Focuser Knobs - Rubber Grip Issues

This will be the third time that I'm going through this... :S

The Rubber grip band, that goes around the Focuser Knob, keeps breaking on my ED-80... not sure if anybody else has seen/had this...

Is there any other product out there to replace these Knobs with? (NOTE: I know there are many products out there to replace other focusers knobs, but have not seen any to replace the ones that come with the ED series of scopes...)



Thanks for your attention, and clear skies! 8)

Hi Ivan,
I use a rubber chair leg guard, the kind that slips over the end. They are available in many diameters. I then cut them off to fit the knobs. I do this for the cold as my fingers get very cold touching the metal of the focuser. It also increases the diameter thus making it a finer adjustment.

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Seems to be a problem with ED-80's. After mine died, everytime I got a flat tire on one of my bikes, I would cut a section out of the inner tube and give it a try.

700c x 23 tubes are too small

26 x 2.0 are too big

If I remember correctly, something around 26 x 1.25's are about right but it takes two layers...

Works for me.

Another solution is to use some O-rings

jon

My ED80 did the same thing. Orion is well aware of the problem and will send you replacement knobs for free. Just give them a call. -Kurt Horsley

I've owned lots of scopes and bino's that use these rubber grips - happens to them all eventually. The rubber both dries out as well as UV degradation...As nice as they look and feel, I almost always replace them with machined wheels if possible. Although I think Floyds idea is quite a good compromise!

This was one of the reasons I liked the WO 66-80mm scopes over most of the other clones which use these rubber grips.

Ozone causes rubber to degrade. Also, the solvent evaporates in the rubber. Those of us too cheap to spend $5 on new windshield wiper blades wipe them down with a solvent like Berrymans or whatever. The rubber absorbs the solvent buying you some time. This is done about every 4-6 months. This explains why rubber stored in cases or dark places still corrodes.

Orion should move to a polymer or silicone based replacement.

Corrosion 101

Mr. Gastaldo:

I thinks these will fit the focuser posts on the 80ED crayford.

Regards,

Jim

http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_fkcx.htm