Smart Focus

The Smart Focus system allows one to remotely control a JMI focuser or MOTOFOCUS unit (specify complete model number) using computer software.  Popular CCD software (not included) can be used to automatically focus a CCD camera (a couple of examples are listed below).

Smart Focus includes a hand control, AC adapter, focuser/encoder cable, serial computer cable and basic focuser control software.  The hand unit has two directional focusing buttons, a variable speed control, a power jack, a DB-9 serial connector and a DRO encoder jack.  It can be operated using a 9-volt alkaline battery (included).

One end of the focuser/encoder cable attaches to the hand control and the other end to the encoder assembly installed on the JMI focuser or MOTOFOCUS motor (required, see below).  The serial cable connects between the hand control and the 9-pin serial port of a PC-compatible computer running Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP (please see note regarding serial ports).

JMI's standalone basic focuser control software (included on a 3.5" diskette and on our website) is sufficient to control the focuser through the PC.  Automatic focusing can be accomplished through popular CCD imaging software (not included) such as Cyanogen's MaxIm DL/CCD (using SharpStar) and Software Bisque's CCDSoft (using @Focus).

Due to the modular design of the JMI EV focusers, they can be very easily upgraded after purchase to include Smart Focus.

NOTE	Smart Focus requires one of the DRO Encoder Assemblies (listed below) on a motorized JMI Focuser or MOTOFOCUS unit.  Once the encoder assembly is installed, it can interface with either Smart Focus or DRO.  Smart Focus requires a PC and DRO is a stand-alone unit.  The Smart Focus system includes an A/C adapter, focuser/encoder cable, serial cable and software. Smart Focus will only work correctly with MOTOFOCUS units that use a non-slip coupler.  If your current MOTOFOCUS system uses a slip-clutch feature, such as an o-ring coupler, ask us about a conversion kit.  Since the Smart Focus stand-alone basic focuser control software is designed around slippage at the end of focuser travel, manual setup procedures must be used with MOTOFOCUS equipped focusers (see the Smart Focus Manual, document 29, in our Document Library).  Smart Focus is not recommended for use with an SCT focus knob due to image shift (mirror slop) and the inability to train the system properly. Are you in need of (more) serial ports on your computer?  See how you can add more RS-232 serial (DB9 connector) ports.
	The EV-2cM is shown here with the encoder and hardware installed for a DRO system.  The DRO Hand Unit controller is connected to the motor and encoder assemblies on the focuser using a flat phone cable with phone connectors.  For a Smart Focus system, the Smart Focus hand unit (left) replaces the regular DRO hand unit (right).
	Smart Focus is shown here along with a discontinued NGF-S focuser, CCD Camera and MOTOFOCUS on an LX GPS scope.  (For the latest Cassegrain focusers, see the Event Horizon focusers.)

PC Focus Control

PCFC controls a DC focuser motor from your PC through a USB port.  Basically, it replaces a regular hand unit with control from a computer using a mouse.  It gives greater control of speed and duration of movement than a regular hand unit.  It can control EV Focusers, NGF Focusers, RCF Focusers, MOTOFOCUS, MOTODEC and other motors.  No batteries are required.  There is no encoder feedback or positional display with PCFC.  If you desire focus control with encoder feedback, please see Smart Focus.

Requirements:

     · 5-12 volt DC motor (works best with 5V motor)
     · Motor cable with 1/8" (3.5mm) mono plug on the PC Focus Control end
     · Windows 98 Second Edition / 2000 / XP
     · USB version 1.1 or greater (NOTE:  Win98SE may need to be upgraded)
     · Human Interface Device driver (HID) usually included with the operating system

Includes:

     · Control Box with integrated USB cable (3 ft length) and 1/8" (3.5mm) motor jack
          (the unit is powered by the USB port)
     · Software (Free Download from JMI website)
     · Operator's Manual (see document no. 60 in our Document Library)

Software Console Controls:

     · Pulse-width modulation (PWM) Frequency Adjustment
     · Motor Speed Adjustment
     · Pulse Time Interval Adjustment
     · Continuous Motor Operation in Forward or Reverse
     · Mouse Controlled Time Interval Motor Operation in Forward or Reverse
     · Specified Pulse Time Interval Motor Operation in Forward or Reverse

NOTE	The focuser cable must be purchased or supplied separately.
	The PC Focus Control (PCFC) software allows one to control the pulse run time and speed of a 5-12 volt DC motor from a Windows-based computer.

DRO Hand Unit

Temporarily DISCONTINUED

The display used in our DRO Hand Unit is no longer manufactured.  At this point we are looking at redesigning the circuit board and housing to handle a new display.  A final decision has not been made.  Watch here for details.

The DRO hand unit includes a the hand unit and cable.  The hand unit has a red LED four-digit numeric display, two directional focusing buttons and a variable speed control.   One end of the cable attaches to the hand unit and the other end to the encoder assembly installed on the EV focuser, NGF focuser or MOTOFOCUS motor (required, see below).  (A 1/8" mono-style jack allows the hand unit to optionally function as a standard hand unit using a standard hand unit cord.)

NOTE

This system requires one of the DRO Encoder Assemblies (listed below) on a motorized JMI Focuser or MOTOFOCUS unit. If you are purchasing a MOTOFOCUS unit with DRO Encoders but without a DRO Hand Unit because you already have a DRO Hand Unit or if you are purchasing a DRO Hand Unit by itself because you already have a MOTOFOCUS unit with DRO Encoders, you will need to understand the following information.  The DRO Hand Unit and the MOTOFOCUS motor must be matched or the motors will not run at the correct speed.  The DRO Hand Unit has a potentiometer (pot) for varying the speed of the motor.  On the side of the white portion of the pot you can see a number which represents its resistance in ohms.  It should read either 50 or 200.  A 50 ohm pot matches our miniature motors (body approx 1" length by 1/2" diameter) .  The 200 ohm pot matches our cylindrical display motors (body approx 2" length by 1-3/4" diameter) and our pear-shaped motors (body approx 2" length by 2" to 2-5/8" width of pear shape).  If you are purchasing a MOTOFOCUS unit and DRO Hand Unit together, they will be automatically matched appropriately at the factory.

The DRO Hand Unit controller (right) is connected to the motor and encoder assemblies on the EV-2cM focuser using a flat phone cable with phone connectors.  For a Smart Focus system, the Smart Focus hand unit (left) replaces the regular DRO hand unit (right).

DRO Encoder Assembly for JMI Focuser

This is the portion of a DRO system that attaches to the JMI EV or NGF focuser.  (Specify the focuser model.)  A DRO Hand Unit or Smart Focus is also necessary for proper operation.

Due to the modular design of the JMI EV focusers, they can be very easily upgraded after purchase to include DRO.  If you do not have a motorized version, see our EV Focuser Individual Parts for a motor upgrade.

EV-1 / -2 / -3 / -B focusers, Part Number DROEV
NGF-XTcM / -XTnM focusers, Part Number DRONGFXT
NGF-CM / -55DM / -DX1M / -DX2M focusers, Part Number DRONGFC
Newer than 1997 NGF-S focuser, Part Number DRONGFS
NGF-1M / -2M / -3M / -4M / -55SM, older than 1998 NGF-S focusers, Part Number DRONGFO
NGF-DX3M / -DX4M / -miniCM / -miniS / -mini1M / -mini2M / -mini3M / -mini4M focusers, Part Number DRONGF

* For some NGF models, you will need to return the focuser to the factory for modifications.  Additional charges may apply for parts and/or labor.  (For more specific information, please review the notes below.)

For all JMI focusers we need to have certain information in order to supply the correct parts.  When ordering, please place a note in the shopping cart Comments area identifying the focuser.  For Event Horizon (EV) focusers, "EV" is sufficient information.  For all other focusers, specify the model and date of purchase (date of manufacture if known).

A digital picture is "worth a thousand words" in describing the specific model.  If you email a picture, please give us your Order ID along with your Name.  If we need more information, we will contact you.

NOTE

DRO can be retrofitted to any of our old NGF focusers.  A motor must be included with the focuser.  For an aftermarket upgrade of a manual NGF to the required motorized version, refer to Motors for JMI NGF Focusers on our Focuser Accessories page of our catalog. In most cases you do not need to return the focuser for the upgrade.  All NGF-1 focusers being upgraded with a motor must be returned for modifications to the base.  If you have an original NGF focuser (see DRONGFO listed above) we recommend that the focuser be returned to JMI for the motor and DRO upgrades.  With some of these original focusers we may not be able to provide the right parts without examining the focuser and there may be an extra charge for specialized parts and/or labor.  Normal labor charge for an upgrade is $20. If you place an order without returning the old focuser, we will need to know approximately when it was manufactured.  Damage done during installation by anyone other than factory trained technicians will void the warranty.  Please see our document titled JMI Return Policy for additional information. When upgrading EV or NGF focusers at the time of purchase, the standard hand unit is not included as this is offset by the cost of installation of the DRO Encoder Assembly. The NGF-XTnM is shown in the picture at the left with everything included with the Smart Focus system including the encoder and hardware for a DRO system.

The EV-2cM is shown here with the encoder and hardware installed for a DRO system.  The DRO Hand Unit controller is connected to the motor and encoder assemblies on the focuser using a flat phone cable with phone connectors.  For a Smart Focus system, the Smart Focus hand unit (left) replaces the regular DRO hand unit (right).

DRO Encoder Assemby Upgrade for JMI MOTOFOCUS

The DRO Encoder Assembly upgrades a MOTOFOCUS unit with a piggy-back DRO encoder assembly (see exceptions below).  This is the portion attached to the MOTOFOCUS motor.  A DRO Hand Unit or Smart Focus is also necessary for proper operation.

NOTE	The piggy-backed DRO is not available for MOTOFOCUS units that use the miniature motor (e.g. Meade ETX Series and Celestron NexStar non-GPS Series).  An exception to this rule is the William Optics focuser (see below).  MOTOFOCUS units manufactured after January 1, 2000, with our standard pear shaped motor, are upgradable to DRO with an additional labor charge.  They must be returned to JMI for the upgrade.  Most other MOTOFOCUS units cannot be upgraded after purchase. If you plan on using Smart Focus with a MOTOFOCUS unit, please see the notes under Smart Focus above.  If you plan on using the DRO Hand Unit with a MOTOFOCUS unit, please see the notes under DRO Hand Unit. When upgrading MOTOFOCUS at the time of purchase, the standard hand unit is not included as this is offset by the cost of installation of the DRO Encoder Assembly.
	MOTOFOCUS with DRO Installed on a Takahashi FSQ-106ED with Microfocuser
	The Digital Readout is shown here on a William Optics focuser.  When ordering, specify the configuration you have.
	DRO installed on a MOTOFOCUS motor will be somewhat different from an installation on an EV focuser.  The accuracy will vary depending mostly on how much slop there is in the focuser mechanism itself.
	This image shows DRO installed on MOTOFOCUS for a Meade LX Telescope.
	This photo shows the (MFGEN) MOTOFOCUS with DRO mounted on a Tele Vue 140 SDF using a CCD camera.  Photo and comments provided by Dan Richey.