Long-Term Review of the ProAstroGear Autofocus Mount for the Redcat 51

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  • Опубліковано 29 гру 2022
  • I'm back! Been getting lots of imaging time with my William Optics Redcat 51 AND some sleep too. The "Redcat Season" is over so I'm providing a season-long review of the ProAstroGear Auto-Focus Mount ($80usd from Agena AstroProducts) I'm using it to automatically focus the Redcat 51 while I sleep. The ZWO 5V EAF focuser and NINA (Hocus Focus) are part of the system as well. Spoiler Alert: I'm extremely pleased with the results across a temperature range of 40 C.
  • Наука та технологія

КОМЕНТАРІ • 25

  • @jjjscharf8059
    @jjjscharf8059 Рік тому

    Excellent technical analysis as usual! Very much appreciate your approach and I enjoy your channel very much. Great resource.

    • @Aero19612
      @Aero19612  Рік тому

      Thanks for the kind words and for watching!

  • @AstroPhotoFacts
    @AstroPhotoFacts Рік тому

    Always fantastic videos , thanks

    • @Aero19612
      @Aero19612  Рік тому

      Thanks for watching, Joao!

  • @Diocrew
    @Diocrew Рік тому

    Excellent presentation as always! Glad everything worked out so well for you with that setup even with the cloud magnet lens. 😉

    • @Aero19612
      @Aero19612  Рік тому +1

      Thanks for watching. Yes, I'm quite pleased with these results. It's ok to "wrong" sometimes! More plastic please...

  • @starsips
    @starsips Рік тому

    Excellent, excellent work! I purchased one of these Black Cat focusing units a while back and am yet to give it a solid run. Very reassuring results and outcomes! Thank you

    • @Aero19612
      @Aero19612  Рік тому +1

      Haha. Start using it! It won't hurt a bit

  • @dave_thebrave
    @dave_thebrave Рік тому +1

    seems like a great movie of!!

  • @AntonioPena1
    @AntonioPena1 Рік тому

    Agreed 100% with you, I used same setup, I’m so happy with Astro gear option, works nice and fixes other issues for the Redcat 51 that is like you said many plastic in middle causing issues when focus manually, with this option is tight, I used both Nina and ASIAIR and both works great perfect focus. Thanks for sharing!

    • @Aero19612
      @Aero19612  Рік тому

      Indeed. I'm just sorry that it took me so long to get around to buying one of these. Thanks for watching, Antonio!

  • @PhilFXPhoenix
    @PhilFXPhoenix Рік тому

    Been using the same setup basically on my RedCat51/AM5 setup since last August and it is simply awesome IMHO. I tend to only use OSC on my imaging using my ASI533MC camera but I do set it for refocus on 2C temp changes so I often will get 2-3 refocus/night. Works like a champ and there is usually a change that is required. Stars are pinpoint and look great assuming the Cloud Gods have been appeased so they don't roll in a spoil a nights imaging. I do use a filter drawer as I shoot in Phoenix and I've found the Optolong narrow band filters help significantly in removing a lot of sky glow. I also found that to do an accurate PA, I need to have no filter so typically I do 2 AF sessions with the EAF. One initial one with no filter to set my PA and then once on target, I do another with the desired narrow band filter for the evenings session. I don't use NINA with this setup as I have an AA+ and run it all from that.

    • @Aero19612
      @Aero19612  Рік тому

      Yes, it's quite an impressive and very reliable focuser mount. Totally pleased (and surprised) it works so well. Thanks for watching, Phil!

  • @robertgrenader858
    @robertgrenader858 Рік тому

    The ProAstro gear was a bit fiddly starting out but now that I've got it dialed in, I don't even think about tit any more. It just works.

    • @Aero19612
      @Aero19612  Рік тому

      Perfect summary, Robert: "It just works"

  • @hael8680
    @hael8680 9 місяців тому

    You just sold me an EAF and that plastic support 👍

    • @Aero19612
      @Aero19612  9 місяців тому

      Plastic parts were a tough sale for me. But it just works and that’s what I care about in the end. Thanks for watching.

  • @whatmattersmost6725
    @whatmattersmost6725 Рік тому

    Great Video, question what or how did you get that Cloud Cam L bracket please??

    • @Aero19612
      @Aero19612  Рік тому

      UA-cam won't let me put in a link, but I got them from Amazon. Here's the description:
      "10 PCS 4 Inches Black Adjustable L-Shape Corner Brace with Slot, Metal Steel Joint Right Angle Brackets for PC case, Fixing Furniture, 4"L x 2⅜"H x 1⅛"W, Thickness ⅛", Max Load 30LB"

  • @chrismcgrew4692
    @chrismcgrew4692 Рік тому

    Do you have a link to the cloud camera you've attached to the mount? I've been wanting to get one and can't decide what will work.

    • @Aero19612
      @Aero19612  Рік тому

      I'm just using the ZWO ASI120MC-S. I bought this camera when it first came out and use it for planetary imaging. But since it's just sitting around, I thought I'd use it for my "Cloud Cam". Thanks for watching, Chris!

    • @chrismcgrew4692
      @chrismcgrew4692 Рік тому

      @@Aero19612 Where did you get that L-Bracket for it, the one that slides in the finder scope saddle?

    • @Aero19612
      @Aero19612  Рік тому

      @@chrismcgrew4692 Hey Chris: I can’t post a link, but here’s the Amazon.com text description:
      10 PCS 4 Inches Black Adjustable L-Shape Corner Brace with Slot, Metal Steel Joint Right Angle Brackets for PC case, Fixing Furniture, 4"L x 2⅜"H x 1⅛"W, Thickness ⅛", Max Load 30LB

  • @whatmattersmost6725
    @whatmattersmost6725 Рік тому

    First...Thanks. So James you have a light leak in to your Filter Wheel as I see the tape.

    • @Aero19612
      @Aero19612  Рік тому +1

      Possibly. See this video (ua-cam.com/video/vJAiCqNSexc/v-deo.html). My flats certainly improved when I took them in a dark room. Taping off the edge of the filter wheel was an easy enough thing to do.