I would like to know if anyone here uses MyFocuser Pro/Pro2 here. Costs $10 and works perfectly, and you can spend the rest on a 3D printer and print your own bracket/box ^_^
Money’s a bit tight and I was literally just about to pull the trigger on a ZWO EAF. So glad I found out about this. Thanks for the heads up Cuiv. With a bit of luck I’ll give it a whirl next week.
@@CuivTheLazyGeek yes, I use deepskydad's focusers on my night time scopes. Was thinking of taking one for my Coronado. At this price point maybe I will
This is cheaper than the DIY auto focuser I made for my telescope, so I'd say it looks like it's worth it! I think I'm definitely gonna have to pick one up
I bought today and just have to wait for it to arrive. My main Budget rig I have been using for the past three years is going into semi retirement now that I finally purchased a small wide field scope and decided to finally invest in an Auto focuser. A new OSC is planned for later this year. Love watching your honest videos, keep them coming.
Their customer support is really excellent, BTW. They answer emails immediately! I bought the original remote, and they replaced it at no charge with the new version, which works very well.
Yeah, another thumbs up from me for their customer support! I got the original remote too and Carl happily sent me the replacement at no extra charge, which is much better!
@@CuivTheLazyGeek haha, maybe, though I've seen a few other videos about them recently. They've already taken off as when I went to buy my second one there was a few days where no-one on AliExpress had any left. I had to file down the bracket so I could get it fitted to my scope, and the temp sensor doesn't seem to work, but the focuser itself works really well. I just visually adjusted the coupler for backlash, and when I fired it up in Nina it have me a perfect graph first try, didn't even have to add any backlash comp. Other people have opened them up and it's just a clone of the myfocuserpro2, but hey it works, is lightweight, and I could buy 4 of them to 1 zwo EAF! (I do have one on my newt).
Follow up on this, I've been using mine on a C6 SCT and now a Skywatcher Quattro 150P and it works perfectly on both, as well as being faultless on NINA and KSTARS on Linux. As an added bonus, it's got CHEAPER!!
To be fair, with mine the screws were in the bag. And the focuser "felt" fine to me. No problems installing it, it feels solid, and works fine. I use INDI, so no weirdness with the driver.
I've had one for 3 months. Works just as well as my ZWO EAF. The OneDrive ASCOM driver thing is weird but it worked fine for me. I'm about to order another one for my other rig.
Nice overview Quiv, the reason why it is so cheap is that it has larger steps. The finer the steps are the more pricier those motors are and therefor also the motorfocusser. But if it works, it works but it won't work as precise (if you would even see a difference in some telescopes/camera combinations)
Very interesting, thank you! And I assume we also have lower torque! Still, it is working here at F3.8, although maybe with a RASA it could have issues? Thanks for the feedback!
Thanks for all your vids. I got into AP back when the Nikon F3 was popular and stopped about 20 years ago when I decided I couldn't spend whole evenings at it. The digital revolution was exciting, but automation at a reasonable cost was not possible at that point. I decided, on a lark, to check the state of AP today and your stuff has gotten me seriously thinking about restarting. 🙂
Too funny! Every time I look at my ZWO EAF, I hear your voice calling it "hot garbage". Now I should get the Gemini so I can keep hearing you call it "jank". It does look good, though!
Thank you Sir. Just getting my first goto telescope setup. My German eq has been a real dissapointment. I got a nextstar 102gt for a great price. But with that wobbly mount i need a focuser! Thanks for the review, this is my next item! Cheers from Canada?
As soon as you posted this video, I ordered the focuser. I got an adapter to mount it to my C11, and it's been absolutely flawless. Goes to show what companies can actually charge for this stuff.
Thanks for the vid! Found it on ebay with fast shipping. But it says "for refractive type, 3840 steps motor". Is that supposed to be the same device? I want to use it on my 200PDS 2" Crayford and it should be able to lift at least a DSLR. Can you help me with Informationen?
I want to thank you for the support you give us with your videos. Thanks to you I understood how to fix the backlash of my Zwo Eaf. I would like to ask you if you also plan to test an automatic rotator, similar for example to those of Wonderer Astro. Thanks again.
What did I read in the video, the temperature probe should NOT be connected while switching on the focuser? In his case it cannot be used for remote systems... Can you confirm the the temperature probe has to be connected every time after power-on.
I got this focuser. It didn't work right away. The package came without a QR code. There was no driver for the COM port, I found it and installed it. I downloaded your reworked ASCOM driver. But in NINA, in the autofocuser settings, the line "Focus method" is not active, I can't select anything there. I'm sitting here digging through a bunch of information.
The question is removed, there is a nuance in NINA, which I did not guess about, in Russian there is a glitch in this plugin, in English everything worked. Even NINA guesses something)
Looks like the same size as the pagasus astro v2. Still, no manufacturer seems to have cracked a good wat to fix to the focuser without using the focuser adjustment screws... I printed an adapter in the end as my Alrair scope has no flat surface for mounting.
I bought a new Orion 8” from All Star telescopes out of Edmonton, their packaging technic appears to be the same. My focuser was banging around in the box, parts missing, screws missing, 😂
Interesting Focuser, I have been thinking about getting a QHY QFocuser because I like the integrated focusing knob. However, this might work nicely for a little solar telescope I just got. I would like to put an autofocuser on it so I can control it remotely. Since it is currently 115F (46.1C) outside and obviously I don''t want to stand outside.
Ah I thought I spotted the Gemini focuser on one of your other videos recently, I bought one a while ago & haven't had a good time with the seller as one the case had a dent so I guess it passed the drop test, & two I ordered it with a temperature sensor but it never had one. Also I fitted it to my Newtonian & the coupling rubbed on the inside of the focuser, luckily I had a spare one from a focuscube that fitted so used that instead as its much narrower plus it has grub screws 180 degrees apart so a win there. I to got the drivers from the site you mentioned but I guess they work so can't moan for the price I guess.
Got it 2 weeks ago and had the same experience as you with SW and the screws. In addition one screw at the front is missing... However works but firmware and maybe the drivers seems to be "taken" from sourceforge DIY project of Robert Brown´s "myFocuser" (?)
I have a question about this. I want to take pictures and also use it visually on my lens, I plan to install it on the left side of the dual focuser, so if I install it, can I use the right side of the focuser mechanically, I asked the seller and they said it will lock the mechanical movement, meaning only 1 of the 2 can be selected.
@@CuivTheLazyGeek thank you. Enough for me. Btw, have you seen the new tiny one with a clutch The astroasis rose focuser. Cost a lot more but seems very good and comfortable
It seems to be a very nice alternative for those on a budget. It's just I am not sure about the name. Gemini is an existing and well established computer board for the Losmandy mounts. I would discourage branding another product with the exact same name of an existing product in the same industrial sector.
Note: Cuiv, that's the garbage remote controller, after you email them they will send you for free the new one, much better!! But like you said you won't use it... Also this is a stepper motor that the low end, not same at the ZWO stepper motor..
@@CuivTheLazyGeek Yup, a lot of them are only available inside China so you have to know ppl to get your hands on them. But every time a product like this comes out, it makes our hobby more affordable for people which is great!!
No, and unfortunately it's the ASIAir's fault... The ASIAir relies on open source software that does support this focuser, but the ASIAir blocks it (as well as any other non-ZWO focuser)
@CuivTheLazyGeek I do like the ASIair, but it is annoying that ZWO blocks compatability with other products. I know there are lots of other great options, running Nina, and other miniPCs. But once you have bought into the ZWO ecosystem, it's hard to get out!
Thxs for your review Cuiv, just bought it with a coupon (insane price for this cheap focuser). Did you know if the last ASCOM Plateform version (7.0) is working fine with it...?
Hey Cuiv! Greeting from Germany! I have the focuser sitting in my shopping cart at AliExpress for some time already think about giving it a try. I have already downloaded the ASCOM driver from the shops website. No idea if the shop that is delivering to Europe is an official shop or if they just do it the same way like the shop in which you were able to find a copy of the drivers. I think I will push the button as I am having a mini PC with NINA and a Touptek AstroStation (unfortunately still two bugs that make it not very good to use) to control it even though the AsiAir is my favorite device as adjustment to the session can be made the quickest and easiest way. But for 78 Euro compared to ~240 Euro for the ZWO EAF it seems to be a no-brainer in case a device is present to control it.
Yeah it's always hard to understand what is the official seller! I'm the end I stopped caring and just ordered. I really hope the AstroStation can rival the ASIAir!!
Hello ! When I connect the temperature compensator in NINA (with the temperature sensor connected to the EAF), the NINA program crashes. Does this happen to anyone else?
I'm using a c8 with hyperstar. Apparently zwo fixed the driver issue with not having enough steps for total focus amount with an sct. Can you tell me if I can use the total sct focus amount with this Gemini?
Another Interesting review Cuiv. I don't dispute that this works well, but what's the long term reliability going to be like? This is something that a lot of reviews never consider (obvious reasons really, it wouldn't really be practical to wait a couple of years to do a review of a new product, I do understand that) But it would be interesting to compare say one of these and a more expensive example over time. I've generally found that you get what you pay for, there are of course exceptions, but there is usually a good reason why something is considerably less money than the rest of the competition. Sometimes it may just be the manufacturer trying to grab market share but it is often due to quality control ( or rather the lack of it ). I will probably get one of these though for use with my Lunt Ha scope, it would also come in handy as a spare for the rigs I own that don't use the ASIair to control everything
Yep, long term reliability can't be tested without using for the long term (which I am, since it's still on the CarbonStar:) ). We'll see what happens!
@@KevinRudd-w8s the funny thing is, every EAF is just a cheap stepper motor from China. This one is just cheaper than most. It's just a clone of a diy system that's already out there, you could use any stepper you wanted. Obviously the zwo unit uses a larger stepper as it is a lot heavier, but this one seems to drive my scope with no issues so I'm happy. It's a 1/4 the price here of the zwo so it'd have to fail pretty quickly to not be worth it. I wouldn't recommend the hand controller as it is unnecessary and not implemented well. But then again, I wouldn't recommend the zwo hand controller either (so much easier and cheaper to diy)
L'asiair vuole (per limitazione imposta da ZWO) sia il fuocheggiatore che la camera della ZWO (oltretutto usando, a piene mani, sorgente da un progetto opensource come INDI). NON comprate l'Asiair!
ZWO built the ASIAir so that it is only compatible with the ZWO EAF (and ZWO cameras, and ZWO guide cameras). The open source software that the ASIAir relies upon does support this focuser, but ZWO amended the software to block such support!
I noticed this auto focus on Ali Express. Maxgeek ToupTek AAF Precision Autofocus Astro Electric Automatic Focuser for Deep Sky/Planetary Photography for $97.00
I don't know if you still need this, but it works with the ASCOM Focuser Pro2 drivers, so you don't need to use the gemini version of it (I believe it's actually the same thing, I think they intend for it to be used through that).
5:54 it's a box attached to a already fragile and sensitive piece of equipment, it doesn't need to be tough enough to use as a hammer. From the look of that shaft they used a servo instead of a stepper, which isn't bad at all but they also could have used a stepper if they wanted. The style of motor they are using I'm pretty sure are geared.
Are you sure about servo? There are cheap steppers with the same shaft, a servo for a focuser sounds like it would require an encoder, which would add to cost
@@CuivTheLazyGeek well yes it's possible it could be a stepper but I don't see those double flats often, most of the time it is the D shaft style For something like this you don't even need encoders, the software looking through the camera is the encoder essentially and if the focuser hits the end of its travel you get a current spike which tells the driver it's hit a limit, a lot of disc and floppy drives actually do it this way.
* * * This is a copy of the open source project myFP2 and you can use also ASCOM drivers (that are more complete) from them. It uses a ULN2003 with a stepper motor with 3840 steps, this focuser have a LOT less torque that the ZWO, but that isn't a problem for me. Heating is a strangely named option to use coil power hold option (on a myFP2). I use 50 steps in overshoot.
Installed yesterday. Backlash is horrendous. 259 . And it's not even both directions. Not specific INDI driver, works with MyFocuserPro2 driver. Let it run on night, but the subs were so badly focused, most night work ended up in recycle bin. I ended up to disassemgble thing, and installed back ZWO EAF, (Backlash is 101, but it's even both ways). The scope is Sharpstar 107 PH
Thanks for your message. It answers the question of which indi driver to use. Did you try overscan (the default in INDI) rather than fighting the backlash?
@@CuivTheLazyGeekoh yes for sure! Excited and hoping to test it out tomorrow! :) Just that this this hobby is a money pit so saving some here and there is a good this 😆 all totally worth it though!
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ASCOM Driver (Working official MS One Drive Link!) 1drv.ms/f/c/8d825b2440dc4c0c/EgxM3EAkW4IggI3zAAAAAAABerG8lfxvaEqt2jdKwp8R1g?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000023.1.79dewcdWwcdWgA
ASCOM Driver: astrowhat.com/resources/gemini-eaf-ascom-driver.230/
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oh nice someone finally figured out 5$ step motor can be sold for 70$ instead of 200$
Ha! True
I would like to know if anyone here uses MyFocuser Pro/Pro2 here. Costs $10 and works perfectly, and you can spend the rest on a 3D printer and print your own bracket/box ^_^
I wonder if anyone use myFocuser Pro/Pro2? The components cost like $15 and for the rest you can buy a 3D printer and design your own bracket ^_^
Money’s a bit tight and I was literally just about to pull the trigger on a ZWO EAF. So glad I found out about this. Thanks for the heads up Cuiv. With a bit of luck I’ll give it a whirl next week.
Finally a reasonably priced focuser
Yep, some would argue it's still overpriced for what is basically a motor and a control board but I can't complain :)
@@CuivTheLazyGeek yes, I use deepskydad's focusers on my night time scopes. Was thinking of taking one for my Coronado. At this price point maybe I will
This is cheaper than the DIY auto focuser I made for my telescope, so I'd say it looks like it's worth it! I think I'm definitely gonna have to pick one up
Oh wow, that's impressive! I thought a DIY focuser would still win on price, so we can see this focuser is priced quite aggressively:)
I bought today and just have to wait for it to arrive.
My main Budget rig I have been using for the past three years is going into semi retirement now that I finally purchased a small wide field scope and decided to finally invest in an Auto focuser. A new OSC is planned for later this year.
Love watching your honest videos, keep them coming.
I have one and it works perfectly. Replaced a broken ZWO-EAF. Backlash is not at issue with the standard Sky Watcher Quattro focuser.
Great to hear!
Their customer support is really excellent, BTW. They answer emails immediately! I bought the original remote, and they replaced it at no charge with the new version, which works very well.
Yeah, another thumbs up from me for their customer support! I got the original remote too and Carl happily sent me the replacement at no extra charge, which is much better!
I'm glad I bought 2 of these a few weeks ago. I've got a feeling the price is about to go up.
They work really well too.
Yeah, it will be my fault if it does I guess... Enjoy it!
@@CuivTheLazyGeek haha, maybe, though I've seen a few other videos about them recently. They've already taken off as when I went to buy my second one there was a few days where no-one on AliExpress had any left.
I had to file down the bracket so I could get it fitted to my scope, and the temp sensor doesn't seem to work, but the focuser itself works really well. I just visually adjusted the coupler for backlash, and when I fired it up in Nina it have me a perfect graph first try, didn't even have to add any backlash comp.
Other people have opened them up and it's just a clone of the myfocuserpro2, but hey it works, is lightweight, and I could buy 4 of them to 1 zwo EAF! (I do have one on my newt).
It´s more like "not available" or "no delivery to your country" 😒
@@marcoj90 where are you? I literally just bought another one
@@theBaron001 Germany
Awesome video! This is just what I needed without blowing the budget on a ZWO auto focuser.
Enjoy!
Works perfecly in NINA with your settings, thanks Cuiv!
Been looking at this for ages, bought one now before the price goes up based of your review, thanks Cuiv!
Hope the price doesn't go up too much!!
@@CuivTheLazyGeek still plenty of margin before it hits ZWO pricing!
Follow up on this, I've been using mine on a C6 SCT and now a Skywatcher Quattro 150P and it works perfectly on both, as well as being faultless on NINA and KSTARS on Linux. As an added bonus, it's got CHEAPER!!
Bought the exact same one which arrived today. Driver download worked fine for me.
To be fair, with mine the screws were in the bag.
And the focuser "felt" fine to me. No problems installing it, it feels solid, and works fine. I use INDI, so no weirdness with the driver.
Good to hear they do put the screws in the bag from time to time :)
I've had one for 3 months. Works just as well as my ZWO EAF. The OneDrive ASCOM driver thing is weird but it worked fine for me. I'm about to order another one for my other rig.
i got my remote and temp probe thrown in for £70! glad this has got a review! cheers cuiv!!
Nice!
Nice that it's compatible with 'everything else'!
Nice overview Quiv, the reason why it is so cheap is that it has larger steps. The finer the steps are the more pricier those motors are and therefor also the motorfocusser.
But if it works, it works but it won't work as precise (if you would even see a difference in some telescopes/camera combinations)
This is about 4000 steps per revolution vs the ZWO at 5760. Larger steps for sure, but not a massive difference.
Very interesting, thank you! And I assume we also have lower torque! Still, it is working here at F3.8, although maybe with a RASA it could have issues? Thanks for the feedback!
Good to know. I got mine for 80$ after shipping. I’m content with it
I received one a couple weeks ago and the tolerances feel pretty close and equal to the ZWO.
Thanks for all your vids. I got into AP back when the Nikon F3 was popular and stopped about 20 years ago when I decided I couldn't spend whole evenings at it. The digital revolution was exciting, but automation at a reasonable cost was not possible at that point.
I decided, on a lark, to check the state of AP today and your stuff has gotten me seriously thinking about restarting. 🙂
Too funny! Every time I look at my ZWO EAF, I hear your voice calling it "hot garbage". Now I should get the Gemini so I can keep hearing you call it "jank". It does look good, though!
Hahaha the ZWO EAF feels much better than in the past, not sure why! But yeas the Gemini is definitely jank, buy it lol
Thank you Sir.
Just getting my first goto telescope setup.
My German eq has been a real dissapointment.
I got a nextstar 102gt for a great price. But with that wobbly mount i need a focuser!
Thanks for the review, this is my next item!
Cheers from Canada?
Yep, great EAF.
I have been using it for the past 3 months and it's super strong, precise works flawlessly.
Good to know!
As soon as you posted this video, I ordered the focuser. I got an adapter to mount it to my C11, and it's been absolutely flawless. Goes to show what companies can actually charge for this stuff.
That's awesome to hear! Glad it's working out for you! And yeah, I hear you on the price!
Thanks for the vid! Found it on ebay with fast shipping. But it says "for refractive type, 3840 steps motor". Is that supposed to be the same device? I want to use it on my 200PDS 2" Crayford and it should be able to lift at least a DSLR. Can you help me with Informationen?
Lol the empty plastic bag is hilarious 😂
It was funny for sure 😁
Gemini owner to bagging guy: “That’s not what I meant when I pointed at the bags and said “screw bag””
🤣
Who doesn't love cheap but works
Been waiting for a review of this
Thanks Cuiv. Excellent review.
Looks good. What driver did you choose for the Gemini in Stellamate?
Cheers
Perfect timing. I need to more focus motors
I suspect the "heating" meant to be enabling coil power / holding current.
Aha! Good to know, thank you!!
I want to thank you for the support you give us with your videos. Thanks to you I understood how to fix the backlash of my Zwo Eaf. I would like to ask you if you also plan to test an automatic rotator, similar for example to those of Wonderer Astro. Thanks again.
What did I read in the video, the temperature probe should NOT be connected while switching on the focuser? In his case it cannot be used for remote systems... Can you confirm the the temperature probe has to be connected every time after power-on.
Plug it in before you power it up 9:56
2 flat sides on the shaft gives you 4 options instead of 2 when positioning how it is rotated when you lock it on, right?
Right!
I got this focuser. It didn't work right away. The package came without a QR code. There was no driver for the COM port, I found it and installed it. I downloaded your reworked ASCOM driver. But in NINA, in the autofocuser settings, the line "Focus method" is not active, I can't select anything there. I'm sitting here digging through a bunch of information.
The question is removed, there is a nuance in NINA, which I did not guess about, in Russian there is a glitch in this plugin, in English everything worked. Even NINA guesses something)
Ordered one based on this video, let's see how it does. Thanks for the recommendation.
Looks like the same size as the pagasus astro v2.
Still, no manufacturer seems to have cracked a good wat to fix to the focuser without using the focuser adjustment screws...
I printed an adapter in the end as my Alrair scope has no flat surface for mounting.
Thank you Cuiv. The second product I bought bc your testing. First was the CNC spider. Now this cheapo EAF.
Enjoy it! Hopefully it will pass the test of time too!
I bought a new Orion 8” from All Star telescopes out of Edmonton, their packaging technic appears to be the same. My focuser was banging around in the box, parts missing, screws missing, 😂
Hahaha good to know!
if the astro station works well... zwo need to unlock the air or take the hit on the chin
I really have high hopes! But I don't think they'll open up the ASIAir, it's got a huge market share and it's a money printing machine :)
I sense a new video on the horizon..
A complete, affordable, non zwo, off brand automated rig, (harmonic drive).
Good idea ;) I'm also testing the 2600MC Air so there's the opposite to that as well :)
Interesting Focuser, I have been thinking about getting a QHY QFocuser because I like the integrated focusing knob. However, this might work nicely for a little solar telescope I just got. I would like to put an autofocuser on it so I can control it remotely. Since it is currently 115F (46.1C) outside and obviously I don''t want to stand outside.
Thanks! I already ordered it. Seems it will arrive when start astrodark here...
Nice! Enjoy!
Ah I thought I spotted the Gemini focuser on one of your other videos recently, I bought one a while ago & haven't had a good time with the seller as one the case had a dent so I guess it passed the drop test, & two I ordered it with a temperature sensor but it never had one. Also I fitted it to my Newtonian & the coupling rubbed on the inside of the focuser, luckily I had a spare one from a focuscube that fitted so used that instead as its much narrower plus it has grub screws 180 degrees apart so a win there. I to got the drivers from the site you mentioned but I guess they work so can't moan for the price I guess.
Purchased after watching this video but in Nina I forget the option 'overshoot', it's greyed out.
Disconnect it from NINA, set the overshoot option, reconnect it
@@CuivTheLazyGeek it worked 😁
Thank you.
I was actually looking at this in aliexpress.
Got it 2 weeks ago and had the same experience as you with SW and the screws. In addition one screw at the front is missing... However works but firmware and maybe the drivers seems to be "taken" from sourceforge DIY project of Robert Brown´s "myFocuser" (?)
Which automatic focuser would you recommend for a C8-XLT? I mostly use SharpCap Pro and sometimes NINA.
You should have just asked the seller for the drivers, they sent me the links for download in no time 👍
For some reason it didn't occur to me but yeah absolutely lol
What is Nina overshoot backlash? Does it work for the mount too?
I have a question about this. I want to take pictures and also use it visually on my lens, I plan to install it on the left side of the dual focuser, so if I install it, can I use the right side of the focuser mechanically, I asked the seller and they said it will lock the mechanical movement, meaning only 1 of the 2 can be selected.
This a 2 month old vid.
Is it still good?
Some aliexpress stuff are great only if there new but fall apart pretty soon.
So is it still good?
It still works for me at least!
@@CuivTheLazyGeek thank you.
Enough for me.
Btw, have you seen the new tiny one with a clutch
The astroasis rose focuser.
Cost a lot more but seems very good and comfortable
Could I use the ZWO mounting bracket to attach it to my EdgeHD 8, or will Gemini sell the necessary parts?
That is a gamble - I don't know for sure...
It seems to be a very nice alternative for those on a budget. It's just I am not sure about the name. Gemini is an existing and well established computer board for the Losmandy mounts. I would discourage branding another product with the exact same name of an existing product in the same industrial sector.
Hi Cuiv, I bought the gemini, but I can not find the driver. Could you post a link to it please. Mine does not have the QRcodes on the box.
It's in the video description!
1:05 why did you actually throw the focuser 😅
Hahaha, no! It stayed in my hand + special effects 😂
Very interesting for my nina setup
Yep! Or anything not ASIAir :)
Note: Cuiv, that's the garbage remote controller, after you email them they will send you for free the new one, much better!! But like you said you won't use it... Also this is a stepper motor that the low end, not same at the ZWO stepper motor..
Looks similar to my Astro8 focuser which cost $60 from China running onstep. Works flawless, I have razor sharp stars
Oh wow didn't realize there was another cheap focuser like that out there!
@@CuivTheLazyGeek Yup, a lot of them are only available inside China so you have to know ppl to get your hands on them. But every time a product like this comes out, it makes our hobby more affordable for people which is great!!
Will it fit an edge HD using the ZWO Bracket?
Just ordered one for my Mak127. Let's see....
Thanks for the video Cuiv. I saw it a while back on Alliexpress. If 88 Euro's does the same than more than 200 Euro, then Ill go for it..... I think.
Either should work, of course there is the safety of buying a known brand, so it is always difficult to decide!
will it work with ASI Air ?
No, the ASIair only works with ZWO focusers, filter wheels, guiders and cameras, though it will work with various non ZWO mounts.
@user-lt9py2pu6u this is the reason I won't be getting one. Wish it would work with ASIair!
No, and unfortunately it's the ASIAir's fault... The ASIAir relies on open source software that does support this focuser, but the ASIAir blocks it (as well as any other non-ZWO focuser)
@CuivTheLazyGeek I do like the ASIair, but it is annoying that ZWO blocks compatability with other products. I know there are lots of other great options, running Nina, and other miniPCs. But once you have bought into the ZWO ecosystem, it's hard to get out!
Thxs for your review Cuiv, just bought it with a coupon (insane price for this cheap focuser).
Did you know if the last ASCOM Plateform version (7.0) is working fine with it...?
I haven't tried, but I don't see why not?
Hey Cuiv! Greeting from Germany! I have the focuser sitting in my shopping cart at AliExpress for some time already think about giving it a try. I have already downloaded the ASCOM driver from the shops website. No idea if the shop that is delivering to Europe is an official shop or if they just do it the same way like the shop in which you were able to find a copy of the drivers.
I think I will push the button as I am having a mini PC with NINA and a Touptek AstroStation (unfortunately still two bugs that make it not very good to use) to control it even though the AsiAir is my favorite device as adjustment to the session can be made the quickest and easiest way. But for 78 Euro compared to ~240 Euro for the ZWO EAF it seems to be a no-brainer in case a device is present to control it.
Yeah it's always hard to understand what is the official seller! I'm the end I stopped caring and just ordered. I really hope the AstroStation can rival the ASIAir!!
you should see if your e-waste will control the zwo eaf as well
Sounds good but I wonder what customer support is like?
I dig it!
Clicking on your 2nd link takes me to an aliexpress page that show the temperature sensor is a seperate $70 item.
Aliexpress is one messed up site, 90% of the times I have no clue what exactly is the product and price they are trying to sell.
Is it possible to use it on the Redcat51? (It seem so)
would it work with a c8 using the zwo sct bracket?
Is It work with ASI AIR ?
Hello ! When I connect the temperature compensator in NINA (with the temperature sensor connected to the EAF), the NINA program crashes. Does this happen to anyone else?
I wanted to ask the same question, so yes ! I Hope someone will find a solution
I'm using a c8 with hyperstar. Apparently zwo fixed the driver issue with not having enough steps for total focus amount with an sct. Can you tell me if I can use the total sct focus amount with this Gemini?
Another Interesting review Cuiv. I don't dispute that this works well, but what's the long term reliability going to be like? This is something that a lot of reviews never consider (obvious reasons really, it wouldn't really be practical to wait a couple of years to do a review of a new product, I do understand that) But it would be interesting to compare say one of these and a more expensive example over time. I've generally found that you get what you pay for, there are of course exceptions, but there is usually a good reason why something is considerably less money than the rest of the competition. Sometimes it may just be the manufacturer trying to grab market share but it is often due to quality control ( or rather the lack of it ). I will probably get one of these though for use with my Lunt Ha scope, it would also come in handy as a spare for the rigs I own that don't use the ASIair to control everything
Yep, long term reliability can't be tested without using for the long term (which I am, since it's still on the CarbonStar:) ). We'll see what happens!
@@KevinRudd-w8s the funny thing is, every EAF is just a cheap stepper motor from China. This one is just cheaper than most. It's just a clone of a diy system that's already out there, you could use any stepper you wanted. Obviously the zwo unit uses a larger stepper as it is a lot heavier, but this one seems to drive my scope with no issues so I'm happy. It's a 1/4 the price here of the zwo so it'd have to fail pretty quickly to not be worth it.
I wouldn't recommend the hand controller as it is unnecessary and not implemented well. But then again, I wouldn't recommend the zwo hand controller either (so much easier and cheaper to diy)
@@theBaron001 Thanks for sharing your experience on this. The ZWO hand control is definitely overpriced for what it is.
@@KevinRudd-w8s it's literally a couple of switches 🤣
Come mai non è possibile usarlo con asiair? Non è solo un problema di firmware? 🎉
The AsiAir is limited to ZWO Asi gear except the mount.
L'asiair vuole (per limitazione imposta da ZWO) sia il fuocheggiatore che la camera della ZWO (oltretutto usando, a piene mani, sorgente da un progetto opensource come INDI).
NON comprate l'Asiair!
ZWO built the ASIAir so that it is only compatible with the ZWO EAF (and ZWO cameras, and ZWO guide cameras). The open source software that the ASIAir relies upon does support this focuser, but ZWO amended the software to block such support!
I noticed this auto focus on Ali Express. Maxgeek ToupTek AAF Precision Autofocus Astro Electric Automatic Focuser for Deep Sky/Planetary Photography for $97.00
Yep, Touptek is getting into autofocus as well!
Do you really need the TEMP sensor.
I don't think so - I don't use it tbh
I like Aliexpres, other than waiting a month to get stuff in USA, and weird miscommunication. Everything works fine for crazy cheep.
Funny, I just ordered this a couple of days ago.
Nice! Hope it works well for you!
I purchased the Gemini
electronic Automatic Focuser without scan codes on box. I guess they aren't accepting new group members.
I don't know if you still need this, but it works with the ASCOM Focuser Pro2 drivers, so you don't need to use the gemini version of it (I believe it's actually the same thing, I think they intend for it to be used through that).
That looks very promising. Quite unfortunate that the shipping to my location is almost $50. You can never win
Oooh no, that sucks :-(
5:54 it's a box attached to a already fragile and sensitive piece of equipment, it doesn't need to be tough enough to use as a hammer.
From the look of that shaft they used a servo instead of a stepper, which isn't bad at all but they also could have used a stepper if they wanted.
The style of motor they are using I'm pretty sure are geared.
Are you sure about servo? There are cheap steppers with the same shaft, a servo for a focuser sounds like it would require an encoder, which would add to cost
@@CuivTheLazyGeek well yes it's possible it could be a stepper but I don't see those double flats often, most of the time it is the D shaft style
For something like this you don't even need encoders, the software looking through the camera is the encoder essentially and if the focuser hits the end of its travel you get a current spike which tells the driver it's hit a limit, a lot of disc and floppy drives actually do it this way.
* * * This is a copy of the open source project myFP2 and you can use also ASCOM drivers (that are more complete) from them.
It uses a ULN2003 with a stepper motor with 3840 steps, this focuser have a LOT less torque that the ZWO, but that isn't a problem for me.
Heating is a strangely named option to use coil power hold option (on a myFP2).
I use 50 steps in overshoot.
Thank you so much for those details, this is great to know!! So less precise than ZWO with fewer steps
On that note, I don't think I saw any reference to myFP2 or any credit given to its authors in the driver package wich is not really cool.
@@Antiath Yeah there is also a note from Author of myFP2 that a chinese company contacted him to build a complete version, but than they ghosted!
You'll have to disassemble it and show us what's inside.
I have done that, I posted on CloudyNights... It's a PC board and the small stepper motor.. Basic not as powerful as ZWO EAF but on the cheap!
Will it support Asiair controller?
No, the ASIAir controller has been built by ZWO specifically to prevent non-ZWO focusers, cameras, and filter wheels to work with it
Installed yesterday. Backlash is horrendous. 259 . And it's not even both directions. Not specific INDI driver, works with MyFocuserPro2 driver. Let it run on night, but the subs were so badly focused, most night work ended up in recycle bin.
I ended up to disassemgble thing, and installed back ZWO EAF, (Backlash is 101, but it's even both ways). The scope is Sharpstar 107 PH
Thanks for your message. It answers the question of which indi driver to use. Did you try overscan (the default in INDI) rather than fighting the backlash?
For a moment I thought the Optec Gemini was on sale... it's a Chinese Gemini. The could have picked another name.
For the english speakers I think you meant 180 degree offset grubs, not worms :)
my screws were loose too lol
Hahaha good to know I'm not alone!
"Sorry this item is no longer available!" That's what it says on aliexpress.
Only a minute into the video and he DEFINITELY threw the focuser
"Definitely"😁
It is scan . In AliExpress ONLY appear greater than 80 euros plus tax.
Some vendors is greater 100€
How DARE they not put the screws and washers in the bag! outrageous!!! lol
Neat!
purchased, now I just need a telescope to put it on
That got boxed on a friday at 230
W video
Seems you have gone all ZWO ... something different from a previous position 1 year ago or so!
Have I?? I have a second rig with zero ZWO on it
I literally bought the EAF two days ago 😂 FFS...
Hey, the EAF is still a good focuser :)
@@CuivTheLazyGeekoh yes for sure! Excited and hoping to test it out tomorrow! :) Just that this this hobby is a money pit so saving some here and there is a good this 😆 all totally worth it though!