SCT Focus Lock


 
Home
 
Focuser Lock
Dimensions

 
Focus Lock Price List
 
Placing Orders
 


Focus locks for Celestron SCT's are designed to minimize frustrating shifts in focus while imaging by positively locking the focuser in position. The effectiveness of the lock is shown in the table below. Improvement in the shifting of the mirror was measured at the edge of the mirror using a dial gage:

C11 C8
Without
focus lock
100-110
microns
80-85
microns
With
focus lock
30-40
microns
40-45
microns

Separate versions are available to fit the focus shafts of the scopes as listed:
C8, C9.5 ID= 13mm
C11 (older models),
Vixen VMC260L

ID= 19mm

C11 (recent model), C14 ID= 22mm

 
NOTE: Prior to ordering, please check your focuser knob dimensions to insure focuser lock compatibility. The Celestron design is subject to change without notice (e.g. note difference between older and recent model C11).

The focus lock works by replacing the standard focus knob with a new one which can be locked in position after focus has been achieved by screwing down the axial locking screw. This locks the focuser in position and reduces the play normally found in SCT focusers.

Installation is very simple -- just use the provided Allen wrench to loosen the setscrew on the standard focus knob and remove the knob. Make sure the 4 setscrews on the new knob are retracted as well as the focus lock screw knob, slip the new knob onto the focuser shaft, and tighten all setscrews. To lock the focuser after focusing in the normal manner, tighten the focus lock knob until the focus knob does not rotate. Do not use excessive force!

When imaging, use a Borg focuser in conjunction with the SCT focuser lock. At right, the SCT focus lock and Borg focuser are shown mounted on a C11. A Borg 7428 SCT adapter is used to connect the focuser to the standard SCT threads.

The SCT focuser is used for coarse focus, after which it may be locked in place. The Borg helical focuser may then be used for fine focusing. This avoids the image shift problem of the SCT focuser which is often enough to move the target off a CCD imaging chip.