NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
New FocusAide and PCFocus Versions are available
New releases are available with support for the new AstroHubTM
Starlight Xpress SXV-H9 Plug-in is available
Auto-Focus for the Meade ® LX-200GPS® line of telescopes is here!!!
Aquest introduces a new addition to its product line. PCFocus-LXTM is an add-on to the Meade MicroFocuser® (sold separately and comes standard on all LX-200GPS scopes). Installation of the PCFocus-LX is simple and quick bringing accurate computer or remote control of the Meade focuser. Microfocuser users can now enjoy all of the benefits of automated focusing or can remotely control the telescope focus operations.
Click here for more PCFocus-LX information or here for information on all Aquest, Inc focusing products
SBIG ST-2000
and ST-7, 8, 9, and 10 USB plug-ins are available for beta test
New SBIG Camera Plug-ins are available for download.
These plug-ins eliminate errors users have encountered when other programs (e.g. CCDOPS, Maxim, etc.) are installed or updated. These programs are installing updated versions of the SBIG supplied drivers which are not compatible with earlier versions of the SBIG drivers. The new plug-ins will work with any v4.x SBIG driver and are required even for people using non-SBIG cameras. FocusAide polls all plug-ins on start-up and error messages will result. Another alternative for non-SBIG users is to simply delete any STxxx.dll file in their installation folder. Note: v3.x SBIG drivers can coexist with v4.x drivers on the same system.
Temperature Compensation for JMI and other Focusers!
The PCFocus control unit now has temperature measurement control for JMI and other focusers and the FocusAide software fully supports training and determination of temperature coefficients as well as automatically correcting focus as temperature changes throughout your imaging or observing session.
Optec and RoboFocus have built in temperature compensation. With the new PCFocus add-in board and upgraded FocusAide software, other focusers (e.g. JMI ) can be driven to adjust the focus at any time including when the temperature changes. With the exception of obtaining temperature from the PCFocus unit, all compensation is done in software running in your computer. This means any focuser that FocusAide can drive can move to a new position that the software has determined is required to keep your system in focus. Currently, users can auto-focus at any time during a session to "touch up" the focus. With the new capability previous auto-focus information is stored and used to determine a new focus position if temperature changes. The result isn't a temperature compensated focuser but, overall, your system will stay in focus through an imaging or visual observing session all controlled in software by FocusAide.
Current PCFocus users can have their units upgraded to allow the new version of FocusAide to make temperature adjustments.
Here is a screen shot from FocusAide of the temperature compensation control tab
These features are shipping now. Contact you dealer for details!
FocusAide supports Van Slyke Monster Focusers with stepper motor attachments
The standard version of FocusAide supports Van Slyke focusers equipped with the RoboFocus attachment. Simply select the RoboFocus Focuser on the Device/Ports page.
v1.4a PCFocus and FocusAide are shipping!
Version 1.4 of both are now shipping to customers worldwide. JMI, Optec, RoboFocus, and Van Slyke focusers are supported as are the following CCD cameras.
- MX7C parallel and USB
- MX5C parallel and USB
- MX5(12) parallel and USB
- MX516 parallel and USB
- MX916 parallel and USB
- HX916 USB
- SXV-H9 USB
- ST237 parallel
- ST237A parallel
- ST7 parallel and USB
- ST8 parallel and USB
- ST9 parallel and USB
- ST10 parallel and USB
- ST-2000 USB
Starlight Xpress cameras are supported in both Fast Interface and USB configurations. SBIG cameras are parallel port versions.
Tests have been completed and both PCFocus and FocusAide will run fine under Win2000 or WinXP (except for Starlight Xpress parallel port cameras).
PCFocus and FocusAide are Hot Products!
Sky & Telescope voted both products Hot Products for 2001. See the December 2001 issue for details
Page Updated on: 05/02/05 10:12 AM