Hi Guys,
SharpSky works really well with MaxIm and FocusMax. Several chaps have used FocusMax (which is free) with MaxIm and have achieved really good repeatable results. Other chaps have also used FocusMax with CCDSoft but the general opinion seems to be that the MaxIm interface is better. MaxIm can also perform autofocus itself but again I think the reference seems to be FocusMax - at the end of the day it a personal choice I think the end result will be much the same whichever route is taken, maybe some routes a bit faster than others.
I hadn't planned on enhancing the client. The client was really something I designed up for myself and to have a crack at writing a client application to compliment the driver. Also it allows anyone who purchases a SharpSky focuser to get up and running immediately without having to spend any more money on software. Then once you get into remote focusing and get a feel for it the decision on more sophisticated software becomes clearer IMO.
I have found with many pieces of expensive commercial software there is a software 'arms race' going on with dozens of features being included to differentiate one product from the next. This then pushes up the price and makes the software much more difficult to test. You then end up paying money for many features that are nice but not really essential - my opinion obviously. That was my motivation for writing the client to just include a few features I thought were useful to me.
However, including a camera capture option which could work in conjunction with FocusMax is a nice idea
I am surprised FocusMax can't capture it's own images making it stand alone ?
I don't have any plans to support Mac at the moment. To be honest only one or two people have mentioned Mac so it is a bit difficult to justify the time without the demand.
Cheers & clear skies,
Dave