Pegasus Astro FocusCube 2 Focuser Motor - With Universal L-Bracket # FC2-UNIV

Focus your telescope quickly, reliably and accurately by using the “FocusCube 2″. The evolution of technology in astronomy requires a system which will assist the focusing of the telescope with great accuracy. Fast optics and modern camera devices require automatic focusing in small periods of time as temperature can affect focal length and modify the optimal focus position. Pegasus' FocusCube has been developed to meet all of these requirements.

Featuring high quality modern electronics, the FocusCube can provide precise digital focus control from a PC. The device includes a stepper motor for absolute position focusing. The electronics and stepper motors are enclosed in a compact sized box. Do not be fooled by its size! This device can easily lift more than 6kg (212 ounces) of imaging equipment when the telescope points to the zenith!

This stepper motor is a high resolution geared stepper motor (Step Angle 7.5, Deg 120, Gear Ration 1:120). Its gearbox has very low backlash and high torque suitable to focus in micron scale! You only need this device to focus! Attach the FocusCube to your refractor / reflector / SCT telescope, plug the power, USB cable, download ASCOM drivers or standalone software and you are ready to go!

1. High torque & resolution stepper motor

Embedded unipolar stepper motor has a powerful and very low backlash gearbox. Motor step angle is 7.5 deg but the 1:120 reduction gearbox turns the reduction rate to 0.06255 deg / step. As firmware implements half step drive, the motor can execute twice the steps per cycle. This means 11510 steps per cycle! Bottom line: You can focus in microns, easily and with great accuracy.

The motor can lift up to 6kg (212 ounces) of imaging equipment when the telescope points to the zenith!

2. Two designs

You can choose between:

• Universal bracket: which fits many non-SCT focusers on the market (this item) or
• SCT Bracket: SCT Bracket fits Celestron C Series, Celestron Edge and Celestron RASA telescopes (sold separately)

Universal Bracket (Wide Bracket) and Newtonian Bracket (Narrow Bracket)

3. Universal Bracket

We have redesigned the L shaped bracket to easily fit onto most focusers in the market. The lower part of the redesigned bracket can be replaced with a slimmer rail (included) for better compatibility with Newtonian and other low profile focusers.

This L shaped black anodised aluminium bracket, hard to bend, has cut rails and can be attached to a wide range of focusers.

We have succesfully installed the Universal L bracket to the following focusers:

• Baader Diamond Steeltrack
• Baader Steeltrack
• Explore Scientific Focuser
• MoonLite Focusers
• Skywatcher Esprit Series Focuser
• Starlight Feathertouch Series
• Stellarvue Focusers
• Takahashi FS-60, TSA-120, Epsilon Focusers
• Takahashi FSQ & TOA Focuser
• Vixen ED81S
• William Optics GT71
• William Optics RedCat

4. Temperature Probe

An external digital temperature sensor input is located near the motor connector. A digital probe of one meter (3 feet) length is supplied. The probe can be placed near the focuser so the exact temperature of the focuser / environment can be seen through the supplied software or ASCOM driver (probe is always included)

5. Expansion Port / Manual Focus (optional accessory)

The FocusCube includes an expansion RJ45 port on the left side. This port provides input for the temperature sensor. An optional hand controller for manual focus control can be acquired for those who might want to add this functionality.

Please Note: Hand Controller is an optional accessory

6. ASCOM supported

The controller is fully compatible with latest ASCOM 6.4

Autofocus via SGPro

7. INDI (Open Astronomy Instrumentation) supported

The Pegasus Focuscube is fully compatible with INDI. Driver is included in stable libindi.

Official Indi Driver: http://indilib.org/devices/focusers/pegasus-dmfc.html

8. Standalone program supported

The controller can be operated by the standalone software (only available for Windows).

9. A 1.8m USB Type B cable is included in the package.

10. Six solid motor couplers are included (for Universal L-bracket version only)

Six solid, different bore size motor couplers are provided so you can select the coupler that fits to your focuser's shaft. Choose between 3mm to 8mm couplers. All of them are included in the package.

However, please note that we are unable to tell you whether this item will fit your specific scope. We do not have specific compatibility information for the hundreds of telescopes on the market. You will need to measure your telescope's shaft size before purchase to check if one of these included couplers will work for you.

11. Firmware upgrade support

Controller firmware supports re-programming via the USB 2.0 connection using upgrade software, for future upgrades which may become available. We constantly receive feedback from our customers and keep updating the firmware and software with new features.

12. 2 Years warranty

For the FocusCube device and the temperature sensor.

13. Compact size

56 x 63 x 39 mm / Weight 280g

14. Specifications

• Supply Voltage: 12V - 13.8V DC
• Motor Compatibility: Stepper Motor is inside the enclosure
• Motor Output: None (Stepper Motor inside in the enclosure)
• USB Connectivity: USB 2.0 Type B plug
• Thermal Sensor Resolution: 9-bit Celsius temperature measurements
• Power Input Connector: 2.1mm Centre Positive Socket
• Motor Specs: High resolution geared stepper motor
• (Step Angle (Deg) 7.5 / 120
• (Gearbox reduction rate = 0.06255 Deg).
• 5755 steps per circle of rotation.
• * Firmware implements half step drive so one motor cycle is 5755 x 2 = 11510 steps
• Very low backlash
• Dimensions: 56 mm x 63 mm x 39 mm
• Weight: 300g
• Operating Temperature: -40 ºC to +80 ºC