ASI Air plus brief additional thoughts

[Hemi]

In a quest to get the AA+ to work with the azgti in alt az mode, I’ve been flitting back and forth with stellarmate.

1. Stellermate works with the azgti in AZ mode, without issue.
2. AA+ has a nicer interface, and the new atlas feature is very nice.
3. The SM works with 5v! That means a power bank usb! That’s phenomenal. Enough even to power the ssd that runs the OS.
4. AA+ recognizes all my devices in a snap inc my canon r5. Slightly more fiddly with the SM. But it gets there never the less.
5. One major downside of the AA+ is that native software is mobile device only (IOS/android). It doesn’t run on Mac OS or windows natively. There is no specific software on these platforms. A bit strange that. There are work arounds, but SM has native software for most platforms, or u can just ip into the device from a browser and fully control it. I often prefer sitting at a bigger computer screen when doing EAA.

Enjoying comparing these 2, whilst currently in Covid isolation!

Cheers

[PaulSthcoast (Paul)]

Hi Hemi.

Nice breakdown of pros and cons of both units.

I have Asi air and Stellamate.

Though I still have a learning curve ahead with
the Stellamate, I agree, it can be a little tricky, but
yes, it gets there.

The Asi air...total plug and play, very simple to navigate.

Particularly user friendly for DSLRs.

To add to your comments re operating systems.

I use both my units with native wifi and wifi extenders.

The range can be a little limiting on both units,
especially the asi air.

Doing this also enables me to use a Windows
based computer for both.

Stellamate has its own operating system for
Android and PC software.

Asi air, in my case was only for my Android devices.

An added bonus is that I can at times run three
Android devices at once.

Very handy for Electronic Aided Astronomy, (EEA).

I downloaded Bluestacks 5 on my Windows 11 PC,
and downloaded Asiair Android app via Google Playstore.

Works a treat !

Simply start your PC. Log onto the Asi air wifi,
open Bluestacks, click on the Asiair app and
proceed as usual.

I would recommend either unit, but remembering
Asi air caters ONLY for ZWO cameras and add ons,
except for selected DSLRs.

Stellamate supports many brands including ZWO.

Both are multi mount compatible.

Paul.

[JA]

Originally Posted by Hemi

....
Enjoying comparing these 2, whilst currently in Covid isolation!

Cheers

Get well soon H.

Best
JA

[Hemi]

Thanks JA for the well wishes, was expecting it to be quite mild, but definitely wasn't...I would describe it as a "proper flu". Ive had worse though thats for sure, and am at Day 4 and over the worst I think. I don't normally post as much as I have in the last couple of days.


Paul, how are you mounting your stellarmate?

I have the AA+ and the wifi range with the antenna is not to to shabby.
I don't have any Android devices, but I wonder why Zwo don't integrate desktop control of the AA+ with their ASI Studio software. Would seem very logical to me.

Stellarmate and 3rd party hardware support is definitely a winner. I have a bit of non ZWO stuff.

Another feature that often doesn't get mentioned about the SM, is that you can run it entirely from a fast SSD which makes it quite zippy compared with the microSD card.

But the best feature as I mentioned already is that it runs of 5v! I fly to Gove for work in a small charter plane, not having to take a big power source is great.


I hope SM App gets an atlas soon.

Cheers

[AstroJunk (Jonathan)]

Interesting thread, I hadn't come across the stellarmate before or the INDI protocol which seems to be the ASCOM for linux. Certainly gives some good and interesting opportunities.

I'm currently wedded to the awesome ASIAir Pro with it's 12v power options for camera cooling and dew heaters, but having flexibility beyond the ASI ecosystem is always something worth exploring.

[PaulSthcoast (Paul)]

Hemi,

In reply to your question re how do I mount my Stellarmate ?

I chose a simple enclosure that gives passive cooling.

A very good freind chose a different direction.

There are many options available online.

Personal preferences are based on need,
functionality and budget.

Something to also note.

How and where to mount the units to
the imaging train.

Yep.

Another can of worms......

Weight and cable management.

Paul.

[Hemi]

Thanks Paul,

Yes mounting the Pi Case to the mount/Tripod waa what I was asking/getting at...

I have a FLIRC case that I bought from Amazon for $20.