Electronic focusers

Folks - does anyone here use an electronic focuser? If so, I'm interested in your experience.

I'm currently looking at:
Finger Lakes DF-2
Optec TCF-S
JMI NGF series
Van Slyke - still need to decipher their website....


Cheers

Dave

I have a JMI Motofocus on the LXD55.

The 10" scope is really pushing the limit of the mount and touching the focus knob can cause a lot of wobble at high magnification. The electronic focuser is a godsend, easy quick focusing without any wobble.

Cheers,
~Al

Dave,
This is something I looked into a while back. I went the cheaper route and bought a Borg non-rotating helical fosuser (1.25" - manual version). I find it superb especially for webcam imaging where focus is so critical.
One issue I have from my very limited experience of electric focusers is the lack of "feel" in them. It takes a bit more time to gauge how much the focus has actually changed. However, they are very useful. If I were getting one I'd get one that could be electrically controlled from the PC.
Clear skies,

Michael - good point. Whatever I choose will need to be electronic, PC controlled and preferably temperature compensated (Optec TCF-S). That would be for the astrophotography setup. So I wouldn't be wanting to touch the 'scope at all!

For visual, how does the Borg perform? And do you have to purchase a particular type for a particular scope? And assuming you did the research, was there anything similar in that price range? I think the Van Slykes can be bought as manual focusers but they seem to be on the expensive side. But the quality seems good...

Cheers

Dave

Here's something I wrote about it on another website previously. Saves on the typing when I can just link!

tinyurl.com/59xh7

Dave,
I had been looking into getting a JMI NGF-S but the price was a little high. I then decided to go the manual route. However, I didn't see many fousers in the same price range as the Borg. I find it really really good. The focuser has markings down to 0.05mm travel, which is nice. It also has a very smooth but secure feel to the focuser.
The focuser comes in two two parts which must be ordered seperately so to speak. The first part id the focuser body which actually has a screw-on fit for some ccd cameras. The other bit is actually the 1.25" adapter which allows for it to fit into a 1.25" fitting. However, various sizes of Borg focusers are available at a variety of price ranges.
Clear skies,