Hi John,
re. focus : yes, I mostly use a motorised focus with hand controller. Similar to the EAF with hand control. It is sometimes a toss-up to me whether I endure backlash in the motor system, or go hands-on fine focus. Sometimes hands-on can be better as fast focus can find the 'snap' point more convincingly despite hand-induced jiggles. Worth practicing each, in ordinary seeing, which is easier for my system as I undo a belt to quickly change from motor focus to manual : harder to do with a ZWO-type EAF.
Some prefer bahtinov mask focus on a nearby star. Though your mount would need to be very good and backlash free to reliably return to centre the planet within a FOV of a few minutes of arc.
Whatever way, on nights of great seeing, both focus and collimation checking/star tests will be much easier to undertake.
For a great guide to planetary imaging I recommend you take a look at
https://momilika.net/WebPages/AstroIntro.htm
Darryl Pfitzner-Milika has one of the best written processing tutorials out there (scroll down LHS). Also worth checking his home page : a real renaissance man.
Enjoy !
Gerhard