Connection Methods

FocusLock requires a method of accessing the guider images (just the guide star and a few surrounding pixels). Focus Lock offers several methods to gain access to this data. FocusLock supports several popular guiding programs: MaxIm™, PHD 2 and TheSkyX™. By using these program's external interfaces FocusLock can get copies of the guide image frame.

To use one of these systems you will need a fully licensed copy of that guide program. FocusLock does not include any of these programs.

The other system (labeled ASCOM) uses the Optec ASCOM Server. This allows FocusLock to work with any other guide program provided you connect to your guide camera to that program with a fully functional ASCOM driver. If you use one of the directly supported guide programs with an ASCOM camera it is best to use the direct connection rather then the Optec ASCOM Server. The Optec ASCOM server allows multiple client programs to access the same ASCOM driver. Simply select Optec ASCOM Server from the ASCOM chooser in both programs and then select your driver within the server. It is best to sub frame the guide image if you use an ASCOM camera as this greatly reduces the amount of data that FocusLock has to process. The Optec ASCOM Server will only work with drivers that are fully ASCOM compliant. If it does not work try running the driver through the ASCOM conform checker and report any errors.