ICEINSPACE
Moon Phase
CURRENT MOON
Waning Crescent 30.7%
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22-05-2020, 06:06 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: May 2020
Location: Wyberba, Queensland
Posts: 11
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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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22-05-2020, 06:24 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Kyneton
Posts: 840
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ZWO EAF
Can’t go wrong
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22-05-2020, 06:34 PM
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Ultimate Noob
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 7,001
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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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22-05-2020, 06:50 PM
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ze frogginator
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 22,068
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Sharpsky pro.
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22-05-2020, 07:00 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Junortoun Vic
Posts: 8,917
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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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22-05-2020, 07:11 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: May 2020
Location: Wyberba, Queensland
Posts: 11
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Thanks for the replies, now I have somewhere to start!
Much appreciated
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22-05-2020, 08:00 PM
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Local Korean Millennial
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Charleville
Posts: 2,063
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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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22-05-2020, 08:55 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Junortoun Vic
Posts: 8,917
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Tony,
I agree, but it really depends on what you want to do.....
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22-05-2020, 09:03 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: May 2020
Location: Wyberba, Queensland
Posts: 11
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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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23-05-2020, 06:21 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Kilmore, Australia
Posts: 3,348
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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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26-05-2020, 12:48 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Moorooka, Brisbane
Posts: 911
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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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