39 replies to this topic

[Dreams4000]

Hey all,

 

Posting this in hopes it helps those that are just getting started with an ASIAir or thinking about getting one.  By no means are these the only ways to do things, just ways I've found that work for my setup.  There's a good many "how do I do xyz?" posts on the topic but they are all over and mixed answers with folks giving it a good trial and error approach.  Hopefully this can bring together working lessons learned a bit.  Please chime in with your particular configurations that have worked for you. Mount related items only apply to my experience with an AVX, but should be pretty similar for other Celestron Nextstar mounts... 

 

Some lessons learned/tips about items I've seen posted a number of times:

 

1) Your guide and imaging cameras should plug direct into the ASIAir's usb ports.  The marketing pictures often show the guide cam going into the imaging cam's usb hub and the imaging cam into the ASIAir.  While I'm not sure if this will work (anyone tried?), ZWO responded to an email on this stating both cameras should individually go to the Air's hub rather than the imaging cam hub.  Perhaps incorrect marketing images on this one.

 

2) No need to plug into the guide cam's guide port or to connect that to the guide port on the mount (noted for AVX and most likely other Nexstar mounts.. not sure on other brands).. For Nexstar mounts, the Air plugs direct into the bottom of the HC's usb or rs-232 port depending on model. If rs-232, you'll need connector cables to go from rs-232->serial->usb.  This handles your Goto and guide control commands for the mount.

 

3) For Nexstar, I would suggest ensuring you have the latest HC/mount updates to your firmware.  I had an old (few years past) version on the HC and the Air just would not connect.  Updated to the Jan 2019 firmware and everything worked.  Not sure what version it would have started working on, but should work fine with Jan 2019.

 

4) For those with an AVX/CGX/CGEM mount and using 1.08 of the app, you should be able to select "Celestron Nexstar" as the mount type.  Sounds like older versions required users to sometimes select "Synscan" instead- this may still work for some folks but doesn't work anymore on my config.  Also from screenshots it looks like the upcoming 1.09 version of the app splits this out a little further with specific AVX etc mount listings.. will be interesting to see how the updates turn out.

 

5) When you update your ASIAir app, it will also update the Air's firmware on the device to the latest.

 

6) The Air's base power usage is usually around 500ma but could use up to 2.5A depending on everything you have plugged into it.  Be sure to use the 12v/5v converter they provide and you can easily power one of these up with something like a Talentcell battery for quite some time.

 

7) For those considering a Chromebook, get one that runs Android apps and you are good to go.  You can run the ASIAir app as well as SkySafari and handle your imaging needs (excluding post processing) via your Chromebook.

 

8) Not personally tried this one but seems like some have had success: If you wish to be some physical distance from the ASIAir and you are getting a weak wifi signal, you can hook it to a standard wifi range extender and then hook your laptop/tablet/phone etc into that to give you the added range. No the Air does not connect direct to your home network and internet connection. Just needs a local network between your device and the Air itself.

 

9) While the Air does plate solving and it notes the Synscan option, if used for your mount, requires minimum 2 star alignment (others do not require it)- it's helpful to either do that or at least a quick align on your mount prior to starting up SkySafari.  Then plate solve away.  Just seems quicker and more accurate on first plate solve this way.  At least for me, I don't bother doing the "Sync from phone" in the AsiAir app either.  It doesn't seem to be accurate or make any difference when working with SkySafair and plate solving after doing a normal 2star alignment.

 

10) Starsense- I've yet to test out my own Starsense on this but some folks have seemed to get it working while I've seen others saying they've had errors on the Starsense HC.   Theoretically however if you don't get errors on the Starsense HC, you should be good to go.  Essentially the plate solving info the Starsense does, needs to get into the HC for the Air and SkySafair to make any use of it. Would love to hear more experiences on this front.

 

11) More of an FYI: The Air is currently only supporting ZWO cameras (version 1.08 of their apps), but their Facebook AsiAir group does show 1.09 is on the way and does have some dslr support.

 

Also a general note to acknowledge that there are a number of similar products on the market (Stellar mate, primaluce's device etc) but they may have a different audience and focus than the air, so let's keep this one on the Air's tips if possible.

 

So just some starting items for now.  I'll add more as I come across them.    Please add your own items that have worked with your rig's details to help everyone out.

 

Good star hunting to you all!

Edited by Dreams4000, 06 March 2019 - 12:58 AM.

[imorgg]

I just updated to 1.09 and 200 something on the firmware last night. It still wouldn't connect to a brand new AVX. I tried it again after work today and now it's not broadcasting the ASIAir wifi signal. Any suggestions? TIA

[ICU2]

So being new to all this I have a just purchased a Polemaster, last month, could I Polar align my EQ6R mount then do the rest with the ASIair .I have not used either of these yet with a new coming Skywatcher 250P Quattro 10".  my cam. is a ASI 294MC Pro color I am waiting on a backorder ASI120MS for the guide on a OAG.I am excited to work with this new stuff and looking for any Ideas or tips on the ASIair and how it will work with what I will have. 

Edited by ICU2, 08 March 2019 - 08:18 PM.

[Dreams4000]

I just updated to 1.09 and 200 something on the firmware last night. It still wouldn't connect to a brand new AVX. I tried it again after work today and now it's not broadcasting the ASIAir wifi signal. Any suggestions? TIA

If the Air isn't broadcasting you may want to email ZWO.  You need to be able to connect direct to the Air from your mobile device to handle configurations.  Ensure it's powering up and you've got the power lights as well as that the memory card isn't lose.

 

Separately, even with a "new" avx, the firmware may still be a little out of date depending on manufacture date and last update from Celestron.  Worth confirming you have the latest firmware on that as well.  This however has nothing to do with the Air's wifi not showing up, only the connectivity to the mount after you've connected to the Air with your mobile device. If you do get the Air's wifi showing up and since you state you are on the Air's latest version- keep in mind it's beta.  The screenshots I saw showed a new AVX option in the mount selection, though I don't know if that is fully working yet or not.  If that option is not working, did they leave Celestron Nexstar as a mount option? Maybe try that one.

Edited by Dreams4000, 08 March 2019 - 08:46 PM.

[Dreams4000]

So being new to all this I have a just purchased a Polemaster, last month, could I Polar align my EQ6R mount then do the rest with the ASIair .I have not used either of these yet with a new coming Skywatcher 250P Quattro 10".  my cam. is a ASI 294MC Pro color I am waiting on a backorder ASI120MS for the guide on a OAG.I am excited to work with this new stuff and looking for any Ideas or tips on the ASIair and how it will work with what I will have. 

Not entirely-  Yes, get your polar alignment set with the polemaster, that's fine as they are not connected.  ZWO states that for Synscan based mounts that you'll also need a 3 star alignment.  (edit note I stated 2 star above, I think they updated their docs further) It's in the Air's user manual here.  So get that done on your hand controller and then you can plate solve from there.

 

 

Here's one of the segments from the manual:

 

"Before using the ASIAIR, it is necessary to align the polar axis on the

equatorial mount. The accuracy of the polar axis calibration will affect the
accuracy of the guiding and the GoTo. Most of the equatorial mount's sync
function is equivalent to a one-star calibration, so in general, you don't need to
perform one or more star calibrations in advance. Synta's equatorial mount is
an exception if you connect the Synta's Equatorial Mount via SyncScan, be
sure to accurately do polar axis calibration in advance and 3-star calibration,
because its sync command can only be valid in a small range, so we
recommend using EQMOD to control Synta's equatorial instead of the
SyncScan hand controller. However, currently SkySafari does not support
EQMOD."

Edited by Dreams4000, 08 March 2019 - 08:48 PM.

[ICU2]

Hmm,  I went and got the Polemaster to not have to bother with 3 star alignments and such to make the imaging process/Scope ready , quicker, So I have to do more prep to be able to work with ASIair and Syncscan , ,maybe should have researched a bit more before getting the Asiair , ?

[Dreams4000]

Hmm,  I went and got the Polemaster to not have to bother with 3 star alignments and such to make the imaging process/Scope ready , quicker, So I have to do more prep to be able to work with ASIair and Syncscan , ,maybe should have researched a bit more before getting the Asiair , ?

The Polemaster and the 3 star are for two different things though.  Pole master (or some form of polar alignment) you'll need to do regardless.  The 3 star is for your GoTo.  For my mount it doesn't show needing 2 or 3 star, but I've found it makes the GoTo more accurate throughout the night which just means less plate solving to hone in on the target.  For the Air keep in mind it isn't just one plate solve for the whole sky map, you'll need to plate solve for each target.  Ex:  1) GoTo target 2) Snap a Preview picture on the Air 3) plate solve it 4) go back to SkySafari and it should have updated location then GoTo your target again if offset 5) Snap another preview and platesolve in the Air app 6) you may need another GoTo or you may be fine just depends on the alignment factors.

 

I've not used the mount/HC you are using so I'm not sure how much you can get away without doing the star alignments and only using the platesolve.  Ultimately if you have a little bit of time to test, it may be worth giving a shot without the star alignment but I'm guessing based on ZWO's note that your GoTo may be way off.  The Nexstar HC for my AVX does also have a "Quick Align" option which just uses the time/location settings to estimate your location.  I've found for the AVX this works fairly well also in place for a 2 star.  It gets decently close and the plate solves finish it off, just not quite as good as the two star.  Does your HC have something like this?  May be worth trying as well.

Edited by Dreams4000, 09 March 2019 - 03:01 PM.

[wenjha]

nice tips!

actually, only USB to RS232 cable need to be connected to ASIAIR's USB port directly

you can connect guide camera EFW or EAF to the hub of imaging cameras

[gdbeacon]

I hope someone can help (thanks in advance for your time). I’d like to connect my ASIAIr directly to my sky-watcher az-eq5 pro mount. I tried using a USB to Rj45 Cable with a FTDI Chip (Mount to ASIAIR), but it didn’t work. Just one from amazon, not a ‘proper’ one. I tried selecting eqmod as well as Synscan mounts in ASIAIR, but no luck. Any suggestions? Thanks

[jpalmer1717]

I am currently using ASIAIR with Starsense. I've struggled quite a bit with it until recently. I stopped using Sky Safari and only use the hand controller to find and slew to objects. I've yet to have a problem on several outings. 

The guiding is awesome. I do a rough polar align using two phone apps that find true north. When they both agree, I fire everything up at the same time and then do a manual Starsense align in the area of the sky I'll be imaging. Then connect to Asiair, slew to a target, start guiding, make small adjustments to frame my image using the hand controller, and start Asiair on auto pilot.

[BillTheSkyGuy]

Hey everyone,

 

I've had an ASI Air for a number of months now and like it very much! I'm always looking to up my game and since focusing is a 'critical path' kinda maneuver, I thought I would try a motorized focuser.

The EAF will work with the Air of course, but they are on back-order till the "end of August-ish" so I was looking at the MoonLite auto focusing system and wondering if the Air could control THAT?

 

MoonLite says "it's fully ASCOM compliant" but when I asked specifically about the Air they dodged as if they didn't understand that it was a standalone box and not something you can just drop a driver onto whenever... Or can you, hmmm... 

 

So, is the Air actually running ASCOM behind the scenes for filter wheels, motofocusers and all that? The manual posted on their website hasn't kept up with development and shows nothing at all regarding motofocusing and other things that have appeared in the last 3 or so updates.

 

Anybody know what's going on under the hood here?

 

Bill

Hilton Head SC

[Don W]

Couple questions:

 

1. Does this work with the new Celestron autofocuser?

 

2. Is EAA support coming?

[BillTheSkyGuy]

I hope someone can help (thanks in advance for your time). I’d like to connect my ASIAIr directly to my sky-watcher az-eq5 pro mount. I tried using a USB to Rj45 Cable with a FTDI Chip (Mount to ASIAIR), but it didn’t work. Just one from amazon, not a ‘proper’ one. I tried selecting eqmod as well as Synscan mounts in ASIAIR, but no luck. Any suggestions? Thanks

I just received a SkyWatcher EQ6R and have used it successfully with the Air in the one time I've been able to try it. Here was the configuration:

 

I used a standard USB cable (like you'd use to connect a printer or whatever) from one of the 4 USB outs on the Air to the USB input on the hand controller, NOT the USB port on the side of the mount itself.

I then selected "PC Direct" mode on the hand controller (Utility Area I believe) and I had basic communication from the mount back through to SkySafari as well as the Air. I did not try auto-guiding. 

 

I'm new to the SkyWatcher mounts so I don't know if your EQ5 has the same connectivity as the 6R but that was my experience FWIW.

 

Bill

[BillTheSkyGuy]

Hey everyone,

 

I've had an ASI Air for a number of months now and like it very much! I'm always looking to up my game and since focusing is a 'critical path' kinda maneuver, I thought I would try a motorized focuser.

The EAF will work with the Air of course, but they are on back-order till the "end of August-ish" so I was looking at the MoonLite auto focusing system and wondering if the Air could control THAT?

 

MoonLite says "it's fully ASCOM compliant" but when I asked specifically about the Air they dodged as if they didn't understand that it was a standalone box and not something you can just drop a driver onto whenever... Or can you, hmmm... 

 

So, is the Air actually running ASCOM behind the scenes for filter wheels, motofocusers and all that? The manual posted on their website hasn't kept up with development and shows nothing at all regarding motofocusing and other things that have appeared in the last 3 or so updates.

 

Anybody know what's going on under the hood here?

 

Bill

Hilton Head SC

Update to this question: I have found out that the ASI Air does not talk to external devices via internal ASCOM but rather the INDI protocol. So the EAF and the EFW that ZWO makes can be controlled within the ASCOM environment, that's just not how THEY are going about it with the Air. So any external filter wheels or motofocusers need to be INDI capable as well as ASCOM. 

 

Bill

[gmehal]

I just received a SkyWatcher EQ6R and have used it successfully with the Air in the one time I've been able to try it. Here was the configuration:

 

I used a standard USB cable (like you'd use to connect a printer or whatever) from one of the 4 USB outs on the Air to the USB input on the hand controller, NOT the USB port on the side of the mount itself.

I then selected "PC Direct" mode on the hand controller (Utility Area I believe) and I had basic communication from the mount back through to SkySafari as well as the Air. I did not try auto-guiding. 

 

I'm new to the SkyWatcher mounts so I don't know if your EQ5 has the same connectivity as the 6R but that was my experience FWIW.

 

Bill

Yeah no luck with this last night at all. Tried the PC mode using the asiair and still nothing.  Baffled how you got that to work.  Also from what in reading sounds like the needs a 3 star alignment to wake up and been seen by the asiair, is this true?

[KevinFH]

I'll try again tonight with a three star alignment on my EQ6R Pro prior to powering up the ASIair.

[Jeff Smith]

I'm wondering if I need to even plug in the hand controller on my CEM40 or if I can polar align and do everything else from the ASIair. I haven't gotten this rig under the stars yet...

[JoanneC]

I'm wondering if I need to even plug in the hand controller on my CEM40 or if I can polar align and do everything else from the ASIair. I haven't gotten this rig under the stars yet...

I am curious about this as well. Currently, I plug in the controller and just leave it sit in the tray, mostly as a backup in case there is a runaway slew or collision with the mount (still getting used to the new mount so I am nervous). I have only had it out twice so far due to constant cloud cover, so I am still ironing things out a bit. 

[Paul76]

I'm having loads of trouble with my Air. Keep getting the Telescope Points Beyond the Horizon, Abort Tracking message. I can't even manage to do a couple of subs before tracking turns off. I've had loads of help and suggestions off the Zwo Facebook group but to no avail. I thought it was power related but fixed that last night and still it goes off.

Booted up my laptop, Eqmod, Backyard EOS and Stellarium and Deneb stayed tracked in the centre and the tracking stayed on.

🤷🏻‍♂️

[arrowspace90]

This stuff is just too complicated, with too many types of software that don't integrate together.

 

My new EQ6-r is not out of the box yet.  I am awaiting a Shoestring cable in order to be able to hook it up to the laptop where SharpCap can help with the PA.  I only downloaded SharpCap because a lot of people here seem to use it.

 

I don't have a PoleMaster, it's a lot of money and I am not reading here so far what the great deal is that it does for you since people are still having to do 3 star alignments.  Really??

 

I have pre-ordered the ASIair Pro, hopefully it will address the burdensome PA issues.  IF it was able to do that, I would really prefer to leave the big clunky laptop, as well as the clunky hand controller completely out of the equation.  In my experience with Celestron hand controllers on the CPC and the one with StarSense, they are difficult to read in the dark and the menu is not very user friendly.  I wouldn't miss them.

 

BTW, I read that ZWO is offering you guys $100 trade in for your Air should you wish to upgrade to the Pro.

[astroseyer]

This stuff is just too complicated, with too many types of software that don't integrate together.

 

My new EQ6-r is not out of the box yet.  I am awaiting a Shoestring cable in order to be able to hook it up to the laptop where SharpCap can help with the PA.  I only downloaded SharpCap because a lot of people here seem to use it.

 

I don't have a PoleMaster, it's a lot of money and I am not reading here so far what the great deal is that it does for you since people are still having to do 3 star alignments.  Really??

 

I have pre-ordered the ASIair Pro, hopefully it will address the burdensome PA issues.  IF it was able to do that, I would really prefer to leave the big clunky laptop, as well as the clunky hand controller completely out of the equation.  In my experience with Celestron hand controllers on the CPC and the one with StarSense, they are difficult to read in the dark and the menu is not very user friendly.  I wouldn't miss them.

 

BTW, I read that ZWO is offering you guys $100 trade in for your Air should you wish to upgrade to the Pro.

Once your shoestring cable arrives, you can mod your mount with the EQMod and with that purchase a EQDirect cable that will tether from your mount to the ASIAIR (in my opinion this is the only way anyone should connect this mount to the air) and you wont have to do 3 star alignment. You can focus right off the bat, go into PA on the ASIAIR and from their Plate Solving is your best friend - no more 3 star alignment before you are connected to the air.

[arrowspace90]

Once your shoestring cable arrives, you can mod your mount with the EQMod and with that purchase a EQDirect cable that will tether from your mount to the ASIAIR (in my opinion this is the only way anyone should connect this mount to the air) and you wont have to do 3 star alignment. You can focus right off the bat, go into PA on the ASIAIR and from their Plate Solving is your best friend - no more 3 star alignment before you are connected to the air.

Yes, the shoestring is to string me along until the AISair Pro is available.  It will be good practice to learn to use SharpCap on the laptop until then.  I have EQMod downloaded and I will see if I can get it to work.  But I don't have the cameras yet.  The cable from shoestring might arrive today.  I will content myself with an unboxing of the mount and the Rasa 8 which will not appear on youtube.

Of course, being an amateur I expect to encounter problems with just about every step I take.  My only experience is with my CPC 8, Alt/Az.

[Jeff Struve]

This stuff is just too complicated, with too many types of software that don't integrate together.

 

My new EQ6-r is not out of the box yet.  I am awaiting a Shoestring cable in order to be able to hook it up to the laptop where SharpCap can help with the PA.  I only downloaded SharpCap because a lot of people here seem to use it.

 

I don't have a PoleMaster, it's a lot of money and I am not reading here so far what the great deal is that it does for you since people are still having to do 3 star alignments.  Really??

 

I have pre-ordered the ASIair Pro, hopefully it will address the burdensome PA issues.  IF it was able to do that, I would really prefer to leave the big clunky laptop, as well as the clunky hand controller completely out of the equation.  In my experience with Celestron hand controllers on the CPC and the one with StarSense, they are difficult to read in the dark and the menu is not very user friendly.  I wouldn't miss them.

 

BTW, I read that ZWO is offering you guys $100 trade in for your Air should you wish to upgrade to the Pro.

The 3 star align and the PoleMaster are for different purposes... not really related... the PoleMaster helps with polar alignment which when done accurately keeps the mount tracking in precisely the place that you slew to, The 3 star alignment sets up the mount to more precisely point at objects that you GoTO.... 

 

An accurate 3 star alignment gets you to the object accurately... the polar alignment keeps it there. 

[John59]

I now use the ASIair exclusively. all my cameras are ZWO and I have not had any issues. The PA works great and I get up to 3 minute exposures without guiding. I have also preordered the Pro version. Supposedly there may be stacking included at some point as well. Being completely laptop free and only using an android tablet has been great.

[Astrohobby]

The 3 star align and the PoleMaster are for different purposes... not really related... the PoleMaster helps with polar alignment which when done accurately keeps the mount tracking in precisely the place that you slew to, The 3 star alignment sets up the mount to more precisely point at objects that you GoTO.... 

 

An accurate 3 star alignment gets you to the object accurately... the polar alignment keeps it there. 

Hi Jeff,

 

that`s exactly my take! I`ve an AisAir pro on order too and once it arrives and skies permitting I give it a try! I`m sure I need to get support from you guys too!

 

Best  Oliver