Electronic focuser suggestions

[gregbradley]

Unfortunately Feather Touch focusers are ignoring me and not providing any after market support. Something to consider when you make a decision about who to chose for your focuser.

I bought a Posi electronic focuser for my AP130 3.5 inch focuser and got a 3 inch one. I didn't understand why it wouldn't fit. Dena said it needed the 3.5 inch Posi focuser.

So I sent the one I had to be checked it was in new condition which it is so it could be swapped out for a 3.5 inch one and perhaps some extra cost.

Sent it 2 months ago and no response. Sent 2 emails and both ignored. He had been slow in the past to respond but did eventually.

So, I plan to buy something else and when I do finally get it either keep it for another scope or sell it to get some of the cost back.

What would you suggest as an electronic focuser for an AP 130 3.5 inch focuser?

I would like to use this scope soon and do auto focusing.
Greg.

[Peter Ward]

I use this one on my AP130

It's worked perfectly for close to a decade.

[gregbradley]

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

I use this one on my AP130

It's worked perfectly for close to a decade.

Thanks. Will it do auto focusing with the appropriate software? I use Sky X.

Greg

[Peter Ward]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

Thanks. Will it do auto focusing with the appropriate software? I use Sky X.

Greg

ASCOM compatible, hence SkyX will drive it...but I use MaxIm for
all aspects of image capture and haven't used it with SkyX for many, many moons...

[gregbradley]

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

I use this one on my AP130

It's worked perfectly for close to a decade.

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

ASCOM compatible, hence SkyX will drive it...but I use MaxIm for
all aspects of image capture and haven't used it with SkyX for many, many moons...

Great, thanks for that. Sounds like a winner.

Greg.

[The_bluester (Paul)]

While they are heading to the cheap and cheerful end of the market and you may have to make a bracket, I have had nothing but success with my ZWO EAF unit. Mine is one of the earlier ones with the 12V power connection.

The only issue I have ever had with it was Power related but more a cable issue than the focus motor. The 2.1mm DC connectors you can generally get around the place are rubbish. The cables and solder on connectors you can generally buy have the solid center/tip conductor where proper ones have spring contacts for the "Tip" conductor. That caused me issues with that and a number of other things until I cut up factory cables that had spring contacts to custom make cables that work properly.

[jwoody (Jeremy)]

or this one
https://www.sharpsky.net/

I have used this for years, it just works.

[toc (Tim)]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

Great, thanks for that. Sounds like a winner.

Greg.

Have one for my C11 (came with a scope I got second hand) - works fine, but the control box is big and clunky IMO - not sure why it needs to be so big, but cant complain about the functionality.

I also have two ZWO EAF focusers, and they work fine as well. Also have the moonlite focuser - works fine, but very occationally I see disconnects so I would personally avoid them.

To be honest if I was to choose I would go with the ZWO units - easy to fit and lots of mounting options. The optional little hand control is neat as well. They are a bit 'bolt on' in how they work, so that might be a turn off.

[Startrek (Martin)]

Ive used ZWO EAF focusers on my 6” , 8” and 10” Carbon fibre Newts for the past 3 years. Had to fashion my own bracket to fit the GSO 2” Crayford ( ZWO EAF website has a series of photos from folk who have adapted the EAF to their specific telescope focusers ) Mine have worked really well , no issue at all . ZWO have a nifty hand controller too which works well.
Cheers
Martin

[gregbradley]

Feathertouch made good on the POSI drive focuser and it is up and running now.

So thanks to them for coming through to a good result.

Greg.