17 replies to this topic

[Jeroe]

Hey guys really need your help

My Gear:

Star adventurer GTI

Zenithstar 61

Flat 61

Canon 600D

Optolong LEnhance

 

Yesterday I was out, taking photos of the heart nebula.

I bought the Star adventurer because I thought it had Dithering built in just as the SA 2 where you just need to press a button in the app.

Anyway, as I realized, that's not the case. After my two hour imaging session, I went back home and had a look at my data that I captured.

(note that my battery ran out before I was able to take calibration frames, which makes the whole thing even worse)

 

not for the faint of heart (pun intended)

 

 

My plan was basically to buy an ASI Air mini with the Celestron Powetank Lithium Pro.

My question is: can I dither without a guider with the ASI air Mini?

I have to keep my gear as light and portable as possible because I have to walk about a kilometer with my gear to the open field where I can put up everything.

Also, my budget is very limited, so I can't spend another 800 bucks on just dithering, which is a feature that is already built into the predecessor of the mount.

Do you guys think that works if I buy those two things?

[GiffS]

As far as I know the answer is no.  Dithering is set up in the Guiding drop down menu.

[Celerondon]

Hey guys really need your help

My Gear:

Star adventurer GTI

Zenithstar 61

Flat 61

Canon 600D

Optolong LEnhance

 

Yesterday I was out, taking photos of the heart nebula.

I bought the Star adventurer because I thought it had Dithering built in just as the SA 2 where you just need to press a button in the app.

Anyway, as I realized, that's not the case. After my two hour imaging session, I went back home and had a look at my data that I captured.

(note that my battery ran out before I was able to take calibration frames, which makes the whole thing even worse)

 

not for the faint of heart (pun intended)

 

03.JPG

 

My plan was basically to buy an ASI Air mini with the Celestron Powetank Lithium Pro.

My question is: can I dither without a guider with the ASI air Mini?

I have to keep my gear as light and portable as possible because I have to walk about a kilometer with my gear to the open field where I can put up everything.

Also, my budget is very limited, so I can't spend another 800 bucks on just dithering, which is a feature that is already built into the predecessor of the mount.

Do you guys think that works if I buy those two things?

IDK, one recent thread concluded that there might be a way, but I don’t know how well it could work.

 

This I do know. Dithering can be done for well under $800, and done well too! An ASIAIR Mini plus an ASI120MM-Mini guide camera and an Svbony guide scope minus the CN discount at Astronomics is about $400, not to mention well under $800.  Well?  
 

Don

[bbasiaga]

I got a SBvony 30mm scope and the ASI 120mm guide cam for dithering.  I spent another $30-50 on an L bracket for my camera and an Arca type shoe to screw the guide cam on to.  Now I can guide my MILC when its on the iOptron skyguider pro, and use that same guide cam for my 80mm on a GEM.  Total cost is $250 for guiding. Celerondon's recommendation is exactly what I have. 

 

I can't see how to dither in the ASI air Plus, without a guider.  Not sure about the mini as I don't have one.  It would be a nice feature for them to add though.  I think NINA can do it. 

 

-Brian

[Jeroe]

IDK, one recent thread concluded that there might be a way, but I don’t know how well it could work.

 

This I do know. Dithering can be done for well under $800, and done well too! An ASIAIR Mini plus an ASI120MM-Mini guide camera and an Svbony guide scope minus the CN discount at Astronomics is about $400, not to mention well under $800.  Well?  
 

Don

Yes that's true, that itself isn't too expensive, but I do need to power these things somehow. I do have a powerbank which is plenty big but it doesn't have a 12V output that you need for the Asi Air and the guidscope. that's an expensive part that has kept me from buying a Guider and the Asi Air. Those big Batteries do cost a lot and are quite heavy most of the time. since I'm out in the field I can't really wall.

[Jeroe]

I got a SBvony 30mm scope and the ASI 120mm guide cam for dithering.  I spent another $30-50 on an L bracket for my camera and an Arca type shoe to screw the guide cam on to.  Now I can guide my MILC when its on the iOptron skyguider pro, and use that same guide cam for my 80mm on a GEM.  Total cost is $250 for guiding. Celerondon's recommendation is exactly what I have. 

 

I can't see how to dither in the ASI air Plus, without a guider.  Not sure about the mini as I don't have one.  It would be a nice feature for them to add though.  I think NINA can do it. 

 

-Brian

True, but how do you power these things? The Battery is the expensive part that keeps me from using these accesories in the first place.

[LeoNim]

A guide camera is powered via USB from the Air, and will use minimal power compared to the imaging camera, mount, and dew heater (if you're using one).

[Jeroe]

A guide camera is powered via USB from the Air, and will use minimal power compared to the imaging camera, mount, and dew heater (if you're using one).

sure, but how do you power the ASI Air?

[LeoNim]

sure, but how do you power the ASI Air?

You need a 12V source for it.

[calypsob]

I did not see this in the app log. You could go ask if there is a beta version that does this. It has been requested many times.
 

 

https://bbs.astronom...app-release-log

[bbasiaga]

True, but how do you power these things? The Battery is the expensive part that keeps me from using these accesories in the first place.

Maybe I'm confused...it seemed like you were considering the Asi Mini, at which point don't you need a power bank?

I use the larger celestron LiFePO4 battery for my mount. I normally have wall power but I think it would be good for a night powering the air, which also powers the guide scope.

Brian

[Jeroe]

Right now I'm powering my gear with either double A Batteries for the mount or the dedicated Camera Battery. That's all I have right now. That would work perfectly fine if you don't want to dither.
It's just that all the gear I need for dithering needs that additional power that I currently don't have

[matt_astro_tx]

In the field, I power my ASIAir Pro with this:  https://www.amazon.c...duct/B07H8F5HYJ

 

Then the ASIAir distributes power to the main camera, the guide camera, the EAF, and the mount (a star adventurer).  The battery lasts about 13 hours and that's with my cooled camera set to -10C.

 

Oh and to answer your original question, yes you need a guider in order to dither, even with the ASIAir.

Edited by matt_astro_tx, 30 May 2023 - 04:22 AM.

[Celerondon]

Yes that's true, that itself isn't too expensive, but I do need to power these things somehow. I do have a powerbank which is plenty big but it doesn't have a 12V output that you need for the Asi Air and the guidscope. that's an expensive part that has kept me from buying a Guider and the Asi Air. Those big Batteries do cost a lot and are quite heavy most of the time. since I'm out in the field I can't really wall.

 

 

In the field, I power my ASIAir Pro with this:  https://www.amazon.c...duct/B07H8F5HYJ

 

Then the ASIAir distributes power to the main camera, the guide camera, the EAF, and the mount (a star adventurer).  The battery lasts about 13 hours and that's with my cooled camera set to -10C.

 

Oh and to answer your original question, yes you need a guider in order to dither, even with the ASIAir.

Like matt_astro_tx, I use a TalentCell battery to power my ASIAIR unit, my mount, and other accessories.  This batter pack is inexpensive, light, and quite compact.  I have never run out of power.  In fact, I have never depleted the TalentCell down to 1/2 capacity.  

 

Don

 

[bbasiaga]

Right now I'm powering my gear with either double A Batteries for the mount or the dedicated Camera Battery. That's all I have right now. That would work perfectly fine if you don't want to dither.
It's just that all the gear I need for dithering needs that additional power that I currently don't have

My understanding was you were going to get an ASI Air/mini.  At that point, you are out of the AA battery game anyway and would need a power supply, even if not dithering with a guide cam. 

 

-Brian

[Jeroe]

My understanding was you were going to get an ASI Air/mini.  At that point, you are out of the AA battery game anyway and would need a power supply, even if not dithering with a guide cam. 

 

-Brian

That's true, it's about the whole dither setup. which there is no other way around it than buying a Battery Pack. But thanks a lot for your suggestions. I don't have the Budget right now but as soon as I have it I'll probably upgrade my rig with everything. Man, dithering cost a lot hahaha

[hcf]

You do not need a asi air to guide/dither. If you have an used laptop that would work as well. The good feature of laptops is that they come with a battery and do not need to powered. It is a little more weight to carry but still portable. If you are linux savvy, you can use an old refurb chromebook ($50) and install linux on it and use kstars/ekos. But do check if kstars/ekos works with the Star adventurer GTI

[cdanil]

"SharpCap can dither using a connected ASCOM mount without needing a guiding application" 

 

But you'd need a Windows laptop...