Mini PC for imaging

[Wilsil (Wilco)]

Originally Posted by AdamJL

The Eagle is nice but you're paying 2/3 of that total cost for the formfactor.

True, but they look very professional.
I am looking at the MeLe as well as I want to get rid of my laptop.

[Saturn488]

The MeLe looks really good but is it powerful enough?

[AnakChan (Sean)]

Originally Posted by Saturn488

The MeLe looks really good but is it powerful enough?

Depends on what you're going to do with it. The J4125 processor (and with sufficient ram) is enough for image acquisition/scheduling with N.I.N.A. etc. But if you're going to also do PixInsight processing with it then maybe not.

IMO, with these small mini/micro PCs (I use the GMK NUCBox), there's little need to use the Intel NUC boxes anymore, unless one's going to do more than just image acquisition with it.

[AdamJL]

Originally Posted by Todo43

Thanks Adam,

I got the Pro. Can't afford the Plus. I even got the Pro second-hand so it was once again cheaper. Now looking for a battery that I can use to power the mount and ASI air. I think I'm going to need about 7A/hour?

This might help you with batteries.
https://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/...73&postcount=2

There are other options out there now as well, depending on budget. Lithium battery packs are really starting to come out in full.

Originally Posted by Wilsil

True, but they look very professional.
I am looking at the MeLe as well as I want to get rid of my laptop.

That they do! If PLL ever release an upgraded unit that's cheaper, well I'll be very interested.

Originally Posted by Saturn488

The MeLe looks really good but is it powerful enough?

Possibly. The CPUs are fairly similar to the Beelink U59. Note I'm not comparing traditional NUCs here as they're generally faster (generally!)

Beelink uses the N5095 and the MeLe uses the J4125

https://www.cpubenchmark.net/compare...125/4472vs3667
https://cpu-benchmark.org/compare/in...celeron-j4125/

My biggest concern though, is eMMC storage... that's a big no-no from me. Yes I know it can be upgraded but then that increases the cost.

[Saturn488]

With the MeLe you can add a m.2. I wonder if you can install Windows directly on that and just not use the eMMC then the speed would be much faster!

[Drac0 (Mark)]

Originally Posted by Saturn488

With the MeLe you can add a m.2. I wonder if you can install Windows directly on that and just not use the eMMC then the speed would be much faster!

Apparently you can & use the eMMC purely as storage/backup.The 256GB version seems to be the 128GB eMMC + 128GB M.2 (this is confusing as the written description says 256gb eMMC and the images show mixed) while the 512GB version they are both 256GB. Then there is the SD card support as well. I really do like the look of these for imaging to replace my laptop and USB3 hub. Probably buy the 8GB/128GB & add a 256GB M.2.

While I do like like the ASIAir for what they can do, I think they are a little restricting - only supports ZWO gear & DSLR, so no good with my other brand gear, no support for multiple imaging cameras & synced dithering, etc. And, of course, I have everything set up & working with my current gear & software which can do everything the ASIAir can do. I just like the versatility of the new mini pc's like the MeLE over the ASIAir.

[MrB (Simon)]

Originally Posted by Saturn488

With the MeLe you can add a m.2. I wonder if you can install Windows directly on that and just not use the eMMC then the speed would be much faster!

Yes. That's exactly what I have done with a 512 Samsung.

[Drac0 (Mark)]

Originally Posted by MrB

Yes. That's exactly what I have done with a 512 Samsung.

Great to have it confirmed!

[Saturn488]

Originally Posted by Drac0

Great to have it confirmed!

Perfect!

[NSpillars]

Most NUCs would work


I have used variety of 10/11 generations intel NUC and more recently a ryzen based system with core i5 equivalent.


Contrary to some opinions it quiet happily runs on 12v dc even the ones that require higher 19v dc connection as internally it gets converted to 12vd regardless its more to do with the total power that can be supplied, but for the average astro setup it should be completely fine, i even process whilst imaging with pixinsight just for fun still on 12vd dc supplied via the Pegasus power box and it runs without issue mounted on top of scope

[Saturn488]

Been using the quiter now for a few sessions and it's a perfect alternative to the NUC. You can easily mount it on your setup and it only weights 200-300 grams.

I just need to work out powering it from the Pegasus Pocket Power Box Advanced. Saw some people hacking a few cables together to achieve this.

[NSpillars]

one of the usb ports on the advance should supply sufficient power its designed to supply 3a at 5v to the pi3/4


I use a usb a to c cable from lindy that can support the power draw. that should work

[MrB (Simon)]

Originally Posted by NSpillars

one of the usb ports on the advance should supply sufficient power its designed to supply 3a at 5v to the pi3/4

He needs to use one of the 12v outputs.

One of these: https://www.altronics.com.au/p/p6731...mm-dc-adapter/
And one of these: https://www.jaycar.com.au/2-1mm-dc-p...aptor/p/PA3707
Would get it done easily.

Better would be cutting the original cable and adding one of these(no soldering):
https://www.jaycar.com.au/2-1mm-dc-p...inals/p/PA3711

Better still, soldering one of these and heat-shrinking some strain-relief:
https://www.jaycar.com.au/2-1mm-dc-p...ector/p/PP0510