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Old 22-05-2020, 05:06 PM
Astroboy33 (Steve)
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Remote Focus system recommendation please?

I am a relative newcomer to Astrophotography. I have a F4 200mm Skywatcher Quattro set up in a roll off top observatory and we fortunately live in a dark site. Focussing by looking at the screen and then climbing to the top of the tube to try to adjust is becoming a bit wearisome. What systems would you recommend to at least allow me to sit at my computer and adjust the focus whilst looking at the screen. Thanks
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Old 22-05-2020, 05:24 PM
Imme (Jon)
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ZWO EAF

Can’t go wrong
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Old 22-05-2020, 05:34 PM
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Atmos (Colin)
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I believe sky watcher also have a focus motor that attaches to their focuser. I believe they did in the past but I’m not sure if it’s still in production.
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Old 22-05-2020, 05:50 PM
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multiweb (Marc)
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Sharpsky pro.
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Old 22-05-2020, 06:00 PM
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Merlin66 (Ken)
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I use the SW electronic motor (about $99) and the Shoestring remote controller. Basic but works for me.
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Old 22-05-2020, 06:11 PM
Astroboy33 (Steve)
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Thanks for the replies, now I have somewhere to start!
Much appreciated
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Old 22-05-2020, 07:00 PM
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that_guy (Tony)
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I wouldnt use the skywatcher one, its a DC motor and doesnt have absolute positioning so unsuitable for remote autofocus
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Old 22-05-2020, 07:55 PM
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Merlin66 (Ken)
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Tony,
I agree, but it really depends on what you want to do.....
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Old 22-05-2020, 08:03 PM
Astroboy33 (Steve)
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Thanks again, I think the SW looks good value, but by the time I add a USB controller it might be better to go with ZWO EAF to give me other options down the track. Favourite vendors? I find Sidereal trading very helpful.
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Old 23-05-2020, 05:21 PM
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The_bluester (Paul)
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I have an EAF, which I bought from Sidereal Trading. It has been working flawlessly for about a year since I bought it.
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Old 26-05-2020, 11:48 AM
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Have the same scope and have been using a Rigel nStep system. Leon makes the bracket (some are standard but they can be custom made) to which you add their motors, cogs and controller. My Skywatcher focuser is the Crayford with the extra bar on it (more stable?) but have found with heavy-ish gear (ASI1600MM-Pro, 8 position filter wheel, ZWO Off Axis Guider and the Skywatcher f4 Aplanatic coma corrector) the draw tube slops under the weight, throwing collimation out. The collimation varies across the night too as the relative position of the focuser changes.... Have just ordered a 2” Moonlite with a stepper motor to replace it. While not a cheap option it could solve some small collimation bugs (if you have any) and give you automated focusing. The Rigel system I have found to be very reliable though :-)
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