Starizona MicroTouch Autofocuser Operating Instructions Manual

The MicroTouch Autofocuser is designed to work with Feathertouch Focusers from
Starlight Instruments. It allows automatic focusing with CCD and DSLR cameras.
Included is FocusMax software to automatically focus the telescope for imaging. Manual
focus is also possible using the hand controller. The hand control features an LCD screen
for displaying a digital readout of focus position as well as information used for
programming the temperature compensation feature.

The MicroTouch Autofocuser is compatible with Feathertouch Crayford focusers,
Feathertouch SCT MicroFocusers, and Feathertouch MicroFocusers for Takahashi and
TeleVue refractors. An optional larger focus motor allows use with the Starlight
Instruments 3.5” focuser.

Included Parts

• Hand Control

• Focus Motor

• Focuser Gear

• Motor Connector Cable

• USB Cable

• 12-Volt Power Cord (AC or DC, user selected)

• 3 Hex-Head Wrenches

• MicroTouch & FocusMax Software

Hand control, receiver, motor, cables

Installing the Focus Motor

The following directions are illustrated using a Feathertouch SCT MicroFocuser, but the
instructions are identical for any Feathertouch focuser.

1) Begin by removing both the brass fine focus and black standard focus knobs from

the focuser. Use the included medium size hex-head wrench to remove the knobs.

2) Install the small brass gear onto the focus shaft. The gear goes toward the

telescope, with the smaller gear hub away from the scope, as shown below. The
gear should touch the brass bearing hub on the focuser. Use the small hex-head
wrench to lock the gear in place.

Note: The gear has a small insert to allow installation on different size focus shafts. The
insert can only be removed from one side. Using one of the hex-head wrenches to push
the insert out can be helpful.

3) Slide the focus motor onto the focuser. You may need to rotate the motor slightly

to allow the motor gear and focuser gear to mesh. The motor can be rotated to the
desired position after the gears have meshed. When installed properly, the motor
will completely cover the silver portion of the focuser. Use the large hex-head
wrench to lock the motor in place.

Connect Hand Control

4) Use the included RJ11 cable to connect the motor to the hand control.

Using the MicroTouch Autofocuser Manually

You can use the MicroTouch focuser to focus the telescope visually by using the IN and
OUT buttons. This is also how you will approximately focus the telescope when using a

camera, before using the autofocus routine.

MicroTouch Hand Control Menus

The LCD screen light turns on when the hand control is powered up. If desired, press the
LIGHT button to turn the light off.

Pressing MODE once displays the current ambient temperature. The default display is
°F. To change to °C, press the SET button while the temperature is displayed.

The following menus are accessed sequentially by pressing the MODE button: Temp
Comp, Learning, Wireless, Motor Rev, and Reset Position. Each is described in detail
below.

Temp Comp

This activates the Temperature Compensation feature of the MicroTouch Autofocuser.
Press SET to turn this feature on. In order for the Temperature Compensation feature to
work, it must learn how to compensate for changes based on the optical system being
used. This is done using the Learning menu (below).

Learning

The Temperature Compensation feature works by learning how much focus change is
necessary to compensate for a given temperature change. For example, on a certain
system, a temperature drop of 1°F might require a focus position shift of 25 counts.
Therefore, if the temperature drops by 2 degrees, the focuser would move 50 counts to
keep the telescope in focus. The focuser must learn the exact focus shift required for a
given telescope and configuration (so adding a focal reducer, for example, would require
the focuser to be recalibrated).

To activate the Learning mode, press and hold the SET button for a few seconds until the
display shows Mode: Learning. The word Learning will blink while the focuser is being
calibrated. The current position of the focuser is displayed.

Press MODE once to view the current temperature. Wait until the temperature has
changed. A temperature change of 5°F is recommended for the most accurate calibration.
Once the temperature has changed, refocus the telescope (either manually or using the
autofocus routine described in the next section). Return to the Learning menu and hold
SET again until the display shows Mode: Idle. The temperature compensation is now
set.

Go to the Temp Comp menu and press SET to turn the temperature compensation on.
More advanced temperature compensation control is available through the MicroTouch
software.