Celestron Focus Motor for Sct and Edgehd Review
#one 
Posted 03 January 2019 - 03:07 PM
Anyone Know anything about this offering? I have a C8 Starbright XLT SCT I am not sure of its historic period just the focuser seems to be the same as the electric current production scopes.
https://www.astronom...eb428a-85371629
-Dave
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#ii
Posted 03 Jan 2019 - 03:19 PM
Looks good. And I just sold my AVX mount 
Can however utilize it with a laptop, I suppose, but powered by the mountain would be dainty.
#3
Posted 03 January 2019 - 03:24 PM
I'm really interested in this, if it will let me practise very fine focusing. The stock transmission focus is sometimes a bit challenging to get just correct...
Edited by Waltski, 03 January 2019 - 03:51 PM.
#4
Posted 03 January 2019 - 03:42 PM
Wonder if information technology will piece of work with a plume bear upon installed?
#5
Posted 03 Jan 2019 - 04:28 PM
Wonder if information technology will work with a feather impact installed?
Unlikely. Information technology appears to require that the stock rubber focuser knob be removed, and so it wouldn't be able to operate with the Starlight Instruments Feathertouch SCT microfocuser in place.
Edited by mclewis1, 03 January 2019 - 05:51 PM.
#half dozen
Posted 03 Jan 2019 - 04:58 PM
I wish someone would make a focuser like this simply with adapters then it could be used with multiple optical tubes.
This is tempting merely it will merely work with my SCT and not my refractors.
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#vii
Posted 03 January 2019 - 06:18 PM
I'm curious about the back up for this new focuser. The product descriptions indicate the focuser is supported by ...
- the manus controller (NexStar+ or StarSense), simply there's no information on firmware levels required (perchance the lawmaking for the focuser has been at that place for a while ... or not required at all?). Connexion is via the AUX port
- the Windows focuser utility (assume this will exist new app to download) and CPWI software via the USB interface (does the latest version back up it?)
- 3rd party software via ASCOM through the USB interface (ASCOM driver availability?)
There are obviously timing issues for the release of unlike types of support ... merely at that place's no information effectually nigh this. I wonder what works with the focuser today and what the schedule is for whatever other back up?
Edit: Hey await ... the software and downloads folio has shown up (was blank yesterday). Manual and software apps that addresses all my questions above.
Edited by mclewis1, 04 January 2019 - 08:58 AM.
#8
Posted 03 Jan 2019 - 06:xxx PM
I also wonder if SkyPortal or SkySafari will support it.
#ix
Posted 03 January 2019 - 06:47 PM
Hither are the current details from Celestron's ain website:
https://www.celestro...-sct-and-edgehd
Optical tube compatibility is pretty much all current SCTs (except the v") and EdgeHDs. You tin can download the manual, the Windows focuser utility and the ASCOM driver there as well. Equally far as I know the power to focus via the hand command has non been released yet though it should be soon.
Best regards,
Mike Swanson
Writer of "The NexStar Users Guide Two"
Author of "The NexStar Users Guide"
Author of "NexStar Observer Listing"
https://www.nexstarsite.com
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#ten
Posted 03 Jan 2019 - 07:11 PM
Time to open the wallet ...over again ...
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#11
Posted 03 January 2019 - 07:31 PM
There's a fair chip of loose slack in the factory focus knob on the CPC1100 Hard disk. About a ten caste turn earlier focus really starts shifting. Wonder how that plays out when motorized, and if the Sharpcap ASCOM focus assist tin handle it?
#12
Posted 03 January 2019 - 08:20 PM
Mike-
When you say current SCTs you are referring to ones with a triangular blueprint on the back? Not the flat back variety correct?
-Dave
#13
Posted 03 January 2019 - 08:53 PM
Mike-
When you say current SCTs you are referring to ones with a triangular pattern on the back? Not the flat dorsum variety correct?
-Dave
Hello Dave - best to read the info at Celestron's website which I linked to above.
#xiv
Posted 03 January 2019 - 08:53 PM
There's a fair bit of loose slack in the factory focus knob on the CPC1100 HD. Nigh a 10 degree turn earlier focus actually starts shifting. Wonder how that plays out when motorized, and if the Sharpcap ASCOM focus assist tin handle it?
Since information technology's ASCOM compatible Sharpcap volition just run across it as a motorized focuser available to be adjusted via the software.
This utilizes the factory planetary essentially replacing the backing plate of the focuser with one that has threaded holes to attach the electric focuser and comes with the appropriate adapters for the different sizes of the brass focuser bodies.
Hither is Sharpcap's info on backlash in focusing.
.... Backlash in the focuser machinery will be nowadays in all existent focusers and shows itself equally the all-time focus point appearing in differing positions depending on which direction the focuser is moving. Then, if the peak focus score is at focuser position 20100 when the focuser is moving in the positive (+ve) direction, it could exist at 19900 when moving in the negative (-ve) direction. If trying to render the focuser to the position where the score was at its best, always approach from the same direction used when measuring the focus to avoid errors caused by backlash.
So that'due south how you would handle this outcome.
You could run a serial of test focuses and decide what your backlash number is and think to always include that figure in computing the two possible values. If yous knew it was 50 then you could always add 50 more than units when returning to the same focus position.
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#15
Posted 03 January 2019 - 10:19 PM
As far every bit I tin can tell from the spider web folio on the Celestron Focus Motor and the Software back up page, they don't appear to have a ASCOM driver for the unit of measurement Still.
To quote the Web Page
"To use third-party focuser command software, an ASCOM commuter is needed"
The back up page does non seem to listing one , unless I'm missing something.
Simply overall a very interesting focuser pattern.
#16
Posted 03 January 2019 - 11:39 PM
Every bit far as I tin tell from the web page on the Celestron Focus Motor and the Software support page, they don't appear to accept a ASCOM driver for the unit YET.
To quote the Web Page
"To employ 3rd-party focuser control software, an ASCOM driver is needed"
The support page does not seem to list one , unless I'm missing something.
But overall a very interesting focuser design.
The ASCOM commuter is available on the Back up and Downloads tab (correct below the moving-picture show) on Celestron'due south page:
https://www.celestro...-sct-and-edgehd
The Windows utility is listed at that place as well but it links to the same download every bit the ASCOM driver. It is possible they built a little shell around the ASCOM driver and then that might be correct simply the manual seems to betoken information technology is a separate utility.
Best regards,
Mike Swanson
Author of "The NexStar Users Guide 2"
Author of "The NexStar Users Guide"
Author of "NexStar Observer Listing"
https://world wide web.nexstarsite.com
#17
Posted 03 January 2019 - 11:42 PM
There's a fair bit of loose slack in the manufacturing plant focus knob on the CPC1100 HD. Nigh a 10 degree turn before focus actually starts shifting. Wonder how that plays out when motorized, and if the Sharpcap ASCOM focus assist can handle it?
In add-on to most ASCOM compatible focuser applications having the ability to deal with focuser backfire, folio 6 of the transmission (available at the link to Celestron's website) notes the hand command will have focuser backlash settings as well.
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#18
Posted 04 Jan 2019 - 09:19 AM
Here are the current details from Celestron's own website: https://world wide web.celestro...-sct-and-edgehd
Optical tube compatibility is pretty much all electric current SCTs (except the five") and EdgeHDs. You can download the manual, the Windows focuser utility and the ASCOM driver there as well. As far every bit I know the ability to focus via the hand control has not been released yet though it should exist shortly.
Cheers Mike, the Software and Downloads tab was empty when I looked yesterday. TeamCelestron also didn't have annihilation on "Focuser" yesterday ... I gauge they are but a piddling out of sync with releasing the five.30 firmware. Dainty to encounter that C is now pretty well covered on the product release data and diverse pieces required. Now it's but a timing/availability issue to go everything shipping.
Information technology's going to be interesting to come across just what the physical requirement actually is to mount and use the new focuser. Over the years that focuser knob post has changed a lilliputian bit on some scopes but I assume that there will some clever folks performing a little DIY piece of work to adapt things.
#19
Posted 04 January 2019 - 09:48 AM
#xx
Posted 04 January 2019 - x:07 AM
$199.99 on the Celestron Website. Did read that the HC could also control the focuser?
#21
Posted 04 Jan 2019 - 12:49 PM
Just ordered mine! Been wanting a focuser for my C11 for EAA.
#22
Posted 04 January 2019 - 03:47 PM
Shame, I just bought and adapted a Skywatcher motofocuser to my edge 8hd, very cheap near 45 bucks, with a hand control. It's another $100 for the optional Shoestring USB PC control (not purchased yet.).
Sooo... I might now get the Celestron motor focuser when available here in Europe.
Tin can it somehow be plugged into the AVX mountain for power?
What is the AUX port used for? (on the celestron motor focuser),
I cannot run across the pedagogy transmission download . has anyone got the link pls?
I have a Meade goose egg focuser, information technology's very good but cannot utilise information technology with Hyperstar.
This is the Skywatcher motor mounted on the Skywatcher mak 127, I have same setup on my Celestron border 8hd
Meade zero focuser cannot be used with Hyperstar:
Edited by beammeup, 04 Jan 2019 - 03:57 PM.
#23
Posted 04 January 2019 - 05:38 PM
Thanks for for explaining the backlash calibration procedure.
Looks like a no-brainer purchase honestly
#24
Posted 04 January 2019 - 06:51 PM
I ordered one. I got all the drivers and software downloaded. So it looks like they did their homework on this one. Y'all tin use the hand controller, the ASCOM driver, the PWI plan, or the Celestron Focus Utility Programme. You tin can conform for backlash and information technology has 3 speeds on the HC (Charge per unit one: eight°/sec Charge per unit 2: 32°/sec Charge per unit 3: 128°/sec). I was near to buy a Plumage Impact and so glad that this one came out.
Setup Docs.
https://celestron-si...ng_BookletF.pdf
Manual
https://celestron-si...M_English_F.pdf
Attached Thumbnails
Edited by vlxjim, 05 January 2019 - 02:59 AM.
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#25
Posted 04 January 2019 - 08:17 PM
It's going to be interesting to run into just what the concrete requirement actually is to mountain and use the new focuser. Over the years that focuser knob mail service has changed a footling flake on some scopes but I assume that in that location will some clever folks performing a little DIY piece of work to adapt things.
The operating manual and installation instructions are ii separate downloads. The installation is a bit involved.
Best regards,
Mike Swanson
Writer of "The NexStar User's Guide Ii"
Author of "The NexStar User's Guide"
https://www.NexStarSite.com
Source: https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/645522-celestron-electronic-focus-motor-for-sct-and-edgehd/
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