14. Connecting Focusers

StellarMate supports a broad range of focusers from professional focusers to DYI types. Most focusers fall in the following two categories:

Absolute/Relative Focusers: Absolute focusers are usually stepper motors that can go to a specific step that is remembered across power cycles. This is the recommened type to use since Auto Focus operations are reliable with this type of focuser. DC Focusers: DC Focusers are open loop simple motors in which the program can control the speed and direction of the focuser, but not its exact position. These exist in cheap focusers and DSLR cameras. It is generally recommended to avoid such focusers.

To check if your focuser is supported, please visit the INDI Focuser Portal. Check the documentation for your focuser before you operate it for the first time.

14.1. Serial to USB

Most equipment is connected via USB. StellarMate is equipment with 4 USB ports. However, it is highly recommended to use an external powered USB Hub as it can reliably support power to your equipment. WARNING Most problems in operating your equipment with StellarMate are related first and foremost to power problems. Therefore, please invest in reliable power supply for all your equipment!

For many Focusers that use RS232 connectors, you need to purchase a Serial-To-USB adapter suitable for your Focuser model from the manufacturer. When you plug in your Serial-To-USB devices, they are assigned a specific port under StellarMate (e.g. /dev/ttyUSB0). However, this port is not static. That is, next time you plug in the same device on another session, it might get assigned another port (e.g. /dev/ttyUSB1). Since INDI drivers require the port name to communicate with the device, this could lead to communication issues. With the help of StellarMate Serial Port Assistant, you can assign permanent designations for your devices so that they always get the same port whenever they are connected.

14.2. Focusers

Mount	Driver	Devices
ActiveFocuser	indi_activefocuser_focus
Armadillo/Platypus	indi_armadillo_focus/
Astroberry Focuser	indi_rpifocus
AstroLink 4	indi_astrolink4
Astromechanics	indi_astromechfoc
Baader SteelDrive	indi_steeldrive_Focus
Bee Focuser	indi_beefocus
Celestron SCT	indi_celestron_sct_focus
DeepSkyDad FP1	indi_deepskydad_fp1
DeepSkyDad FR1	indi_deepskydad_fr1
DeepSkyDad AF1	indi_deepskydad_af1_focus
DeepSkyDad AF2	indi_deepskydad_af2_focus
DeepSkyDad AF3	indi_deepskydad_af3_focus
FLI CCD FLI CFW FLI PDF	indi_fli_ccd indi_fli_wheel indi_fli_focus	CCD Driver: FLI CCD driver (indi_fli_ccd) for all FLI cameras. Filter Wheel Driver: FLI CFW driver (indi_fli_wheel) for all FLI filter wheels. Focuser Driver: FLI PDF driver (indi_fli_focus) for FLI Precision Digital Focuser.
FocusLynx	indi_lynx_focus
Integra	indi_integra_focus
JMI MOTOFOCUS	indi_lx200classicautostar
SmartFocus	indi_smartfocus_focus
Lacerta MFOC	indi_lacerta_mfoc_focus
Meade 1206 Primary Mirror Focuser	indi_lx200classic
LX200 Autostar	indi_lx200autostar
MoonLite	indi_moonlite_focus
myFocuserPro2	indi_myfocuserpro2_focus
Nightcrawler	indi_nightcrawler_focus
Gemini Focusing Rotator	indi_gemini_focuser
Optec TCF-S	indi_tcfs_focus/indi_tcfs3_focus
Pegasus DMFC	indi_dmfc_focus
Pegasus Falcon	indi_falcon_rotator
RainbowRSF	indi_rainbowrsf_focus
RBFocus	indi_rbfocus_focus
nFocus	indi_nfocus
Rigelsys nFrame	indi_nframe_rotator
Rigelsys nStep	indi_nstep_focus
RoboFocus	indi_robo_focus
Seletek Rotator	indi_seletek_rotator
Sesto Senso	indi_sestosenso_focus
FCUSB	indi_fcusb_focuser
USBFocusV3	indi_usbfocusv3_focus
ASI EAF	indi_asi_focuser