43 replies to this topic

[Taylor]

Oh man, this exactly what I've been looking for when my AT130EDX shows up this fall. 

Does it know its position if switched to manual focus? 

[frankchen]

Oh man, this exactly what I've been looking for when my AT130EDX shows up this fall. 
Does it know its position if switched to manual focus?

It doesn't know the real position when doing manual focus. The position is recorded based on the motor steps only. But this is not a problem according to the users' experience

[frankchen]

Some more questions for Frank ...
 
Will the Oasis Focuser fit a TS Optics Photoline 72 and a Sky-Watcher Explorer 200PDS? Will I need adaptors or will it fit straight out of the box?
 
It has occurred to me that I could fit a gear to each scope in place of the coarse focuser knob and then swap the focuser part between them as needed, as it seems very simple to release it via the clamp. Is it possible to buy an additional adaptor / gear to do this? I’m thinking that I may need an adaptor for the Explorer 200PDS anyway, while using the one that comes with the focuser for the Photoline 72. Would this be possible?

Sorry for the late response! Let me answer the questions although they have been answered in another place

It looks the focuser of TS-Optics Photoline 72 is the same as the focuser of SkyRover APO telescopes. So Oasis focuser can be installed on it with a 33m clamp and a B6 gear. The installation is very simple.

We have adapter and clamp for Sky-Watcher Newtonian dual-speed focuser (including the focuser of Sky-Watcher Explorer 200PDS)

Yes, Oasis focuser main body is very easy to be installed on or removed from a telescope just by tighening or loosen one screw on the clamp. So one focuser body can be easily shared between different telescopes and this saves money for users. This is one of the important design goal when we design the focuser. And ofcourse users can buy one focuser suit but more adapters or clamps to fit different telescopes.

[PeterC65]

I've bought the new V2.0 Astroasis focuser with the necessary kit to fit it to my 72mm refractor and to my 6" and 8" Newtonians. I'm looking forward to getting these fitted and trying out the electronic focuser in anger.

[Astro-Goat]

Sorry for the late response! Let me answer the questions although they have been answered in another place

It looks the focuser of TS-Optics Photoline 72 is the same as the focuser of SkyRover APO telescopes. So Oasis focuser can be installed on it with a 33m clamp and a B6 gear. The installation is very simple.

We have adapter and clamp for Sky-Watcher Newtonian dual-speed focuser (including the focuser of Sky-Watcher Explorer 200PDS)

Yes, Oasis focuser main body is very easy to be installed on or removed from a telescope just by tighening or loosen one screw on the clamp. So one focuser body can be easily shared between different telescopes and this saves money for users. This is one of the important design goal when we design the focuser. And ofcourse users can buy one focuser suit but more adapters or clamps to fit different telescopes.

Astroasis I had a question. Your focuser w/ clutch to go back to manual focusing is very intriguing.  I'm 95% there in purchasing one to try out.

 

I had a question though; here's the scenario:
Im using a refractor. Then I'm using nina and have determined the step size and backlash and get a very nice sharp 2minute image using your focuser. I take an hour worth of subs and now I want to switch to observing. So I remove my camera, put in my diagonal and eyepiece, disengage the clutch on the focuser, and go about observing the night sky all the while manually focusing to get the best viewing possible.
Then something catches my attention and I want to go back to imaging; so i put back my camera and re-engage the clutch for autofocusing.

 

My question is, will NINA know the new step motor step number from the last point where I was in autofocus mode? Would that even be relavent?

 

Thanks

[frankchen]

Astroasis I had a question. Your focuser w/ clutch to go back to manual focusing is very intriguing.  I'm 95% there in purchasing one to try out.

 

I had a question though; here's the scenario:
Im using a refractor. Then I'm using nina and have determined the step size and backlash and get a very nice sharp 2minute image using your focuser. I take an hour worth of subs and now I want to switch to observing. So I remove my camera, put in my diagonal and eyepiece, disengage the clutch on the focuser, and go about observing the night sky all the while manually focusing to get the best viewing possible.
Then something catches my attention and I want to go back to imaging; so i put back my camera and re-engage the clutch for autofocusing.

 

My question is, will NINA know the new step motor step number from the last point where I was in autofocus mode? Would that even be relavent?

 

Thanks

Hello, when focusing in manual mode, the motor step (i.e, the position recorded by Oasis Focuser) will not change. The electronic focuser doesn't aware of whether it is in manual focus mode or motor focus mode. Before changing to auto-focus mode for capturing with camera, it's better to manually turn the telescope knob to make the camera sensor near the focus point.

 

Nina just knows the current step (current position). It doesn't know that the actual telescope focuser travel distance has been changed in manual mode. However this is not a problem. For auto-focus software, they don't need to know the last focus position. The only thing we need to aware is that the zero position and max position may not correct when switching between manual focusing mode and motor focusing mode. In most cases we do motor focusing near the focus point, so this is not an issue. And the new version Oasis focuser (the Rose focuser) has stall detection feature to protect equipment when focusing out of the telescope travel range. For more info about the new version Oasis Focuser, please refer to the following page:
https://www.cloudyni...t-improvements/

[Astro-Goat]

Hello, when focusing in manual mode, the motor step (i.e, the position recorded by Oasis Focuser) will not change. The electronic focuser doesn't aware of whether it is in manual focus mode or motor focus mode. Before changing to auto-focus mode for capturing with camera, it's better to manually turn the telescope knob to make the camera sensor near the focus point.

 

Nina just knows the current step (current position). It doesn't know that the actual telescope focuser travel distance has been changed in manual mode. However this is not a problem. For auto-focus software, they don't need to know the last focus position. The only thing we need to aware is that the zero position and max position may not correct when switching between manual focusing mode and motor focusing mode. In most cases we do motor focusing near the focus point, so this is not an issue. And the new version Oasis focuser (the Rose focuser) has stall detection feature to protect equipment when focusing out of the telescope travel range. For more info about the new version Oasis Focuser, please refer to the following page:
https://www.cloudyni...t-improvements/

Thank you for your reply and clarification.

 

With that information, I am 100% sure now I'll want to order one.

[mikeyL]

2 questions about this product:

 

1) Any updates on whether this will be sold directly by vendors in the USA or whether we will only be able to buy from AliExpress?

 

2) If I wanted to use this to autofocus my Redcat 91, what size adapter would I need?

 

Thanks for any information that can be provided. This looks like a great product. I especially like the clutch and the ability to easily remove and replace, which lets me use my factory storage case for my refractor...

 

ML

[frankchen]

2 questions about this product:
 
1) Any updates on whether this will be sold directly by vendors in the USA or whether we will only be able to buy from AliExpress?
 
2) If I wanted to use this to autofocus my Redcat 91, what size adapter would I need?
 
Thanks for any information that can be provided. This looks like a great product. I especially like the clutch and the ability to easily remove and replace, which lets me use my factory storage case for my refractor...
 
ML

Hello, thanks for your questions! Here are answers:

1) We now have US dealer Astroworld. Please refer to the following page:
https://astroworldte...rose-focuser-v2

Or contact CN user freeme62410 who is our local US Representative.
Both can send the product from US.

2) It looks the RedCat 91 has WIFD focuser. If so then the installation on it is very simple. Only a 33mm clamp is needed to connect the Oasis focuser body to RedCat 91. This means we just need to tighten/loosen one M4 screw to attach/detach Oasis focuser to/from RedCat 91.

In the following post we can see installation examples on William Optics WIFD focuser:
https://www.cloudyni...t-improvements/

[mikeyL]

Hello, thanks for your questions! Here are answers:

1) We now have US dealer Astroworld. Please refer to the following page:
https://astroworldte...rose-focuser-v2

Or contact CN user freeme62410 who is our local US Representative.
Both can send the product from US.

2) It looks the RedCat 91 has WIFD focuser. If so then the installation on it is very simple. Only a 33mm clamp is needed to connect the Oasis focuser body to RedCat 91. This means we just need to tighten/loosen one M4 screw to attach/detach Oasis focuser to/from RedCat 91.

In the following post we can see installation examples on William Optics WIFD focuser:
https://www.cloudyni...t-improvements/

Frank,

 

Thanks so much for the info. I will plan to order one of these very soon!

 

ML

[freeme62410]

Frank,

 

Thanks so much for the info. I will plan to order one of these very soon!

 

ML

Hi Mikey! Please do let me know if you have any questions or if you need a demo. I'll be happy to help! You will absolutely love Rose. I know I do.

 

Will

[mikeyL]

Hi Mikey! Please do let me know if you have any questions or if you need a demo. I'll be happy to help! You will absolutely love Rose. I know I do.

 

Will

Will,

 

OK very good. I think the only question I now have before buying is about the number of steps per revolution as I want to make sure the steps are not too coarse for precise focusing of the Cat 91 when used on the coarse focus knob position. It has been reported that the EAF has steps that result in about 3.7 microns per step on the Cat 91, which is borderline for achieving really precise focus on that scope. I am also interested to hear about the backlash on the Rose V2, as I guess the EAF has a large amount of that as well.

 

My current plan was to buy from Astroworld - are you affiliated with them, or ???

 

ML

[mikeyL]

OK, ordered the Astroasis Rose Focuser from Astroworld. Hopefully here by week's end!

 

ML

[frankchen]

Will,
 
OK very good. I think the only question I now have before buying is about the number of steps per revolution as I want to make sure the steps are not too coarse for precise focusing of the Cat 91 when used on the coarse focus knob position. It has been reported that the EAF has steps that result in about 3.7 microns per step on the Cat 91, which is borderline for achieving really precise focus on that scope. I am also interested to hear about the backlash on the Rose V2, as I guess the EAF has a large amount of that as well.
 
My current plan was to buy from Astroworld - are you affiliated with them, or ???
 
ML

The Rose focuser itself has 14400 steps/revolution. The two gears have 16:30 gear ratio, so the focus shaft has 27000 steps/revolution. The WO WIFD focuser looks the same as the focuser of SkyRover APOs such as SkyRover 102 APO, which is very popular in China. When Oasis Focuser installed on SkyRover 102 APO, each motor step moves ~0.8μm travel distance. Basically each Oasis focuser motor step moves about 1/5 distance of EAF does. This number matches the number 3.7μm you mentioned on RedCat 91.


Regarding the backlash, normally the measured backlash is about 200~300 steps. We have an artical about how to measure the backlash. It is written in Chinese but I think it can still be read with Google translator etc:
https://mp.weixin.qq...VGg6KDuInHjK7YA

Oasis focuser uses rigid parts so it has good backlash compensentation result. In my opinion whether the backlash is constant is more important than how big the backlash is. Whether the backlash is constant determines how good the backlash compensation result will be. Based on our test and users feedback, we have seen many excellent auto-focus curves. Here are some examples of the auto-focus curves which were the result of running 12 continuous auto-focus:
https://www.astroasi...focuser/69.html

Each final focus point is very close (39582~39593). There is only a few μm difference for each focus point.

It is also important that many factors (such as seeing, wind, auto-focus settings) will impact if we can get excellent auto-focus curve. We will see strange curves if the step size or backlash compensation value are not set correctly. We always recommend Overshoot backlash compensation method. If the backlash is not measured, normally we recommend 600 steps (IN or OUT, but not both) as Overshoot backlash compensation value. We also have an artical about the backlash compensation settings:
https://mp.weixin.qq...LKAiQCaNOWArtug

[mikeyL]

Frank,

 

Well this is all VERY exciting to hear. Feeling even better about my recent purchase now. I am sure it will be a fantastic match with the Cat 91!

 

ML

The Rose focuser itself has 14400 steps/revolution. The two gears have 16:30 gear ratio, so the focus shaft has 27000 steps/revolution. The WO WIFD focuser looks the same as the focuser of SkyRover APOs such as SkyRover 102 APO, which is very popular in China. When Oasis Focuser installed on SkyRover 102 APO, each motor step moves ~0.8μm travel distance. Basically each Oasis focuser motor step moves about 1/5 distance of EAF does. This number matches the number 3.7μm you mentioned on RedCat 91.


Regarding the backlash, normally the measured backlash is about 200~300 steps. We have an artical about how to measure the backlash. It is written in Chinese but I think it can still be read with Google translator etc:
https://mp.weixin.qq...VGg6KDuInHjK7YA

Oasis focuser uses rigid parts so it has good backlash compensentation result. In my opinion whether the backlash is constant is more important than how big the backlash is. Whether the backlash is constant determines how good the backlash compensation result will be. Based on our test and users feedback, we have seen many excellent auto-focus curves. Here are some examples of the auto-focus curves which were the result of running 12 continuous auto-focus:
https://www.astroasi...focuser/69.html

Each final focus point is very close (39582~39593). There is only a few μm difference for each focus point.

It is also important that many factors (such as seeing, wind, auto-focus settings) will impact if we can get excellent auto-focus curve. We will see strange curves if the step size or backlash compensation value are not set correctly. We always recommend Overshoot backlash compensation method. If the backlash is not measured, normally we recommend 600 steps (IN or OUT, but not both) as Overshoot backlash compensation value. We also have an artical about the backlash compensation settings:
https://mp.weixin.qq...LKAiQCaNOWArtug

[mikeyL]

I received my focuser in a timely manner (Thanks Dan at Astroworld!) and installed it. That seemed to go smoothly. I have not had a chance to get it under the stars yet but did play with it using the phone app (Astroasis Mate) and it seemed to run fine. Only question is that when I move the clutch to engage, it seems to make firm engagement but it is not all the way over to the ON position when it does so. It cannot be moved all the way over to the ON position.

 

I went through the installation using the gear locator as described, and used both the 33mm collar and the B6 gear that were mentioned. Just want to make sure this is expected behavior and not something that I have not quite right in the installation?

[frankchen]

I received my focuser in a timely manner (Thanks Dan at Astroworld!) and installed it. That seemed to go smoothly. I have not had a chance to get it under the stars yet but did play with it using the phone app (Astroasis Mate) and it seemed to run fine. Only question is that when I move the clutch to engage, it seems to make firm engagement but it is not all the way over to the ON position when it does so. It cannot be moved all the way over to the ON position.
 
I went through the installation using the gear locator as described, and used both the 33mm collar and the B6 gear that were mentioned. Just want to make sure this is expected behavior and not something that I have not quite right in the installation?

Hello, this is the expected behavior. Please refer to Chapter 3 (Page 9) "How the clutch works" of Oasis focuser user manual:
https://www.astroasi...r_Manual_EN.pdf

The content is also attached here:

This design allows us to minimize the backlash introduced by the two gears.


Thanks for posting the question here. This is useful for those who have the same question 

[frankchen]

Hello, this is the expected behavior. Please refer to Chapter 3 (Page 9) "How the clutch works" of Oasis focuser user manual:
https://www.astroasi...r_Manual_EN.pdf

The content is also attached here:

OasisFocuserClutch.jpg

This design allows us to minimize the backlash introduced by the two gears.


Thanks for posting the question here. This is useful for those who have the same question 

 

Normally there will be 1~4mm gap between the indicator and the "ON" position. Please refer to the following picture.

 

 

The gap might be vary when Oasis focuser installed on different telescopes.

[mikeyL]

Hello, this is the expected behavior. Please refer to Chapter 3 (Page 9) "How the clutch works" of Oasis focuser user manual:
https://www.astroasi...r_Manual_EN.pdf

The content is also attached here:

OasisFocuserClutch.jpg

This design allows us to minimize the backlash introduced by the two gears.


Thanks for posting the question here. This is useful for those who have the same question 

OK excellent! Obviously I did not fully read the docs, my bad. Appreciate the prompt reply. My gap appears to be a little larger than that but I am now sure it is OK. Can't wait to get the setup under the stars and see how it does. 

 

ML