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Starlight Instruments Micro Pinion Assembly Retrofit - fits Tele Vue Black Draw Tube w/ (IS) Digital System
Starlight Instruments Micro Pinion Assembly Retrofit - fits Tele Vue Black Draw Tube w/ (IS) Digital System

Starlight Instruments Micro Pinion Assembly Retrofit - fits Tele Vue Black Draw Tube w/ (IS) Digital System

by Starlight Instruments
SKU SI-PIN-24FT
CA$602.00 - CA$602.00
CA$602.00
CA$602.00 - CA$602.00
CA$602.00
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  • Adds acclaimed Feather Touch dual-speed focusing to your existing focuser
  • Direct retrofit for post-2005 Tele Vue OTAs with 2.4" black draw tube focusers
  • Integrated pinion brake secures heavy cameras and imaging trains
  • Maintains full compatibility with the stock Tele Vue (is) digital system
  • Machined and assembled in the USA for exceptional precision and durability
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
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  • Warranty

  • Starlight Instruments Micro Pinion Assembly Retrofit - fits Tele Vue Black Draw Tube w/ (IS) Digital System

    The Starlight Instruments Micro Pinion Assembly Retrofit transforms the stock 2.4" focuser on your post-2005 Tele Vue telescope into a dual-speed instrument, adding the legendary Feather Touch fine-focus mechanism while maintaining full compatibility with the factory (is) digital system.

    Dual-Speed Precision: The Feather Touch Upgrade for Post-2005 Tele Vue OTAs

    This pinion assembly replaces the stock single-speed knob on your Tele Vue focuser, leaving the original focuser body intact. The upgrade introduces the ultra-smooth, zero-backlash fine focus control that Starlight Instruments is known for, allowing you to make minute adjustments essential for critical imaging and high-magnification visual observation. This component is specifically designed for Tele Vue telescopes manufactured in 2005 or later.

    Engineered for 2.4" Focusers with Tele Vue (is) Digital Systems

    A key benefit of this retrofit is its seamless integration. It is designed to work perfectly with Tele Vue's own (is) digital focusing system, so you lose no functionality. The assembly also includes an internal brake system, engaged via a thumbscrew, which provides the tension needed to lock the drawtube and prevent slippage when using heavy eyepieces or a full astrophotography camera train.

    Stock Focuser vs. Feather Touch MPA: The Critical Focusing Advantage

    While the standard Tele Vue focuser is a high-quality unit, its single-speed operation can make achieving perfect focus a challenge, especially when imaging planets or splitting tight double stars. The slightest touch can overshoot the critical focus zone. The Feather Touch Micro Pinion Assembly (MPA) solves this by adding a fine-adjustment knob that moves the drawtube with extreme precision, eliminating focus shift and making it simple to nail the sharpest possible image.

    • Stock Focuser: Robust and smooth for general visual use, but lacks the fine control needed for critical imaging.
    • Feather Touch MPA: Adds a true dual-speed mechanism for repeatable, micrometer-level adjustments without replacing your entire focuser.
    • Integrated Brake: Secures the drawtube against gravity when loaded with a heavy camera, a feature absent on the stock pinion.

  • Will this Starlight Instruments MPA fit my older, pre-2005 Tele Vue telescope?

    No, this specific Micro Pinion Assembly is engineered to fit only the newer Tele Vue focusers found on telescopes made in 2005 or later, which feature the 2.4" focuser body and a black draw tube.

    Does this MPA for Tele Vue scopes work with my (is) digital system?

    Yes, absolutely. This retrofit is designed specifically to maintain full electronic compatibility with the stock Tele Vue (is) digital system. You gain the mechanical precision of Feather Touch without losing any of the original digital functionality.

    What is the purpose of the brake on the Feather Touch MPA?

    The internal brake allows you to increase the friction on the drawtube, effectively locking it in place. This is critical for astrophotography, as it prevents the weight of a heavy camera, filter wheel, and other accessories from causing the focuser to slip and lose focus during an exposure.

    I'm imaging Jupiter with my Tele Vue NP127is. How does this upgrade help?

    For high-resolution planetary imaging with a premium scope like the NP127is, achieving critical focus is everything. The stock single-speed focuser can make it difficult to hit that perfect point without overshooting. The Feather Touch MPA's fine focus knob lets you dial in focus with extreme precision, ensuring you capture the sharpest possible details in Jupiter's cloud bands and the Great Red Spot.

    Can I automate focusing with this MPA on my Tele Vue Genesis?

    Yes. While this MPA is a manual upgrade, it is compatible with Starlight Instruments' motor systems like the Handy Stepper Motor (HSM) and the Focuser Boss II electronic controller. By adding these components, you can achieve fully automated, temperature-compensated focusing for your imaging sessions.

    Do I need to replace my entire Tele Vue focuser to get this upgrade?

    No, and that is the primary advantage of this product. The MPA is a retrofit that only replaces the pinion block (the knob assembly) on your existing 2.4" Tele Vue focuser. You keep the original, high-quality focuser body that came with your telescope.

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