Electronic focuser advice?

[Jonk]

I've had a quick search but got bored with that so though I'd better just ask.

I want to find a decent electronic focuser for my SW 150p but with the numerous choices (including wireless) I was after anyone's personal advice.

It would be great if I could control it via ASCOM and my xbox pad, which incidentally is soooooo easy to slew the scope wirelessly when looking through the finder or main scope.

Has anyone else done this? Slew and focus wirelessly via game pad?

[oldpink]

yes I use a Xbox controller as do quite a few others
you can get the SW autofocuser and the HitecAstro DC controller and use that remorely

[Sandancer10]

Hi and I echo the advice above. I use this setup and even added Ascompad to operate the focuser from indoors - much easier and warmer too. 

[Jonk]

You know what... a quick youtube check would've answered it for me!

The SW Autofocuser and hitec astro DC focus at around £110...ouch...does anyone have a cheaper, compatible alternative? Maybe a homemade setup?

How about a software driven autofocuser? The technology has existed for years in digital cameras, so is there a webcam / software alternative for software driven autofocus?

A quick check on google / youtube shows a lot of wireless focusers, some home made...but I can't find a software driven one...

Maybe I'm not looking hard enough?

[m37]

The combo of skywatcher 'auto' focuser and dcfocus over USB is pretty darned good.

I've not seen any true auto focusing software but something like BYEOS has fwhm and bhatinov focus assist which gives you a numeric score you can use to fine tune your focus. I still preferred a bhatinov or Hartman mask by eye though.

The skywatcher motorised focuser holds the focus position pretty well through the motor's natural resistance to slight movements from camera weight etc. And also gets rid of the shaking if that is a problem for you. There is a control panel available for the DC focus and it really does work very well.

[oldpink]

exactly why I decided on the upgrade
I have the Hitec unit but had to re order the SW auto unit as it wasn't in stock
should have it this week fingers crossed