Lacerta OCTO60 2" focuser for Newton

Lacerta OCTO-PLUS 2 inch focuser for Newton (guided on 8 pcs bearing, with 1:10 microfocus, 2" CenterLock eyepiece-holder)

The OctoPlus is the heavily revised successor to the Octo60mic. Larger bearings, improved attachment to the base - even more stable! The large preload makes the focusing doughy as if dampened by oil, and effectively prevents slipping - a completely new focusing feeling! The Octo60mic is a tried and tested focuser, but the development continues - its successor is the OctoPlus. The most important innovations: Larger bearings, more stable attachment to the base, extension tube only 0.2mm smaller than the body (no incidence of light). The Octo (Latin eight = 8) was developed because we couldn't find a usable, cheap focuser on the market, and that is still the case today. The new Newtonians extracts from Taiwan and China also have critical weak points. They are all unsuitable for our photo newtons, which are also supposed to carry heavier CCDs, and high-priced alternatives from the USA would almost double the price of the telescope. Designer elements were therefore deliberately avoided and a completely new development started. The result that emerged from practice is a completely stable focuser, which cannot be bent even under a load of several kg, in which the GPU coma corrector and the screwed camera are almost permanently installed. When we say "stable", we don't mean "hopefully nothing bends", but REALLY stable. 

Technical specifications:

the OctoPlus consists of 4 components (see picture below):

• Part1: focuser body with extension tube and rack including microfocus
• Part2: screwed intermediate ring with 12mm light path (can be removed, the Octo will then be 12mm shorter!)
• Part3: clamping ring insert with a length of 20mm
• Part4: Self-centering clamp with "Captains Wheel" knobs
• Focusing path: 20mm
• Light path of the intermediate ring (removable): 12mm
• Base body without Part2, Part3, Part4: min 54.5mm, max 74.5mm
• Reduced height without Part2: min 65mm, max 85mm
• Standard height with all 4 components: min 78mm, max 98mm
• Construction height with second (additional) intermediate ring: min 90mm, max 110mm
• Each additional intermediate ring (Part2) increases the overall height by 12mm
• Base plate: There are 2 different plates, one with curvature for 8 "(235mm) and one for 10" (283mm) tube - please select the appropriate one and specify when ordering!
• The base plate's hole spacing is Skywatcher compatible! (82mm (across) 88mm (oblong)
• Weight: 995 grams (standard configuration with an intermediate ring, including base)

Installation of the OctoPlus:

The body of the OctoPlus is screwed to the base using 4 Allen screws, which are accessible from the underside of the base. First hold the OctoPlus with base over the hole in the tube where it is to be mounted, and check from the inside of the tube whether you can see the 4 Allen screws from there and screw them tight. If the tube hole is larger than 80mm, this should be possible. Then loosen the body of the OctoPlus from the base and screw the base onto the tube first. Afterwards you can fasten the body using these 4 screw connections that are accessible from the inside. Note that the body can be attached in 4 positions offset by 90 °! Photos can be found in the support tab.

If the fastening screws are not accessible inside the tube, the focus shaft housing must be removed (4 screws at the bottom next to the locking screw). After mounting, check the friction of the shaft and adjust it if necessary - loosen the grub screw in the middle a little beforehand and adjust the friction - please do not too tight! The brake screw is attached to the side, it is not the grub screw in the middle.

Frequently asked question: How do I determine the required height for photographic and / or visual use?

PHOTOGRAPHIC: please note that the overall height of the OctoPlus focuser for photography is optimized for the use of coma correctors, especially for the GPU. These correctors usually have 55mm back focus, which means that you should plan an additional 55mm light path above the focuser. Many coma correctors also shift the focus position outwards or inwards (typically: 5mm for GPU and MPCC). The standard focus position with GPU corrector is 140mm above the tube, so it is guaranteed that the GPU corrector does not protrude into the beam path. Short correctors like the MPCC can handle a lower focal position, but should be extended at the bottom with M48 extensions to ensure guidance through the slip fit in the OAZ tube of the Octo.

VISUAL: To use the telescope visually, the coma corrector in the focuser can be equipped with an eyepiece adapter (for example M48508 or T2508, and if necessary A508317null). Without a coma corrector, you need M48 extension sleeves under the M48508 eyepiece adapter to guide the OAZ R.

More about the product

Low profile "Bearing Type" focuser with 8 ball bearings (for Newton)
At these very high loading capacity extracts, is the storage of the extension tube with eight ball bearings. The drive is available with Crayford shaft or with a classic rack, the latter principle has prevailed in the short excerpts built because the brake screw can be placed at the side and at the terminals there is no tipping. The Lacerta Newton extract with extra low profile works in this manner, we recommend it for high loads. 

Ball-bearing "Bearing Type Linear" statements for SC
In this type, the extension tube is attached to the bottom rail on both sides out of two oversized ball bearings and held. Characterized in that the tube is supported only at the bottom or out, the construction can be carried out much more easily than a comparable Crayford focuser. The weight of the 2.7-inch refractors for linear statement is as about 30% lower than similar sized Crayford constructions. Eyepiece has the 2.7-inch refractor for linear pull a M74 external thread and a rotator with this, the connected equipment or the camera can be rotated smoothly and effortlessly into the desired position.