Baader SteelTrack Diamond RT for Refractors
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Baader SteelTrack Diamond RT for RefractorsBaader SteelTrack Diamond RT for RefractorsBaader SteelTrack Diamond RT for Refractors

About this product

Model:  baad_st-rt-diamond_2957210
Part Number:  2957210

Features Baader's unique 'Diamond form' micro-geared drive system for zero backlash, zero cogging and zero flexure. Which is quite an achievement! 

NOTE: Please add the appropriate Baader adapter required for your scope to your basket. These are sold separately.

Diamond Form Drive System

  • True diamonds form a micro-geared high precision drive system never accomplished before
  • In comparison to conventional crayford or rack & pinion drives, this micro-geared movement has zero backlash, zero cogging, and zero flexure
  • Diamond Steeltrack 2" focusers lift a payload of 6kg (13 lbs) straight up, without slipping, without excessive bearing preload (bearing preload can be increased further if necessary)
  • Bearing system utilises unbreakable Instrument Grade Roller-Bearings instead of simpler Ball Bearings handles higher loads with greater rigidity and accuracy. No Teflon-pads anywhere
  • 1:10 Stainless Steel fine-focus mechanism, ready for attachment of the optional Steeldrive temperature compensating motor drive system
  • Detachable drive block assembly is reversible for right hand or left hand fie-focus operation and for attaching the Steeldrive motorblock onto Diamond-NT-Steeltracks for newtonian telescopes
  • Shortest possible mechanical design achieves optimum balance between focuser height (backfocus) and rigidity requirements
  • Zero shift locking knob to precisely stop any movement without affecting optical axis adjustment

Focusing Drawtube

  • Each bearing individually adjustable for precise alignment of mechanical vs. optical axis
  • Ultra-hard subzero coated bearing races – precision milled and much harder than anodising or stainless steel
  • Oversized 55mm inner clear diameter, to prevent vignetting, with anti-reflection knife-edge baffles

Clamping System

  • S58 Dovetail ring-clamp built into focusing tube for accepting optional T-2 / M48 / M68 and other S58 direct thread adapters to enable direct thread connection of accessories and cameras without 2" clamp
  • 2" eyepiece clamp with hardened bronze clamp ring (length of clamp: 12.5mm / ½") included as standard
  • Optionally available 2" Baader Clicklock-clamp w. integrated S58 dovetail (added length: 16mm / 5/8")
  • Two auxiliary threads (M60x1 and M55x0,75) cut into the RT & NT focusing-tube for attachment of dedicated field flatteners or focal reducers/correctors

 

Customer reviews

Average Rating (4 Reviews):  
Write a Review and share your opinions!

Rating (max 5):  
Great Piece of engineering.
08 November 2023  | 

This is the second diamond steel track I’ve bought, the first was fitted to my Stella Lyra 6” RC and was a great success.
This one has been fitted to my Skywatcher 80ED and has now turned the scope into a first class imaging scope, don’t get me wrong, the stock focuser is ok, but once you start to hang a filter wheel and filters, plus a camera, OAG etc the weight gives the stock focuser a hard time and it tends to slip, especially near the zenith, visually it’s fine.
The Baader diamond steel track sorts that out nicely, no slippage and you don’t need to swing on the tightening screws to achieve that either.
The adapter that enables the Baader unit to fit the skywatcher OTA would not fit into the tube on my scope, however I suspect this was due to the paint etc on the inside of the tube, fortunately I have my own lathe so I simply machined the adapter to fit exactly, I believe the adapter could possibly have been tapped in with a block of wood or similar, but I didn’t fancy getting it jammed, but that’s just me!
I highly recommend the Baader focuser, the quality and finish are exceptionally good, and the operation is as smooth as silk.
First class service as always from FLO, delivery fast and efficient, thank you!


Rating (max 5):  
Superb focuser
20 June 2023  | 

You’ve tried the rest,
Superbly engineered focuser , smooth and rock steady . If you need an upgrade , don’t hesitate. Adapter was a wonderfully snug fit on my C6r. Fantastic value for well engineered kit .

FLO are the best !
Delivery with “clear sky”,
The best place to buy !
Great handy advice ,
From folk who are nice ,
Baader Steeltrack can’t be beat,
More clear skies would be neat !!!
Mucho thanks , cotterless45.


Rating (max 5):  
A great piece of German engineering
04 March 2020  | 

I bought this as a replacement for the Skywatcher ED80's stock crayford, along with the 97mm adapter and ClickLock. After an initial struggle with the ED80's unwillingness to part with the old focuser, resulting in a sheared screw head, the Baader kit was simple to install (I'd already sourced some M3 x 8mm hex screws):

-Adapter to the tube with 3 screws
-Focuser to the adapter with 5 nylon grub screw / bushes and 1 lock screw (for rotating the focuser). Careful with these, but there are spares provided
-The ClickLock attaches to the draw tube with 6 grub screws (Allen key provided)

The action is very smooth along the 80mm or so travel, and I was able to transplant my Sesto Senso motor with minimal fuss.

This focuser adds a premium feel to the scope, with strong, accurate and repeatable travel. Well done Baader

I only wish I'd done this sooner!


Rating (max 5):  
An excelent upgrade to the stock focuser on a Skywatcher ED80
14 February 2020  | 

I bought this to replace the stock focuser on an new Skywatcher ED80, which had proved to be defective from the off, and I'm very pleased I did. The SteelTrack focuser compliments the excellent optics of the ED80 perfectly and gives the whole scope a premium feel. The mechanism feels positive and smooth to use and oozes quality. There are a couple of niggles that might be worth considering if you intend to buy one of these.

1. The unit I received didn't come with any fitting instructions and it took me a few minutes to work out that the you had to remove the existing plastic grub screws to fit the focuser to the correct flange before mounting it on the telescope.

2. There is no finder shoe provided. So I bought the Baader Standard Finder Base to mount on the focuser housing. This is done by removing a couple of plastic blanking screws to reveal M5 threaded holes beneath. Unfortunately neither the focuser nor the Finder Base came with mounting screws and there was no indication in the accompanying guide on what length of screws to use. After some experimentation by cutting down some old M5 screws I already had I determined that 6mm to 8mm was about the right length without damaging the internals of the focuser itself. Once I'd determined that, I bought a packet of black 8mm M5 Hex screws from eBay and the Baader Stander Finder Base is now fitted perfectly.

Other things to note; the focuser is rotatable, even though this doesn't seem to be mentioned anywhere in the documentation I had. By adjusting the plastic grub screws used to attach the focuser to the flange you can modify how easy the focuser is to rotate. There is also a knurled locking nut to lock down the rotation once it's been adjusted to suit. Also, it's worth buying the Baader Click Lock adapter for this focuser as it makes fitting and removing the diagonal and other accessories a breeze.

Despite a couple of niggles I'm very happy with this after-market focuser. Highly recommended.

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