13 replies to this topic

[John Berger]

just a random question that might sound extremely dumb and I don't realize it

 

I wanted to use an Ipad if it was possible, with NINA and mini PC

 

ASIair is not doing it's best with autofocusing, and maybe guiding too, so I want to move from it soon

Edited by John Berger, 09 November 2024 - 07:07 PM.

[StargazerLuigi]

NINA is Windows only.

 

What issues are you having with ASIAir? 

[jonnybravo0311]

No to both. Best bet is to pick up a mini PC and then you can use your iPad to remote into it. The link is to the one I use.

[John Berger]

NINA is Windows only.

 

What issues are you having with ASIAir? 

number one thing is it does a bad job autofocusing, or at least not good enough for me

 

and some other small annoyances with the AA

 

I heard also that PHD2 has a guiding assistant (if I remember correctly), and this, when used, sets all your guiding settings for you, so that it will give you the best guiding; I'm not exactly sure NINA has the same option, but I think so

 

and I just think I'm missing a lot if I don't use NINA, am I not?

[John Berger]

No to both. Best bet is to pick up a mini PC and then you can use your iPad to remote into it. The link is to the one I use.

can you explain more? how remote into it? how do you do this?

Edited by John Berger, 09 November 2024 - 07:33 PM.

[charles.tremblay.darveau]

You can rdp into the miniPC windows machine. I’ve done the same from my tablet.

[John Berger]

You can rdp into the miniPC windows machine. I’ve done the same from my tablet.

how do you do this? on IOS?

[btschumy]

how do you do this? on IOS?

I use Real VNC’s “RVNC Viewer” app, available on the App Store.  Works quite well for me.

[charles.tremblay.darveau]

I use RD client on iOS.

[jonnybravo0311]

can you explain more? how remote into it? how do you do this?

Microsoft Remote Desktop app (now called Windows Mobile). Instructions: https://support.micr...8a-41e636865e8c

[John Berger]

Nice! I'm liking the RVNC option

 

I think I'll go with that one

[Jared]

Yup, this is how I use my telescope for outreach events. I have a mini PC at the telescope and a little TP-Link travel router that sets up a network for me to use. The mini PC is set to log into the travel router network by default (and the travel router has a particular IP address reserved to the MAC address of the mini PC so I never have to log into the router if DHCP were to assign a different IP than usual). Then I use "RD Client" on the iPad (soon to be called Windows Mobile?) to remote desktop into the mini PC. That way I can run whatever Windows software I want without the need to power a hungry Notebook or the need to have wires dangling from a device in my hands when I show people what the scope is doing. Not quite as convenient as an ASIAir, but much more sophisticated software tools, and once you get it setup it has been pretty bullet proof for me.

[jml79]

Just a heads up. Nina is awesome and what I use but it's part of a suite of software that you need. Cuiv has a great video on the whole process.

 

ASCOM (general astro equipment infrastructure)

PHD2 (for guiding)

ASTAP (for plate solving)

ASTAP Database

NINA (which will also install .Net)

 

Than you need equipment drivers so in your case the ZWO suite and the manager for your AVX.

 

If your Dew heaters are 12v and run off of the ASIAir, you will also need a solution for that.

 

You will also have to enable remote desktop on the mini pc and ideally give it a static IP on your network. You may also want to invest in a travel router depending on your use case.

 

I am not trying to discourage you. I love and use NINA but giving you a heads up to some potential things you have to over come if you have never used anything but the ASIAir.

[charles.tremblay.darveau]

You need a power distribution box with the miniPC. I use the Pegasus one but there are more options on the market now.