19 replies to this topic

[Jeff_Richards]

So I've had some time with my Baby Q and have come to the conclusion that I want to replace the focuser. The stock focuser has some very slight variable sag with my imaging setup so I  want something more solid before I move my setup remote. The obvious choices are the Feathertouch and the Nitecrawler. Big advantage for the Nitecrawler is the built in rotator and the near double load capacity. The other one I have considered is the PrimaluceLab Esatto 3 but I haven't seen any reports on the Esatto. The nice thing about the Esatto is the ability to add the Arco rotator at a later date and the load capacity falls between the Nitecrawler and the Feathertouch. 

 

Thoughts? Any first hand knowledge of the Esatto?

 

Thanks!

Edited by Jeff_Richards, 05 September 2024 - 07:20 PM.

[wheels2040]

I can't pass on any first-hand experience, but I was looking at the same options for my FSQ-106 and eventually went with the Nitecrawler. I have one on another scope and it is just rock solid. Not that the Esatto might not be, but the Nitecrawler was a known commodity. 

[Jeff_Richards]

I can't pass on any first-hand experience, but I was looking at the same options for my FSQ-106 and eventually went with the Nitecrawler. I have one on another scope and it is just rock solid. Not that the Esatto might not be, but the Nitecrawler was a known commodity. 

The Nitecrawler does have a substantial advantage in load capacity and it's made in the USA. I do like the ability to take steps with the Esatto/Arco. I can save money now and just get the Esatto and add the Arco later if I think I want it (likely).

[Mbenj2405]

The Nightcrawler has an abundance of adapters available which is very nice.

[Rasfahan]

The Esatto is nicely machined, lightweight, very accurate and has been reliable for me.

[Jeff_Richards]

I think I'm going to go with the Esatto and will add the Arco later.

[lumos]

I really like my Esatto 3" on the FSQ85. To get you going try a step size of 5000. I use mine with the new Q 0.7 reducer and needed the extension to reach focus.

[Jeff_Richards]

Thanks for the tip Lumos! I will also be using the new .73x reducer and I ordered the 25mm extension based on my current focus position. I will eventually add the Arco but just wanted the Esatto for now to make sure I'm happy with it before dropping the much higher price for the rotator.

[wheels2040]

If you haven't seen it yet, PrimaLuceLab posted a YouTube video on outfitting the BabyQ with all of their components 

 

https://www.youtube....AQ4xn4ljP8&t=2s

[lumos]

Thanks for the tip Lumos! I will also be using the new .73x reducer and I ordered the 25mm extension based on my current focus position. I will eventually add the Arco but just wanted the Esatto for now to make sure I'm happy with it before dropping the much higher price for the rotator.

Sadly I do not have the back focus for the Arco as I use an OAG and a filter wheel. At 330mm focal length I do not really need an off axis guider.  Before I put this wide field scope together I assumed that I would not need a rotator as the whole universe would fit in the field of view. How wrong I was.

[lumos]

Just a note of caution, when I first ordered all the parts I ordered the PL3600272 Adapter from M81 to M72 with stop ring for ESATTO 3" and ARCO 3". This would not work (I assume you will need this when you get the ARCO) and what I needed was the different gender from the PrimeLuce PL3600272 (M81 female to M72 female). I seem to have the same part numbers for both, perhaps that I why I ended up with the wrong part. This is a €90 adapter so it is certainly lower cost to go straight for the ARCO. 

 

The other parts are

 

PLLEST3-B ESATTO 3" robotic focuser

PL3600271 Adapter ESATTO 3" for Takahashi FSQ85

 

Please excuse my outrageous cabling in the picture. 

 

Attached Thumbnails

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[Jeff_Richards]

Sadly I do not have the back focus for the Arco as I use an OAG and a filter wheel. At 330mm focal length I do not really need an off axis guider.  Before I put this wide field scope together I assumed that I would not need a rotator as the whole universe would fit in the field of view. How wrong I was.

No reason why this shouldn't work. I'm running my Baby Q at 330mm with a camera, filter wheel and OAG. The camera set up puts me at approx 55mm which is correct for the Sky 90 adapter for the .73x reducer. My stock focuser is at approx 135mm (obviously with room either way for focusing) where the reducer screws in and that is about where the Esatto will sit if it is about half way out with the 25mm extension tube. The Arco is just about the same 25mm as the extension tube so I would just pull the tube and replace it with the Arco and connector ring.

[Jeff_Richards]

If you haven't seen it yet, PrimaLuceLab posted a YouTube video on outfitting the BabyQ with all of their components 

 

https://www.youtube....AQ4xn4ljP8&t=2s

Yeah, I saw that and it is what pushed me over the edge. I already have the PrimaluceLab rings and Losmandy dovetail plate so the Esatto (and eventually Arco) should look good. Plan on adding the Giotto/Alto as well.

[lumos]

No reason why this shouldn't work. I'm running my Baby Q at 330mm with a camera, filter wheel and OAG. The camera set up puts me at approx 55mm which is correct for the Sky 90 adapter for the .73x reducer. My stock focuser is at approx 135mm (obviously with room either way for focusing) where the reducer screws in and that is about where the Esatto will sit if it is about half way out with the 25mm extension tube. The Arco is just about the same 25mm as the extension tube so I would just pull the tube and replace it with the Arco and connector ring.

That is really interesting if it adds up. My calculation was

Mechanical back focus from QB 0.73 is 72.2mm plus .67mm of ray Antlia filters so 72.87. Sky 90 is 16mm, M54M to M48M 2mm, M54 sensor tilt adapter 5mm, OAG-L 17.5mm, EFW 20mm ASI2600MM 12.5mm. That leaves me with with 73mm out of 72.87mmmm and I need 20mm for the ARCO. Of course I could get a custom part to replace the SKY90 that takes me from M56F to M54F.

 

I would be delighted to be proved wrong.

Edited by lumos, Yesterday, 02:28 PM.

[Jeff_Richards]

That is really interesting if it adds up. My calculation was

Mechanical back focus from QB 0.73 is 72.2mm plus .67mm of ray Antlia filters so 72.87. Sky 90 is 16mm, M54M to M48M 2mm, M54 sensor tilt adapter 5mm, OAG-L 17.5mm, EFW 20mm ASI2600MM 12.5mm. That leaves me with 15.87mm and I need 20mm for the ARCO. Of course I could get a custom part to replace the SKY90 that takes me from M56F to M54F.

 

I would be delighted to be proved wrong.

Well a "standard" camera/fw/oag should be close to 55mm (I use QHY components) which is what the Sky90 adapter is looking for. I don't have a tilt adapter in my set up and if I so I don't have that 5mm in the train.

[lumos]

Sorry for being dense, mine is 55mm as I removed the 5mm tilt adapter to allow the 5mm tilt adapter that bolts on to the ZWO filter wheel. How can you get the additional 20mm for the ARCO?

[Jeff_Richards]

The Arco is just about 25mm thick with the Esatto adapter ring...you take out the 25mm extension tube and connect the Arco directly to the Esatto (how the video shows).

[lumos]

Please excuse my muppetry. Of course, the ARCO goes before the QB .73 so does not come out of the back focus.

[Jeff_Richards]

And it looks like you want the 40mm front extension if you want to use the 1.01x corrector for native 450mm fl.

[lumos]

Thank you so much for your help. Also the video was useful. I need another adapter, the PL3600458 to connect to the ARCO and as you say I will remove the 25mm spacer.