Fitting ZWO EAF to the Esprit 120

[@dadwhitsett]

Appreciate the video. Be aware that as of 9/2023 [or maybe earlier] the Takahashi kit does not work as described. First, you have to now assemble the grate [no big deal] but the 35 mm screws are too long now 40 mm so you either have to use a s$itload of washers, cut the screw or buy shorter screws. The install on my Esprit 120 has been pretty tough actually. The spindle holder did not fit well into the focuser so it was tough to get it tightened onto the spindle without it locking up. I know Starizona has a pre-fit holder but it is back-ordered for who knows how long, right? Overall a PIA [and not yet done].

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks for the informative comment, that’s interesting to know! Seems like I got mine done just in time, as it was relatively easy! Hope you get yours sorted ok, thanks for watching and clear skies!👍

[@MexximusUK]

Thanks for this! Ordered 😊​@@SimonsAstro

[@Astrobloke]

Nice installation video Simon. Just a filterwheel and you are all ready for mono

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks Glenn. That’s possibly on the cards for my second rig😀

[@LogansAstro]

Nice instructional video for anyone wanting to fit an electronic focuser onto their scope. Now it's time to sit back and enjoy not having to maually focus on every filter change, significant temp change or after meridian flip.

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks Logan, you’re right about not having to pop outside every hour to refocus! That’s a really useful tool to have on the scope! Trouble is, I’m in the process of setting up a second rig (video coming at some point) and I’ll want one on there too! I’ve really gone down that famous Astro rabbit hole😀

[@lukomatico]

Hey Simon! - Another super vid mate, great pacing and delivery of info once again, top job! 👍👍 I think you're going to love that EAF by the way, they are a lovely bit of kit, good choice! Clear skies!

[@SimonsAstro]

Many thanks Luke! It’s nice to get some feedback 👍 Yes the EAF means no more popping outside on the hour to focus! Came last night, it had done its flip, re-focused

[@SimonsAstro]

and I had nothing else to do! So went in for more coffee☕️

[@lukomatico]

@@SimonsAstro Haha, perfect!! That's what it's all about 👍👍

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Great tutorial Simon! Very informative for just about any refractor as well.

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks Joe👍 Appreciate that, I’m enjoying not having to refocus ever hr now😀

[@NorthernPanorama]

Very good Simon! I would have had this video when I mounted my EAF. It also reminds me that I should order a new plate!

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks David, I hope the video helps someone. I hope you get your new plate soon👍 Clear skies

[@OlliesSpace]

You're certainly gonna enjoy that upgrade Simon! Once you're used to auto focus it's like plate solving.... No going back 👍. Rig is looking very smart.

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks Ollie, it is nice not having to go outside on the hour to manual focus👍

[@doccortex1203]

EAF has saved me so many problems, especially during filter changes

[@RussellsAstrophotography]

Great video Simon, very informative. I’m so jealous of that scope, I added it to my basket the other day, but then thought how much the divorce might cost and took it out again…maybe one day

[@SimonsAstro]

Lol! Thanks Russell Divorce can be expensive! So I’m told, I’ve done the same! I’m looking at going mono now! That means a camera, filter wheel and filters!! In fact a divorce may be cheaper 😀

[@RussellsAstrophotography]

@@SimonsAstro 😂 it’s such an expensive hobby

[@astrodad-simonb277]

Update - fitted and working just need to try it out now - come on clouds go away 🙂

[@SimonsAstro]

Hi Simon, sorry for the late reply, I hope it all went well👍 Clear skies!

[@avt_astro206]

Nice One Simon!! I wanna To Get an Autofocusser Someday. Thanks For This Tutorial, Nicely done :)👍

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks Avanteesh, you won’t regret it. It’s nice not having to go outside every hour just to refocus 😀

[@astrodad-simonb277]

Hello Simon, I have the same set up ED 120 and just received the EAF - a little nervous to be honest but here goes 😀

[@SimonsAstro]

Hey Astro Dad, you’ll be fine! The EAF is a great addition to a great scope! Clear Skies👍

[@ghigomatto]

Hy Simon! Can you explain me how you have the goal of back focus? Hoq many pieces and wich of?

[@KhalifaAlgady]

Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@SimonsAstro]

Thank you👍

[@mikeGLR]

Hi Simon, slightly unrelated but could you tell me how you’re mounting your guide scope please, I have exactly the same set up, but the turn screws on the clamp I was going to use hit the bar, I was planning on spacing it out with washers but it doesn’t look pretty Cheers

[@SimonsAstro]

Hi, thanks for watching Mark! If you have the same guide scope as me, it came with a little dovetail bar, I managed to keep that and bolt it through onto a 13” long losmandy plate below which is attached to the top of the scope, I moved the scope rings apart to fit the losmandy bar! You can see it better on my last video, Switching to Nina! Hope that helps! Clear skies

[@mikeGLR]

@@SimonsAstro thanks Simon, I see now that’s a much better way to attach it 👍

[@timhines4176]

Good video! I was considering buying a esprit 120mm. How you like your s? Have you tried a reducer? OAG guider? That is kinda the route I was thinking of going. Thanks

[@SimonsAstro]

Thanks Tim, I love mine, very good quality optics. I have the skywatcher .77 reducer/flattner. It works well and reduces the focal length down to 648mm at f5.5. I Don’t have the OAG, I use the skywatcher 50ED guide scope, also excellent quality! You won’t regret it if you buy the 120👍

[@PeteCroft1]

Hi Simon, thanks for the video, I’ve pretty much the same setup as you. Got the eaf fitted ok to the esprit 120, just struggling to get focusing working correctly in the Asi air software, would you mind sharing the settings you are using. I’m using my scope natively with the field flattener and focus is at 81 on the Drawtube which is very close to the hard stop 85, is your scope similar?

[@SimonsAstro]

Hi Pete yeah it’s the same! Mine is nearly 80, I’ve set the focus step size to 25, it was 40 but kept hitting the limit and stopping, it’s fine now! My latest Backlash is 90, I changed my focus limit number also, (made it bigger) can’t remember without looking, at work now, but it’s all working fine! Good luck with yours, anymore questions, just ask👍 Clear skies!

[@geoffgill9133]

Hi, do you leave the ‘focus tighten lock’ on or off once this is installed?

[@SimonsAstro]

Hi, I’ve left mine off, if it was left on, I doubt it would work! Hope that helps

[@wildweedle6012]

Did you have to buy the 35mm m4 screws separately?

[@SimonsAstro]

Hi, thanks for watching! Yes they came from Amazon There is a link in the description below to those screws if you want to use that link👍 Thanks and Clear skies!

[@doccortex1203]

You havn't explained how to remove the focuser knob ?

[@SimonsAstro]

Sorry about that, there is a grub screw that you undo with a small allen key!

[@doccortex1203]

@@SimonsAstro Found it in another video - cheers

[@astrojourneyuk]

Can’t beat the EAF!

[@SimonsAstro]

You are so right Marc👍