This BUDGET Electronic Focuser SURPRISED me! Gemini EAF

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

My Patreon: www.patreon.com/cuivlazygeek My Merch Store: cuiv.myspreadshop.com/ Stores selling the Gemini focuser: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBl59jV ja.aliexpress.com/item/1005006731851010.html ja.aliexpress.com/item/1005007160700239.html ZWO EAF Focuser: bit.ly/45agP0Z 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/ ASCOM Driver (my own alternate): drive.google.com/file/d/1t0AwX0QtKTf4CRTzvQcsNkVJemI9trLd/view?usp=sharing Amazon affiliate: amzn.to/49XTx01 Agena affiliate: bit.ly/3Om0hNG High Point Scientific affiliate: bit.ly/3lReu8R First Light Optics affiliate: tinyurl.com/yxd2jkr2 All-Star Telescope affiliate: bit.ly/3SCgVbV Astroshop eu Affiliate: tinyurl.com/2vafkax8

[@borovikmotion]

oh nice someone finally figured out 5$ step motor can be sold for 70$ instead of 200$

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Ha! True

[@alphaadhito]

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 ^_^

[@alphaadhito]

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 ^_^

[@trollshark6260]

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

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

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:)

[@3C273]

Finally a reasonably priced focuser

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yep, some would argue it's still overpriced for what is basically a motor and a control board but I can't complain :)

[@3C273]

@@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

[@neilhankey2514]

I have one and it works perfectly. Replaced a broken ZWO-EAF. Backlash is not at issue with the standard Sky Watcher Quattro focuser.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Great to hear!

[@theBaron001]

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.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yeah, it will be my fault if it does I guess... Enjoy it!

[@theBaron001]

@@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).

[@marcoj90]

It´s more like "not available" or "no delivery to your country" 😒

[@theBaron001]

@@marcoj90 where are you? I literally just bought another one

[@marcoj90]

@@theBaron001 Germany

[@M4R7YN]

Been looking at this for ages, bought one now before the price goes up based of your review, thanks Cuiv!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hope the price doesn't go up too much!!

[@M4R7YN]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek still plenty of margin before it hits ZWO pricing!

[@grizxxy]

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.

[@rickdurham264]

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!

[@njfdev]

Awesome video! This is just what I needed without blowing the budget on a ZWO auto focuser.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Enjoy!

[@5teep]

Bought the exact same one which arrived today. Driver download worked fine for me.

[@BSE86]

Works perfecly in NINA with your settings, thanks Cuiv!

[@deeboweb]

i got my remote and temp probe thrown in for £70! glad this has got a review! cheers cuiv!!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Nice!

[@KingLoopie1]

Nice that it's compatible with 'everything else'!

[@siegfriednoet]

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)

[@captainfruitbatify]

This is about 4000 steps per revolution vs the ZWO at 5760. Larger steps for sure, but not a massive difference.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

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!

[@RaisinEnjoyer]

Good to know. I got mine for 80$ after shipping. I’m content with it

[@rcrawford42]

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.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Good to hear they do put the screws in the bag from time to time :)

[@captainfruitbatify]

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.

[@zborkz]

Who doesn't love cheap but works

[@gloomiehoodie]

Yep, great EAF. I have been using it for the past 3 months and it's super strong, precise works flawlessly.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Good to know!

[@sianikolaou5440]

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!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hahaha the ZWO EAF feels much better than in the past, not sure why! But yeas the Gemini is definitely jank, buy it lol

[@koomber777]

Been waiting for a review of this

[@johnsteidl293]

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. 🙂

[@Orionshield1948]

I received one a couple weeks ago and the tolerances feel pretty close and equal to the ZWO.

[@turbo80lxcoupe]

Perfect timing. I need to more focus motors

[@ssbhide123]

Lol the empty plastic bag is hilarious 😂

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

It was funny for sure 😁

[@-Jeremiah-]

Gemini owner to bagging guy: “That’s not what I meant when I pointed at the bags and said “screw bag””

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

🤣

[@Megavoltamper]

I suspect the "heating" meant to be enabling coil power / holding current.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Aha! Good to know, thank you!!

[@GIOSTEOPAT1]

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.

[@CDigata]

if the astro station works well... zwo need to unlock the air or take the hit on the chin

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

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 :)

[@TevisC]

I sense a new video on the horizon.. A complete, affordable, non zwo, off brand automated rig, (harmonic drive).

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Good idea ;) I'm also testing the 2600MC Air so there's the opposite to that as well :)

[@jparth167]

Very interesting for my nina setup

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yep! Or anything not ASIAir :)

[@WRX2001]

I was actually looking at this in aliexpress.

[@1pacarr]

Ordered one based on this video, let's see how it does. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@JoskoK.]

Thank you Cuiv. The second product I bought bc your testing. First was the CNC spider. Now this cheapo EAF.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Enjoy it! Hopefully it will pass the test of time too!

[@00LAH00]

You should have just asked the seller for the drivers, they sent me the links for download in no time 👍

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

For some reason it didn't occur to me but yeah absolutely lol

[@woody5109]

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, 😂

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hahaha good to know!

[@whatmattersmost6725]

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..

[@ati3x]

Thanks! I already ordered it. Seems it will arrive when start astrodark here...

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Nice! Enjoy!

[@PJeBenn]

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.

[@elythomaslumber]

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" (?)

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

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.

[@guyyanez6949]

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.

[@deeboweb]

my screws were loose too lol

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hahaha good to know I'm not alone!

[@Reverend-JT]

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.

[@andyrawlins]

Sounds good but I wonder what customer support is like?

[@sonacphotos]

Looks similar to my Astro8 focuser which cost $60 from China running onstep. Works flawless, I have razor sharp stars

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Oh wow didn't realize there was another cheap focuser like that out there!

[@sonacphotos]

@@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!!

[@robvandenwijngaart988]

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.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Either should work, of course there is the safety of buying a known brand, so it is always difficult to decide!

[@elbass0]

Just ordered one for my Mak127. Let's see....

[@potrzebiehuck]

You'll have to disassemble it and show us what's inside.

[@whatmattersmost6725]

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!

[@astrofromhome]

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.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

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!!

[@kuendla2453]

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

[@azzaqmb]

you should see if your e-waste will control the zwo eaf as well

[@ciskje71]

* * * 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.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thank you so much for those details, this is great to know!! So less precise than ZWO with fewer steps

[@Antiath]

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.

[@ciskje71]

@@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!

[@JakobSlaick]

Only a minute into the video and he DEFINITELY threw the focuser

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

"Definitely"😁

[@JohnDoe-ol3yz]

"Sorry this item is no longer available!" That's what it says on aliexpress.

[@rizen3467]

Funny, I just ordered this a couple of days ago.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Nice! Hope it works well for you!

[@astro7996]

That looks very promising. Quite unfortunate that the shipping to my location is almost $50. You can never win

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Oooh no, that sucks :-(

[@LordHillAquarium]

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?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Right!

[@mikehardy8247]

I like Aliexpres, other than waiting a month to get stuff in USA, and weird miscommunication. Everything works fine for crazy cheep.

[@MatthewHolevinski]

For the english speakers I think you meant 180 degree offset grubs, not worms :)

[@DoronTshuva770]

What is Nina overshoot backlash? Does it work for the mount too?

[@JohnDoe-ol3yz]

Clicking on your 2nd link takes me to an aliexpress page that show the temperature sensor is a seperate $70 item.

[@dgdave2673]

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.

[@CitizenFortress]

How DARE they not put the screws and washers in the bag! outrageous!!! lol

[@KevinRudd-w8s]

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

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

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!

[@theBaron001]

@@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)

[@KevinRudd-w8s]

@@theBaron001 Thanks for sharing your experience on this. The ZWO hand control is definitely overpriced for what it is.

[@theBaron001]

@@KevinRudd-w8s it's literally a couple of switches 🤣

[@timiusz]

1:05 why did you actually throw the focuser 😅

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hahaha, no! It stayed in my hand + special effects 😂

[@--Adrian--]

For a moment I thought the Optec Gemini was on sale... it's a Chinese Gemini. The could have picked another name.

[@MatthewHolevinski]

purchased, now I just need a telescope to put it on

[@elbass0]

I dig it!

[@artisorak]

Could I use the ZWO mounting bracket to attach it to my EdgeHD 8, or will Gemini sell the necessary parts?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

That is a gamble - I don't know for sure...

[@DoronTshuva770]

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?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

It still works for me at least!

[@DoronTshuva770]

@@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

[@flydesigner6742]

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.

[@djen1231]

Purchased after watching this video but in Nina I forget the option 'overshoot', it's greyed out.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Disconnect it from NINA, set the overshoot option, reconnect it

[@djen1231]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek it worked 😁 Thank you.

[@tsk1979]

Will it fit an edge HD using the ZWO Bracket?

[@fmsilva11]

It is scan . In AliExpress ONLY appear greater than 80 euros plus tax. Some vendors is greater 100€

[@LearningAstrophotography-jj9en]

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.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

It's in the video description!

[@dersupra]

That got boxed on a friday at 230

[@НиколайМ-н3ф]

will it work with ASI Air ?

[@KevinRudd-w8s]

No, the ASIair only works with ZWO focusers, filter wheels, guiders and cameras, though it will work with various non ZWO mounts.

[@PinoAstro]

​@user-lt9py2pu6u this is the reason I won't be getting one. Wish it would work with ASIair!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

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)

[@PinoAstro]

@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!

[@discophil6726]

I literally bought the EAF two days ago 😂 FFS...

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hey, the EAF is still a good focuser :)

[@discophil6726]

​@@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!

[@Charliex8x7]

Is it possible to use it on the Redcat51? (It seem so)

[@michaelnixon6672]

I purchased the Gemini electronic Automatic Focuser without scan codes on box. I guess they aren't accepting new group members.

[@h.n.4060]

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).

[@mcruffian]

would it work with a c8 using the zwo sct bracket?

[@jonmartin2624]

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?

[@deltacx1059]

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.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

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

[@deltacx1059]

@@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.

[@AmatureAstronomer]

Neat!

[@clamdong1974]

W video

[@yobb89]

for $29 usd you can build your own with just a nema17 stepper and BTT EBB36 CAN board and a little 3d printing.some companies make way too much profit given how simple these things really are

[@W_Parker_Astro]

Ooooo like the sound of this, will have to google for instructions for script etc 😀

[@yobb89]

@@W_Parker_Astro Google Realta ASCOM compatible EBBfocuser

[@JohnDoe-ol3yz]

@@W_Parker_Astro I predict that you will spend weeks/months of frustration, and it still won't work as good as a pre-made one.

[@yobb89]

@@W_Parker_Astro search Realta Scope Tech EBBfocuser

[@yobb89]

@@JohnDoe-ol3yz that's not true , alot of these *pre made* ones are the same as the diy ones using opensource .

[@mehedihasan-yc9eb]

Will it support Asiair controller?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

No, the ASIAir controller has been built by ZWO specifically to prevent non-ZWO focusers, cameras, and filter wheels to work with it

[@michaelnixon6672]

Seems you have gone all ZWO ... something different from a previous position 1 year ago or so!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Have I?? I have a second rig with zero ZWO on it

[@AVIDAlimf]

Come mai non è possibile usarlo con asiair? Non è solo un problema di firmware? 🎉

[@astrofromhome]

The AsiAir is limited to ZWO Asi gear except the mount.

[@ciskje71]

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!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

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!

[@elbass0]

I ordered one right after this video came out. They just canceled my shipment and my money seems gone. AVOID! AVOID AVOID!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Which Aliexpress store? Aliexpress has buyer protection, make sure to use that

[@thequiethive]

@@CuivTheLazyGeekok but We lost 15 days or more, and coupons. 😢 And for your information, here it’s a lot more than 69$ ! It’s 85€uros with 7€ of shipping

[@whatmattersmost6725]

NOTE: Cuiv, this has 1 huge feature is this has a Heater and it works!!

[@ottoertl1866]

ZWO must lower the price

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Would be nice! But I don't think it will happen :)

[@theBaron001]

@@ottoertl1866 it's astro. Everything is overpriced 🤣

[@h.n.4060]

I just got one. Something to note, they changed the shaft, now only has one side like the zwo eaf. Not sure if this is an improvement or not, but it's different now. That said, I've been pulling my hair out trying to get it to work. I was able to get it to work with the stand alone software in the one drive link (so I knew it wasn't broken), but not with ascom/NINA. Every time I tried to connect it to NINA, it gave a serial port error. For those with this problem, the trick to getting it to work is finding out which com port the device is connected to, and letting the ascom driver know this. There are the gears next to drop down menu in NINA when you are in the focuser connection tap. That will open the gemini ascom driver interface. At the top you can select the com port (mine was empty initially). Randomly select com ports until you're able to connect to the EAF. Using the software in the official MS One Drive Link (EAF>English Windows Installation Free Software), there is stand alone software that will allow you to control it, and you can also use that to guess and check which com port it's connected to. Maybe this is normal with all EAFs (this is my first time using one), but it's a little frustrating. Especially when considering other things, like my camera, filter wheel, and mount don't need me to do this, or if it does it usually already knows which com port it's connected to (like with the AM5 driver). It's made even more frustrating given that mine literally came with zero instructions, not even a QR code... or it might have, but it was covered by the shipping label... Without your video, I'd have no idea what to or where to go (I greatly appreciate you including links to the various places to get the drivers). I suppose this is the risk you take when buying random things off aliexpress that were probably made by a few guys working out of a garage in China, but it really feels like this shouldn't even be a problem. Edit: Something else to add that I just learned is that these work perfectly with the ASCOM Focuser Pro2 drivers, which are updated constantly. I suspect that originally they were designed to be just that, premade focusers using that diy driver. This is probably why the gemini drivers are impossible to locate, they were never really intended to be public facing. I had a similar problem connecting to it as the gemini driver (because they are basically the same), but I think this should add some comfort to those who are worried that a lack of driver updates will make their focuser unusable in a few years.

[@cesarg8936]

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?

[@nicolasgibert2070]

I wanted to ask the same question, so yes ! I Hope someone will find a solution

[@marcinb493]

70USD - where? :) I see only for 93USD :/

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Huh, I wonder if there is some geographical stuff, the price still looks the same for me!

[@Fue3512]

繁星电调。

[@ColeDedhand]

You can't complain. But you will anyway.

[@shivercanada]

oops doesn't work with the ASIAIR so it's a no. :(

[@davidletz9123]

No surprise there...

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Well that's the ASIAir's fault - the one source software the ASIAir is built upon does support the focuser, but the ASIAir blocks it

[@astrotimber8925]

Idk Cuiv... Sketchy support from an unknown manufacturer has never worked out for me in the long run. I'll pass.

[@AlexN-Astro]

As opposed to zwo who just continuously ignore issues in their products and hope users find work arounds/fix it themselves

[@ciskje71]

this is a copy of the open source project myFP2, so don't worry.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Fair enough!

[@theBaron001]

@@astrotimber8925 clearly you've never dealt with zwo support