I have a couple of S50s, and got my S30 about 2 weeks ago. I haven't had a whole lot of clear sky to run it (2 nights before tonight). The autofocus on it simply doesn't work. I can manually focus at least somewhat close, then click the autofocus, and watch it get really close to in focus and then it takes it way out of focus when it stops. At that point, the focus number (step number?) where it it was near focus before isn't near focus anymore. Example: I got near focus tonight at 1629. I hit the autofocus button, and it made the focus even better and switched it so out of focus that none of the stars can be seen at all. I then manually found a new near focus point at 1420.

My assumption here is that the focuser is skipping steps, slipping somehow, or something is wrong with the counter. I've never had anything like this happen with either of my S50s. After this happened once, I ran the focus to both extremes and then back in the middle. It still doesn't autofocus. Repeating it again (autofocus button, followed by stars so big they don't even show up), and the near focus point shifted to 1510. How would I go about diagnosing this?

Could you please record a video? Enter the viewing mode, manually adjust the focus, and move from one extreme to the other. We need to analyze the specific situation. Thank you for your cooperation.

I have similar issue with my S30. Once it goes out of focus you cant recover it, even if go to another object or manually try. Only option is to reset it.

    I have. similar issue, i have an S50, received my S30 this week and cant achieve focus at all, manually or AF, i get to 2600, the stars are getting smaller but it wont let me go further. It did work, once, the 1st time i started the device, not again since.

      Other threads also reported focus issue with S30 (firmware 3.68). The "fix" was to manually focus on a star then use that focus value as the value in the config parm Focus->Star Focus POS default value. Restart the unit. In my case I now use 1361 as the default value (I forget the original value). While I have yet to test the theory, I also have an S50 and perhaps the default focus values between the two devices are not compatible.

      This seems to have resolved my focusing issues allowing much better acquisitions of DSOs with the S30. Haven't retried with the S50 yet. YMMV ....

      I am the same . Every single photo I have taken is the same . I have wasted over 10 hrs and not got 1 good photo . What's wrong with this thing . My brother got a seestar 50 snd his photos are amazing compared to mine . I didn't expect to pay this amount t for this to happen..u woukd think it would be the same software for the 50 and 30 . Pls pls pls fix it seestar ..before I send it back . As its not fit for purpose . ...

      I had the exact same issues the other night.
      I noticed that the SeeStar would not locate any targets, I found the focus so far out you could not see any stars. Using the manual focus control I found focus, (1303) then reset this focus position into the default settings, I was then able to locate my chosen target, however once on target I tried another autofocus, which went way out of focus and said ‘Autofocus Complete’ even though the object was obviously blurred.
      I manually adjusted back to the position I found to be focussed previously, only to find it was miles off, so when I finally found focus again the position was 1345. I tried another autofocus again, this time it went first in one direction, and then the other unit until finally I got ‘Autofocus Failure’ with the object just a blurry shape.
      Once again I manually found focus, this time it was 1273 - It looks as if the Autofocus system is slipping or there is an issue with how it detects focus and then arrives at a position number.
      I also discovered if you manually move the focus position too far away from where it should be, the system can’t seem to move far enough to get focus back and fails.
      I also found that the focus has exactly the same issues in solar system and scenery modes.
      I have sent two bug reports to ZWO complete with logs and photos, but have yet to receive a reply,
      but this has all the hallmarks of some mechanical issue in the focus mechanism.

        Why is there No News how to fix this problems . It woukd be different if ot was just one system . But it's not . So pls pls can u send out a fix . Or is it a mechanic issue what means every single one needs to be returned???? As I am at the point now I am going to send it back..as its just a paperweight at the moment

          Amos I'm not sure about this, but it should be before our holiday.

            So .everyone who bought one cant use there seestar till ur holiday.. u not think this should get put out right away ? If u look everyone on this site and all other sites we all are complaining about it and not being able to use there devices??? So if everyone asks for a refund would that get it done quicker ? As its not fit for purpose as it stands ....

              I initially had focus problems with my s30 as well. I manually fixed my situation as described in a previous post. My s30 is working fine at this point. YMMV....

              Amos
              Yes, you need to believe me, I'm even more anxious than you are. I have raised this issue with my colleague in charge of orders multiple times, and she has been responding that they are rushing to finish it. Please trust that we definitely don't want to rush the process and end up damaging the product. Our Chinese New Year holiday starts at the end of January, and we won’t finish the holiday until early February. There are so many orders at the end of the year that it’s hard for us to satisfy everyone, even with our eight hands.

                • AAmos

                  • Post #15


                  Got it working perfect . So I am eating my words as it sit here ..I just reset the thing and changed the focus point and its working fine now ..total strange ..

                    • AAmos

                      • Post #17

                      Done .thanks for the help in this matter . I hope u have a good holiday and have a happy new year when it comes.

                        Amos
                        Thank you so much for your kind reply. With your blessings, I feel even more empowered to help everyone solve their problems.

                          Thanks ..u have a good Holiday and get yourself a good rest and relax, so u come back all re energized and ready to go again xxxxx