Help with new to me ASIAIR

[gregbradley]

I got an ASIAir recently and want to start using it.
So first question- does this connect to your laptop or is it only run with a smartphone?

Greg

[rustigsmed]

Hi Greg,


I haven't been able to use mine for a long time but from memory they only run on smart phones / tablets. You could likely get it going on a laptop with a few extra hoops eg https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/3-free-ways-to-run-android-apps-on-your-pc



Hope that helps,


Cheers


Russell

[ChrisD]

In the past I've used Bluestacks on a PC to run the android version of the ASIAIR app. It worked ok.

Chris

[tim.anderson]

Absolutely agree - Bluestacks is a peach. Additionally you can run any other astro support software that is Android-based - like SkySafari, Stellarium et al. It means that if you patch the ASIAIR into your home wifi, you can run the setup from your PC inside on those frosty winter nights.

Tim

[Nikolas]

I run it on blustacks if I am using a windows PC, on a silicon mac it runs natively

[SB]

Hi Greg,
I run mine on my iPad, iPhone (only if I have to), and it runs well on my M1 Mac. Sometimes I airplay to the TV which is impressive for visitors.

Chris

[gregbradley]

Thanks Chris.

Are you able to run it from inside your house? What sort of range does the unit have?*

Greg.

[SB]

Hi Greg,
Depends what model Asiair you have. The Pro has a short range which can be increased with a travel router. The Plus has a good range at 5GHz of Approx 15 to 20 meters depending on structures in the transmission path. I don’t connect it to my home network but that is possible.

Chris

[gregbradley]

Thanks Chris. I have the plus so hopefully I can run it from inside.

Greg.

[neilbarber]

I have the plus and have a job to get 15mtr and no way can i get inside with it (15mtr). I have the scope inside a roll off roof shed and glass sliding doors inline with it. Still no luck. I can sit outside the doors and it will be fine. Like others I use Bluestack and run it through my home wifi, so I can go anywhere in the house and it's fine. Good youtube video on setting up plus and bluestack

[gregbradley]

That’s a great tip, thanks.

Greg

[PeterSEllis]

Hi Greg,
I have been using ASIAir for about 2 Years, intially I ran it on my Laptop using Bluestacks as others have stated, and it worked just fine. Eventally I picked up a Galaxy A7 Android Tablet on GumTree for about $150, and now that's all I use. My Observatory is about 10M from the house and it makes it there, but dowloading pictures was a bit slow as the signal strength starts to fade. What I did was put a WiFi Extender (D-Link 4B70) on the Veranda that extended the ASIAir to any where in the House, and the picture dowload speed is reasonably quick. I will never go back to the old days, the ASIAIR is here to stay. :D

Cheers
Peter

[gregbradley]

Thanks Peter,

Great write up. Yes, the ASIAir seems like a super product and very popular.

Greg.

[Nikolas]

I run an ethernet cable to a mini router in my garage which then transmits to the house via a repeater so I get maximum speeds anywhere in the house. I run it using bluestacks

[gregbradley]

Bluestacks is the pc app that enables you to run mobile games on a pc or Mac?

Greg