would a normal person spend 600 on a computerised focus system for an ED80

[h0ughy]

OK would a normal person spend $600 on a computerised focus system for an ED80 worth around $200. Ok i have 2 ed80's, a black ED80 (might be celestron) and a gold skywatcher ed80.

Probably looking at putting this on the gold ED80 so that I can attach the st2000xm. When I get the morovian camera (sometime soon) it will be operating on the 127ed, set up SBS in the observatory with the lunt 60 running on top the ED80. So I thought I would get a slightly wider field of view and be better matched for the ED80? I bought the ED80 gold skywatcher OTA new and have always liked the view and most images from it.

The other ED80 would end up being the guide scope on top the 127 – the main imaging scope.


So am i nuts or would the motorised focus motor from here do the trick? (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=112059&highlight=focus)

[casstony]

You're on the wrong forum to find normal people :)

[h0ughy]

go and get tucked in bed:P

[multiweb]

+1 I bought one. It's awesome. And you don't buy it only for your ED80. It'll work on your C11/hyperstar and any other scope you have.

[h0ughy]

i have a feathertouch and microfocuser on the C11 marc. how much did it end up fleecing you?

[LewisM]

Normality ends at EOD :)

I will probably fork out the same for my DED 108SS (since it is so damned finicky at focus being an f/5 refractor).

Seriously, if you use it, spend money on it. The best scope is the one you use. I only used 2 out of all the ones I had, so those are the 2 that remain, so I spend money on/for them :)

[multiweb]

I have the feather touch micro focuser from starizona as well on the C11. I got the kit from David. approx. $450.00 shipped door to door couple of weeks ago. It's freaking unreal. I did some brackets for my newt as well. I posted pics of mounting here (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=1019863&postcount=25).

[acropolite]

Hey that's my thread...... I'll bite, the cost was well under $600.... as Marc said $450 Aust (£265.00 at whatever the current exchange rate is) including shipping (mine arrived around 1 week from order !!!.).

I bought mine because Allan Gould was very impressed with his kit built version.

I really can't comment on the performance in the field yet as I have some fungal problems to address in my ED before I use it again.

I was very happy with the results I got with my ED80 FF sensor and the SW reducer at Astrofest.

Not sure how well the sharpsky will work with the standard SW focuser as mine is the SW BD 10:1 focuser, not acknowledged for it's mechanical finesse but it's the only one that fits the SW reducer for full frame.

The Sharpsky will also run with all current OS including W8, Dave has produced a nice controlling app, plus it works with SGP. I had no problems getting the Sharpsky installed on a USB3 port, unlike the SSAG which refused to install on W8 with USB3.

One last point, Dave's support is exemplary, the best I have ever experienced, let him know you are fitting to the ED80 when you order as there are some spacers required to fit to the ED80.

[dtrewren]

Hello guys,

Many thanks Marc & Phil for the very positive feedback on my design :) makes the long development hours worth while !

David, I have SharpSky motors fitted to both my SW ED80, ED120 and home spun Widefield rig and I don't think you should have any issues fitting.

You can check out the operations manual on the SharpSky Pro website :
www.sharpsky.net

The client application :
www.dt-space.co.uk/SharpSkyClient

If you have any questions at all regarding the gear please fire away !

Cheers & clear skies,

Dave

[peter_4059]

I think the only thing to watch is if you have Feathertouch motors. Troy might like to chime in here but I understand their stepper motors are not "standard".

[dtrewren]

For information :

The SharpSky system uses a 4 phase 2 pole geared stepper motor producing 2880 steps per revolution. The connector and cable supplied can drive the MoonLite motor directly.

Couldn't find too much information on the Feathertouch unit other than it is 'digital'. If they are using a bipolar motor SharpSky won't be able to control it.

Cheers,

Dave

[h0ughy]

be in touch soon:D

[peter_4059]

Dave,

Have a look at this thread...

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=107293&highlight=feathertouch

[LewisM]

Just shot off an email to Dave myself :) Wife Xmas present to me.

[troypiggo]

G'day. IIRC the FeatherTouch motors are 5V and the SharpSky (and MountHub Pro that I use) are 12V controllers. So I had to add some resistors inline between the 2 to get a voltage drop.

If anyone wants to email me I can help with the FT motor pinout. I figured it out but am reluctant to post publicly as it was also sent by Wayne from FT confidentially.

[wasyoungonce]

Dave's sharpsky pro looks great and if it performs like his earlier kit then it's a winner.

His original design was for ED80's etc so this should work well with this set-up. Works well with ML motors as well and was designed for +12V motors for extra torque.

I'd get a pro kit in a heartbeat but don't require the motor and are stuck with other projects atm.....pity I don't have the cash to splurge!:shrug:

[h0ughy]

I have just Bought a brand new second hand one of these – so everything is new. I will be fitting it to my ed80 (saxon or skywatcher) and will be getting one of these from bintel (http://www.bintel.com.au/Accessories/Focusers/Bintel-Crayford-Focuser-10-1--br-Refractor--96mm-OD-/1425/productview.aspx) to fit it too

[acropolite]

Dave, you may need some brass standoffs to fit to the ED80 if the one you bought didn't come with them, Dave at sharpsky can supply them if you can't find some the right length.

[multiweb]

Great buy. You'll love it. :thumbsup: Did some bracket for a GSO focuser on my APO. I oriented it up to minimise balancing. The bracket is attached to the focuser not the dovetaill so it moves with the scope. I thought that would be the easiest most flexible way to do it.

[h0ughy]

dont know as it is the one lewisM has:question:

[h0ughy]

thanks Marc

[FlashDrive]

Probably not David .....but we're not all ' normal ' people are we.....:D
I've always held the view....if you really want it.....go for it....
By the way.....nice bit of gear you have there.....

Flash......

[el_draco]

Show me a "normal person" who knows what a "computerised focus system) is..... :)

[jjjnettie]

To me it's just one more thing that can wrong on the night.
I've got no problems focusing by hand using either liveview or BYE, it's quicker and far less expensive.
But then again, I just like the imaging side of things, not the techie stuff.

[multiweb]

I used to think so too. I have fingers to focus. But then again after trying it, it's pretty damn cool. Focus is one of the most critical part of our hobby and it changes during an imaging session. This kit will take care of it all. Find the best focus and keep it. That's something worth doing.

[dtrewren]

Hello Phil/Marc et al,

Thought I would throw in my two cents worth having been responsible for starting the debate.

Personally, I have found motorized remote focus to be the single most beneficial bit of kit I have fitted (not just saying that in order to promote SharpSky as a focuser). When I say beneficial I am primarily referring to the impact it had on my images. Unfortunately, poor focus is almost impossible to correct and usually results in all the data having to be discarded. This happened to me one or twice and at that point decided to embark on the SharpSky design to overcome the problem.

So far this season I have taken things one stage further and am now using SharpSky together with FocusMax and MaxIm to perform automatic focusing - in the past I have tended to using a focusing mask. This has been absolutely fantastic ! FocusMax is extremely straight forward to use and generally achieves focus in 10-15 seconds. Checking the focus with a mask I thus-far have been unable to improve on the results. The other big advantage is being able to re-focus without having to slew away from the target.

If we ever get another clear night up here topside I intend to shoot a short video demonstrating the use of SharpSky & FocusMax to perform automatic focusing and also V-curve generation. I will post up the video link here for anyone who might be interested.

Cheers & clear skies,

Dave

[AstroApprentice]

Hi Troypiggo,
Just wondering if you can help me with a focus motor question given your previous experience?
Avalon tell me that their StarGo controller works well with MicroTouch motors despite the motor cable having 6 wires and the StarGo only 4 (see attached). Just wondering if you think I can do this in reverse ie I have an Avalon FOCS motor and would like to control it with a Starizona MicroTouch shuttle?
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated as I don't want to fry any boards trying.
Thanks, Jason.

[kosborn]

I'm using a Starizona focuser on my Esprit 100ED as of a couple of weeks ago. Great support from Starizona, fast delivery, and the focuser works very well.


Kevin