Celestron Focus Motor for SCT, EdgeHD & RASA
Bring the Power of Motorized Focusing to Your SCT, RASA, or EdgeHD!
Maximizing the capabilities of Celestron’s premier telescopes is the Celestron Focus Motor! This electronic focuser ensures the sharpest details in every frame captured through your Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, EdgeHD, or Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph. Manually focusing at these high focal lengths can prove to be a challenge through the image wobble that occurs when physically touching the telescope. Also, with changes in temperatures throughout astronomy sessions, the shift in the focal point of your optics requires periodic refocusing of your telescope. Thanks to this focusing innovation from Celestron, enjoy automated focus through your favorite ASCOM supported software, or remotely control your telescope’s focus with Celestron PWI, Celestron Focus Utility, the hand controller, or the Celestron SkyPortal app! This Focus Motor does the hard work for you and brings smooth, high precision focusing to your Celestron telescope.
Replacing the focusing knob on your telescope, this Celestron focuser utilizes an internal motor coupled with ultrafine focusing steps to bring your optics into sharp focus. The inclusion of multiple speed rates aids in accuracy and lets you to dial in on the details. Also featured is indexed positioning, a mechanism that allows this focuser to easily return to a previously determined focusing point. Supply power to this Focus Motor through either the onboard AUX port, USB port, or 12V DC port. These multiple means of connection offer great versatility and allow you to adapt the Focus Motor to your telescope rig. Coming in at less than 1lb, the compact design adds minimal weight to your set up and can be positioned to avoid contact with any other accessories you may have!
Effortless Installation on Your Celestron Telescope!
Attaching a focuser to your telescope may seem complicated and overwhelming, but no need to fret! Installation is quite simple. First, start off by removing the rubber grip and cover plate around the focusing shaft. You will see there are two cover plates included within this kit; install the appropriate one for your telescope’s focusing shaft. Next, on motor coupling, check to see if the white arrow lines up with the white “range” marking. If not, use the supplied wrench to adjust this motor coupling to put both markings in alignment. If you have a 6”-9.25” telescope, install the included adapter sleeve onto the focuser to ensure a tight fit over the focusing shaft. For those with 11”-14”, the focuser fits properly without the need for this adapter. Finally, secure the Focus Motor to your telescope! The numerous mounting positions available on the cover plate allow you to attach the focuser at any angle you desire. If you would like a more detailed walkthrough of installing the Celestron Focus Motor, please refer to the attached manual.
Extensive Means of Software Control
This Celestron Focus Motor seamlessly adapts to your set up through the multiple methods of software operation available. Both the AUX port and USB port offer connection to your computer and allow use with Celestron PWI, Celestron Focus Utility software, or your favorite ASCOM supported third party software. If conducting astrophotography, third party software is able to utilize your camera to determine the exact focal point of your optics, and brings your telescope into sharp focus for you! Set how often you’d like to perform the focusing routine for the sharpest possible photos. The extensive versatility doesn’t stop there, as the Celestron SkyPortal app comes standard with native control of the Celestron Focus Motor. This innovative app makes controlling this Focus Motor a breeze through its intuitive interface! If your telescope rig requires additional AUX ports for focus control through the Celestron SkyPortal WiFi Module (not included), add a user supplied Celestron Aux Port Splitter for sufficient means of connection.
Works with Your StarSense or NexStar+ Hand Controller!
If using a Celestron computerized telescope mount, easily adjoin this focuser to your user supplied StarSense or NexStar+ hand controller through the included AUX cable. Please note that your StarSense hand controller requires version 1.19+ firmware while your NexStar+ hand controller requires version 5.30+ firmware. If you need to update your hand controller, you can easily do so through the Celestron Firmware Manager. Operation of this focuser can be done through selecting the MENU button, then further selecting “Focuser”. Helping you hone in on the sharpness, you can then select your desired focusing speed: 1 for the slowest speed and 3 for the fastest. Finally, utilize the SCROLL buttons to find the perfect focus!
Three Power Options
Providing power to the Celestron Focus Motor can be achieved three different ways. The self-powered design of this focuser operates through the supplied power from your Celestron computerized telescope mount through the AUX port, or by the USB connection via your computer. Noting that the Focus Motor requires at least 900mA of power input, if your computer does not meet this threshold, the Celestron Focus Motor is also furnished with a 12V DC port to ensure sufficient voltage.
Internal Indexing for High Precision Focusing
Featured within the Celestron Focus Motor is indexed focus positioning. This mechanism creates high precision indices of the positionings between the inward and outward limits of your telescope’s focuser. By noting these thresholds, this Celestron Focus Motor can avoid putting strain on your optics as well as the motor itself. An initial one-time calibration is necessary after installation and can be achieved through the hand controller or your preferred software. These indices are stored within the motor, and calibration is not required between a change in operation methods. This inclusion allows you to return to a previous focus point and delivers exceptionally accurate focusing!
| Celestron Focus Motor Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Compatibility: | All SCTs from 6” to 14” produced after 2006, all EdgeHD, RASA 8", RASA 36cm, 7" Mak-Cass, 11” RASA (requires the Focuser Retrofit Kit) |
| Motor: | DC Servo Motor |
| USB Connectivity: | USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 |
| Power Input Connector: | AUX, USB, 12V DC |
| Spur Gears: | Brass, 1:1 Gear Ratio, 35.2mm Diameter, 42 Teeth |
| Focuser Shaft Coupler: | Aluminum Clamping Sleeve |
| Microprocessor: | NXP Kinetis Series, Arm Coretex-M4 Core |
| Speed Rates: | 8°/sec , 32°/sec , 128°/sec |
| Focuser Steps per Revolution: | 1000 Steps |
| Weight: | 15 ounces |
Astronomy Hub: Your one-stop-shop for Astrophotography Knowledge!
Our Gear Experts have compiled a wealth of information to help expand your astrophotography knowledge! Below you’ll find links to articles, videos and "how-to" guides. Just one more reason that our Astronomy Hub is a one-stop-shop for all your astronomy and astrophotography needs!
| Apertura Lithium Power Supply Guide |
| Telescope Dew Solutions |