From: "gaffney.mark" <markgaffney@mac.com>

Date: February 13, 2008 6:21:27 AM MST

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: Focusing

--- In Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com, "Tim" <tjp314@...> wrote:

Hi folks!

I had over a month of bad weather, followed by some business trips, so

I haven't had the covers off my scopes since before the Holidays

(withdrawals are getting painful!), but I thought I'd chime in with my

focuser experiences:

For my 9.25", which is mounted in the roof of my house, once I get the

scope and camera on my subject, I close doors beneath the scope (to

isolate it from internal heat) and run it from my desk in the attic. 

I use s Robofocus for robotic control of the 9.25" focuser. 

Previously, I've used their software on an old HP laptop.  But

recently I downloaded the demo version of Darryl Robertson's EquinoX

Image, which has robofocus control.  Works like a charm in OSX, so I

may be one step closer to retiring that PC!  It'll also operate SBIG

cameras, so if you have one of those, you can image with it while

guiding with your firewire camera (or vice versa).

Hello Tim and others, I`ve ordered the FCUSB device etc. and downloaded the Mac 

software although I`m still a ways from being able to afford the Moonlite focuser which 

fits my scope and DC servo unit. Thanks Tim, for the advice on Equinox Image App. of 

which I`ve downloaded the trial version. Apparently I also have to obtain the SBIG camera 

driver to use it. (30 days is beyond my window of opportunity!) I may stick with the idea of 

the focuser running the DC servo at present but if I ever upgrade to the James Lacey 

stepper motor, RoboFocus working on my Mac would be an advantage. Mark

For manual focusing on my other scopes, I've found this method to work

very well if you don't have a focuser with a microfocus on it, or even

if you do but your mount shakes when you grab the knob:

*If you're way out of focus, set the exposure to 1" and bump the

brightness all the way up.  That usually reveals the out of focus

stars and planets pretty well (something you can't do with a webcam at

fraction of a second exposures).

*Get the focus in the ballpark manually, then clamp one of those 6"

"quickclamps" (that's a brand name for them, there are a number of

makers, though) to the focus knob.  Now, you can fine focus by simply

pushing on the end of the clamp bar with your finger, thus minimizing

shake.  I call this my "armstrong microfocuser"!  ;oD

Hope this helps.

-Tim.

--- In Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com, "gaffney.mark" <markgaffney@> wrote:

--- In Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com, Milton Aupperle <milton@> wrote:

Hi Mark;

On 10-Feb-08, at 8:40 PM, gaffney.mark wrote:

--- In Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com, Milton Aupperle <milton@> wrote:

My problem is that I`m not using a lap-top near the telescope

when  

focusing and the

process can be quite a pain ( walking backwards and forwards from  

scope to computer to

consult changes in focus). I was looking for anything which would  

make it easier- short of

taking the computer outside on a table or something. Even without  

computer control a

remote with long cable to a motor outside might be the only  

solution. I gather the other

platform for the Lacey controller is called CCDSoft. Mark.

That's a different problem then. What would be cheap for manual

focus  

is a

Shoe String Astronomy USB Focus Motor Controller (FCUSB)

http://www.store.shoestringastronomy.com/products_fc.htm

which is said to work with several focusers (JMI Motofocus, Moonlite  

DC motorized focusers, Orion AccuFocus, Meade 1209, and Televue  

Focusmate)

and then use this software for manual focus

http://www.stark-labs.com./SSFocus.html

control. I'll lay bets you can hook multiple cables together between  

the focuser and the USB device that will be long enough for you to  

focus remotely.

HTH..

Milton J. Aupperle

President

ASC - Aupperle Services and Contracting

Mac Software (Drivers, Components and Application) Specialist

#1005 - 815 14th Avenue. S.W.

Calgary Alberta T2R0N5

1-(403)-229-9456

milton@

www.outcastsoft.com

Thanks Milton, I`ll get around to all this when I`m more solvent! I

have 2x 25 foot cables  

already for the GPUSB device and a connector- It`ll just be a matter

of getting some more 

of the same description. Mark.