Burgess Optical 2" w/fine adjust focus control

Ratings:Top:Astronomy:Equipment Reviews:Misc Accessories:Burgess Optical 2" w/fine adjust focus control

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Brand and Model:Burgess Optical 2" w/fine adjust focus control
Price ($USD):$395.00
Type:Focuser
Description:

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Burgess Optical 2" w/fine adjust focus control
In my original vote I mistakenly gave the Burgess website incorrectly. It is www.burgessoptical.com My apologies to Bill for this error. I know another Bill in this business and cross-referenced the two sites in my haste to make my post available. As a sidenote, the Burgess Focuser just keeps getting better and better each time I use it. A true joy to own and operate.

Overall Rating: 10
Performance:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=76962

Burgess Optical 2" w/fine adjust focus control
I walked into Hands On Optics one day (www.handsonoptics.com), intending to look at focusers in the $200 range. After about an hour of playing, mostly with the Burgess 2" with microfocus, I walked out with one, despite the almost $400 price tag (and a "firm" commitment to not spend that much money). It's a solid, well-machined piece -- a true example of precision craftsmanship. Tension is adjustable via a brass wheel on the bottom, and focus friction is adjustable via another brass wheel on one side. Nice. Zero play, zero image shift, even with "hand grenade" eyepiece on a flip mirror assembly with barlow and CCD camera attached and the drawtube cranked all the way out. I have the 8" drawtube and Synta refractor baseplate (both are interchangable, so the focuser can be easily adapted to I imagine just about any telescope). Even with the drawtube all the way out, it takes something like 8 or 10 pounds of force to introduce a noticeable lateral shift...simply amazing. In use, between the smooth motion and the microfocus control, focusing is a dream. It's not uncommon for me to be able to finely adjust focus to accomodate changes in seeing on-the-fly while capturing solar and planetary images. I never would have believed such a thing was possible using amateur equipment. I have a JMI motofocus on my old (stock) focuser, and I'd planned on having Bill Burgess adapt the focuser for the JMI motor. But focusing is so fine and smooth that, literally, I just haven't felt the need for putting on a motor, even though I have one already on hand. Now, nothing's perfect, and you might be wondering what's wrong with or annoying about this focuser. Hmmm, let me think ... er... um.... Okay, how about this: the microfocus knob can be a little hard to get to if your fumble fingers happen to be wearing gloves. I easily solved this by drilling and tapping a set screw into the microfocus knob so I can attach a cable for microfocusing. Works like a charm. Honest, I can't think of anything bad to say. Bill Burgess is a delight -- he makes good and sure you're happy, and he's an honest guy to deal with. For pictures and description see the Burgess web site: http://www.burgessoptical.com/

Overall Rating: 10
Performance:10 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=76532

Burgess Optical 2" w/fine adjust focus control
I forgot to post a vote on my prior post.A solid "10" is well deserved for this excellent product!

Overall Rating: 10
Performance:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=66049

Burgess Optical 2" w/fine adjust focus control
[webmaster note: vote moved from description]

The original version complete with the fine focusing adjustment. This beautifully machined focuser is a precision piece of equipment and a "focusing marvel." I have one on each of my refractors, an SV80 and a CR150. Both have been adapted to work with the JMI Motofocus unit and togther this combination makes focusing something you have to experience to believe. The entire unit is made from machined aluminum with stainless steel and brass fittings. The really special feature is when you feel you have achieved focus using the normal focusing, you simple tweak the fine focus and the object you are viewing simply snaps into even sharper detail. Burgess makes adapters to fit most any refractor. Installation is a snap and takes only a few minutes. No collimation is necessary as this unit is "spot on" when installed correctly. When comparing this unit to the stock focusers on most mass produced refractors, it's not even a fair comparison. No backlash, no image shifting, no slop or play. Just even, smooth focusing during the entire focusing path. If you have an optically good telescope but are not satified with the stock focuser, by all means check out the Burgess before purchasing any other aftermarket focuser. You will be very glad you did. Bill Burgess is a great guy to do business with and make certain you are completely satisfied with your purchase. Go to www.burnettweb.com and see for yourself what focusing is really all about. Highly recommended by this user! PS: The 2" version is just one of several sizes available.

Overall Rating: No Vote
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=65954

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