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Old 15-12-2011, 09:47 AM
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Paul Haese
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Using Focus max

Hi all,

I am now in the process of setting up automated focusing on my TSA. I have downloaded Focusmax (the latest version from the Yahoo group) and I think I need the ascom drivers too. I will be running it on Win7 starter. I am using Robofocus and all going through the mount hub pro.

I have read a few tutorials on the net but would like some tips on what to watch out for when setting up. What sort of travel steps should I be looking for in the setup? I read 1000 each side is good. Any other issues to keep an eye out?

I just want to be able to do this without too much pain.
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Old 15-12-2011, 10:03 AM
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Paul,

I found this a usefull guide

http://www.flemingastrophotography.com/focusmax.html

Also make sure you set it to take at least 3 images per step to average out the seeing. Without this my curves were all over the place.

Although I must admit now days I am not using focusmax anymore as it was a bit of a headache sometimes with all those boxes popping up like crazy and the ascom nightmare.

Because I image using CCDsoft, I have found @focus2 to give very good repeatable results and its faster than focusmax.
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Old 15-12-2011, 10:31 AM
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Right from day one when I installed FocusMax several years ago I've used more or less the default settings. Certainly getting it running initially was just a case of installing it and letting it's "First Light Wizard" do all the work. It did that brilliantly.

The only changes I have made since has been to limit the maximum exposure time to 10 seconds.

I have always used it with my RoboFocus which runs on a JMI NGF-C.

I am quite sure the version I have connects directly to the RoboFocus, not through ASCOM, but I could be wrong. I know I installed a new version not long ago which definitely dealt with ASCOM, caused a few problems, and I reverted back to the older version which had been working reliably.

Roger.
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Old 15-12-2011, 01:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rogerg View Post
I am quite sure the version I have connects directly to the RoboFocus, not through ASCOM, but I could be wrong.
Focusmax needs ASCOM to work.

I have always found setting Focumax up fairly easy. I would do more than one v-curve run.
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Old 15-12-2011, 01:35 PM
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Agreed. You need at least 5 - 10 v curve runs per configuration.
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Old 15-12-2011, 01:51 PM
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leinad (Dan)
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Agreed with cventer. 3images per step, and at least 5 or more vcurve runs.

Always check the log; it will point out what is wrong and point you on the right path to fix any errors.

Love Focusmax.
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Old 16-12-2011, 10:32 AM
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Thanks guys, I will give this ago over the holiday period once I get the RC12 working and operational.
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