Tips on connecting to focusmax, Usb-nfocus instructions – Rigel Systems usb-nFOCUS User Manual

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usb-nFOCUS Instructions

Copyright Rigel Systems 2010

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www.rigelsys.com

5) Accept license agreement and proceed

6) Go to

www.astrogene1000.com/products/gcusb_nfocus/gcusb_nfocus.html

7) Download and save the “INF file, no code added” zip file, then double click the zip file to unzip.

8) Open the folder where the GCUSB_nFOCUS executable is installed (left side of image below), and

drag the “gc_usb_nfocus1” setup information and security catalog files into it.

REMEMBER

the

directory for step 10 in case you need to explicitly point the Device Manager to the directory.

9) Plug the usb-nFOCUS hardware into a USB port and device drive should install. If it doesn’ then

follow step 10.

10) Open Device Manager, click on Other Devices, click on USB nFOCUS device, pick Driver tab

and select Update Driver. On next screen, select “browse local disk” and let it go to town!

11) Driver is installed  so select Close.
12) Open Device Manager and Select PORTS (COM & LPT). USB to nFOCUS adapter (COM#) is

displayed, with COM port assigned. You will need to know this COM port to setup the GCUSB-
nFOCUS
application.

You must change the COM port assignment by clicking on the USB to

nFOCUS adapter, select the Port Settings tab, select Advanced and selecting a “virginCOM
Port Number (one that doesn’t say “in use”) to avoid problems with settings from other
applications.

For backwards compatibility, valid values are 1-16.

13) Ready to go  Use the shortcut on your desktop to activate the GCUSB-nFOCUS application.

Tips on Connecting to FocusMax

1) Usb-nSTEP is ascom compatible and can be interfaced to FocusMax.

Note: FocusMax is not our

software.

FocusMax is a freeware program written by LARRY WEBER and STEVE BRADY for

use with commercial telescope focusing devices used by amateur astronomers. FocusMax can be
downloaded from the FMaxUG on Yahoo Groups. Below are tips to help interface to FocusMax.

2) Make sure your account has ADMIN privileges.

3) Join the Yahoo FMaxUG, download and install the latest version of FocusMax (3.5.0 as of this

writing). Start FocusMax. If it doesn’t start and produces an error message about log files, then
you need to create the directories that it’s expecting for data, image, and log files. Open the
focusmax HELP file which talks about the directories, they may not be where help file states. Run
the ASCOM PROFILER and under focuser, select FocusMax and read the profile file. In it you will
find where FocusMax thinks the directories are. Go to those locations and create the data, image
and log file directories. Then you should be able to start FocusMax and inside of FocusMax
change the path to where you really want those directories. Any problems, ask the FMaxUG.

4) Right click on the gcusb_nFOCUS shortcut and check the properties / compatibility tab and make

sure the "run in compatibility ..." and "run with admin..." check boxes are NOT checked.

5) Start the gcusb_nFOCUS application, plug in the gcusb_nfocus hardware, and “connect” to the

hardware. Run CIN/COUT to move motor to confirm hardware is working. Minimize the
gcusb_nfocus app to the dock.

6) Right click FocusMax shortcut and check properties/compatibility tab and and make sure the "run

in compatibility ..." and "run with admin..."check boxes are NOT checked.

7) Start FocusMax and pick the system tab, select gcusb_nFOCUS and connect.
8) Select the focuser tab. Correct focus position and temperature should be displayed. Maximize the

gcusb_nFOCUS app from the dock and compare to its value.

9) Click on "jog" at the top of the focusmax focuser tab and jog the motor in/out to verify focusmax is

working with nfocus.

10) Ready to go 

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