E180/Mewlon Cassagrain.
Starlight Instruments Micro Pinion Assembly - fits Takahashi Epsilon E180/Mewlon Cassagrain.
Starlight Instruments Micro Pinion Assembly - fits Takahashi Epsilon E180/Mewlon Cassagrain.
Starlight Instruments Micro Pinion Assembly - fits Takahashi Epsilon E180/Mewlon Cassagrain.

Starlight Instruments Micro Pinion Assembly - fits Takahashi Epsilon E180/Mewlon Cassagrain.

by Starlight Instruments
SKU SI-MPA-TAK2.7-E180
CA$714.00 - CA$714.00
CA$714.00
CA$714.00 - CA$714.00
CA$714.00
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  • Adds Feather Touch dual-speed fine focusing to stock Takahashi focusers
  • Fits Takahashi Epsilon E180 and Mewlon series telescopes
  • Retrofit design installs into the original focuser body
  • Provides precise, zero-backlash control for imaging and visual use
  • Designed, machined, and assembled in the USA
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
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  • Warranty

  • Starlight Instruments Micro Pinion Assembly - fits Takahashi Epsilon E180/Mewlon Cassagrain.

    The Starlight Instruments Micro Pinion Assembly replaces the standard focusing mechanism on Takahashi Epsilon E180 and Mewlon telescopes, installing Feather Touch dual-speed control into the original focuser body. This American-made upgrade provides the fine adjustment necessary for critical focusing during high-resolution imaging and visual observation, transforming the feel and accuracy of your existing equipment.

    A Dual-Speed Retrofit for Takahashi Epsilon & Mewlon Focusers

    This assembly is not a complete focuser, but a precision-engineered upgrade that retains your telescope's robust original focuser housing. By replacing only the stock pinion block, you gain the acclaimed Feather Touch dual-speed mechanism, allowing for both coarse adjustments and extremely fine corrections without altering the telescope's optical alignment or mechanical integrity.

    Zero-Backlash Mechanics for Critical Imaging

    Engineered for astrophotography, the Feather Touch system uses a planetary reduction assembly with hardened stainless steel components to deliver smooth, repeatable focusing with virtually zero backlash. This is essential for automated focusing routines and for making manual tweaks at high magnification, ensuring your camera sensor achieves the sharpest possible focus across the entire field without image jump or shift from the focusing mechanism itself.

    Beyond Stock: The Practical Gain of Fine Focus Control

    While the standard Takahashi focuser is mechanically solid, its single-speed operation can be too coarse for the demands of modern imaging. The fine-focus knob on the Feather Touch assembly makes the difference between a nearly sharp image and a critically sharp one. For visual observers, this means effortlessly snapping focus on planetary details like Jupiter's cloud bands or Saturn's Cassini Division, eliminating the frustration of overshooting the mark.

  • What does the Micro Pinion Assembly do for my Takahashi Epsilon E180?

    It upgrades your stock single-speed focuser to a dual-speed Feather Touch system. This adds a fine-focus knob that allows for extremely precise adjustments, which is critical for achieving sharp focus with the Epsilon's fast optical system, especially when imaging.

    Is installing the Starlight Instruments MPA difficult?

    No, the installation is straightforward for most users. It involves removing the stock pinion assembly from your Takahashi focuser and replacing it with the Feather Touch unit using simple hand tools. Starlight Instruments provides detailed instructions to guide you through the process.

    Will this upgrade eliminate all image shift in my Takahashi focuser?

    This upgrade addresses backlash and control within the focusing mechanism itself, providing smooth and precise drawtube movement. It does not change the fundamental design of the original focuser body. Its primary benefit is adding fine control and eliminating the "jumpiness" associated with single-speed focusers.

    Can I still use autofocus with the Feather Touch MPA installed?

    Yes, absolutely. The near-zero backlash of the Feather Touch design makes it ideal for use with autofocus motors like the Starlight Instruments Handy Stepper Motor (HSM). The precise, repeatable motion allows autofocus software to reliably find the critical focus point.

    I'm imaging the Horsehead Nebula (B33) with my Epsilon E180. How does this MPA help achieve sharper stars?

    The Epsilon E180's fast focal ratio creates a very narrow critical focus zone. The stock focuser can easily overshoot this tiny zone. The Feather Touch fine-focus knob allows you to make minute, controlled adjustments to land perfectly within that zone, resulting in tighter, sharper stars across your image of the Horsehead Nebula (B33) and the surrounding region.

    When observing Jupiter with my Mewlon, my view "jumps" when I try to fine-tune focus. Does this product fix that?

    Yes, this is precisely the problem the Micro Pinion Assembly solves. That "jump" is caused by the coarse motion and inherent backlash in a single-speed mechanism. The Feather Touch fine-focus knob provides smooth, backlash-free motion, allowing you to dial in perfect focus on Jupiter's cloud bands and the Great Red Spot without the image shifting or jumping.

  • Made In USA (designed, machined and assembled)

    • Micro Pinion Assembly for Takahashi Epsilon E180/Mewlon

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  • Starlight Instruments 2-Year Warranty