Jiggy 67 Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I'm considering the purchase of an auto focuser for my SW 200PDS. I don't need it for AP and I'm not going to connect to a pc or anything like that, its simply for hands off, vibration reduced focusing. Does anyone have any recommendations??....I was thinking of this one, anyone any experiance of it??Thanks guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spec-Chum Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 No, but I've been looking at that very same one so I'd be interested in opinions too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Ward Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 Got them on 3 scopes , highly recommend . . . Great for vibration free visual focusing and can be hooked up to USB controllers for very precise focus control for imaging.Shall get a fourth one soon for the Mak180. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichieP Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I have used the Skywatcher one in the past and it will certainly do what you want - vibration free fine focusing. I didn't like it though because it didn't let me manually focus whilst it was fitted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spec-Chum Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 Yeah, I've read you can't manually focus and that is pretty much the only thing stopping me getting one.One I use my Barlow I've got to have the drawer tube pretty much racked out all the way compared to without where its pretty much all the way in.Does it actually lock or can you turn it just slowly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jabberwocky Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I have just fitted it to my dob, great bit of kit, dead easy to fit despite the awful instructions, the motor is just fast enough at high speed but it does take a little while to go from fully in to fully out, but how often do you do that, for vibration free focusing its perfect.only downside is the battery compartment is too small for the battery, I've had to bodge itit its a shame there is no clutch to disengage it to allow manual focusing but you can loosen a tiny grub screw to allow it, but a bit fiddly in the dark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spec-Chum Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 No way of replacing the grub screw with a thumb screw, no?Battery compartment too small for the battery? Eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jabberwocky Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 The screw is one of those tiny little ones that you tighten with an Allen key, too fiddly a space for a thumb screw. Plus you have to rotate the motor so the screw is facing you.the battery fits in the compartment but I then can't put the lid on it, it may be the make of battery I have, it may be a tiny bit bigger than others, a thicker casing maybe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Ward Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 No problem battery-wise with any of my three . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spec-Chum Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 Strange request, but could anyone upload a video of it moving on it's fastest setting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Ward Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 FFW to 18 minutes . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichieP Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I found that, if you unplugged the handset from the motor, you could manually focus albeit with a fair bit of resistance. With it plugged in though it wouldn't budge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watersblue Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 I made my own using a servo. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6w8saH1cGs&feature=youtube_gdata_player Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jabberwocky Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 One thing that I discovered when fitting mine is how basic the focuser is, I've never dismantled one before, there really is nothing to them is there? You need to take the screws off the panel under the focuser, place the bracket over the panel then replace the screws with the longer ones provided, unfortunately I wasn't careful enough and the panel came off and the focuser fell apart, dead easy to put it all back, just very surprised how basic it is in there. Only thing I've not been able to do is replace the locking screw, it just won't go back in, but the motor locks the focuser solid so its not really needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucen Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 I have fitted one on my 130P for use with webcam and it has made a big difference. Yes, it takes a while to move in and out but this is offset by letting you focus faster as there is virtually no vibration. Using the webcam with a barlow the target often moved so much it needed realigning but this is now a thing of the past. It would be good to be able to disengage but for the price and efficiency I would say it is a winner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiggy 67 Posted February 14, 2013 Author Share Posted February 14, 2013 Definitely more pros than cons....,don't you think Spec Chum??, I think I'll be investing. Thanks for all the postsSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spec-Chum Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Definitely more pros than cons....,don't you think Spec Chum??, I think I'll be investing. Thanks for all the postsSent from my iPhone using TapatalkYep, I think this has just moved up my list Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMcCallum Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 The question is do I really need more stuff for my telescope? Heart says YES but brain says no Urgh dilemmas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_bham Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 I was looking at getting one of these, thanks for the video. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiggy 67 Posted February 14, 2013 Author Share Posted February 14, 2013 The question is do I really need more stuff for my telescope? Heart says YES but brain says no Urgh dilemmas!There is an old saying that goes something like "always follow your heart". Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMcCallum Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Hmm I've heard that too, however, my heart seems to give really Rubbish advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madatter Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 I dumped the batteries and use a multi voltage mains addaptor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spec-Chum Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Have you tried it at 12v madhatter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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