BRAND NEW EAF Pro: No Cables, No Hassle - But Does It Work?
ZWO just released two new electric focusers: the EAF-N and the EAF Pro. In this video, I take a close look at the EAF Pro, their first fully wireless focuser with a built-in batter...
The Space Koala Astrophotography by Luca Bartek
A replaceable internal battery for all mounts with power outputs, like the am5n, would be nice!! are a dew heater with a internal battery..
I have been using the Pro model for a couple of months now and I am very happy with it. All the benefits were nicely presented in the video. One downside, however, is that the Pro model seems to be more sensitive to cold than the older (standard) models. At -5°C I get a message saying that the cold is causing a power outage (I can't remember the exact wording now). I have since packed the EAF Pro inside a dew strap, including the free-hanging thermometer sensor, and everything is working fine again. But then there is one more cable to worry about, the extra dew heater.
oh wow that's good to know. As I conducted the tests in the summer I didn't think about that. Do you get that warning even if you connect the focuser via cable?
@t@t@the_space_koalas. That was a suprise. I got the message sitting inside and watching things on Asiair app running on my iPad. Went out, connected the cable to a power outlet and EAF, got still the same message. However, the EAF seemed to work correctly. So I don’t really know what was going on. I’ve since run the Pro model wrapped in this dew heater and having an eye on the EAF temp and possible messages. Maybe I should try to run it without the external temp sensor.
Lovely. 😄 The ZWO environment is not for me though - I use a Raspberry Pi with an astroberry-diy focuser. In USD, my controller and focuser come to $120. Cable management by Svbony SV241, and it's very tidy. It also suits me like this because I run everything at as high a resolution as I want (remotely via VNC over ethernet) so I have some real estate to manage my sequences and review the subs.
Bought it last week. Great deal! :-). Bluetooth did not work on my iPad nor on my MacBook Pro. The EAF Pro did not show up in the list of available device! Even after resetting the bluetooth 😞. Did not show up on the ASIAIR Mini, either. The EAF Pro is only compatible with the latest/new version of the ASIAIR Plus and the ASIAIR cameras! So I received the new ASIAIR Plus this week as well and now everything works great. I love the manual buttons, because I also do a lot of visual observing of the Sun, Moon and planets. I was able to focus on an 80mm refractor with the buttons. A bigger telescope might be tricky to focus with buttons as mentioned in the video. Thank you again for the great and in-depth review! Autofocus with the ASIAIR Plus / EAF Pro on the 80mm refractor worked like a charm with the default settings. Loving it :-)
Can you adjust the speed with the physical button of EAF pro like the fast/slow function in the hand controller?
No you can’t
Excellent video. For me, the biggest issue with the pro version is the sealed battery. That means it can not be replaced in time. That's why I still prefer the EAF N version. For the following things, ZWO should definitely automate the Flat panel; it will be a game-changer addition.
Well if the battery fails you just have an EAF-n on your hands but with buttons 😁 I agree on the flat panel though!
Interesting some focusers come with clutch you can engage or disengage... I hope ZWO would open-source their driver so it can be ported to other platforms like Android
I have a PrimaLuce SestoSenso - it is nice you're able to still focus by hand! It is much pricier than the EAF, though
@the_space_koala yeah. I still use good old Bahtinov - for EAA it is way less critical
Four minutes into the video … and I ordered the pro with bluetooth :-) Thank you! Full trust into your judgement and recommendations… even before the end of the video 😃
Faced cable snags too many times 🤦♂️… anything that removes cables is in my book :-)
Just got one, it rocks! Having buttons to rough focus was the most important reason I got it. Great review as always. Which cable next... There is only one power left. Not likely going to happen. You need too much power to run the camera to use a battery that could fit in the camera, and if you use an external battery, well, you have a cable!
Hi. Another great report. One question; having two devices with Bluetooth connection at the same time (mount and EAF) doesn't cause any connection problems? I apologize if I'm asking a very silly question, but I don't have any mounts with Bluetooth. Thanks
it didn't cause issues on my side. I'm looking forward to seeing other users' results!
Zwo has to come out with a motorized flat panel.
That would be nice!
It's all well and good for the asiair. I want to see you hook up with windows 11 and nina.
it's supposed to work (I haven't tried yet) but if you use a PC you'd really have a lot of cables anyway, not sure if this would have a benefit at all
Yeah, the reliability of wireless still concerns me a little though, maybe I'm old fashion :) But I like that they offer Bluetooth to help avoid the interference of so much Wi-Fi in use.
Yes I’m happy about the Bluetooth thing. Way too many WiFi networks at the average star party 😁
Thanks for sharing, Luca! And thank you for your thoughtful feedback on the EAF and EAF Pro :D
Thank you! It’s always fun to try the new gadgets 😍
Just ordered, but it is actually $299 US.
are you in the USA? I believe they have higher prices there
@the_space_koala Yep and aware that is how it is. :)
Awesome video! Would you reccomend that set up, Askar V with the asi585mc air for someone moving up from a Seastar S50?
It is for sure a very valid option and with the Askar V you have plenty of flexibility due to the modularity of the scope. The Askar V has very good optics.
Thank you
Excellent video Luca! Your production and presentation quality are supreme - clear skies!! :-)
Oh wow, thanks Luke
Do you notice any extra jitter/delay/latency in the guidepulses affecting the performance with the AM3? A video comparing the wired usb-serial vs the "wireless" bluetooth-serial guiding would be awesome.
I noticed no latency. It’s a good idea though not easy to implement because I imagine the delta - if any - would be so little it would be hidden by changes in atmospheric conditions between the 2 tests.
wireless!=more reliable.. Battery won't work well at -5°f cold winters.. may actually damage it.. I'd been more accepting if it was 2x AA nimh, user changeable... It needs a wire to charge.. so what's the point? The mount is ok ... It's independently powered. For visual, this is a good product.. The buttons are a welcome and overdue. Glad there is a choice, this product is not for me.
I see your point. For imaging, just connecting it via cable is easy enough. It’s cool to have the option for when you do visual or forget a cable, though!