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Old 13-07-2011, 07:47 AM
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pmrid (Peter)
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FCUSB and MaxIm

Has anyone discovered how to make these two talk to one-another? My FCUSB works fine on it's own with the standard FocusPal App from Shoestring and MaxIm says it has found it and connected to it when I go that way. But I can't get MaxIm to actually pass commands to the FCUSB (or if it is passing them, they're either not getting through or not being understood).
Peter
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Old 13-07-2011, 09:35 AM
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rogerg (Roger)
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Do you have the ASCOM driver for FCUSB installed, and is MaxIm able to connect to it using ASCOM? That's my only idea. I have FCUSB but not MaxIm.

Roger.
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Old 13-07-2011, 11:39 AM
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DavidTrap (David)
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Have you connected to the device through the observatory button?

I think FocusMax is better too.

DT
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Old 13-07-2011, 12:22 PM
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pmrid (Peter)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidTrap View Post
Have you connected to the device through the observatory button?

I think FocusMax is better too.

DT
Hi DAvid. Yes, via the Obsrvatory button. I'm using V5 also.
FocusMax - new to me. I've been using the Shoestring plain-Jane app.
I'll have a look at FocusMax - and hope it can work with Maxim.
Peter
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Old 13-07-2011, 04:11 PM
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richardo (Rich)
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Peter,
I use to use the Shoestring controller with a DC motor.
If you load the ASCOM FCUSB driver and have Focus Max (FM) loaded as well as Maxim, FM talks no probs with Maxim.
Did it for around 4 years and worked great.
The only set back if you are using a DC motor, you won't have a set position at start up. The DC FCUSB controller uses pulses to work out its position only when started up (no encoders.. that's why many still use stepper motor as you can get accurate feed back from the steps within the motor phases)
So this equates to not being able to set accurately and save off sets for different filters and scope focus positions.
This is really no biggie though as I never had a drama when auto focusing this way.

You'll need to select Maxim as your program of choice within FM. Also FCUSB needs to be selected from your focuser list. This way when you start FM, it will immediately start up Maxim.
If you are already running Maxim, simply start FM and all will be good.

Have a good read of the FM tutorial so you don't get frustrated. It can be a bit of a pain to get working right.
Aim for a 4-5mag star near the meridian and do about 14 V curves to give FM a good average of the characteristics of your motor.

Have fun
Rich
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Old 13-07-2011, 05:10 PM
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pmrid (Peter)
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Thanks Rich. I loaded FM up this afternoon and got it to run (in Win7 it required a fair bit of persuasion but it did work eventually) and, as you say, it invokes MaxIm without a bother at all.
Just in time, it has just clouded over and we're in for 3 days of rain.
Gotta love it.
Peter
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