ALL Baader Steeltrack Crayford focusers have following features in common:
- the drawtube has massive steel rails built into it as counter-bearings for the adjustable drive.
- a laser-cut plate made of stainless steel (V2A) instead of aluminium serves as counter-bearing for the Crayford rail.
- a lock screw with rotatable thrust piece prevents unwanted slippage, even with large loads.
- in all Steeltrack models, the contact points between drawtube and exterior housing all run steel-on-steel. The result is a heavy-duty focuser, also suitable for heavy camera equipment.
- all steel parts and load transmission parts are designed for long-term use and for operation with motor drives. The entire focuser is much more robust than simpler Crayford focusers where, in time, the steel ball bearings wear down the softer aluminium.
- heavy-duty, professional quality 1/10 reduction ratio, made of V2A and hardened steel.
- the inner tube is equipped with anti-reflective baffles and high-quality blackening.
- all focusers come equipped with a 2" clamp. A built-in brass compression ring protects your eyepieces and accessories from scratches.
- especially important for CCD and DSLR photography: no more images with blurred corners - the bearing sleeve mounting has been so designed that the optical axis of the drawtube can be precisely adjusted when required.
- the reduction gearing has been prepared for use with a motor drive, by means of toothed belt, at a later date. The outer housing of all focusers has been equipped with a milled dovetail on the bottom of the rail for subsequent attachment of an optional motor mounting.
The Baader 3" RT Steeltrack Crayford focuser in detail:
- 115mm of focuser travel
- full 3", 76mm aperture with anti-reflective baffles and blackened inner tube
- telescope-side mounting for 4" dovetail ring, for accepting the optional 295 7105 M100_a or #295 7106 M116_i adapter or for the #295 7109 39mm extension
- eyepiece-side includes #295 7104 M82/M68 adapter and 2" clamp with M68/2"/ M68 eyepiece projection adapter for connecting 2" and M68 accessories (e.g. for telecentric systems, solar spectrum H-alpha filter, and many other accessories.).
