Starlight Instruments, makers of the outstanding Feather Touch Focusers
Soon after we began developing our 20" F3.0 Renegade telescope, it became clear that we needed a very special focuser. In such a fast instrument the light cone is very steep as it comes to focus. And that means that the area of "perfect" focus is quite thin. So to quickly lock in and hold focus, you need a dual-speed focuser with a VERY precise fine adjustment.
Having used the Starlight Feather Touch focuser on other telescopes that I have owned, I knew right away that there was no other choice. I've never felt better action myself, and the seasoned observer will appreciate the pleasure this focuser provides at the eyepiece. I have never met an observer who wasn't impressed by the smooth, precise feeling you get when using the Feather Touch. All in all, this top-end focuser is a perfect match for our Renegade line of telescopes! We had decided early on to make the Renegade the best premium-quality telescope we could, so that meant using the Feather Touch focuser as standard equipment.
After conversations with Wayne Schroeder at Starlight, we decided to use the 2" model, with the light-weighted drawtube. This little gem is amazing. It's hard to believe how much difference the stock removal makes in the weight of the focuser. That's a happy benefit when you are building a finely balanced Dobsonian 'scope, where every ounce of savings up on top pays off in less weight needed down by the mirror. This also helps to keep our center of gravity low, a benefit for stability and excellent motion.
We didn't have to wait long for our first order to arrive from Wayne's facility in Indiana. When that box arrived with twelve fine focusers, ready to top off our first twelve Renegades, a big smile spread across my face. With a dozen state-of-the-art focusers in hand, it was time to get those telescopes manufactured, and let the world see the Renegade.
Many thanks to Starlight Instruments for making such a marvelous piece of equipment. And thanks for their help in making the Renegade into a great telescope!
