Quick Setup: ASIAIR PRO - plus avoid my missteps
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- I have to hand it to ZWO, the Asiair Pro is awesome! I was fed up with trying to get my second laptop working with all of the programs in order to run everything. I was a little sceptical about this, however, that has changed. The Asiair does it all - including autofocus and plate solving which were my biggest concerns. I had this operational the first night I used it!
Links mentioned in the Video:
Peter Zelinka - ASIAIR Pro Overview
• 6. ASIAIR Pro Overview
Entering Into Space - How I Operate The ASI AIR Pro
• How I Operate The ASI ...
AstroBlender - ZWO ASI Air Tutorial: Operating System
• ZWO ASI Air Tutorial: ...
I am now part of the High Point Scientific Affiliate program which means if you purchase anything from High Point Scientific through any of the links listed below, my channel gets a monetary token of appreciation. High Point has price matching and lifetime support on products they sell.
Kurt’s Highpoint Link:
www.highpoints...
Kurt’s links ----
BLOG/WEB : astroquest1.blo...
FACEBOOK : / kurtzepp
TWITTER : / kurtzepp
INSTAGRAM : / astroquest1
Great vid, Kurt. I'm still afraid to take the leap away from SGP.
No need for you Chuck, Everything you have works great. I am leaving my computer in the shed with the permanent mount alone since it works. This only for the second setup. - Cheers
Nice setup!!! May suggest power mount outside of the asiair. My mounts power light blinks when slewing. But it a skywatcher.
Thanks Anthony. I may check into that, your rthe second person to recommend that. It has not been a problem yet though. I do have a cigarette light attachment I used to use. - Cheers Kurt
Kurt, was the power brick needed to power the ASIAIR included or was that a separate item? I have seen conflicting info on that item.
That power brick was purchased separately. I purchased the first one from Pegasus Astro (Pegasus Astro 12V/10A AC/DC Power Supply) to run the Power Box and I purchased a second one from a vendor on Amazon for about half the price. Both of them work well. - Cheers
Been running two AAPs for some time now. It has spoiled me :).
A suggestion regarding the mount (at least it was an issue on my part with a Skywatcher HEQ5) running from a battery, I had to run the mount direct to my power source and not to the AAP. The AAP didn’t like it.
I also bought a ZWO rca to 12v splitter to power both Dew Heaters from one power port.
Thanks for all the videos Kurt! And we are just about neighbors:).
Thanks for the info Joe. That is good info and something to check if I go offsite and need to run off a battery. - Cheers Kurt
This is a list of my hardware: Explore Scientific ED102 Essential Series Air-Spaced Triplet APO Refractor (ES-ED10207-02) , 2" Hotech field flattener, ASIair Pro, EAF, ASI294MC Pro. I have been using this setup for the last month with absolutely no problems. Last night I went out and setup to run but I could not get the Plate Solving to work. Is there some way to find out which update is running? (I don't remember if I ran the lastest update) There has been NO hardware changes, so I figure it's a software. Any ideas or solution?
Hey Patrick, That is an interesting problem. Not sure how to check the updates as it downloads automatically to my tablet and then when I connect it to the ASIAIR it runs the update. Did everything else work i.e. does it slew to the location? I have had issues when the object was near the zenith but it was close enough to image. If everything else does work it could be a software issue and you could reinstall the software as recommended by ZWO. They do have a forum where you can post questions and fill out a help ticket. That is what I did with my latest issue a few months ago. They did get back to me and I ended up sending it and my EAF to their NJ servicing center. They ended up replacing the EAF. Cheers
Hi Kurt, evidently you replaced out the Pegasus Pocket Power Box when you went the ASIAIR route. Would you still consider this to be effective with power management? I personally have the Pegasus Pocket Power Box Advanced. I did buy the ASIAIR but don't know what to do about the PPBA as it not only accommodates the power management (including my dew heaters) but also gives 4 more USB outlets.
I still have it but am not using it currently. However, I might keep for the dew heaters and connect my mount through it so as not to overload the Asiair. Other people were recommending this.
Very nice video. I am going to use the ASIPLUS on my 102 triplet and HEQ5PRO with 120mm guide scope and ZWOASI 183MC cam. Hope I have good luck also.
Thanks Frank. Sounds great! - Good luck.
Very nice job Kurt. I have been using the asiair pro for months now. Like you have said, does an amazing job. PA in a few mins, then on the target. Two problems I'm having is taking the raw data and processing an good picture. Second is. I bought the Vonet. Never could get it to work. There are very few videos about getting your Wi-Fi extender to work for asiair pro. Hope you will do one, when you get your Vonet. thank you
Thanks Robert. Yeah I have the recommended Vonet but I am not convinced it is doing anything but making the lights blink. I covered the unit with black tape except the vent holes. It seems to work sometimes and then other times it does not. They just came out with new Asiair pro that has an antenna - if I only waited. What type of processing issue are you having. - Cheers
I did the same thing my friend. NINA, APT and all the other software for my computer were driving me to drink. So I gave them all up and got 2 ASI AIR Pros. One for my Radian Raptor and one of my C11.
Ha Ha - Yeah it was driving me to drink as well. Cheers
iPad = opportunity for learning. I’m already sold on the ASIAir Pro. Thanks for the real user video. I’m sure there’s many other non-IT folks who’ll benefit for your experiences.
Thanks David. I wish I got it a while ago. - Cheers
@@AstroQuest1 I hear you there Sir! 👍
if you put your home network in the station mode on the ASIair you can use the asiair through your home wifi network so you don't have to keep switching back and forth with your wifi networks on your iPad
it will also let your iPad still to connect to the internet while using the asiair the only time this may not work is if your ASIair pro and home wifi network can't reach each other
the ASIair Pro is notorious for having horrible wifi signal due to the metal case
Thanks. I am not sure how to set it to station mode - never saw that option. I now have the wifi extender connected and my range has increased quite a bit - I no longer have to be next to the Asiasir. - Cheers Kurt
Thanks for great video, no one ever explains everything the way you did. Thanks again 👍
Glad to help Dennis! Cheers!
Hi, Great video, could you add the information of the cable that omits the HC directly to the mount. Thanks
Thanks Hector, I believe your are asking what cable connects to the mount and that is the Pegasus EQMOD Direct Cable (www.highpointscientific.com/pegasus-astro-eqdir-usb-stick-for-eqmod-eqdir-usb-rj?PGA-EQDIR-USB-RJ&gclid=CjwKCAjwhuCKBhADEiwA1HegOZ-WGK_iQh4d4Ag7w3WdlZz0g1M9lqVEv0Kwv8auNG3Q8vPBwAFG1BoCCQQQAvD_BwE). - Cheers
Hello, very helpful videos, i tried several
Times to make a backup of the card for
The pro model, using the win32 program and with 3 new good quality cards but they wont boot up to where
Wifi shows up on Android device
And i even used the online os download and procedure but still
No avail, the green wifi light does come on or even flicker, i go back to o.e card
And it works as usual. But 4 copy attempts from the card itself and online os download wont work. Any ideas
Or suggestions would help? Im tempted
To take it to a local computer repair store and see if they know or figure whats going on. Ive searched online
Forum's but not getting the info i need
Thank you!
Thanks. That is odd why it won't boot up. Unfortunately, I am not a great resource for computer/software problems - if it does not work like it is supposed to I am lost. You local computer store is a good idea and also, you might want to ask Cody from Astroblender as he is an engineeer by trianing. Good luck with this one.
@@AstroQuest1 thank you for your reply!
You were just another source to try
Nicely done Kurt! I'm so excited to see you got an ASIAIR Pro. I've been thinking about getting one for a future portable rig. Quick question, does the ASIAIR support recording a PEC curve? I think I've heard people say it does but haven't been able to get a confirmation.
Thanks Joe. The story of astrophotography - somebody develops a product but does not tell what it can do. I am going to have say I am not sure on that yet. I am still at the beginning level right now. If I stumble upon the answer I'll let you know. - Cheers
@@AstroQuest1 Hi Joe, if you look at the ZWO discussion forum, the community is discussion with ZWO to enable predictive PEC on the ASIAir (bbs.astronomy-imaging-camera.com/d/11427-predictive-pec-guiding). We hope to get this enabled soon. The ASIAir does record the PhD2 so you can have a look at it later
Hey Kurt aren’t you overloading the Air? The mount requires 4 amps if I’m not badly mistaken. How are you powering the mount and all the other devices off the Air? You have no trouble with that?
I get that question a lot and I have had no power issues at all. However, the dew straps are not powered through the ASIAir as they are connected separately using my old DewNot controller. I can also power them using the Pegasus Pocket Power box. - Cheers Kurt
@@AstroQuest1 thank you for the quick reply. I’m looking to power my Orion Atlas II EQ-G the same way. I figured the dew heaters would be overkill. I think I might invest in a power box to run those separately. Multiple people are powering their mounts from the ASI AIR. I really want to do that so as to have the single power supply coming down from the mount head. It’s working for you guys so I’ll try it. I know the mount requirement is 3-5 amps. I think it’s 5. That’s what scares me because best understanding is the ASI is rated for 6 total. I wish I had electrical background. It sounds bad even tho it’s working for you. Again thank you. I will throw caution to the wind.
@@GarnettLeary I think you should be fine. Good Luck with it.
Turn off your home wifi "automatically connect".
Thanks Kyle!
Nice Kurt! Im at about the same stage as you using the app on an android phone. I think its magic. One thing to warn about is that if you connect dew heaters to the ASIair pro outputs WATCH OUT! There is a setting you need to use to turn down the heat (but its not obvious). I burned my dewstrap and stunk the house out, but it could have been much worse!
Thanks for the warning. Actually, I don't use the Asiair for the dew heaters as I have them connected separately.
Nice video, where did you get the little shoe that the Asiair Pro connects to the scope? I have the same scope and at the moment the Asiair isn't attached and I've been searching for something
Hi Jonathan, here is what I used purchased - agenaastro.com/agena-cross-slot-dovetail-mounting-base-finder-xfurb.html. - Good Luck
@@AstroQuest1 Thank you so much
Hello Looking for information to complete my setup and achieve backfocus I found you, thanks for your videos. I have the 8 edge HD, the hyperstar v4, the 0.7 focal reducer, I use the ZWOASI 294 mc pro cooler camera, as the main camera and the ZWOASI 290mm mini as the guide camera. I expect some additions, suggested by you to try this wonderful OTA. On the other hand, could you tell me, please, how I find the guide tube that you show in your equipment, as well as the orange bar that supports it. On the other hand, I was recommended to use the OAG for more precision in guiding with the focal reducer, what do you think of it?
Thanks Esther, The orange mini dovetail on the top was purchased at Agena Astro as was the 50mm Guidescope. The rings to hold everything was purchased directly from ADM. As far as using an OAG, that should give you the best autoguiding but I di not do that bescuase I happened to have most of this already and my guiding turned out pretty well. If it did not then I would have gone to the OAG. I have a video on the two: th-cam.com/video/VMeImiflj3Q/w-d-xo.html. - Good Luck
@@AstroQuest1 Thanks for your answer. Now I have another. I see that the OAG is placed when you use the setup with focal reducer 0.7, what is used when the hyperstar is placed? They tell me that for this OTA it is not convenient to use the ZWOASI mini scope 30mm f:4, which is the one I have to use with a Red Cat. Thank you 😊
@@Jaguaresmtb For the hyperstar I use the 50mm Guidescope (FL 162mm). I know people that have used the ZWO 30mm mini with the hyperstar so if you have it already you might want to give it a shot. If it does not work, go with a bigger scope. - Cheers
Great step by step video. I just put up the $$ down for an ASIAir Pro just this week. Been deciding for a year now. I'm putting aside a PC stick I used with APT and PHD2 but you get PHD2 in there. My PC stick would go black running too many applications. Very frustrating. This looks very organized & clear to use. Thanks again and go more into how you image with this app. Is it better or very comparable to APT? How does it do with planetarium Apps? Have not seen that reviewed as yet. Thanks.
Hey Charles. I am still a newbie with it but I think does very well compared to APT or NINA. It it little hard to do a direct comparison because it is almost like comparing apples to oranges. That said it does everything APT does only more efficiently and quicker. Polar alignment and plate solving is the best I have ever seen from any program I have used so far. It just takes a little while to get used to using a Tablet. I haven't figured out how to use planetary apps with it yet there is a link to it so I believe it is possible. I know you up load targets from Telescopies into it as well. - Cheers Kurt
@@AstroQuest1 , Thanks for the quick reply. I think it uses Skysafari but I would like it to use Luminos which I think is great for a planetarium app. I have trouble with light pollution here so its' hard to focus. I intend to travel with it so small and efficient is a plus for me. Keep up the honest and direct videos. I like the pointcraft feature in APT but looking forward to the plate solving in the ASIAir app. IPads are not computers but can be handy. I'm going from a PC stick I put together that kinda works but is overloaded when I load multiple apps (blacks out). This is why I relish going to an all-in-one app that has polar alignment, PHD2, and imaging in one app. Makes it easier I hope. Thanks again.
@@cevoner - Good Luck Charles
Great video Kurt. Seems like you went through the same learning curve as I did :) one question - how did you connect and control your dew heater straps? I ended up using a separate power source and controller since it appears that you cant use ASIAIR for that function
Thanks Robert, good question. I just used my old dew-not controller from years ago. Works like a charm (The other option was to keep the Pegasus Pocket Power box as you do not need the computer for the dew heater). - Cheers
@@AstroQuest1 zwo sell a y-piece that plugs into 1 of your power outlets and you plug your heaters into it. I had a Kendrick contoller and no longer need it. Its a great investement, as you have less equipment on your setup. I have a very similar setup to you except a refractor... and I need to use a TPLink travel router as ASIair wifi is not powerful. Also... if you change your home wifi to NOT auto join (on your iPad), the ASIAIR will be thr one that hooks to wifi first. Thanks for video.
@@Ortovosh Cool. Thanks for the info Hayden. Cheers Kurt
Great video Kurt. Very helpful as considering going down this route for my portable rig
Thanks, I was thinking about getting one of these for a quite a while and my latest computer problems sealed the deal for me. - Cheers Kurt
Haha I see the rain :) Have you tried the asiair pro 2?
Glad somebody saw the rain! Have not tried the Pro 2, I just got this thing,if I get another one... Cheers
Great video as usual. I didn’t know that you got an 8” Celestron Edge. I’ve been commenting with you on your AstroTech 115. How do you like your Celestron Edge ?
Thanks Mark. I really just started 'playing' with this past week so I have no images yet. I need to do some fine tuning - collimating and back focus but I could not do any of that until I had a stable way to run everything and clear weather of course. - Cheers
Excellent video
I wish I know what ipod is a basic option and I didn't catch if you show duwe shield connection option or what cables you use .
Thanks
Thanks for watching. For the dew shield connection I just use a separete Dew Not heat controller with the standard dew heater straps. Those straps would also connect directly into the ASIAIR Pro as well. Good Luck
@@AstroQuest1
Can please give me information where did you buy those straps that connect directly to asiair so I can buy them too .
And what type of iPad you are using .
Thanks.
@@rockhauling.d.4816 Sorry for the late reply. I miss spoke - you need an adapter to connect them directly tot he ASIAIR; www.firstlightoptics.com/zwo-accessories/zwo-dc-to-rca-y-splitter-cable.html?fbclid=IwAR3S2Szo3spyVw8LAplnTokF9NzFRWim7HXMqVhcQLXxQKxMNhNdQlwTs_I. Not sure what type of IPAD - it's old.
Great video again, Kurt! I already have 2 ASIairs v1, so much I like the ASIair. I bought my first one in 2018. Not having to drag my laptop into my backyard, is so convenient. And I like the simplicity of the ASIair, once you've figured it all out. Now, I can spend more time imaging and enjoying the night sky. Looking forward to more videos of you. Have lots of fun with the ASIair. Clear Skies! Btw, here it's raining a lot too the last 2 weeks.
Thanks Beatrice. I love not having to drag my laptop and table out. That was another benefit with the Asiair. - Cheers Kurt
I’m toying between This or the Pegasus power box, does the asiair control dew straps?
Hey Ian, They do not control dew straps but you can get a splitter and connect them to it. I have a totally separate dew strap controller that I use. - Cheers Kurt
Thanks kurt, I think I’m going to go with asiair as my laptop is getting sketchy! I’m fairly new to your channel just catching up with your videos.
@@ianwatson8599 Good Luck Ian, So far I am really loving this Asiair pro. Cheers Kurt
Good video about the ASI Air Kurt. I've been seeing this product but really didn't know much about it. I do now though, thanks to you. So you're getting as much clouds and rain as I am here to your south in Savannah, GA. And, yes, the lawns here are the greenest they have ever been in July.
Thanks for the Feedback! Yeah, testing is slow going with weather like this. Hope you get some clear skies soon. - Cheers Kurt
H Kurt. Hope you’re enjoying the new gear. I have the Asipro. It’s great. They do recommend you power the mount separately. It works fine from the AAP but I’m following that advice. I run a couple of dew straps fra ‘Y’ splitter cable rom one of the power ports. I still need to use laptop for my QSI660 camera, but love the AAP with my ASI1600 mono cam. The platesolving is great. The guiding is fine. It just works! I’d be interested in how your EAF goes with the Celestron Edge and your guide scope attachment. I have the same Edge and an ST80 but have been using an OAG so far. Was the guidescope easy to mount? Is the EAF giving good results? Thanks for your videos. I always find them interesting and informative. Clear skies.
Hi John, the plan is to do more videos when it gets clear and I get more experience with it. So far the the EAF is working really well with the Edge - I ordered the special bracket and followed the advice from AstroBlender. The ST80 as an autoguider seems to be working really well. It was actually my original autoguider years ago when first started out. I ordered rings and clamps from ADM and it slides on a narrow dovetail on the top of the Edge. Again, I plan to make more vids on this but the weather here in New England has been terrible. Cheers Kurt
Well done Kurt!
Thanks Mike. It's always good to send me out first as I am pretty good at doing things wrong. - Cheers
Great video. You can't go into to much detail for me. Really looking forward to more in this series.
Thanks Marvin! - Cheers
Nice video Kurt. I would like to go down the ASI air route but I believe it only works with ASI cameras, do you know if this is the case? I have a QHY guide camera and an Altair imaging camera.
Hi Clive, The original works only with ZWO stuff but the new one works with a variety of cameras including DSLRs. - Cheers Kurt
Great information Kurt it's nice to see the nuts and bolts of how this works. It's a very cool looking piece of kit.👍
Thanks Ollie!
I connect my EAF and ASImini to the camera direct which works well.
Thanks for the info Nick.
can you do a video on how to use the EAF in Asi Air pro? I have one but it wouldnt work properly. Like i keep getting errors or exposure time not being long enough even though i have it at 10 seconds
You may have tried this but will mention it anyway. The ZWO EAFs are great tools. But they will not lock on to a star unless initial focus is very close. I take a couple previews and click on the focus tool in preview mode and rock the focus until I get the smallest stars to the naked eye. Then I click the Auto Focus (AF) and let it fine adjust it. I use a 3 sec exposure and have never had a problem as long as it is close at the start.
I have it set to refocus at the start of a new object, then every hour or 2 degree temp change. Also after a meridian flip which the AAP does excellently.
Hey Gordon, Astro Uncle Joe said what I was going to say and then some. It is the same with other programs as well that do autofocus (NINA, APT). - Good Luck
@@astrounclejoe2572 Thanks for the response! - Cheers
Hey Uncle Joe. Thanks for the response. I had my star size at around 2.00 and still nothing. Do I have to use the fast / slow focus button in the app to do my focusing or can I use the knobs too?
@@Gordonlanguam you cannot and should not use the knobs with the EAF.
First thing I do is using the up and down arrows (and the fast setting) is bring the focus tube all the way in. I then bring it out using the arrows until in preview mode I have what appears to be a decent focus. Then note the counter. I have “Reverse” turned on.
Then when running the AF routine note the count at the bottom of the graph. Can it find a star to lock on to and does it return a value? If do it should then first create a v-curve which sets the values before and after focus and associated counter values. Once the v-curve completed it will then find the final focus point. If yours does not work like that perhaps you have something else going on.
Check to make sure the focus tube moves along with the EAF. I had an issue one time where the screws were not tight enough. Make sure nothing binds and that both the slow and fast movements result in movement of the focus tube.
If you have done all that and still an issue I would spit out the logs (under feedback) and submit it to ZWO unless someone else has another suggestion.
Outstanding video. I'm just now about to connect everything for the first time. So glad I found your video. This will be a tremendous help. Thanks so much!!!
Glad it was helpful Roger! Good luck with it! Cheers
Nice Kurt, I have used the original ASIAIR on my portable rig for several years and it has worked great, but on my main setup in my Skyshed Pod, I still use a laptop and APT/PHD2. So are you abandoning a laptop in favor of the ASIAIR Pro? I have read that the major issue with the Pro version is WIFI range. The original ASIAIR had a plastic case, but the Pro version is metal which appears to attenuate much of the WIFI signal to the tablet or phone. Have you noticed this? Thanks, John
Thanks John. This is only for my second setup. No reason to not use the laptop and NINA and etc. for my Skyshed - it works great and is very dependable. The Asiair is for my second setup which is more mobile - on a scopebuggy. The Wifi is fine for me at 15 ft. I just set it and walk away. When I want to check it, I just get close to it. Having said that, I did order an Extender recommended by ZWO for the device ($40) - I have not received it yet). - Cheers
@@AstroQuest1 You have piqued my interest in getting the ASI Air Pro but I'm glad you are still using APT on your main rig as your vids are the main reason I use APT [thanks for that]. I too have struggled with drivers, One Drive, updates,, incompatibility issues, etc., ongoing.
I assume you are using Polemaster on your SkyShed rig for polar alignment?..have you done polar alignment with the ASI Air yet, and if so, how is it?
Thanks much as your vlogs have been invaluable.
@@astrodad656 Thanks. I don't have to do Polar Alignment on the SkyShed rig since it is a permanent mount. I check it every so often with SharpCap. I have not had a chance to do it with the Asiair yet but it looks real easy. - Cheers Kurt
That easy. Tempting
For me it was worth it - at least for my mobile setup. Cheers Kurt
@@AstroQuest1 I’m on the same page. Easier and faster means more productivity. I got tired of setting up for solar and bought a Skywatcher Solar Quest. Now I level a tripod, press power, and start imaging. Lost the ability to time lapse but I’ve produced a lot more images as a result. I love your setup. I’ll likely get that scope once I have somewhere to put it lol.
@@GarnettLeary Good Luck
@@GarnettLeary Thanks Garnett! Easier and faster are words to live by. - Cheers
На Русском языке бы
Ha
@@AstroQuest1 смешно
Nice video, Kurt! Thanks a lot for sharing your experiences. I am using an ASIAir as well on my EdgeHD 8" and recently upgraded from the vintage ASIAir to the pro version as the older one did not allow for plate solving on its full focal length. As the new one is built from metal, the wifi range is really bad when compared to the older plastic body. I'm telling you this, as you can connect the ASIAir to your local wifi so you don't have to switch networks any more when working with the ASIAir. Makes it very easy to have a look at your current project right from the couch ;) With the pro-version, you might need to make sure a wifi extender is close enough to your mount so the two can communicate.
Thanks for the info. I actually ordered the wifi-extender. Just need clear weather to practice on. - Cheers
@@AstroQuest1 If you ordered the ZWO recommended Vonets extender be warned as your mount will light up like a Christmas tree. It has super bright LEDs and a semi transparent housing which is annoyingly bright at night. Wrapping the whole thing in tape is not the best option, as the extender has a lot venting wholes to dissipate the heat. Fortunately, the housing is easily opened (if I remember correctly, just by pressing on the connections without tools) where you can put som electrical tape directly on the motherboard to cover the LEDs.
@@rudibarani Thanks for the tip!
@@rudibarani Yeah just connected it up. Maybe I will play some dance music while I image...
Nice one mate
Thanks Ryan!