From: Alan Friedman <alan@greatarrow.com>

Date: February 13, 2008 8:30:43 AM MST

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [Astro_IIDC] Re: Focusing

Hi Mark and all -

May I suggest taking the time to text edit when replying to posts.

If using quotations from a previous post in front of your reply, shortening it to the relevant section would be much appreciated. It takes too long to find the new content otherwise.

thanks,

Alan

On Feb 13, 2008, at 8:21 AM, gaffney.mark wrote:

--- 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.
> >