Auto focus your CCD based telescope quickly and precisely

with

FocusMax

By Larry Weber and Steve Brady

FocusMax software uses a new auto focus algorithm that we developed specifically for amateur astronomers.

Find out more about this technique from our Imaging the Sky 2001 paper that we presented in Salem Oregon on November 2, 2001. Or you can review our original 2001 Minor Planet Amateur/Professional Workshop paper that we presented at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory in Tucson Arizona on May 6, 2001.

FocusMax is freeware. It is available by Downloading FocusMax .

Polar Align your GoTo telescope quickly and precisely

with

PoleAlignMax

By Larry Weber and Steve Brady

PoleAlignMax was introduced at the Imaging The Sky 2003 meeting in Salem Oregon on November 7, 2003.

PoleAlignMax V 2.0.1 now works with CCDSoft or MaxIm DL. Plate solves are done with either PinPoint or TheSky. This version has a comprehensive Help and many other new features.

PoleAlignMax is freeware. It is available by Downloading PoleAlignMax .

FocusMax and PoleAlignMax are ASCOM Compliant.

FocusMax Hardware and Software Requirements

In addition to your telescope, CCD camera and personal computer you will need:

1. MaxIm DL/CCD from Diffraction Limited or CCDSoft from Software Bisque .    FocusMax and PoleAlignMax do not work with  Astroart.

2. A motorized focuser from the following list:

RoboFocus from Technical Innovations

Optec TCF-S from Optec Inc.

DF-2 and PDF from Finger Lakes Instruments

JMI Smart Focus from Jim's Mobile Inc.

PCFocus from Aquest, Inc.

            Feather Touch from Starlight Instruments

Any focuser having an ASCOM Focuser Standard interface

Any DC Motor focuser connected to the focuser port of a Meade LX-200 Classic, LX200GPS or Autostar from Meade

This includes:

JMI NGF series Crayfords and MOTOFOCUS primary mirror focuser from Jim's Mobile, Inc.

Meade LX200GPS Microfocuser Crayford and Meade 1206 primary mirror focuser from Meade

Any DC Motor focuser connected to the focuser port of an Astro-Physics mount from Astro-Physics

Any DC Motor focuser connected to LazyFocus from James Lacey

Any Steper Motor focuser connected to EasyFocus from James Lacey

RCOS Telescope Command Center from RC Optical Systems

3. FocusMax software, see below.

How To Obtain FocusMax

FocusMax is freeware. It is available by Downloading FocusMax .

Contacting Us

We are most happy to hear from you. We want to help you solve your auto focusing problems. We are also looking for criticisms and suggestions on how to make FocusMax better. Please contact us by e-mail.

Larry Weber larryweber@idsi.net

Steve Brady sbrady10@verizon.net