ESATTO 4 STEP COUNTS ISSUE

7 replies340 views
Riccardo Civati avatar
Hi all

I am writing here because I think I may find the answer.

I own 2 ESATTO 4 inch primaluceLab and both do not convince me about the reliability of the backlash.

In a few words: I start with having the focus precise at 500000 counts, as time passes (1 month), the focus precise  reaches 270000 counts and I am sure that next month I will have the focus at almost 0 counts.

The focus curve is good, but I think that with each focus curve there is a variable micro slippage that reduces the counts read more and more.

I tried to use them without having set backlash values ​​and also setting a backlash of 10000 counts but I still always have this reduction.

I tried to tell primaluceLab several times but they say that it is a "normal" thing, to me it does not seem normal at all.

so, any ideas? anyone else having the same problem? should i set an even higher backlash?

anyway for info the load on my ESATTO is light compared to its capacity

RIccardo
Helpful Engaging
DocRx avatar
Ciao.

Non capisco il problema che stai descrivendo, comunque io ho un Esatto 4 su Takahashi FSQ 106ED e uso SGP per le riprese. Non ho nessun problema. Ogni tanto (4-6 mesi) faccio la calibrazione del fok e rifaccio le curve. Lo step size per una V curve a 7 punti con il mio setup è di 5447 micropassi. Lo calcoli facilmente, ed eventualmente ci sono un sacco di video su YT che ti aiutano a capire come fare. 
Un saluto
F.
Riccardo Civati avatar
il problema principale è questo:

prima cosa faccio la mia calibrazione del focuser.

seconda cosa metto a fuoco sulle stelle e mi trova un punto di fuoco diciamo a 550000 counts.

COME è possibile che dopo 2 mesi il punto di fuoco è a 200000 counts? non ha senso!
io mi aspetto che il punto di fuoco vari di +-  x counts dal valore medio, ma se il punto di fuoco continua ad abbassarsi c'è qualcosa che non va


quando avevo il pegasus esterno su focheggiatore, il punto di fuoco era sempre lo stesso e variava di +- x come giusto che sia
Huan Marries avatar
Malheureusement, le problème est en cours de détail ; le produit en question est un Esatto 4 sur un Takahashi FSQ 106ED, et la réprese se fait en utilisant SGP. Je n'ai aucun problème. Il faut beaucoup de temps (quatre à six mois) pour calibrer le fok et changer la courbe. En utilisant 5447 micropassi, ma configuration donne un pas pour une courbe en V à sept points. Vous pouvez trouver un sac de vidéos sur YouTube qui vous permettra éventuellement de simplifier le calcul. io games
Mes sincères salutations
Riccardo Civati avatar
@John Dziuba , i saw that also you have esatto 4 inch with SGP.
So do you have a problem like mine?

can i see your configuration on focuser in SGP? is there a backlash compensation?

Riccardo
Francesco Cuccio avatar
Riccardo Civati:
Hi all

I am writing here because I think I may find the answer.

I own 2 ESATTO 4 inch primaluceLab and both do not convince me about the reliability of the backlash.

In a few words: I start with having the focus precise at 500000 counts, as time passes (1 month), the focus precise  reaches 270000 counts and I am sure that next month I will have the focus at almost 0 counts.

The focus curve is good, but I think that with each focus curve there is a variable micro slippage that reduces the counts read more and more.

I tried to use them without having set backlash values ​​and also setting a backlash of 10000 counts but I still always have this reduction.

I tried to tell primaluceLab several times but they say that it is a "normal" thing, to me it does not seem normal at all.

so, any ideas? anyone else having the same problem? should i set an even higher backlash?

anyway for info the load on my ESATTO is light compared to its capacity

RIccardo

Hi Riccardo, I have an Esatto 2" AND an Esatto 2" LP and never experienced anything such as you describe. Mine are set to 0 backlash. No issues. BTW, I don't see how backlash would have anything to do with your issue.
Riccardo Civati avatar
ciao Francesco

la mia curva di fuoco però mostra un andamento come se ci fosse backlash.

una cosa come questa
Icarulus avatar

Hi Riccardo,

Did you ever manage to resolve the problem you had with your Esatto 4? I’m facing exactly the same issue with a brand-new Esatto 4 on a Takahashi FSQ106. The focus point shifts by about 10,000 steps between successive autofocus runs, even though the temperature remains constant. This makes long imaging sessions almost impossible.

I contacted PLL and they told me that a small drift is normal and that recalibration is needed from time to time, but the drift I’m seeing is huge. Did you find any solution?

Best regards,
Jean-Jacques

Well written Respectful
Related discussions
Setting Up ZWO EAF with the Edge 8" for the First Time
I have some questions: 1. What constitutes 0 position? Does this mean when the scope is in focus? 2. The AF exposure time defaults to 2". Is there any situation in which this should be changed? 3. What does "Reverse" do? 4. I don't...
EAF settings discussion for EdgeHD telescope with ASI Air setup
Aug 11, 2023
Esprit 120 Slippage / Sesto Senso 2
Hey Guys, some time ago I was quite astonished to hear that there are tak toa users that support their focusers with rubber bands to get rid of slippage. First time hearing that people support their premium scopes with rubber bands I thought, that ca...
Discusses focuser slippage issues similar to author's backlash reliability concerns.
Jan 19, 2026
EdgeHD 8 Focus Point Moving
Hello! Curious if anyone can assist here. I have an EdgeHD 8 using a ZWO EAF. Been using it fine for well over 2 years now and everything has been fine until recently. It can’t seem to find focus anymore using Nina/Hocus Focus. What happens is the fo...
Addresses focus point drift problem comparable to author's count degradation issue.
Mar 15, 2026