10" f/8 Another Vixen focuser?

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Thanks to Dave and AstroBuysell(UK) I have a nice, sturdy, 2", rack and pinion focuser, for my long focus 10" f/8 Newtonian, without spending a fortune. The item arrived superbly packed in bubble cushions and bubble wrap in a strong box all well taped for security in the post. Some lazy optimists get slapdash with the packaging once they have their victim's money. Not so with Dave. He did a great job and the focuser arrived in perfect condition. Thanks for taking the time and care to do it properly, Dave.

Here are the three Vixen focusers. From L to R: The 2" eyepiece fitting reflector type, a 1.25" fitting refractor type and a 2" fitting refractor type. The reflector focuser includes a 1.5" (38mm) long extension, 2/1.25" eyepiece adaptor and dust cap. Which Dave kindly included in the sale. I have some long focus 2" "Plossls" which will sit in there nicely if I ever need very low powers and more drawtube length. It may also have uses for photography.

A view of the undersides of the focusers where they would normally fit on the instrument. They each use low friction slides to ensure stable movement of their drawtubes while being driven in and out by their rack and pinion.

The reflector focuser from the side showing the focussing and draw tube locking knob.
The drawtube has been retracted to its minimum height of 100mm or 4".

The adaptor has a locking ring allowing a small range of adjustment of minimum height by screwing the adaptor in or out.

It is important to ensure the engagement of sufficient threads to maintain enough strength to support a heavy camera or other equipment.

 The focuser showing the alternative eyepiece fittings.  The taller 2" fitting eyepiece adaptor came with the focuser.

The focuser is shown fitted with the 1/2" (12mm) lower, 2" fitting compression ring eyepiece adaptor, borrowed from the large refractor focuser.

This reduces the minimum focuser height to 3.125" or 80mm.

Drawtube movement is 26mm or just over 1". 

Here is the reflector focuser from the rack and pinion side with the compression ring fitting from the large refractor focuser.

The plate supporting the pinion which drives the rack is held firmly by the four screws.

Drawtube tension/friction is adjusted by the tiny Allen grub screws on the opposite side from the rack.

The large refractor focuser fitted with the eyepiece adaptor from the reflector focuser.

The image on the right shows the main tube adaptor for fitting the focuser onto the CR150HD Celestron 6" refractor.

Also on the right, the large drawtube has been raised to the maximum.

This focuser offers 78mm of drawtube movement and once contained a single baffle. This was removed by the previous owner for imaging.

The 1.25" focuser from the Vixen 90M refractor with the drawtube at full extension. And below, with the drawtube racked fully in. The focuser offers 135mm of drawtube movement.

Here is an indoor, flash shot of all three focusers together. The two refractor focusers are both by Vixen. A 2" on the right. Which arrived fitted to a secondhand, 6" Celestron CR150HD refractor obtained from Ian King. The 1.25" focuser on the left is from a Vixen 90M [90mm f/11] refractor also bought used from the UK.

I don't think there is much doubt that the reflector focuser, in the centre, is also a Vixen. The family resemblance, cosmetic finish, control knobs and adaptor threads all match perfectly. There is some slight variation in the pale green "hammered" finish paint from one focuser to the other. Interestingly (?) the flash produces a much greater variation in hue than daylight. All three focuser tubes were wound down to be flush with the supporting surface for this photograph. [This image has also been flipped horizontally]

Click on any image for an enlargement