***UPDATE*** (January 6, 2024): I beta-tested a new version of the QFocuser firmware and ASCOM driver, and the dozen-or-so problems I reported to QHY have all been addressed! I expect these new versions to become available on their web site very soon.
Great that you raised a ticket with QHY. I’ve been considering this focuser and will wait to see if QHY successfully addresses your concerns. Great review, thanks. 😊
Just ordered the precision version. It should sit on the other side of the scope which helps with portability for me. The ability to manually change focus might be a game changer for astrophotographers who want the focuser attached but switch to visual without having to disconnect the focuser.
Good luck! QHY hasn't tried to update their Polemaster driver in years, despite multiple complaints about the video feed locking up. But thanks for the focuser review - a nice new product if the driver ever works.
Great video and improvements, I do think 1 part is missing for me which is a bit of a general inspect on the focuser, the connectors, usb, 12v, etc..Not sure if I somehow missed that.
QHY has typically had great hardware. The downside is their driver software has also typically been less than ideal which made their other wise excellent hardware a non-starter for many. YMMV
Also, an FYI . . . I downloaded the new Nightly NINA Beta version and could not get the Q-focuser to work. All my other devices connected without issue except for the Q-focuser. I also updated my ASCOM platform but no luck. I went back to the regular release version of NINA and the Q-focuser connected again. Weird.
Super vidéo comme d’habitude et merci énormément pour les sous titre même si ton anglais est parfaitement compréhensible par moi. Tu as le lien de ton soft pour la moyenne de température ? D’avance merci
Support the channel by using the affiliate links below if you want to purchase anything from Agena Astro, my favorite astro retailer :) * Agena Astro (generic affiliate link): bit.ly/487tmnj * QHY Q-Focuser Standard Version: bit.ly/3FONRYU * QHY Q-Focuser High Precision Version: bit.ly/47lr9Ub
Thanks a lot for volunteering to be an alpha tester for this product. I really think that your use case is very relevant to almost everyone who has a large refractor or a small reflector. Considering how trivial a focuser is, both on the hardware and on the software side, I am really impressed that they manage to pack that many annoying and totally unnecessary defects in their solution (vibrations in stepper motors, delayed position updates, and hard coded configuration values are all very impressive achievements in 2023 :-).
Julien - you rock man! This is an awesome video and exactly what I needed. Where have you been? Anyway - I am a new subscriber and will be watching all of your videos! Thanks!
Very informative review, though a disappointing result. I’ve been considering one, but have had enough history cursing QHY software in the past. Sad they haven’t recognized the importance of good s/w. Will keep an eye out for additional updates!
It's unbelievable to me that QHY didn't implement the isMoving() property for ASCOM!! Certainly, they are counting steps during the move. Perhaps the driver blocks until the move is complete? They more than likely don't implement the Halt method either. Seems like a huge oversight. I'd be interested to see how you physically measured your backlash with dial gauge. Thanks for the great video!!
They likely have implemented all of those. The problem is probably with the firmware. The very first version of my OAG focuser had the same problem. It took some thinking to figure out how to implement the firmware to allow for querying of the position while the stepper was moving, but it’s not that complicated. Anyway, I’ll keep you guys updated. CS!
Finally. A review by someone technical. I appreciate all of your deep dive here. Also, the difference between one person building an OAG ASCOM Focuser in their Garage in San Jose versus someone being paid a salary to implement these things as their day job should be evident. Some of these misses seem egregious.
***UPDATE*** (January 6, 2024): I beta-tested a new version of the QFocuser firmware and ASCOM driver, and the dozen-or-so problems I reported to QHY have all been addressed! I expect these new versions to become available on their web site very soon.
Thanks! Much appreciated you bringing everything you noted to their attention and look forward to seeing the update available.
Great that you raised a ticket with QHY. I’ve been considering this focuser and will wait to see if QHY successfully addresses your concerns. Great review, thanks. 😊
Will keep you updated!
Just ordered the precision version. It should sit on the other side of the scope which helps with portability for me. The ability to manually change focus might be a game changer for astrophotographers who want the focuser attached but switch to visual without having to disconnect the focuser.
Good luck! QHY hasn't tried to update their Polemaster driver in years, despite multiple complaints about the video feed locking up. But thanks for the focuser review - a nice new product if the driver ever works.
Thanks. QHY has already provided me with a version of their driver that fixes multiple issues, so I am optimistic 😁
@@darkskygeek fixes mutiple issues ....... with the Plemaster? (or were you talking about the focuser?) Thanks
@@HollomanUFOLanding This video is about the Q-Focuser, so that is what I was talking about here.
We need more of these to make manufacturers see that there’s a competitive advantage in delivering good drivers. Well done!
Great video and improvements, I do think 1 part is missing for me which is a bit of a general inspect on the focuser, the connectors, usb, 12v, etc..Not sure if I somehow missed that.
See Cuiv’s video for that. I did not want to cover what had already been covered by someone else. CS!
QHY has typically had great hardware. The downside is their driver software has also typically been less than ideal which made their other wise excellent hardware a non-starter for many. YMMV
Also, an FYI . . . I downloaded the new Nightly NINA Beta version and could not get the Q-focuser to work. All my other devices connected without issue except for the Q-focuser. I also updated my ASCOM platform but no luck. I went back to the regular release version of NINA and the Q-focuser connected again. Weird.
Hmmm, that is strange…
I have not been able to find any information on the number of steps per turn of the focuser. Does anyone have any idea?
How would that information be useful?
Thanks for the review. How did you check the backfocus with the dial gauge?
You mean backlash? I have a video showing how to do that: th-cam.com/video/zPPIgVuxk4Y/w-d-xo.html (skip to 6:30)
@@darkskygeek yes, Backlash! Thank you
Super vidéo comme d’habitude et merci énormément pour les sous titre même si ton anglais est parfaitement compréhensible par moi. Tu as le lien de ton soft pour la moyenne de température ? D’avance merci
Merci ! Le voici: github.com/jlecomte/ascom-virtual-focuser
@@darkskygeek merci
Support the channel by using the affiliate links below if you want to purchase anything from Agena Astro, my favorite astro retailer :)
* Agena Astro (generic affiliate link): bit.ly/487tmnj
* QHY Q-Focuser Standard Version: bit.ly/3FONRYU
* QHY Q-Focuser High Precision Version: bit.ly/47lr9Ub
Thanks a lot for volunteering to be an alpha tester for this product. I really think that your use case is very relevant to almost everyone who has a large refractor or a small reflector.
Considering how trivial a focuser is, both on the hardware and on the software side, I am really impressed that they manage to pack that many annoying and totally unnecessary defects in their solution (vibrations in stepper motors, delayed position updates, and hard coded configuration values are all very impressive achievements in 2023 :-).
You’re welcome! 😁 Stay tuned, though, because I bet they will address all these issues very soon 😉
Julien - you rock man! This is an awesome video and exactly what I needed. Where have you been? Anyway - I am a new subscriber and will be watching all of your videos! Thanks!
Very informative review, though a disappointing result. I’ve been considering one, but have had enough history cursing QHY software in the past. Sad they haven’t recognized the importance of good s/w. Will keep an eye out for additional updates!
Thanks, Dave. I think that QHY is going to come through. I’m working with them behind the scenes, and they’re making progress.
It's unbelievable to me that QHY didn't implement the isMoving() property for ASCOM!! Certainly, they are counting steps during the move. Perhaps the driver blocks until the move is complete? They more than likely don't implement the Halt method either. Seems like a huge oversight.
I'd be interested to see how you physically measured your backlash with dial gauge. Thanks for the great video!!
They likely have implemented all of those. The problem is probably with the firmware. The very first version of my OAG focuser had the same problem. It took some thinking to figure out how to implement the firmware to allow for querying of the position while the stepper was moving, but it’s not that complicated. Anyway, I’ll keep you guys updated. CS!
Finally. A review by someone technical. I appreciate all of your deep dive here.
Also, the difference between one person building an OAG ASCOM Focuser in their Garage in San Jose versus someone being paid a salary to implement these things as their day job should be evident. Some of these misses seem egregious.