Orion Accufocus

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Netwolf, I was talking about the Rigel systems nfocus with motor , not the Orion Accufocus.

[Thiink]

barees63: has it turned up yet? Im keen to hear how you go with it.

[barees63]

Hi Simon, no should be here any day..

[barees63]

Hi Guys,

Well, the kit arrived today.. here's what you get (plus instructions):

http://www.zitafarm.com/astro/afocus1.jpg

The installation on my GSO 10" Dob was a breeze taking about 5 minutes, the procedure is to remove one of the focuser knobs and slide the flexible shaft coupler onto the focuser shaft, tighten two set screws, then attach the bracket under the focuser using the existing screws that hold the focuser backplate on, then attach the bracket to the motor unit with two thumbscrews and finally velcro the control unit somewhere convenient for storage.

http://www.zitafarm.com/astro/afocus3.jpg

Here's a close up:

http://www.zitafarm.com/astro/afocus4.jpg

To use the Accufocus you simply pull it off the velcro, set the desired focus speed via the rotary control then use the forward and back buttons.. slowest speed looks very slow indeed and should be ideal for high magnifications. I'll post a "first light" report when I get a chance to use it for real.

btw, in the two US reviews I read of this unit both reviewers complained about the difficulty installing the battery, one person claiming it took him 15 minutes and required tools.. I found you simply need to put the battery in the right way round (wires at top) and it just snaps right in - got to wonder about Americans sometimes

[davidpretorius]

greatstuff, i have a crayford with a 4mm shaft, would in your opinion it fit. that shaft on the rack and pinion looks wider?

thanks for posting

[barees63]

i have a crayford with a 4mm shaft, would in your opinion it fit

The shaft on the R&P is 8.5mm, the coupler is held by two short grubscrews so I guess worst case you'd need to find longer screws, don't know about the bracket though?

[davidpretorius]

thanks, are the grub screws at 180 degrees to each other?
re the bracket, i will have a look at the crayford and i might have to use up some scrap aluminium i have.
what was your final landed cost again if you don't mind me asking?

[barees63]

the grub screws are 90 degrees apart

what was your final landed cost again if you don't mind me asking?

Bearing in mind I bought it privately off AstroMart (as "New in Box") and I live in NZ, the landed cost was approx AUD85. Retail is USD$49.95.

[davidpretorius]

bugga , i would have to build the 4mm shaft up otherwise i will get the wobbles

thanks for your great help, it looks like i will have to make it.

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Thanks for filling us in Bruce.
I wont wan!

[Thiink]

Woo, it turned up! Thanks for the write up and pictures Bruce, looking forward to the first light report. It sure looks the goods!

..and now to get some money together to buy one (so many money sucking things going on at the moment ).

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Swank looking unit Bruce.


DP, I wonder if you could simply find a sleeve of the same external diameter as needed but with an inner diameter similar to yours. I know it's probably a big ask, but you never know. The flexible shaft coupler doesn't seem to go all the way on, so you could put a couple of grub screws or small bolts at the inner end to tighten the sleeve to your existing 4mm focuser shaft. Something to think about.

Or....maybe the manufacturers already have a different flexible shaft coupler for your size???

[barees63]

Well, I took it out tonight and it gets the big thumbs up! It worked perfectly.. focusing was smooth and totally vibration free, so much easier to focus when the image is rock steady..not much more to say really except that I highly recommend it.. one thing that surpised me was how finely balanced the GSO Dobs are, with the focuser attached the springs were not providing sufficient tension at some angles so I'll need to sort out a counter weight. a bit OT but I also had my first opportunity to use the Vixen LV 25mm and 6mm EPs I bought from H0ughy.. wow! the difference between the 25mm LV and the GSO 25mm was quite amazing, I especially noticed it with clusters.. just seemed to be many more stars.. with the 6mm EP I was able to see the Cassini Division for the first time ever and I saw 7 stars in the trapezium in M42 (had seen 5 once previously).. a good night.

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Sounds fantastic, Bruce. I've just sent an email off to Sirius Optics. Even with the Crayford (cheap one), focusing at high power is difficult.