After seeing a LinuxCNC video on EtherCAT last year, it intrigued me enough to purchase a set of EtherCAT closed loop steppers, and a couple Beckhoff modules to do some testing, as I like the idea of simpler wiring.

However after going through three different setups (RPi 4, older mini-ITX mobo out my mill, and an Odroid H3+), all it resulted in was realising LinuxCNC has various issues, and a flaw in the EtherCAT stack whereby the first drive wouldn't initialise unless you started the master before plugging in the Cat cable.
The EtherCAT drives have since been sat on my testing bench while I weigh up options.

Now I've seen the This Old Tony vid where he installs the Automation Technology/IntervalZero/Kingstar setup, but they only sell that as a complete turnkey system, so by the time it gets shipped over the pond, it works out quite expensive. I would have been interested if they were to do this as a software only option, but that doesn't appear to be an option.
The other option I'm aware of is the Vital EC01, however I can't seem to find anybody who's actually used that system.

So is there anybody who has an EtherCAT setup running Mach?
If so, what setup are you using, and would you recommend it?

At the moment, I've got a router planned, which I'd be willing to spend the extra on EtherCAT servos for, but I want a reliable test setup before committing to that.

Thanks