Astrodon

TAKometer

TAKometer

Remotely Controlled Camera Rotator for Takahashi Refractors
(and adaptors for SCTs and other scopes)

 Make the back of your FSQ-ED the same as the old FSQ. New Astrodon adaptors!!  Use the MonsterMOAG and these adaptors for off-axis guiding on the new FSQ-ED without a guide scope. See below. 

 

 

I've always loved the circular star trails in astrophotography.  Wouldn't you like to do this REMOTELY with your Takahashi FSQ 4" refractor in a matter of seconds? 

You can!  This image of M13 was taken with a Takahashi FSQ106N refractor using the new Astrodon TAKometer rotator with an SBIG ST10XME camera and Astrodon E-Series RGB filters. 

The TAKometer is the first remotely controlled camera rotator for the FSQ and the other incredible Takahashi refractors made with a 4" focusing tube and the same camera rotator.

Why remotely controlled? 

FRAMING!

Many astrophotographers use remotely controlled rotators (PIR from RC Optical Systems or the Pyxis from Optec) for their cameras on larger telescopes.  Imagine a large edge-on galaxy, like NGC4565, or the elongated Andromeda galaxy, M31.  Often times the only way you can fit these objects in your field-of-view (FOV) is to rotate your entire camera system so that the object follows a diagonal.  Rotation is not only for galaxies.  Emission nebula are typically extended objects and may fit better into your FOV in a particular orientation.  Rotation is the key for this.  And, since many astrophotographers control their systems remotely, even in their backyard 50 feet away, having a remotely controlled rotator becomes important, especially on cold, crisp winter nights.

The TAKometer was designed for this purpose. 

• Works for Takahashi refractors with 4" focusing tubes (FSQ, TOAs)
• Is not load-bearing. Clamps onto the rotator and focusing tube.
• Takes up < 1/2" backfocus (critical for the FSQ)
• Can be installed at home without sending your scope to Astrodon
• Uses a small timing belt and pulley gear with tensioner for non-slip control
• Uses the popular ROBO FOCUS motor
• Uses Astrodon TAKometer Control Software (based on the Rogue Control Software)
  • Select your rotation in degrees
  • Select a unique COM port
  • Operate with another ROBO FOCUS  on your system (e.g. focuser)
  • Resolution of about 18 steps/deg (compare to 15 for the Pyxis)

As you can see, the TAKometer takes up little back focus on this Takahashi FSQ.   

You can see the ROBO FOCUS motor and the ribbon cable. The ribbon cable connects to the ROBO FOCUS relay box and on to your computer. The relay box allows you to manually rotate the TAKometer at your telescope if needed.

You can also see the timing belt.

The TAKometer comes to you in two pieces.  One is a large gear with teeth that accepts the timing belt.  After you remove the camera rotator that came with your Takahashi refractor, (tapered piece to the left of the timing belt in this picture), you simply slide this large gear onto the end of the Takahashi camera rotator. The large gear has a split brass clamp that actually holds it on.

Next, you place the brass motor mount plate onto the end of the 4" focusing tube.  This plate is split at the end of the opening and acts as a clamp. This split end of the mounting plate has two blocks welded on at the split.  You can see them in this picture near the bottom. You  tighten them together to securely hold the mounting plate on the focusing tube.

Then, you place the timing belt around the large gear on the Takahashi rotator and the pulley gear on the motor on the mounting plate.  There is a tensioner (curved groove) that tightens up the belt, and you're done!

Thus, you have a fixed gear on the Takahashi camera rotator and a moving pulley gear on the fixed motor on the focusing tube.  The pulley gear has a recessed area for the teeth and "side rails" to keep the timing belt from sliding away from the large gear.  You can see that in the picture above.

 

Also, notice that this FSQ106 has both a ROBO FOCUS for focusing (on the bracket) and the TAKometer for rotation. Each will have its own COM port.  You can use serial-to-USB converters on each motor, and then connect both into a USB Port Bus.  You can then have one USB cable going from your telescope to your computer. 

Below is a picture of a TAKometer mounted on Mike Mayda's Takahashi TAO150 (thanks Mike):

The Astrodon TAKometer Control software makes connection and control easy. Setup your COM port and then Connect.  Use the upper slider to dial in your angle from the "Zero Position".  Use the Calibration menu to define the "Zero Position".  This is defined as the angle = 0 degrees for the camera in the upgright position with the cables hanging down.  Set the Step Size and click on Step Left or Step Right to move just that many degrees.  Control the speed of rotation with the Speed Control.  Lastly, you can turn on or off up to 4 100Vac devices via the Power Module control if you purchase the optional ROBO FOCUS Power Module .

 

The TAKometer comes with:

• TAKometer gear plate for the Takahashi camera rotator
• TAKometer motor plate with ROBO FOCUS motor for the 4" focusing tube and pulley gear
• Timing belt
• ROBO FOCUS relay box
• Ribbon cable connecting relay box to ROBO FOCUS motor on the motor plate
• RS232 cable connecting the relay box to your computer
• 9-Pin serial port "D" connector
• Astrodon TAKometer Control software for Windows

 

 

 

 

DOWNLOAD TAKometer V1.0 SOFTWARE HERE, INCLUDING SCRIPTING COMMANDS