{"product_id":"pegasus-astro-focuscube-zero-for-celestron-sct-c14-edgehd-14-and-rasa-14","title":"Pegasus Astro FocusCube Zero for Celestron SCT C14, EdgeHD 14 and RASA 14","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe FocusCube Zero is Pegasus Astro's self-contained motorised focuser for Celestron SCTs — motor, controller and driver electronics in one 52 x 58 x 35 mm enclosure that bolts to the focus knob. This is the C14 version, cut for the Celestron C14 Classic, EdgeHD 14 and RASA 14.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt connects to your computer over USB 2.0 Type-B and runs on 12–13.8 V DC through a 2.1 mm centre-positive socket. Because the controller is built in, it needs no separate motor controller — unlike the Motor Focus Kit Zero, which is the motor-only version of the same mechanics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eImage with a C14, EdgeHD 14 or RASA 14\u003c\/strong\u003e and want repeatable, absolute-position focus from the computer rather than by hand at the knob.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRun autofocus routines\u003c\/strong\u003e and need a focuser that returns to the same position after a filter change or a temperature shift.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWant temperature compensation:\u003c\/strong\u003e the included probe reads focuser and ambient temperature so focus can track the night's drift.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWould rather not add a separate controller\u003c\/strong\u003e — the FocusCube Zero is the all-in-one option.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBipolar stepper with zero backlash:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.8° step angle, 0.8 kg\/cm hold torque and 0.18 kg\/cm detent torque — enough to turn a C14 focus knob under a loaded imaging train.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAbsolute positioning:\u003c\/strong\u003e the stepper reports a real position number, so autofocus routines and saved presets return to the same point every time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1:5 pulley ratio on the 11\" and 14\" versions:\u003c\/strong\u003e gearing chosen for the heavier focus mechanism, using two aluminium pulleys (60 and 40 teeth) and a timing belt.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuilt-in controller:\u003c\/strong\u003e USB 2.0 Type-B to the computer, 12–13.8 V DC power in — no external motor controller required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature probe included:\u003c\/strong\u003e a 0.6 m digital sensor on an RJ45 expansion port giving 9-bit Celsius readings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWide operating range:\u003c\/strong\u003e rated −40 °C to +80 °C.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact and light:\u003c\/strong\u003e 52 x 58 x 35 mm and 280 g including the bracket.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOptical \/ Mechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Schmidt-Cassegrain focuses by moving the primary mirror along the baffle tube, and the whole imaging train's focus position depends on turning that knob by a precise, repeatable amount. The FocusCube Zero replaces your fingers with a bipolar stepper geared through a toothed belt and two aluminium pulleys. The 1.8° step angle divided through the 1:5 ratio used on the 11\" and 14\" brackets is what produces steps fine enough to land inside the critical focus zone of an f\/11 SCT or an f\/2.2 RASA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eZero backlash is the part that matters for automated focusing. A focuser that lags on reversal reports a position it is not actually at, and every autofocus curve built from those points is skewed. The belt-and-pulley drive on a bipolar stepper removes the lash that a gear train introduces, so a move to position 14,200 lands at 14,200 whether you arrived from above or below — which is what makes V-curve autofocus and saved filter offsets trustworthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 0.8 kg\/cm hold torque is the other half of it. A 14-inch SCT carrying a camera, filter wheel and off-axis guider puts real load on the mirror-shift mechanism, and a motor that stalls or slips at the end of a slew loses its position reference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAutomated autofocus runs on a C14, EdgeHD 14 or RASA 14 imaging rig.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperature-compensated focus across a long night, using the included probe.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePer-filter focus offsets in a filter-wheel imaging train.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRemote and observatory operation where nobody is at the telescope to touch the knob.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis is the 14\" bracket.\u003c\/strong\u003e It fits the Celestron C14 Classic, EdgeHD 14 and RASA 14. The 11\"\/RASA 11 v2 and the 6\"\/8\"\/9.25\"\/RASA 8 versions are separate products, both of which we stock.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMeade SCTs with the round focus knob\u003c\/strong\u003e are listed by Pegasus Astro as compatible.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePower:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12–13.8 V DC on a 2.1 mm centre-positive plug — a Pegasus powerbox output, or any regulated 12 V supply.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoftware:\u003c\/strong\u003e the Unity platform, ASCOM 6, INDI (driver in stable libindi), and TheSkyX via X2 drivers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHand controller:\u003c\/strong\u003e available separately if you want to focus at the telescope without a computer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot sure which bracket your scope takes?\u003c\/strong\u003e Send us the exact model and we will confirm it with you before you order.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAperture-specific bracket.\u003c\/strong\u003e The FocusCube Zero is sold per telescope size because the bracket and pulley ratio differ — this one is the 14\" fit, and we carry the other two.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt needs 12 V.\u003c\/strong\u003e USB carries data only; the motor runs from the DC socket. If you already have a Pegasus powerbox on the mount, that is the tidiest source.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEverything needed to fit it is in the box:\u003c\/strong\u003e the SCT bracket, both pulleys and the belt, the temperature probe, the 1.8 m USB cable and the screws and washers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePegasus Astro publishes 280 g including the bracket.\u003c\/strong\u003e That is well under a pound, so our declared shipping weight of 1 lb is the carrier minimum rather than the true mass — worth knowing if you are ordering several small items together.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a mechanical fit followed by a driver install. The bracket, pulleys, belt and screws all come in the box, and Pegasus publishes fitting instructions. Once mounted, it appears as a standard ASCOM or INDI focuser, so N.I.N.A, SGP, Ekos and TheSkyX drive it without special handling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the difference between this and the Motor Focus Kit Zero?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe FocusCube Zero has the controller built in and plugs straight into a computer over USB. The Motor Focus Kit Zero is the same motor and mechanics without the controller — it needs a Dual Motor Focus Controller, an Ultimate Powerbox v2, or an eXternal Motor Controller to drive it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it hold focus on a heavy imaging train?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stepper gives 0.8 kg\/cm hold torque and the drive is zero backlash, so position is held and reversals do not lose steps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it do temperature compensation?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The 0.6 m digital probe is included and reports 9-bit Celsius readings for the focuser or ambient air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I focus without a computer?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, with the hand controller, which is sold separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it fit my C11?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — the C11 and RASA 11 v2 take the 11\" version, which is a different bracket and pulley ratio. We stock it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: an all-in-one motorised focuser for the C14, EdgeHD 14 and RASA 14 — zero-backlash bipolar stepper, absolute positioning, a temperature probe in the box, and USB straight to the computer with no separate controller in the chain.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pegasus Astro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54144494895215,"sku":"PEG-FCZERO-SCT14","price":495.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/FCzero.png?v=1787782201","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/pegasus-astro-focuscube-zero-for-celestron-sct-c14-edgehd-14-and-rasa-14","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}