Official Australian Dealer
Guide Port Interface
The GPUSB guide port interface adapter plugs directly into a USB port
on your computer or a USB hub attached to your computer. Using an RJ-12
cable, the adapter connects to the guide port of your telescope mount.
This guide port interface uses optocouplers to electrically isolate the
computer from the telescope, eliminating a possible source of electrical
interference. This interface adapter requires no external power source
since it receives its power via the USB cable. More information can be
found by clicking
here to view the User Manual.
DC Focus Motor Control
The FCUSB is a product that allows you to control a DC focus motor
(or any DC motor for that matter) by way of a USB port and software on
your computer. If you are already using a computer in your observatory
for other reasons, this provides a way for you to focus your telescope
without fumbling around in the dark for the focuser handcontroller. It
works best with 5V focus motors such as the newer style JMI Motofocus,
but can also work with 9V or 12V motors. Motors requiring up to 100mA of
current will work with the FCUSB. To date, the FCUSB has been tested with
the JMI Motofocus, Moonlite DC motorized focusers, Orion AccuFocus, Meade
1209, and Televue Focusmate Driver. The FCUSB also eliminates the need
for a battery to run your focuser, since the motor is now powered directly
from the USB port of your computer. Using the free FocusPal software, you
can control the speed and direction of your motor with just mouse clicks!
For further information, please read through the FCUSB
User Manual Third-party software that supports the ASCOM Focuser standard
will also work with the FCUSB using the FCUSB ASCOM driver. DC focus motors
don't provide absolute positioning repeatability like a stepper motor does,
but we have tried the FCUSB with third-party autofocusing software and
obtained decent results. However, there is no guarantee that this will
work for all systems.
Why the FCUSB2?
Many astrophotographers need to use two focusers, one for their imaging
scope, and one for their guide scope. One of the inherent problems with
most USB devices is that when two of them are used, they will appear identical
to the computer and there is no easy way to tell one from the other. Thus,
we created the FCUSB2. It is identical to the FCUSB in all respects except
for its USB identifier. So, if you wish to run two focusers, you will need
a FCUSB and a FCUSB2. The FCUSB will work with only FocusPal, the FCUSB
ASCOM driver, or the FCUSB FocusAPI driver. The FCUSB2 will work with only
FocusPal2, the FCUSB2 ASCOM driver, or the FCUSB2 FocusAPI driver.