QHY Q-Focuser Review

**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.

We need more of these to make manufacturers see that there’s a competitive advantage in delivering good drivers. Well done!

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. 😊

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Thanks for the review. How did you check the backfocus with the dial gauge?

I have not been able to find any information on the number of steps per turn of the focuser. Does anyone have any idea?

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

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!!

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

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!