Just to clarify, any of the 12v power, or the USB ports can be used for dew straps, and will be auto controlled, you need to pick from the list on the ASCOM driver which ports you want to use.
Looks like a powerful little box and good competition to the Pegasus Power Box. Will be keeping an eye on this device if I decide to get a Mele PC for one of my setups since this provides power to all the devices on the scope. Great rundown on the product Stuart. Clear skies.
That’s really interesting Stuart! It looks exactly the same size as my ASIAIR plus, even the 4 fixing holes on the back look the same! I’ve been having problems recently with my Pegasus power box advance! It keeps disconnecting and the dew ports especially are really loose and wobbly! This could be a very nice smaller and cheaper alternative! Thanks for sharing mate👍 will be interested to see your thoughts when you start using it! Clear skies!
Thanks Simon, I think it is actually pretty much identical size to the ASIair, and seems to work really well, and with the option of choosing any of the USB or power ports to use for auto dew control, by using the sensor and it will adjust the dew straps all automatically as needed..clear skies mate..👍🏻
Great overview of this device! I assume if you want variable dew heater control that you’d use the 3-12V adjustable voltage port? Is there any way in NINA to use the temperature sensor in combination with the voltage output to optimize the dew heater power?
Thanks for the reply. You can choose any of the USB or 12v power ports to use for auto dew strap control, this option is in the driver, after that just forget about them, as they will be auto controlled by the sensor attached to the box, and will work from the dew point. It’s super easy. But if you want manual control of them, then yes you could just use a variable power port. 👍🏻
Thank for the info and video. I am putting together my first astrophoto setup with a small refractor and considering this box since I am not planning to use a ZWO camera or focuser. Would this box in conjunction with a mini PC be sufficient to control a small setup? Would also love to see how you set up your small rig. Cheers!
Thanks for the comment, good question, many dew bands are now USB, also you can use the power ports for dew control too, so there are adapters from RCA to USB and from RCA to 5.5mm power Jack available on EBay and Amazon Clear skies 👍🏻
Thanks for the comment, well I wish I had used it for a month, but the weather has been awful here in the U.K. with just a couple of clear nights, and with Xmas too, but the times I have used it’s been superb..HTH 👍🏻
@@Astro_Shed Thanks for the update! The weather has been very similar here. Wet and overcast the whole month of December. Got in just one night of imaging and need more data...
Nice that they include all the power cables! Looking forward to seeing how you get on with it! Are the 12v ports independent switching or grouped? Cheers! Doug
Thanks Doug, yes a good selection of cables, and all the USB and power ports individually / independently controlled, it’s a very good little device..clear skies mate..👍🏻
@@poruatokin thanks for the comment, 15amp max, hmm with all my kit connected it only hits about 5 Amps max and barely warm to the touch Hope that helps 👍
Thanks for the comment, Good question, as there other model does, but it’s not in English yet, only in Chinese language, it will work with most imaging software that can use the ASCOM driver AFAIK, but will look init this for you..👍🏻
I used to be a big Pegasus Astro supporter but in the last 5 years or so they have just headed off in the wrong direction as far as I'm concerned. They have expanded into too many categories and stretched their resources too thin in my book. They seem to be chasing the same business model that ZWO is headed down. The last straw for me was when they stopped making the UPB V2 and started pushing the crazy expensive V3 monstrosity that is simply overloaded with features that 95% of astro imagers will never need unless they are doing some massive 3 scope rigs. And if the price wasn't already crazy, it doesn't even include a power supply! Not a big deal for field use but if you have a backyard RoR or observatory with mains power, to not come with a power supply is just a slap in the face of their dedicated users. I have three stand-alone rigs and could buy one of these for each setup for the cost of a single UPBv3. The only thing this box seems to be missing is stepper motor control for some focusers. 1 of my 3 rigs requires it. I guess I put my Pegasus UPBv2 on that rig and buy two of these for the other setups. Thanks for the thorough review of this product.
Thanks for the comment, I actually totally agree with everything you have said, and could not have put it better myself, I did not want to say this in the video as it would seem like I was bashing the Pegasus brand, which we don’t want, as I too still use the UPB V2. Thanks again and clear skies…👍🏻
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Just to clarify, any of the 12v power, or the USB ports can be used for dew straps, and will be auto controlled, you need to pick from the list on the ASCOM driver which ports you want to use.
Looks a great bit of kit Stuart if I'm ever in the market for another powerbox I'll probably consider one of these, clear skies!!
Thanks Tich, certainly worth checking out for sure…👍🏻
Looks like a powerful little box and good competition to the Pegasus Power Box. Will be keeping an eye on this device if I decide to get a Mele PC for one of my setups since this provides power to all the devices on the scope. Great rundown on the product Stuart. Clear skies.
Thanks Logan, it is an excellent and cheaper alternative for sure, and well worth a punt if you are in the market..clear skies 👍🏻
A mini pc + this is a pretty great setup, given the price point. Nice to see it comes with the sensor as well. Ticks quite a few boxes I'd say.
Thanks for the comment, yes, a very good alternative to the more expensive options..👍🏻
That’s really interesting Stuart! It looks exactly the same size as my ASIAIR plus, even the 4 fixing holes on the back look the same! I’ve been having problems recently with my Pegasus power box advance! It keeps disconnecting and the dew ports especially are really loose and wobbly! This could be a very nice smaller and cheaper alternative! Thanks for sharing mate👍 will be interested to see your thoughts when you start using it! Clear skies!
Thanks Simon, I think it is actually pretty much identical size to the ASIair, and seems to work really well, and with the option of choosing any of the USB or power ports to use for auto dew control, by using the sensor and it will adjust the dew straps all automatically as needed..clear skies mate..👍🏻
Great overview of this device! I assume if you want variable dew heater control that you’d use the 3-12V adjustable voltage port? Is there any way in NINA to use the temperature sensor in combination with the voltage output to optimize the dew heater power?
Thanks for the reply.
You can choose any of the USB or 12v power ports to use for auto dew strap control, this option is in the driver, after that just forget about them, as they will be auto controlled by the sensor attached to the box, and will work from the dew point.
It’s super easy.
But if you want manual control of them, then yes you could just use a variable power port. 👍🏻
Thank for the info and video. I am putting together my first astrophoto setup with a small refractor and considering this box since I am not planning to use a ZWO camera or focuser. Would this box in conjunction with a mini PC be sufficient to control a small setup? Would also love to see how you set up your small rig. Cheers!
Thanks for the comment, yes this power box and a mini PC would be perfect..
Have a great new year 👍🏻
How do you connect the Dew Heater, if they have an RCA connector?
Thanks for the comment, good question, many dew bands are now USB, also you can use the power ports for dew control too, so there are adapters from RCA to USB and from RCA to 5.5mm power Jack available on EBay and Amazon
Clear skies 👍🏻
Curious if you have any updates after a month of use? Thanks!
Thanks for the comment, well I wish I had used it for a month, but the weather has been awful here in the U.K. with just a couple of clear nights, and with Xmas too, but the times I have used it’s been superb..HTH 👍🏻
@@Astro_Shed Thanks for the update! The weather has been very similar here. Wet and overcast the whole month of December. Got in just one night of imaging and need more data...
Nice that they include all the power cables! Looking forward to seeing how you get on with it! Are the 12v ports independent switching or grouped?
Cheers!
Doug
Thanks Doug, yes a good selection of cables, and all the USB and power ports individually / independently controlled, it’s a very good little device..clear skies mate..👍🏻
Curious to know how hot it runs. The site claims 15A throughput.
@@poruatokin thanks for the comment, 15amp max, hmm with all my kit connected it only hits about 5 Amps max and barely warm to the touch
Hope that helps 👍
Is the only way to access the PowerBox via Nina or does it have a stand-alone interface?
Thanks for the comment, Good question, as there other model does, but it’s not in English yet, only in Chinese language, it will work with most imaging software that can use the ASCOM driver AFAIK, but will look init this for you..👍🏻
Hello again, I have put a link in the description now to all the drivers and the stand alone app for this powerbox, hope that helps.
Small correction on your pronunciation: Raspberry Pi is not related to Magnum P.I., but to Strawberry Pie. 😉
Thanks for the comment…😂😂👍🏻
I used to be a big Pegasus Astro supporter but in the last 5 years or so they have just headed off in the wrong direction as far as I'm concerned. They have expanded into too many categories and stretched their resources too thin in my book. They seem to be chasing the same business model that ZWO is headed down. The last straw for me was when they stopped making the UPB V2 and started pushing the crazy expensive V3 monstrosity that is simply overloaded with features that 95% of astro imagers will never need unless they are doing some massive 3 scope rigs. And if the price wasn't already crazy, it doesn't even include a power supply! Not a big deal for field use but if you have a backyard RoR or observatory with mains power, to not come with a power supply is just a slap in the face of their dedicated users. I have three stand-alone rigs and could buy one of these for each setup for the cost of a single UPBv3.
The only thing this box seems to be missing is stepper motor control for some focusers. 1 of my 3 rigs requires it. I guess I put my Pegasus UPBv2 on that rig and buy two of these for the other setups.
Thanks for the thorough review of this product.
Thanks for the comment, I actually totally agree with everything you have said, and could not have put it better myself, I did not want to say this in the video as it would seem like I was bashing the Pegasus brand, which we don’t want, as I too still use the UPB V2.
Thanks again and clear skies…👍🏻