Owner manual

usb-nSTEP Instructions

5) Accept license agreement and proceed

6) Go Go to http://www.astrogene1000.com/products/gcusb_nstep/gcusb_nstep.htm

7) Download and save the “INF file, no code added” zip file, then double click the zip file to unzip.

8) Open the folder where the GCUSB_nSTEP executable is installed (left side of image below), and

drag the “gc_usb_nSTEP1” setup information and security catalog files into it. . REMEMBER the

directory in case you in step 10 you need to point the Device Manager explicitly to the directory.

9) Plug the usb-nSTEP hardware into a USB port and device drive should install. If it doesn’ then

follow step 10.

10) Open Device Manager, click on Other Devices, click on USB nSTEP device, pick Driver tab and

select Update Driver. On next screen, select “browse local disk” and let it go to town!

11) Driver is installed  so select Close.

12) Select PORTS (COM & LPT) in the Device Manager. USB to focus stepper controller (COM#)

is displayed, with COM port assigned. You will need to know this COM port to setup the GCUSB-

nSTEP application. You must change the COM port assignment by clicking on the USB to focus

stepper controller, select the Port Settings tab, select Advanced and selecting a “virgin” COM

Port Number (one that doesn’t say “in use”) to avoid problems with settings from other

applications. For backwards compatibility, values are 1-16.

13) Ready to go  Use the shortcut on your desktop to activate the GCUSB-nSTEP application.

Tips on Connecting to FocusMax

Usb-nSTEP is ascom compatible and can be interfaced to FocusMax. Note: FocusMax is not our

software. FocusMax is a freeware program written by LARRY WEBER and STEVE BRADY for use with

commercial telescope focusing devices used by amateur astronomers. FocusMax can be downloaded

from the FMaxUG on Yahoo Groups. Below are tips to help interface to FocusMax.

1) Make sure your windows account has ADMIN privileges.

2) Join the Yahoo FMaxUG, Download and install the latest version of FocusMax (3.5.0 as of this

writing). Start FocusMax. If it doesn’t start and produces an error message about log files, then

you need to create the directories that it’s expecting for data, image, and log files. Open the

FocusMax HELP file which talks about the directories, they may not be where help file states. Run

the ASCOM PROFILER and under focuser, select FocusMax and read the profile file. In it you will

find where FocusMax thinks the directories are. Go to those locations and create the data, image

and log file directories. Then you should be able to start FocusMax and inside of FocusMax

change the path to where you really want those directories. Any problems, ask the FMaxUG.

3) Right click on the gcusb_nFOCUS shortcut and check the properties / compatibility tab and make

sure the "run in compatibility ..." and "run with admin..." check boxes are NOT checked.

4) Start the gcusb_nFOCUS application, plug in the gcusb_nfocus hardware, and “connect” to the

hardware. Run CIN/COUT to move motor to confirm hardware is working. Minimize the

gcusb_nfocus app to the dock.

5) Right click FocusMax shortcut and check properties/compatibility tab and and make sure the "run

in compatibility ..." and "run with admin..."check boxes are NOT checked.

6) Start FocusMax and pick the system tab, select gcusb_nFOCUS and connect.

7) Select the focuser tab. Correct focus position and temperature should be displayed. Maximize the

gcusb_nFOCUS app from the dock and compare to its value.

8) Click on "jog" at the top of the FocusMax focuser tab and jog the motor in/out to verify FocusMax

is working with nfocus.

9) Ready to go 