Astrodon Narrow Band Filters as well as RGB

[zztt]

Hi folks, changed my filters from Astronomik to Astrodon filters in my manual Atik filter  wheel.  when attached to my Tak 85 the wheel will no longer rotate.  It works fine wen off the wheel. Looks like Atik filter wheels do not work with Astrodon Filters!!!

Any information or other experience with this?

Thanks

Ken Araujo
volt@pobox.com

[nitehawk]

I hit this same problem for this same reason on my WOStar71.

The issue is that the retaining rings on the Astrodon filters are thicker than the Astronomik, so the filters bump against the threads of the telescope adapter as the wheel spins. The filters are fine, its the scope adapter that does not fit well on thicker filters.

The filters do fit in the wheel, the problem is that you have to make the scope not thread in so deeply. I haven't actually fixed the problem yet, but I think all that is needed is a "doughnut" shaped ring to fit over the threads on the scope so it doesn't thread in so far but still be tight enough to keep the EFW2 from coming loose.

I am going to try to cut one out of plastic and see if that works. If anyone has any other ideas on how to fix this, I would love to hear it.

[zztt]

Thanks for your response. Had wheel apart again and observed the same thing. May play around with a "spacer" or gasket, (maybe a couple of strips of tape) under the baader t2 extension tube  connecter that connects tak to wheel. Sure is a poor fix if it works!   Please tell me if you find a "fix"  Astronomik filters were not a problem but these Astrodon  produced the dilemma. I wonder if a non ATIK filter wheel would work without presenting this issue.
Wonder if ATIK would add to this conversation?  My manual Atik wheel has now been discontinued and I may have to seek a more viable solution e.g. different make filter wheel. 

[vince]

Hi,

The manual filter wheel can to filters up to around 9 mm in depth, how deep are the Astrodon filters? You can use a T adaptor to couple the wheel to your scope as long as it has a thread which is 3 mm in length, any longer and you risk obstructing the filters.

Best regards
Vince

[nitehawk]

Using the OAG also prevents this problem. It adds plenty of backfocus so a scope can't thread in too far. (this is what I am doing now)