Installing the new Primalucelab Essato 2" LP Focuser to my EdgeHD 8

Hey everyone, I wanted to share a quick how-to on installing the Essato 2 low profile focuser on my EgdeHD 8 SCT. Since I saw the new Essato at NEIAC/NEAF 2023 in April, I knew I had to get this focuser. I purchased it from Astroworld Telescopes soon after it was released and was not paid for any review or comments, they are strictly my own. I'm looking forward to getting to use it soon.
Here is equipment info
Primalucelab: www.primalucelab.us/focusers/...
Astroworld Telescopes: astroworldtelescopes.com/coll...
Celestron EdgeHD 8:
www.celestron.com/products/ed...

[@siegfriednoet]

Very interesting video, thank you. How did it work out for you ? Why haven't you made a follow up video ? And are you using the Celestron OAG ?

[@fotografiabymiguel]

Very interesting. Looking forward to you sharing more videos and use with the device.

[@Mike_Gibbs971]

Thanks Eric! I've been watching as much as I can concerning the Edge HD as I'm thinking of getting one myself. Good info on the focuser, and looking forward to your results.

[@anthonyparrett2779]

Thanks for the video, Eric, this is exactly what I was looking for. Do you know why or how having this focuser beyond the reducer doesn’t harm backfocus distance when it focuses? Or is the idea that it only changes the backfocus an insignificant amount? Normally you would think that moving the sensor farther away from the reducer would impact the necessary backfocus.

[@AstroVagabond]

Eric I'm about to purchase one for my EdgeHD 8. Any additional thoughts, pro or con, now that you've had it in service for a while? ~ Bill

[@jean-philippechaput-dugas6015]

Hi Eric. Would you still be able to achieve focus with a diagonal while conducting visual observations without powering on the Essato, using the mirror stock focuser? Thanks for the review.

[@AstrowithEric]

Hi Jean, yes from what I understand you can still use the manual focus when you want. I personally still have my EAF on the stock focus knob to do manual focus and for imaging I get it back close to focus and then lock the mirrors and let the Essato take over.

[@gregerianne3880]

This looks very nice, Eric. Very anxious to see how it works for you! Have you found problems using the ZWO EAF with your EdgeHD 8? (That's what I have currently, but I haven't used my EdgeHD 8 extensively yet.) Also, I noticed in the video you still have the ZWO EAF attached. Are you going to use that in conjunction with the Essato LP Focuser, or are you planning to remove it entirely? (I'd love to get something like this but, unfortunately, I'm currently entrenched in the ZWO ecosystem, and I'd have to change/buy quite a few things before I was able to use a PC-based focuser.)

[@AstrowithEric]

Thanks for the feedback, I too was locked into the ZWO ecosystem but I was not happy with the mirror flop due to not being able to lock the primary mirror. NINA has been great to use and moving to the Essato was easy as it it so precise and there is ZERO backlash to deal with LOL. I bought a MeLe Quieter 3 mini PC. I already had a Pegasus Astro power pocket box. I’m imaging now with the Edge 8 and been great so far. I may remove the EAF at some point soon but it’s not necessary. Having the mirror locked also helps keep the alignment between primary and secondary mirrors intact so I don’t have to collimate as much as I had to do with using the EAF.

[@gregerianne3880]

@@AstrowithEric Thanks so much, Eric. I'll have to use the Edge 8 for a bit with the ZWO EAF and see what problems I have. I'm glad to see there's an alternative, even if I have to break from the ZWO ecosystem eventually. Not the end of the world, but I just got very comfortable (and lazy?) having everything just work with the ZWO stuff. Thanks for the insight! Good luck with the microfocuser and I'm looking forward to seeing how it works for you.

[@gspinin]

How is this setup going for you? Imaging train, vignetting, etc.

[@AstrowithEric]

I’ll be using it in earnest this spring for galaxy season. I’ll plan to do a follow up video soon and will touch on that. Thanks!

[@gr0uch02a]

Which camera will go behind this?

[@AstrowithEric]

Right now a ZWO ASI533MM Pro, but I will also use a Player One Apollo M Max Pro (IMX432)