Webpage Control

Section 2.2 - Operating Focusers With The FocusLynx Control Web Pages

The FocusLynx control web pages offer an easy-to-use and quickly configurable alternative to the FocusLynx Commander control software for users with Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections.

Moreover, use of the web pages is not limited to Windows computers. The FocusLynx Control web pages are cross-platform allowing access and use with Mac or Linux computers. Also, the web pages have been designed to fit the more compact screens of Android and iPhone browsers, so controlling your focusers over Wi-Fi with these smartphones is simple and convenient. Android and iPhone apps are available to search the local network and load the FocusLynx Control web pages into a browser.

Controlling Your Focuser

To control a focuser over the webpage, follow these steps:

Plug In Your Focuser - Ensure that there is a valid connection between your focuser and one of the two focuser ports on the FocusLynx.

Configure And Access The Webpage - Follow the configuration directions in the Configuring Software section of this manual to connect to the hub over Ethernet or Wi-Fi to access the control website.

Go To A Focuser Page - On any page of the website, use the links at the top of the page to go to the page for Focuser 1 or Focuser 2, depending on which focuser you want to control.

The page will now show some information about the focuser, including its user-defined nickname, position in travel (in steps), and temperature (if a temperature probe is attached). Below this information are two methods for controlling the focuser. With either method, if you try to move beyond the physical limits of the focuser the webpage will stop you from doing so to prevent you from damaging the focuser. This is why it is extremely important to ensure that you have configured your focuser type before using the website! The two control methods are:

Relative Move - Use the large buttons labeled In and Out to move the focuser in and out by the amount specified on the step size display. If you try to move the focuser beyond its physical limits, the relative buttons will do nothing to prevent you from damaging your focuser.

Adjust Step Size - Each time a relative move button is clicked, the focuser will move by the number of steps given by the selected step size button. Click one of the step size buttons to adjust the step size to the length you desire.

-OR-

Absolute Move - Enter a number (in steps) in the Absolute Move text box and click the Go button to move the focuser to that position.

Night Mode

As anyone who has spent a night observing with a computer will know, a bright, backlit screen is an excellent way to continuously ruin your night vision. Therefore, by clicking the Night Mode button on the top of the page, you can change the color scheme of the webpage to a darker, night-vision-friendly set of colors. Once in night mode, you can click the same button, now labeled Day Mode, to switch back to the daytime color scheme.