{"product_id":"pegasus-astro-motor-focus-kit-zero-for-celestron-sct-c6-c8-c9-25-edgehd-and-rasa-8","title":"Pegasus Astro Motor Focus Kit Zero for Celestron SCT C6, C8, C9.25, EdgeHD and RASA 8","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Motor Focus Kit Zero is the motor-only version of Pegasus Astro's SCT focusing hardware — the same zero-backlash bipolar stepper, bracket, pulley and belt as the FocusCube Zero, but without the built-in controller. This is the small-aperture version, cut for the Celestron C6, C8 and C9.25 Classic and EdgeHD, and the RASA 8.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause the controller is not included, it needs one to drive it: a Pegasus Dual Motor Focus Controller, an Ultimate Powerbox v2, or an eXternal Motor Controller. If you already run one of those, this is the cheaper way onto 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\u003eAlready own a Pegasus motor controller\u003c\/strong\u003e — a DMFC, a UPBv2 or an eXternal Motor Controller — and want to add motorised focus to a 6\", 8\" or 9.25\" SCT.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eImage with a RASA 8\u003c\/strong\u003e, where the very short critical focus zone of an f\/2 system makes hand focusing at the knob genuinely awkward.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAre motorising a second telescope\u003c\/strong\u003e and would rather not buy a second controller for it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRun autofocus routines\u003c\/strong\u003e that depend on a focuser landing on the same number every time.\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, zero backlash:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.8° step angle, 0.8 kg\/cm hold torque, 0.18 kg\/cm detent torque.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFaster than the older Motor Focus Kit SCT\u003c\/strong\u003e it replaces, and free of the lash that skews an autofocus curve.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1:3.75 pulley ratio on the C8 and C9.25:\u003c\/strong\u003e gearing matched to the lighter focus mechanism of the smaller SCTs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRJ45 connection:\u003c\/strong\u003e a 1 m RJ45 cable is included for the run to your controller.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact:\u003c\/strong\u003e 52 x 58 x 35 mm, 280 g including the bracket — modest to hang off a small OTA.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWide operating range:\u003c\/strong\u003e rated −40 °C to +80 °C.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOptical \/ Mechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn SCT focuses by shifting the primary mirror along the baffle tube, so focus position is set entirely by how far the knob has turned. The Motor Focus Kit Zero drives that knob through a timing belt and pulley rather than a gear train, and that choice is what produces the zero-backlash behaviour. A geared drive has lash on reversal: the motor turns, the knob does not, and the reported position no longer matches the real one. Every V-curve autofocus point built from those readings is then slightly wrong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe RASA 8 is where this matters most in this size range. At f\/2 the depth of focus is a fraction of what an f\/10 SCT gives you, so the difference between in focus and visibly soft is a very small movement of the primary. A drive that lands on the same physical position every time — and a 1:3.75 ratio that divides the stepper's 1.8° step into correspondingly small increments — is what makes automated focusing practical on a system that fast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdding motorised autofocus to a C6, C8, C9.25 or RASA 8 that already has a Pegasus controller on the rig.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFast-system imaging on the RASA 8, where the critical focus zone is short.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMotorising a second or third telescope from an existing Dual Motor Focus Controller.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRemote and observatory operation where focus is set from software.\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\u003eA controller is required and is not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pegasus Astro lists the Dual Motor Focus Controller, the Ultimate Powerbox v2 and the eXternal Motor Controller as the drivers for this motor. We stock those.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis is the small-aperture bracket\u003c\/strong\u003e — Celestron C6, C8 and C9.25 Classic and EdgeHD, plus the RASA 8. The 11\" and 14\" versions are separate products, both of which we carry.\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\u003eWant the all-in-one instead?\u003c\/strong\u003e The FocusCube Zero is the same mechanics with the controller built in and USB straight to the computer — the right choice if you do not already have a controller.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnsure which you need?\u003c\/strong\u003e Tell us what is already on your rig and we will work out whether the kit or the FocusCube is the better buy for you.\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\u003eThis is a motor, not a complete focus system.\u003c\/strong\u003e Without a Pegasus controller on the rig it will not move. If you are starting from nothing, the FocusCube Zero is the one-box answer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAperture-specific bracket.\u003c\/strong\u003e The kit is sold per telescope size because the bracket and pulley bore differ — this one covers the 6\", 8\" and 9.25\" and the RASA 8.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is in the box:\u003c\/strong\u003e the motor, the aluminium bracket, the timing belt, the pulley, screws and washers, and a 1 m RJ45 cable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePegasus Astro publishes 280 g including the bracket\u003c\/strong\u003e on the Motor Focus Kit Zero page. That is well under a pound, so our declared 1 lb shipping weight is the carrier minimum rather than the true mass.\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\u003eThe mechanical fit is straightforward — bracket, pulley and belt onto the focus knob, with the screws supplied. The electrical side is one RJ45 lead to a controller you already have, and the focuser then appears in ASCOM or INDI through that controller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need to buy a controller as well?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, unless you already have one. A Dual Motor Focus Controller, an Ultimate Powerbox v2 or an eXternal Motor Controller will drive it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes one kit really cover the C6, C8 and C9.25?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — Pegasus Astro publishes it as a single part for those apertures plus the RASA 8.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is this different from the FocusCube Zero?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSame motor and mechanics; the FocusCube Zero adds the controller electronics and a USB port, so it works on its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it come with a temperature sensor?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Temperature sensing comes from the controller, and the matching probe is a separate part depending on which controller you run.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: the zero-backlash stepper, bracket, pulley and belt for a C6, C8, C9.25 or RASA 8, ready to plug into a Pegasus controller you already own. Add the controller and it becomes a full autofocus system.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pegasus Astro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54144498532463,"sku":"PEG-MFKZERO-SCT68925","price":260.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/MFKzero_f80df19a-f136-4caa-ab18-474957cd015d.png?v=1787782220","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/pegasus-astro-motor-focus-kit-zero-for-celestron-sct-c6-c8-c9-25-edgehd-and-rasa-8","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}