From manual Section 1.3: No. The high voltage and current sensitivity are proprietary to MKS inverted magnetron gauges. Using other gauges will yield incorrect readings and may damage the controller.
The Astron 2L comes partially assembled, but the gantry requires attention.
To keep your Astron 2L running like a Swiss watch: mks astron 2l manual
Cold cathode gauges accumulate a conductive coating over time. The manual advises:
Note: Always recalibrate after cleaning (see Section 5.2 of the manual). From manual Section 1
Where to find the official PDF:
Warning: Avoid generic document aggregators that require payment. MKS provides most legacy manuals free of charge via request. The Belt Tension: Ensure the X and Y belts are tight
The manual specifies: Degas only when pressure is below 1 x 10⁻⁵ Torr. Degassing at higher pressures will cause arcing and permanent damage. One 5-minute degas per week is sufficient for clean systems.