Primaluce Lab Sesto Senso 2 Sixth Sense Robotic Stepper Motor Focuser

SESTO SENSO 2 (SIXTH SENSE) is the best stepper motor based robotic focusing motor for your telescope!
Compatible with most focusers, install it in place of the micrometer knob and connect it to the USB port of your EAGLE or Windows computer to remotely control without vibration and with high precision your telescope's focuser! The supplied software and ASCOM driver allow you to easily set up many advanced features of the SESTO SENSO, especially useful for astrophotography. Thanks to the precise control motor with integrated electronics, SESTO SENSO achieves incredible precision of just 0.7 microns!

Thanks to a meticulous design, PrimaLuceLab engineers have created the SESTO SENSO robotic focusing motor for telescopes, incorporating all the elements usually outside in normal motorized focusing systems. Systems consisting of a motor with separate control box and connecting cables are the past, SESTO SENSO encloses in a compact metal box (dimensions 85 x 58 x 43mm) both the motor and the control electronics. All with the great design PrimaLuceLab create for all its products.

Compact, lightweight and integrated design
SESTO SENSO has 3 ports. In the picture below, to the right you see the 12V power supply port that powers the motor and integrated electronics. Using the power cable provided in the package, it can be powered by a common cigarette lighter socket. Alternatively, an optional cable is also available to power it directly from the EAGLE. At the center you see the USB connection port that connects SESTO SENSO to EAGLE or to another control computer, using the cable provided in the box. To the left you see the port for connecting the optional temperature sensor and allowing you to perform auto focus adjustment procedures with the ambient temperature variation.

Compatible with many focusers
Thanks to special design, SESTO SENSO robotic focusing motor is compatible with many focusers, thanks to the bushing kit supplied in the package. You just have to choose the right bushing for your focuser and install SESTO SENSO, it's very simple! Another advantage of our design is to be able to easily move SESTO SENSO from one telescope to another. If you change telescope, you can easily connect SENSO SENSO to your new instrument! 

Quick Overview

The highly accurate, advanced, vibration free, robotic focusing motor for your telescope! Connect it to the USB port of your EAGLE or Windows® computer to electronically control focus while still allowing you to manually move your focuser by hand if needed. If you don’t want to focus using a computer, you can connect wirelessly from any smartphone or tablet using the integrated Virtual HandPad via the built-in Wifi network in the SESTO SENSO 2! Thanks to the Self Centering Clamp technology (SCC), SESTO SENSO 2 can be installed on most focusers without the need of external brackets. The supplied FOCUS Manager software and ASCOM driver allow easy configuration of the many advanced features of SESTO SENSO 2. Thanks to the precisely controlled motor with integrated electronics, SESTO SENSO 2 achieves incredible precision of just 0.7 microns.

Based on the success of the previous generation motor PrimaLuceLab introduced in 2017, SESTO SENSO 2 adds even more great new features. SESTO SENSO 2 incorporates into a single enclosure (87.5 x 64 x 43mm) all the elements that comprise a motorized focusing system but, thanks to the great designers at PrimaLuceLab, it includes many new features:

• USB-C port to connect to any standard computer or EAGLE USB port: the USB-C port is a more sturdy, reliable connection and it is also reversible, allowing for easier connections in the dark 
• Integrated WiFi connection with Virtual HandPad: if you don’t want to use a computer to control your telescope’s focuser, you can use your smartphone or tablet connected to the SESTO SENSO 2 WiFi network to control it with the Virtual HandPad.
• Self Centering Clamp (SCC) technology to connect to focusers without external brackets: easily connect it to most focusers (if needed, optional adapters are available for other focusers) with the bushings included in the box, improved over the previous version. 
• Dimmable LED lights: LED lights on the SESTO SENSO 2 body are dimmable and can even be turned off completely. This way you can reduce light emission if you prefer during astrophotography or visual use.
• Compatible with ARCO camera rotator: SESTO SENSO 2 now comes with ARCO port to easily connect the ARCO camera rotator without the need for additional data or power cables.

Compact, lightweight and integrated design

SESTO SENSO 2 integrates all of the control electronics into a single compact enclosure with its ports displayed on the side. In the upper area you find the dimmable status LEDs that can even be turned off for better light management at night. Below the LEDs, you will find the USB-C port to connect SESTO SENSO 2 to an EAGLE or other Windows® computer using the provided cable, the ARCO port to power and control the optional ARCO camera rotator with a single cable, the 12V power supply port that powers the motor and integrated electronics using the provided cigarette lighter socket power cable (an optional cable is also available to power it directly from the EAGLE) and the port for the optional temperature sensor that allows (by using third party software) to perform auto focus adjustment procedures with the ambient temperature variation.

Control it via USB-C from the EAGLE or from any Windows® computer with a standard USB port

SESTO SENSO 2 comes with a sturdy USB-C port to connect to the USB port on your EAGLE or any Windows® computer (cable provided), and control it via the provided FOCUSER Manager software or the ASCOM driver. SESTO SENSO 2 uses a USB-C port providing increased reliability with its reversible plug: you can connect the USB cable in either orientation, preventing problems when connected in the dark.

Control via WiFi, from any smartphone or tablet via the Virtual HandPad

SESTO SENSO 2 now has built-in WiFi remote control capability so you can control it from any smartphone or tablet, without the need of a computer! Just connect your device to the WiFi network of the SESTO SENSO 2 and start the app - You will be able to control the focuser by using the dedicated Virtual HandPad. Thanks to convenient preset settings, you can easily record and move the focuser to specific predetermined positions - Great for visual use too! WiFi control works even if SESTO SENSO 2 is also connected to a computer so you can control it simultaneously from 2 devices.

Easily connects to most focusers thanks to its Self Centering Clamp (SCC) without the need of external brackets

SESTO SENSO 2 doesn’t require any external brackets to attach to focusers: just remove the fine and coarse knobs from your focuser and you will reveal a shaft. SESTO SENSO 2 is designed to fit to a 25mm diameter shaft, common to most focusers on the market (optional adapters available for focusers with shaft diameters of 33 or 37mm - other diameters are currently not compatible). SESTO SENSO 2 uses a new shaft connection bushing, improved over the previous generation, that has been designed to accommodate different focusers more easily. Another advantage of the SCC technology is that you can always use the manual (coarse) knobs of your focuser, even if SESTO SENSO 2 is installed (if you move the focuser by hand, in order to control the focuser again with SESTO SENSO you will only need to manually bring the focuser to the minimum position and press the "Set position as 0" button to calibrate it again). SESTO SENSO is compatible with many telescopes, like (but not lmited to these):

• SkyWatcher EVOSTAR 72 ED, 80 ED, 100 ED and 120 ED
• SkyWatcher ESPRIT 80 ED, 100 ED and 120 ED
• SkyWatcher Newton 200mm and 250mm, f/4 and f/5
• Takahashi FSQ85
• Takahashi FSQ106
• Telescopes with Baader SteelTrack® focuser
• Telescopes with FeatherTouch 2" focuser (3" and 3,5" models require optional 33mm or 37mm adapter)
• GSO Ritchey-Chretien with 2" and 3" focusers
• TS-Optics TSED80F7 (with 33mm optional adatper)
• TS-Optics TSApo60f6RED (with 33mm optional adatper)
• TS-Optics TSAPO72F6 (with 33mm optional adatper)
• TS-Optics TLAPO804 (with 33mm optional adatper)
• TS-Optics TS71SDQ
• TS-Optics TS86SDQ

SESTO SENSO 2 can be used with many different telescopes, like Newtonians, refractors, and Schmidt-Cassegrain (and aplanatic versions) with external manual focusers. If you are searching for a motorized focuser for your SC/RC type telescope and you haven’t already installed an external focuser, may we suggest our ESATTO focuser with a high load capacity, integrated motor, and the same advanced electronic control found in the SESTO SENSO 2.

Connect via a single cable to ARCO to remotely control camera rotator

SESTO SENSO 2 includes a special port allowing ARCO, the camera rotator, to be directly connected. With ARCO, you can remotely control the rotation angle of your camera in order to achieve perfect framing of the object you want to record. SESTO SENSO 2 and ARCO are designed to work together - You will need only one short interconnect between the two!

Compact and lightweight device, no need for external controllers

SESTO SENSO 2 encloses in a single compact package (dimensions 87.5 x 64 x 43mm) both the motor and the control electronics, all with the great design you’ve come to expect from PrimaLuceLab products. The housing is made up of a single block of aluminum (SESTO SENSO 2 weight is 380 grams), CNC machined, with a beautiful red anodized finish. The upper part of the SESTO SENSO 2 is made up of rigid plastic in order to allow the WiFi antenna to operate for an easier remote control.

SESTO SENSO 2 robotic focusing motor - What’s included:

- SESTO SENSO 2
- 12v DC cigarette-style plug power cable
- USB-C to standard USB cable
- Hex keys for assembly
- 5 color-keyed bushings for different focuser types
- Quick installation guide

Some items that are showing as in stock are in stock at our holding warehouses, not at the shop. To double check the stock levels at the shop, please contact us on 01909774369 or sales@rothervalleyoptics.co.uk.

The delivery times for most items is 1 - 2 days but again, please double check stock levels on important orders before placing an order via the website.

The delivery costs for courier next day are for mainland UK only. If you live in the Scottish Highlands/Islands, Channel Islands or Northern Ireland, then a shipping surchage will apply. please contact us for prices. Smaller items can still go 1st class via Royal Mail.

Please note that if you are wanting to take advantage of our Saturday and Sunday timed services or next day pre 12 or pre 10:30 services, you MUST check that the stock is here at the shop before placing orders. Also, orders using the Saturday and Sunday services must be placed before 1pm the previous working day. Also, please remember to check that the stock is here at the shop before placing orders. If the stock is not at the shop, we won't be able to ship on any of the timed services. 

Please note International customers will need to contact us for a shipping price prior to ordering via the website. We don't ship all items internationally. It is at our discretion what we ship outside of the UK. This all depends on the size and weight of the items. Please get in touch with us for any postage costs. Please note we do NOT ship telescopes or heavy items outside of the UK. This is due to massive postage costs and problems regarding returns.

If you have any questions regarding stock levels or delivery, please get in touch.

Zygo Interferometer Testing For ED Refractor Telescopes!

We are extremely pleased to announce our Zygo Interferometer is now installed and ready for use! Our experienced staff can test refractor lenses up to 120mm aperture and provide a comprehensive 2 page report showing the optical quality and Strehl ratio, plus much more information. We are using the very latest Zygo MX software to provide a more detailed report compared to other standard reports.

The interferometer is essentially a measuring instrument. Within the interferometer is a calibrated laser that is pointed through the optical test surface, then onto a high quality reference sphere, then back through the test subject then to an internal camera which gives us the measurement on the screen. From this, we can adjust the position of the test optic and the reference sphere to obtain a perfectly calibrated system. The more central the laser to the test optic and then on return, the better and more accurate reading and measurement we can take. This takes a lot of adjustment to get the best results from the optical surface. Once the measurement has been taken, we are provided with a series of results that show the optical quality of the surface plus other information. Continue reading for an explanation of the individual values and you can also see a test report that was done on one of our RVO Horizon 60 OTAs. 

We are offering certain telescopes with a Zygo test at an extra cost. Mainly ED doublets and triplets. All available telescopes with a Zygo test report are listed here. Just select Zygo Test Report from the drop down box at the top of the listing and we will test the optics in house and provide a full 2 page report with your scope. This will show you the optical quality of your telescope optics. We can also offer this service on your refractor telescope. Please get in touch for more details about this. 

At Rother Valley Optics, one thing we pride ourselves on is customer service and quality of our equipment. When we test your telescope, we will ensure that it is of the highest quality otherwise, we will reject the scope under our strict quality control and test another model for your peace of mind. One of the main values to look at when testing a refractor is the Strehl ratio. The higher this number, the higher quality lens you have. At Rother Valley Optics, we will guarantee the highest possible Strehl ratio for your telescope.  We will aim to provide 0.95 Strehl or higher on Takahashi, RVO Horizon, William Optics and many more! Generally, the higher the Strehl ratio, the lower the Astigmatism and Coma meaning a better image quality from your instrument. 

Other measurements such as the PV and RMS are important too. With these measurements, the lower the number the better as it shows less curvature on the lens. The flatter an optical lens, the better it will perform. The PV rating (Peak To Valley) is a measurement from the highest point (Peak) to the lowest point (Valley). From this we get the RMS (Root, Mean, Square). This is a similar figure to the PV and measured exactly the same way. The RMS is basically an average height difference from the PV so again, the lower the better. As you can see form the example below, we measured an RMS of just 0.027 wave which is a very good value.

We also measure the Power with our systems which is essentially the error from the reference sphere to the test optic. The reference sphere we use on our system is a very high quality sphere so the closer to zero the Power, the less error between the 2 elements thus ensuring a higher quality optical surface. 

You will also see some more values such as Astigmatism and Coma. Again, these are measured by the interferometer when we take measurements of the optical surface after adjustment. These are values which ideally would be at 0 but as our test optics are all curved lenses, there will always be astigmatism and coma present. The lower the number, the less of these aberations you will effectively see but with most refractors, you can buy field flatteners which will compensate for the coma anyway. The astigmatisms value is explaining the error between the symmetrical curvature of the lens. Basically, no lens will be perfectly symmetrical, the lower the astigmatism, the more symmetrical the lens surface is. 

Once the Zygo test report has been completed, the optical alignment is thoroughly tested and tuned to ensure they are spot on before they leave us. 

All available telescopes are on the website at the link below and ones we've tested already that are available straight away are also listed.

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/zygo-tested-refractors.html

Here is an example of the test what we provide. This was a test on one of our Horizon 60 ED OTA's.

For any questions about this amazing new service, please either call 01909774369 or email sales@rothervalleyoptics.co.uk.

Are you interested in this product but would like to speak to someone with some more information? Simply fill in the form below and we will get back to you as soon as we can!

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