PolarAlign

The Takahashi FSQ106EDXII with the Extender QE cannot be focused described by Takahashi.  The system maps and charts are wrong as of 06/09.

You must use is the adapter they sell for the ReducerQE which recesses into the CAA.

The people that designed the maps and the charts apparently did so without actually trying to focus the telescope and it seems they did not account for the
additional length of the CAA in the imaging path. With the recessed adapter you will be able to focus and also to maintain the required 117.X mm distance from the back
of the extender to the imaging chip.   In order to fit the compression adapter into the recessed reducer ring you must remove the two thumbscrews from the compression adapter and replace them with M5X8mm set screws.

You should also remove the thin brass strip from the compression adapter until you can sand the edges smooth with some 1500 grit wet/dry sandpaper. If
you don't, the thin brass gets distorted from the set screws and the raw cut edges of the brass strip will trap the extender in the adapter. Attempts to remove the trapped extender Q will damage the anodizing on your extender.

The telescope will not focus as pictured in the first picture.  All other pictures show the telescope focused.  The green tape is to better show the recessed adapter which otherwise photographs poorly.  The recessed adapter sold for the Reducer QE is the only change, substitute that for the reducer ring shown in the Takahashi system charts. 

The thumb screws won't fit inside the recessed adapter so set screws need to be substituted, use M5, 8mm long.  Ace hardware is a good source for the set screws and has them in stainless steel. Home Depot carries them  but not in stainless. Lowes does not stock metric set screws.

Click on the icon in lower right corner to enlarge any picture.

Setup using Takahashi system chart, will not focus

Setup using recessed adapter.  This is focused.

Photo shows remaining infocus.  As you can see, the 1/4" infocus used by the Takometer is not a problem.

The recessed adapter photographs poorly.  Here green tape is used to better demonstrate the adapter.  The compression fitting is fully recessed within the adapter so cannot be seen. 

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