New EAF

w7ay

CloudBreak posted pictures of the new ZWO USB bus-powered EAF:

https://cloudbreakoptics.com/products/new-eaf

Looks like nothing else changed; the EAF still sticks below the plane of the dovetail plate, and the connectors still stick far out (remember to add 3rd axis counterweight).

Chen

Tech@ZWO

w7ay
Hello chen
did you have some good idea of the “connector stick far out”？

AstroDude42

I like that ZWO changed from 12 V to 5 V and got rid of the extra cable. Would be interesting to know if the „old“ temperature sensor and hand controller are still compatible with the new EAF.

Tech@ZWO

AstroDude42
Yes, of course.

w7ay

@tech@zwo#44830 did you have some good idea of the “connector stick far out”？

Yes, for the same form factor as the ZWO EAF, take a look at the PrimaLuce SENSO electronic focusers, whose connectors come out the side instead of from the end. That reduces the third axis balance problem, and also the problem with using the ZWO EAF when there is a guide scope mounted on a side-by-side saddle plate.

In terms of industrial design, the PrimaLuce ESATTO are IMHO one of the best electronic focuser there is.

The other thing that could be done is to use the much lighter weight USB-C connector (that can also carry more power) than the USB Type B connectors. The USB Type B are both longer and also heavier, thus contributing to 3rd axis imbalance which plagues most people having balancing problem when their mounts don't have enough torque. See

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmla32ksH_I

Chen