Long-Term Review of the ProAstroGear Autofocus Mount for the Redcat 51

I'm back! Been getting lots of imaging time with my William Optics Redcat 51 AND some sleep too. The "Redcat Season" is over so I'm providing a season-long review of the ProAstroGear Auto-Focus Mount ($80usd from Agena AstroProducts) I'm using it to automatically focus the Redcat 51 while I sleep. The ZWO 5V EAF focuser and NINA (Hocus Focus) are part of the system as well. Spoiler Alert: I'm extremely pleased with the results across a temperature range of 40 C.

[@jjjscharf8059]

Excellent technical analysis as usual! Very much appreciate your approach and I enjoy your channel very much. Great resource.

[@Aero19612]

Thanks for the kind words and for watching!

[@AntonioPena1]

Agreed 100% with you, I used same setup, I’m so happy with Astro gear option, works nice and fixes other issues for the Redcat 51 that is like you said many plastic in middle causing issues when focus manually, with this option is tight, I used both Nina and ASIAIR and both works great perfect focus. Thanks for sharing!

[@Aero19612]

Indeed. I'm just sorry that it took me so long to get around to buying one of these. Thanks for watching, Antonio!

[@starsips]

Excellent, excellent work! I purchased one of these Black Cat focusing units a while back and am yet to give it a solid run. Very reassuring results and outcomes! Thank you

[@Aero19612]

Haha. Start using it! It won't hurt a bit

[@Diocrew]

Excellent presentation as always! Glad everything worked out so well for you with that setup even with the cloud magnet lens. 😉

[@Aero19612]

Thanks for watching. Yes, I'm quite pleased with these results. It's ok to "wrong" sometimes! More plastic please...

[@AstroPhotoFacts]

Always fantastic videos , thanks

[@Aero19612]

Thanks for watching, Joao!

[@PhilFXPhoenix]

Been using the same setup basically on my RedCat51/AM5 setup since last August and it is simply awesome IMHO. I tend to only use OSC on my imaging using my ASI533MC camera but I do set it for refocus on 2C temp changes so I often will get 2-3 refocus/night. Works like a champ and there is usually a change that is required. Stars are pinpoint and look great assuming the Cloud Gods have been appeased so they don't roll in a spoil a nights imaging. I do use a filter drawer as I shoot in Phoenix and I've found the Optolong narrow band filters help significantly in removing a lot of sky glow. I also found that to do an accurate PA, I need to have no filter so typically I do 2 AF sessions with the EAF. One initial one with no filter to set my PA and then once on target, I do another with the desired narrow band filter for the evenings session. I don't use NINA with this setup as I have an AA+ and run it all from that.

[@Aero19612]

Yes, it's quite an impressive and very reliable focuser mount. Totally pleased (and surprised) it works so well. Thanks for watching, Phil!

[@dave_thebrave]

seems like a great movie of!!

[@robertgrenader858]

The ProAstro gear was a bit fiddly starting out but now that I've got it dialed in, I don't even think about tit any more. It just works.

[@Aero19612]

Perfect summary, Robert: "It just works"

[@hael8680]

You just sold me an EAF and that plastic support 👍

[@Aero19612]

Plastic parts were a tough sale for me. But it just works and that’s what I care about in the end. Thanks for watching.

[@whatmattersmost6725]

Great Video, question what or how did you get that Cloud Cam L bracket please??

[@Aero19612]

KZbin won't let me put in a link, but I got them from Amazon. Here's the description: "10 PCS 4 Inches Black Adjustable L-Shape Corner Brace with Slot, Metal Steel Joint Right Angle Brackets for PC case, Fixing Furniture, 4"L x 2⅜"H x 1⅛"W, Thickness ⅛", Max Load 30LB"

[@whatmattersmost6725]

First...Thanks. So James you have a light leak in to your Filter Wheel as I see the tape.

[@Aero19612]

Possibly. See this video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHukmnang7iYrsU). My flats certainly improved when I took them in a dark room. Taping off the edge of the filter wheel was an easy enough thing to do.

[@chrismcgrew4692]

Do you have a link to the cloud camera you've attached to the mount? I've been wanting to get one and can't decide what will work.

[@Aero19612]

I'm just using the ZWO ASI120MC-S. I bought this camera when it first came out and use it for planetary imaging. But since it's just sitting around, I thought I'd use it for my "Cloud Cam". Thanks for watching, Chris!

[@chrismcgrew4692]

@@Aero19612 Where did you get that L-Bracket for it, the one that slides in the finder scope saddle?

[@Aero19612]

@@chrismcgrew4692 Hey Chris: I can’t post a link, but here’s the Amazon.com text description: 10 PCS 4 Inches Black Adjustable L-Shape Corner Brace with Slot, Metal Steel Joint Right Angle Brackets for PC case, Fixing Furniture, 4"L x 2⅜"H x 1⅛"W, Thickness ⅛", Max Load 30LB