Stepper Motor Focuser PC & Hand Control Kit
You can control your telescope focus automatically, by hand controller or PC by remote, without causing any interference or vibration! This USB Stepper motor Autofocuser kit includes a hand controller module which can also be connected to your PC for remote software control. The stepper motor, bracked and all cables and software are included for PC or hand controller-only operation. A driver disc is also included with ASCOM drivers enabling your focuser to be controlled by most focusing software such as FocusMax.
Why use a motor focuser? Motor focusers are a great enhancement for all sorts of telescope from large dobsonians to small refractors, and dramatically improve visual observing, especially high power planetary observation. Productivity is hugely improved when astro-imaging. Instant and accurate software control ensures you capture the sharpest possible image your telescope optics can produce, regardless of changes in position or temperature.
Why use a stepper motor instead of a servo motor? Stepper motors are more accurate compared to servo motors for focusing, because they move in discrete steps which can be monitored in real-time by computer software. The focuser can move in fractions of a millimetre and speed can be easily controlled using the dial on the hand controller, or your PC focusing software.
Why choose the hand controller package instead of the USB PC control only package? The hand controller option is for those who prefer like to control their telescope by pressing buttons, and by remote. The USB control-only option is for those who prefer to use a PC only. With the hand controller you get the best of both worlds, because it also contains a USB PC control module. The easy to use hand controller has very high quality buttons and a smooth and positive speed selection dial, making this the easiest system to use, period. The hand controller is available separately, and is backwards compatible with the PC only focuser kits as well as several other stepper motor systems on the market (contact us for connector advice). The hand controller unit can be powered by USB or independent power supply and a cigar lighter socket cable is included.
Manual focusing is a time-intensive task. You need to continually monitor star images on your computer screen and tweak the focus throughout the imaging session. The telescope vibrates when you touch it, so you need to wait for the image to settle before tweaking the focuser again. That introduces more vibration - a frustrating circle... This system allows you to control your focuser via a hand controller which doesn't cause vibration. It also allows software driven autofocus for imagers, letting you capture more "good" exposures in a much shorter time.
This is fast becoming essential equipment for serious imagers or visual observers who need to achieve perfect focus quickly. Users comment they can't imagine imaging without autofocus once they've tried it, and that each imaging session produces more subframes and better results. For example, you can now compensate for those little shifts in focus caused when you change filters and even changes in temperature which affect your scope's focus point.
The Rigel Autofocus system is definitely and without doubt, the most widely used motorised focusing system available today. Here's a link to a detailed review with some good photos USP-nSTEP Autofocuser review (Art Morton) (new window).
Features:
Extreme accuracy of stepper motors: The stepper motor is more accurate than other types of motors, allowing you to change focus in discrete, repeatable steps with no backlash. Stiction is eliminated, and electronic braking stops movement instantly to prevent over-running, an issue common with more basic DC motor focusers. This motor focuser can lift up to 3.5kg of equipment, which is ample for a camera and filter wheel.
You can adjust the focus in very small increments, or just increase the speed to bring a camera you've just attached to focus quickly. Control over fine focus is extremely accurate, allowing you to get absolutely perfect focus quickly, while using your camera software to view the size of the star point in realtime on your PC. Alternatively, the focuser can be used to autofocus with most astronomy software like FocusMax.
The widest software compatibility available: The focuser can be controlled via the included USB-nSTEP software, which is compatible with many astronomy programs through the ubiquitous ASCOM interface.
The USBnStep Autofocus system is compatible with any ASCOM compliant software, including
- Maxim DL
- ImagePlus
- CCDSoft (if ASCOM compliant)
- FocusMax (which will also interface with both MAXIM DL and CCDSoft).
- Astro Art
...and the highly recommended FocusMax, a freeware program written by Larry Weber and Steve Brady for use with commercial telescope focusing devices used by amateur astronomers.
If you have software compatibility questions you can get more information from the USBnSTEP technical support Yahoo group Astrofocusinfo.
Easy to connect to your PC: The focuser kit comes with all required cables to attach to your PC's USB ports, and PC software on a CD ROM. Using a USB cable means you don't need an RS232-USB adapter for your modern laptop.
Engaging and disengaging the focuser is quick and easy: The stepper motor can be brought into contact with the focuser gear by turning two spring-loaded thumbscrews until contact is made. Unlike other systems, engagement and disengagement takes seconds, and no permanent modifications or connections to the focuser are required. That means you can switch to manual focusing, and back to autofocus instantly without removing the motor or bracket.
Multiple focuser adapter brackets for focuser compatibility: A robust metal bracket is used to connect the motor housing to your telescope focuser, and all hex screws are provided. (choose your options in the menu below). You can connect your USB-nSTEP focuser system to other telescopes by changing brackets and hardware. For example, you can use this motor focuser with Altair Astro 115 APO, Altair Astro Imaging Newtonian, Altair Astro 6", 8", 10" RCs and their Starlight Feathertouch focusers. Even if you have a unique telescope, or perhaps have made your own focuser, this system is relatively simple and easy to adapt, so if you don't mind spending a little time in your workshop tinkering, we can always provide you with a standard bracket for you to modify further.
Installation really is very simple and takes minutes. (USB nSTEP is definetly the easiest-to-use motorised focuser on the market), and a quick setup guide as well as full instructions with photos are provided.
Stepper Focuser Bracket compatibility:
(Choose from the option menu below)
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Altair EDD 2" Dual Speed Taiwan focuser
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Altair EDD 2.5" Starlight Feathertouch focuser
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Altair APO 3.5" Dual Speed Taiwan focuser
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Altair APO 3" Starlight Feathertouch focuser
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Altair / GSO 8" RC Linear-Bearing focuser
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Altair / GSO 8" RC Feathertouch focuser
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Altair / GSO 10" RC Linear-Bearing focuser
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Altair / GSO 10" RC Feathertouch focuser
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Altair / GSO 8" F4 Imaging Newtonians & Std 2" Crayford (also includes GSO 2" Refractor and SCT Upgrade focusers without the Linear Bearing modification)
Optional Autofocuser accessories:
Temperature sensor: An optional temperature sensor is available (choose from the option in the menu below), which can be plugged into the focuser control module, allowing you to monitor your focuser/telescope temperature, to automatically compensate for focus movement due to temperature changes. This is ideal for FocusMax software users.
Additional brackets: Please email us to check availability. We are working on SCT and refractor brackets for various types of telescopes.
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