Are there alternatives to FocusMax?

[tferrari]

I've been having issues with FocusMax V3.7.0.36 giving a Runtime error 9 subscript out of range error and an empty table after completing the V-curve run. FocusMax V3.7.0.55 Beta is giving that same error right before beginning the V-curve run.

This error has been mentioned on the FocusMax yahoo boards for almost 2 years and I don't see any indication that there has ever been a resolution (or at least I can't find it).

Anyone have any alternatives to FocusMax or is it the only program of its nature?

[dmahon]

Sequence Generator Pro and Maxim have focus routines. APT mentioned the possibility - might have incorporated it by now.

[tferrari]

I've been using sequence generator pro for a while now since your suggestion and it's great!

[dmahon]

Glad to hear it. I've moved over to it entirely too.

[perfrej]

That's an old bug ("empty table bug") that should be fixed. You should try to get to the bottom of this because there really isn't anything that can match Focusmax out there...

/per

[Gina]

Maybe so but does Focusmax need Maxim because I'm not buying that?

[perfrej]

MaximDL or CCDSoft are the alternatives. In regards to MaximDL... I used to say the same thing: over my dead body! In a more subtle range of statements, MaximDL is a 1990's, ugly, pretty badly written piece of software that I truly dislike. It is, however, necessary in order to automate properly. Just get it, get over it and touch it as little as possible

If you do not need to automate fully, CCDSoft is a good alternative.

The virtues of FocusMax are endless. The mere fact that it focuses out of focus in order to minimize atmospheric disturbances puts it in a league of its own. It has (too?) many settings that need to be correct in order for it to work perfectly, but most of them are right from the start. I have half-promised another forum member to publish my settings and explain them and I may get around to doing that soon

The most relaxed part of Focusmax is when you use the "Acquirestar" function. It uses the GSC 1.1 star catalog to slew you scope to a perfect focusing candidate that is reasonably alone in the field of view, of the right magnitude and is not a double. After focusing it will return slew to the previous coordinates if you want. That way, it rarely fails to focus during endless automated nights.

Stay tuned for a FocusMax thread, then

/per

[Martin-Devon]

Thanks for your feedback on the Focusmax software Per - as you offer, if you are able to, a more detailed thread including the settings and what too adjust would be very helpful. The AcquireStar is a very nice function of Focusmax, but it does need the full package of Pinpoint astronomy to work.There is a "Light Edition" of Pinpoint bundled up in Maxim Pro but unfortunately this is not sufficient for the Acquirestar function of Focusmax. There is a 60 day free trial of the full Pinpoint package, but after that date it's $149 for a license.

Martin

[Gina]

So how much are we looking at to get a fully automatic focussing system together? I plan to add code to my Arduino focus sketch to enable it to be driven by ASCOM.