Motorfocus - ZWO EAF or Pegasus Astro Motor Focus - Forums

Hello to everyone,

I'm currently debating myself in order to choose a motor focus system for two setups that I own, in order to start automating things for my future Observatory.
I'm narrowing down for two motor focus and I would like to ask you help, opinion and experience to do it.
I'm between the ZWO EAF (the new ones) and the Pegasus Astro Focus Motor V2 (the one who only have a enthernet port available). I'm planning to acquire two of them, to work with a Celestron C8 and a Vixen refractor FL55ss, but I have some questions in the case of the Pegasus Astro V2.

Does the Pegasus Astro Focus Motor V2 will work with only, or need a Pegasus PowerBox too?

The ambient temperature reader in the V2, where is plugged? I dont see any plug beside the ethernet one, the same one that I think it connects to the PC.

On final notes of my research, I prefer the model with the ethernet plug only, because it' less cable management that I have to deal with. Another factor of choosing those two brands, is the drivers available for INDI and ASCOM.

If you had to choose knowing that a 2 ZWO EAF sets will cost 630€ and the Pegasus V2 will cost arounf 320€, beside the pros and cons of each brand, what you would do? ZWO or Pegasus?

Clear skies to all, since here in the Azores we are plagued by a stormy wheater since october..

Regards,

Cesar

I went with ZWO for my EdgeHD 8" but i did have an issue with getting the Pegasus rotator to fit with the zwo it was just 5mm too close to the focuser and was tough to get it the right distance and correct backfocus if you plan to get a rotator then i would go with the Pegasus.

The Pegasus Astro alternative to the ZWO EAF is really their FocusCubeV2. You can buy their Focus Motor but you also need a motor controller to go along with it. Pegasus sell a separate Motor Controller for it, and their Ultimate Power Box includes a motor controller. I think there may be other branded kit which can control the Focus Motor, not just PA kit. I have two of the FocusCubes (not the V2) and they are very good. I've no experience of the ZWO EAF. The FocusCube needs a USB cable to the computer and a separate 12V DC power cable whereas the ZWO EAF needs (I think) just a USB cable.

I’m not familiar with the Pegasus focuser but I have 2 ZWO EAF’s that have performed exceptionally well for me. I am heavily invested in the ZWO ecosystem running the EAF, EFW and ASI294MM Pro through my ASIAIR Pro. The ZWO EAF has really contributed to improving my images and I have no reservations recommending it.

Have you considered a Deepskydad AF3 autofocuser , works on indi and ascom .

The Pegasus focus cube v2 has a USB to connect to the computer, 12v DC input and the Ethernet port which the temp sensor plugs into.

Currently have both Pegasus and ZWO and there's not much between them, both work really well for me.

Not 100% sure, as I'm not familiar with the Pegasus brand.
But, it would appear that the V2 motor (With only the ethernet) will require some sort of motor controller.
(image included)

Meaning, you're already having to spend more on that, as it would not appear you can use the ethernet focus motor on its own without more pegasus parts and add-ons. There does appear to be to option for you to go for the "focus cube", which is a stand-alone unit. But, requires more cables. USB, power, ethernet.
+ 289 euro each, pretty much the same as ZWO, But ZWO can do it with 1 cable.

The new ZWO EAF removes the need for the 12v cable to the EAF, and only uses the USB cable.
So that would already fit your criteria of cable management.

I have the ZWO EAF on my rigs. Pretty happy with them. Both the "old" and "new" version.
I don't have the temperature sensor add-ons for them, as they already have temperature sensors in them (Slightly less accurate then a probe, but good enough)

well… what a coincidence! I am in almost the same position as you right now.

I decided last week that I can no longer be managing with manual focus for my astrophotography, so I need motorfocus for my 20cm Meade SCT and for my 150 ED APO.

The frac is easier as I am going to get the Pegasus FocusCube for that (I understand it attaches quite easily to the SkyWatcher focuser)

For the SCT, I've ordered a Baader crayford focuser (as the mirror focuser it comes with is too annoying). Then I'll buy a FocusCube for that too.

I've been communicating with Angelos at Pegasus and he's really helpful.

I have no experience with the Pegasus products, but I have 3 of the EAF’s and am looking at 4th unit for building a travel setup. Like @Bob Rucker I’m pretty heavy with ZWO equipment, however I don’t use a filter wheel.

Good Luck!

Dale

I use the Pegasus focus cube. It has a USB cable for data transfer and a 12v to power. You can control it via Ascom drivers or you can download the Pegasus driver to control it from your PC.

Personally I have the Pegasus focus cube v2.

Here's a link to unboxing / fitting it to a skywatcher 80ED.

Unboxing Pegasus Focuser v2

Thank you all. Your help was extremly importante in order so I can make a decision. Thank you very much

Clear Skies

Hi Cesar,

I've just fitted an EAF to my Tak FSQ-85EDX with the dedicated bracket and I couldn't be happier with it. I have the new 5V version that powers through a USB cable connected to my imaging camera (ASI533MC-Pro). I'm running it with APT and the autofocus runs smoothly and according to the Backlash calculation it has no backlash at all.

Clear skies,

Andy

I'm using EAF on my Newt (150pds) and I works well with both PC software and (o fcourse) my ASIAIR pro.
I do not own a Pegasus both have used it and I think both focus motors does the job.
If you are planning on using ASIAIR I should pick the EAF.

Bob Rucker:
I’m not familiar with the Pegasus focuser but I have 2 ZWO EAF’s that have performed exceptionally well for me. I am heavily invested in the ZWO ecosystem running the EAF, EFW and ASI294MM Pro through my ASIAIR Pro. The ZWO EAF has really contributed to improving my images and I have no reservations recommending it.

Same! The EAF was a revelation.

Hi

Another vote for the EAF here (based only on a positive experience with them, rather than a negative experience with Pegasus, which I have never owned or used). I use them on a RedCat 51 (with the DeepSkyDad mod) and on an Esprit 120 and they've performed very well. The swinger for me at the time was the integration with the ASIair Pro, which just made the whole hobby easier for me. I've since moved to NINA as my main acquisition software and the EAF works perfectly with that, too.

Cheers.
Nick

Hi

Another vote for the EAF here (based only on a positive experience with them, rather than a negative experience with Pegasus, which I have never owned or used). I use them on a RedCat 51 (with the DeepSkyDad mod) and on an Esprit 120 and they've performed very well. The swinger for me at the time was the integration with the ASIair Pro, which just made the whole hobby easier for me. I've since moved to NINA as my main acquisition software and the EAF works perfectly with that, too.

Cheers.
Nick

I’ve got the ASIAIR pro too - have an Apm lzos 130/780 refractor with a 3.7” focuser. Would the EAF do the job.? Also wondering how you like Nina v ASIAIR pro - and what made you switch.

I eventually went for the Pegasus motor focuser for my Esprit 150 and I love it. I control it from the Ultimate Powerbox (which is also a great piece of kit)

I have seen a lot of comments on the powering, however there is quite a difference in the backslash, ¿isn't?, Pegasus has a lot less backslash, however I have seen people using both, depending on something that was already mention, difficult in fitting it, particularly on some Newtonian focusers too close to the tube.

I’ve got the ASIAIR pro too - have an Apm lzos 130/780 refractor with a 3.7” focuser. Would the EAF do the job.? Also wondering how you like Nina v ASIAIR pro - and what made you switch.

Hi,

I’ve no direct experience of your telescope, but the EAF comes with an array of mounting brackets, so I’d be optimistic.

I still use an ASI Air Pro on my RedCat and I still love it. I moved to NINA because I didn’t want to be limited to just ZWO kit and there are features within it that ZWO haven’t yet implemented. Also, who doesn’t like to setup new stuff? 😃

I would also look at the Sesto Senso 2 focuser, which I also like very much. On the plus side it is a dream to fit (no brackets) but on the down side it does need a dedicated power cable. I found it to be a step up in quality from the EAF and mine has negligible backlash, which really helped the autofocus process in NINA.

Good luck!

Hi,

I also own 3 EAFs, while the last one I bought only needs a USB cable that will power the unit. I bought a cheap PT100 resistor and a 3,5mm TRS plug and build my own temperature sensor for it. I bought two of the original ones from ZWO and the third one I build myself for 1/10th of the price. But thats just a side note.

The USB-powered unit is really great. They all have a bit of backlash, which in my case comes from the spring-like connectors that connects the motor to the focuser. But I use Nina and I am able to set the direction from which the focusor moves to the focus point. Using this feature, the motor is always rotating in the same direction to set the new focus point. So I don't really care about backlash. This is a great software feature.

The ZWOs all are able to move my camera with a heavy ZWO 7x2" filter wheel and my ES HR come corrector, which is heavy as well. I had no problems with all of the focusers so far.

I can't speak for the Pegasus ones. They might be great as well.

Clear Skies

Christian

I just would like to add in SharpCap there is a function to compensate for the little backlash there is in the EAF’s. I use this feature in all 3 units that I have on my scopes.

Hope this helps others that may use SharpCap.

Dale

I had 3 Focuscube 2, 2 universal and 1 SCT. All 3 are solid focusers. All have sizeable amount of backlash but nothing that backlash compensation cant handle. I never had an issue with getting good focus consistently. The only issue I ever had was with the Universal focusers. The grub screws that locked the motor shaft to the focuser would come loose every so often. It is because of that I ended up switching them out for Sestso Senso 2 focusers and couldnt be happier with them. The SCT cube didn't have this issue.

Motorfocus - ZWO EAF or Pegasus Astro Motor Focus

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