34 replies to this topic

[TheRoadRanger]

Hi all

Just purchased a second astro camera to get my second telescope imaging up and running so in the market for another mini pc!!

Currently running a MeLe 4c which I’m thinking of demoting to my smaller rig as it’s more portable and getting a beefier new mini pc to run my larger rig!!

I’m looking for a mini pc suitable to run an astro camera, telescope and star tracker (light work in all honesty) AND run Tycho Tracker (image stacking software that detects asteroids/comets, quite intensive) at the same time so it will need to have decentprocessing power and memory capabilities for this!! Ideally in the most compact frame possible without compromising on peripheral connections too much!!

Would definitely love it to be an AMD/NVidia combo but not a deal breaker!! Would definitely need NVidia GPU and able to have ram and storage expanded

Much love and clear skies!!

[RetiredDave]

I use a MiniX Z100. It works very well and is fanless (no vibrations if mounting on the scope). It has fairly low power requirements while still packing some processing punch. It has two external WiFi antennas and has a better range than my ither mini pc. I also think it is more dew resistant due to heat dissipation via the all aluminum computer case. I have two already, and my next scope computer will be a MiniX Z100, or maybe the new Z300. Highly recommended.

[scanner97]

Cuiv did a review of the Gaius a couple of weeks ago.  It combines an Intel/Windows mini with Pegbox functionality for a similar pricetag, but about half the volume and weight of the two units combined.  Also, I gather, much better wifi with a big honking antenna.

 

If you want a discrete GPU, there are limited offerings in Minis, and I think they'll cost you > $1k.  Most folks use separate machines for rig control and image processing so GPUs, RAM and storage are not huge issues.

[vidrazor]

Why do you feel you need "something beefier" just because you're running a larger rig? A Raspberry Pi4 will run your larger rig.

[TheRoadRanger]

Why do you feel you need "something beefier" just because you're running a larger rig? A Raspberry Pi4 will run your larger rig.

You’ve missed the point of the post

[TheRoadRanger]

Cuiv did a review of the Gaius a couple of weeks ago. It combines an Intel/Windows mini with Pegbox functionality for a similar pricetag, but about half the volume and weight of the two units combined. Also, I gather, much better wifi with a big honking antenna.

If you want a discrete GPU, there are limited offerings in Minis, and I think they'll cost you > $1k. Most folks use separate machines for rig control and image processing so GPUs, RAM and storage are not huge issues.

Ahhh yes, cuiv got me on to the MeLe 4c so I’ll give his latest vid a browse shortly!!

Cost isn’t too much of a problem and the biggest idea around having a mini pc powerful enough to do image processing with negligible lag is to eliminate file transfer time!! Also with really fast NEOs, we are talking 5 second images, after a minute you have enough frames to run through tycho tracker for detections!! Just speeds up the whole process

It also means I have a backup pc capable of running PixInsight to some degree plus the portability of it

[TheRoadRanger]

I use a MiniX Z100. It works very well and is fanless (no vibrations if mounting on the scope). It has fairly low power requirements while still packing some processing punch. It has two external WiFi antennas and has a better range than my ither mini pc. I also think it is more dew resistant due to heat dissipation via the all aluminum computer case. I have two already, and my next scope computer will be a MiniX Z100, or maybe the new Z300. Highly recommended.

Awesome cheers mate thank you, I’ll have a look at both models

[RetiredDave]

Awesome cheers mate thank you, I’ll have a look at both models

No problem, although I don't think the MiniX has a dedicated GPU. In any case, I run APCC (which takes up a surprising amount of computer resources); NINA running ASI2600Duo, ZWO focuser, ASTAP, Pegasus UPBV2, AP mount, and a weather monitor; Remote Desktop; and Sharpcap all at the same time. When I am capturing images, I live stack in Sharpcap from the "folder monitor" camera, which is also pretty resource intensive. I have not had any issues or lagging. The MiniX seems to handle it well.

Edited by RetiredDave, 05 May 2025 - 06:33 PM.

[vidrazor]

You’ve missed the point of the post

Right, missed the Tycho Tracker part.

[scanner97]

Cost isn’t too much of a problem and the biggest idea around having a mini pc powerful enough to do image processing with negligible lag is to eliminate file transfer time!! Also with really fast NEOs, we are talking 5 second images, after a minute you have enough frames to run through tycho tracker for detections!! Just speeds up the whole process

It also means I have a backup pc capable of running PixInsight to some degree plus the portability of it

The handful of minis that I've seen with a discrete GPU were almost the size and weight of a laptop.  I'm sure they will get them down at some point, just not sure whether they are there yet.  It will also probably want its own power supply.  I'll be interested to see what you find that works for you since this is a fairly unusal application!

[joshman]

For this particular use case, I'd probably just continue having a Mele run the rig and take images, and save them to a shared folder/drive.

 

And have a different and more capable computer handle the more resource intensive live stacking and analysis functions.

[TheRoadRanger]

The handful of minis that I've seen with a discrete GPU were almost the size and weight of a laptop. I'm sure they will get them down at some point, just not sure whether they are there yet. It will also probably want its own power supply. I'll be interested to see what you find that works for you since this is a fairly unusal application!

Haha yeah definitely an unusual thread and it’s proving to be difficult to find one!! Think I’m wishing for something not quite there yet!! I did actually find one pretty suitable on Amazon but I’ve never heard the brand before and I couldn’t find any review videos on YouTube so bit of a red flag for me

[TheRoadRanger]

For this particular use case, I'd probably just continue having a Mele run the rig and take images, and save them to a shared folder/drive.

And have a different and more capable computer handle the more resource intensive live stacking and analysis functions.

.

This is exactly what I do already

[joshman]

.

This is exactly what I do already

Is there any reason why this can't continue to be the modus operandi moving forwards?

[TheRoadRanger]

Is there any reason why this can't continue to be the modus operandi moving forwards?

I've found the transfer speeds via wifi when I use a remote desktop connection can be very hit and miss!! They're generally good but sometimes it can be really **** slow and when I'm trying to observe NEO's on the NEO confirmation page, I really want to try do as many as I can since I get little time with my rig due to work hours!! As stated above though, it can also be a backup pc or even travel pc!! 

 

Another pro ..... atleast IMO is if I planned a sky survey of my own for fast NEOs, I can stack and run the images of each panel through Tycho Tracker a fair bit more efficiently than waiting for the images to transfer between machines

[RetiredDave]

If a mini pc won't cut it, how about adding an external GPU?

[vidrazor]

I've found the transfer speeds via wifi when I use a remote desktop connection can be very hit and miss!! They're generally good but sometimes it can be really **** slow and when I'm trying to observe NEO's on the NEO confirmation page, I really want to try do as many as I can since I get little time with my rig due to work hours!! As stated above though, it can also be a backup pc or even travel pc!! 

Another pro ..... atleast IMO is if I planned a sky survey of my own for fast NEOs, I can stack and run the images of each panel through Tycho Tracker a fair bit more efficiently than waiting for the images to transfer between machines

Why not just be tethered to a laptop with the appropriate hardware?
 

[TheRoadRanger]

If a mini pc won't cut it, how about adding an external GPU?

Might have to concede and go for another mele 4c 🤣

[TheRoadRanger]

Why not just be tethered to a laptop with the appropriate hardware?

I don’t have the clothing to be sitting outside in the cold all night and the m really trying to avoid running any kind of cabling from inside the house to outside!!

I’m going to have to concede that there isn’t something out there suitable for…. Atleast not in a compact package like the MeLe 4c

[rgsalinger]

I used a laptop for years and years and never sat ouside in the colod all night. Instead, I simply used a mount that had through the mount cabling. It's not that hard, even if you don't have that kind of mount, to figure out how to run two wires to a power box. Once you realize that, then the laptop is the best way to go (also less weight on the mount).

 

Trying to find a tiny computer with a good GPU that you can put on the mount is tricky. Even if you succeed, then you'll still need some way to access it wirelessly.  That means a second computer. That's fine if your system is sitting within the footprint of your home LAN, but not so fine in the field. Now you need some laptop anyway.

 

Finally a good laptop is more than just something that can only be used for AP. 

[vidrazor]

I don’t have the clothing to be sitting outside in the cold all night and the m really trying to avoid running any kind of cabling from inside the house to outside!!
I’m going to have to concede that there isn’t something out there suitable for…. Atleast not in a compact package like the MeLe 4c

Well, if you want the capture computer to do the grunt work, get an appropriately powered laptop, and set it up like Cuiv did with a MeLe, and simply control it from another laptop, or desktop, indoors.
 

[PIEJr]

I've found the transfer speeds via wifi when I use a remote desktop connection can be very hit and miss!! They're generally good but sometimes it can be really **** slow and when I'm trying to observe NEO's on the NEO confirmation page, I really want to try do as many as I can since I get little time with my rig due to work hours!! As stated above though, it can also be a backup pc or even travel pc!! 

 

Another pro ..... atleast IMO is if I planned a sky survey of my own for fast NEOs, I can stack and run the images of each panel through Tycho Tracker a fair bit more efficiently than waiting for the images to transfer between machines

Well, why are you trying to transfer via WiFi?

I've used SD cards for years, then I got smart and now use a 2GB Solid State Drive to store my images to. Works really great, and doesn't load down my computer.

My portable SSD just plugs into an available USB-C port on my laptop

I do use a laptop, because I want a display at the mount for a lot of good reasons. Polar Alignment, Modeling, or just sitting out under the stars on balmy summer evenings.

But I just have NINA save the images to a Monthly file in my SSD, and NINA makes the date file in the Month folder.

Works slick.

 

I use Tight Vnc to connect my inside computer to my laptop at my mount. But, to me, the real beauty is having a complete computer work station at both ends of the path.

 

And like Ross, I don't sit out in the cold unnecessarily.

[TheRoadRanger]

CONSIDER THREAD CLOSED!!

Question has been answered and it seems people are missing the point of NEO confirmation

What I was hoping for isn’t available

[TheRoadRanger]

Well, why are you trying to transfer via WiFi?
I've used SD cards for years, then I got smart and now use a 2GB Solid State Drive to store my images to. Works really great, and doesn't load down my computer.
My portable SSD just plugs into an available USB-C port on my laptop
I do use a laptop, because I want a display at the mount for a lot of good reasons. Polar Alignment, Modeling, or just sitting out under the stars on balmy summer evenings.
But I just have NINA save the images to a Monthly file in my SSD, and NINA makes the date file in the Month folder.
Works slick.

I use Tight Vnc to connect my inside computer to my laptop at my mount. But, to me, the real beauty is having a complete computer work station at both ends of the path.

And like Ross, I don't sit out in the cold unnecessarily.

SD cards won’t work and the idea of a 2GB SSD is too small in capacity and the idea won’t work for what I’m doing!!

I transfer via wifi because it’s more efficient than external drives in my case!! I don’t require a monitor at the mount as I use the Touch n Stars plugin or a windows RD client from the Apple App Store

[fmendes]

It also means I have a backup pc capable of running PixInsight to some degree plus the portability of it

 An N100 with 16GB of ram is capable of running PI. On mine I do mostly flats inspection and live stacking with EZ Processing Suite. But if you're expecting to do WBPP, it won't be a good suggestion.

 

 

SD cards won’t work and the idea of a 2GB SSD is too small in capacity and the idea won’t work for what I’m doing!!
 

 

I believe he means 2 TB. But if it won't work for you, doesn't matter.

 

 

I've found the transfer speeds via wifi when I use a remote desktop connection can be very hit and miss!! They're generally good but sometimes it can be really **** slow and when I'm trying to observe NEO's on the NEO confirmation page, I really want to try do as many as I can since I get little time with my rig due to work hours!! As stated above though, it can also be a backup pc or even travel pc!! 

 

You do not need remote desktop to access your files remotely. You can share the mini PC drive, and from the other PC, you access it through something like //mini-pc/drive_letter. It is slightly faster than remote desktop. But I don't know about that NEO.

 

I believe a powerful mini PC will have similar performance as a notebook, except for GPU-optimzed tasks (I don't know any small mini PC with a GPU). And I wouldn't leave a powerful (and expensive) mini PC outside subject to dew, rain and sprinklers. 

Edited by fmendes, 06 May 2025 - 10:00 PM.