23 replies to this topic

[UP4014Fan]

I just purchased a MeLe 4c minicomputer (BTW, I've owned hard drives that were bigger!) to drive my scope/imaging sessions.  It's nice to remote into it from my desktop in my office, but working outside is kind of a pain.  Going outside and remoting via the laptop is OK, but that's kind of klunky, and if I do go to a site with no WiFi, that presents its own set of problems.  I did try the Windows app on an iPad, but the mouse gestures were difficult to use, especially clicking and dragging.

So, I'm looking for recommendations for a decent Bluetooth keyboard, preferably with mousepad, and a monitor, or even a combination device.  In descending order of priority, these are my key wishes:

1. Not clumsy to use (especially in the dark);
2. Very portable;
3. Rugged;
4. Inexpensive (or, "cheap," if you prefer);
5. Long battery life - USB tethering to a power supply is OK, but not desirable.

 

Thanks as always!

 

[Alex McConahay]

You forgot something in your list.....

 

Range

 

I find my bluetooth dongle needs to be very close to my keyboard and mouse to get satisfactory response. 

 

By that  I mean, My keyboard/mouse are obviously on my (oak) desk's top (not "Window's desktop"). Right next to the desk, (on the floor) is the computer. When I have the dongle plugged into the computer itself (on the floor), I notice it does not quite keep up. When I extend the dongle (with a maybe three foot USB cable) to sit on the desktop, it works fine. 

 

I suspect if I moved the mouse/keyboard inside the house, I would get no response whatsoever. 

 

I do have an observatory in the backyard, some 100+ feet away. I regularly sit inside the house watching what is happening out there, and controlling it, by having a network connection  (could be wifi, in fact it is hardwired), and Tight VNC.

 

Alex

[UP4014Fan]

I really didn't forget range.  I'm talking about while I'm out next to the scope, hence the portability.  I remote via WiFi from the house and that works fine.  In fact, when I use the laptop outside, it's via our WiFi (our signal's almost too good - my car sees the WiFi for about 600 feet).  The laptop was in response to the iPad not being a great alternative.

 

I will say that portability is a big deal - I'm trying to not keep hauling the small "church social" foldable table outside when I set up, so I want to be able to hold this in one hand and type/mouse with the other.  Setting the monitor on top of the equipment case is OK.

Edited by UP4014Fan, 10 May 2025 - 02:52 PM.

[DeepSky Di]

I use ASIAIRs with iPads on a tripod. The ASIAIR app is designed for touch so no keyboard or mouse are necessary. However, an iPad can be used with a keyboard and mouse, or you can get keyboard cases that have a touch pad built in. Apple, Logitech and others make these and you can find them on Amazon.

 

A "tripod tray" for a laptop could be used either with a laptop or an iPad in keyboard case. Try searching for that term. 

 

For bluetooth keyboards and mice I usually get Logitech 3-ways that can connect to 3 devices.

[Overtime]

I have never used an IPAD or much apple stuff but I have a question. One of the issues is an ipad using windows? Have you ever thought a windows tablet might work better?BTW most devices don't have the same range when it comes to wi-fi.Maybe the tablet has a poor antenna? 

[afd33]

To me it sounds like you just want to use a laptop.

I use this program on my minipc to always broadcast a wifi signal even when there is no internet access. Works great.

https://mypublicwifi...i/en/index.html

[Alex McConahay]

I really didn't forget range.  I'm talking about while I'm out next to the scope, hence the portability.  I remote via WiFi from the house and that works fine.  In fact, when I use the laptop outside, it's via our WiFi (our signal's almost too good - my car sees the WiFi for about 600 feet).  The laptop was in response to the iPad not being a great alternative.

 

I will say that portability is a big deal - I'm trying to not keep hauling the small "church social" foldable table outside when I set up, so I want to be able to hold this in one hand and type/mouse with the other.  Setting the monitor on top of the equipment case is OK.

Okay

 

Alex

[UP4014Fan]

I have never used an IPAD or much apple stuff but I have a question. One of the issues is an ipad using windows? Have you ever thought a windows tablet might work better?BTW most devices don't have the same range when it comes to wi-fi.Maybe the tablet has a poor antenna? 

The app Microsoft created for Windows remote on the iPad just doesn't have very good gestures for clicking and dragging.  I could use a Bluetooth mouse with the iPad, but then I'd be back to needing small table or some such.

[UP4014Fan]

To me it sounds like you just want to use a laptop.

I use this program on my minipc to always broadcast a wifi signal even when there is no internet access. Works great.

https://mypublicwifi...i/en/index.html

Maybe, but holding the laptop I own in one hand is a bit awkward.  I do like the software solution, though, regardless of platform.

[DeepSky Di]

How about an android app that runs NINA. Here’s Cuiv the Lazy Geek’s demo of it: https://youtu.be/NMC...FwlegmDQZAAGBwv

[DeepSky Di]

How about a chair so you can use the laptop on your lap?

[dx_ron]

I always use a laptop, though it is a fairly small and light 13". For a few tasks (rotating the camera or focusing the guide cam, for example), I need to set the laptop on the ground or a chair. But a laptop is a screen plus a keyboard that are attached to each other by a hinge. I'm having trouble imagining how wrangling a screen and a keyboard that are not attached to each other could be any less cumbersome.

[soojooko]

I have a Logitech K400 that I use which works well for the price. However, its not bluetooth - it uses a wifi dongle instead.

Edited by soojooko, 11 May 2025 - 08:38 AM.

[Zambiadarkskies]

Honestly a low spec lightweight laptop to me seems the best. I dislike taking a laptop to my scope, but even with my intense dislike for having my head in a laptop at my site it is still the easiest and most integrated option as I see it if I have to do stuff with the mele 3c actually at the scope.

[DeepSky Di]

Aaaand then there is this idea from Deep Space Astro: https://youtu.be/W4w...CUl_qdVz3YoXyqq - but I still don't think you can use it standing up.

 

BTW Bray Falls' Startfront videos recommend Chrome Remote Desktop for stability. May be worth seeing if it's more usable than Microsoft?

[Overtime]

Or you could also get creative and make a tray with a strap that hangs around your neck. Sorta like what the women who sold stuff in nightclubs used many many years ago.

[rj144]

I'm pretty sure there are no bluetooth monitors.

[UP4014Fan]

I'm pretty sure there are no bluetooth monitors.

Agreed, but it’s a case of it doesn’t hurt to ask.

[archiebald]

I'm pretty sure there are no bluetooth monitors.

Was thinking the same, Bluetooth does not the bandwidth for a video signal.

[DeepSky Di]

Agreed, but it’s a case of it doesn’t hurt to ask.

I asked Google. If you change it to "wireless portable monitor" you get this: https://www.amazon.c.../dp/B0D8PPK8HD/ - it has a wifi transmitter dongle but connects to the computer via USB-C. I don't see how this is better than an iPad though - it doesn't solve the wish for a keyboard and pointing device.

 

A "bluetooth" monitor may be able to stream audio but not necessarily video.

[archiebald]

Or you could also get creative and make a tray with a strap that hangs around your neck. Sorta like what the women who sold stuff in nightclubs used many many years ago.

There are people in the RC model aircraft community that do something similar.  That style is/was especially popular in Germany for some reason.

[DeepSky Di]

Ok some of us drone pilots use a neck strap to hold the remote controller, at least in the days when they were clonky.

[archiebald]

Ok some of us drone pilots use a neck strap to hold the remote controller, at least in the days when they were clonky.

I did too back when I flew nitro RC helicopters, a neck strap was the standard way to stabilize the controller - but the type favored by many German pilots took it to a whole new level though.  Some examples....

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[m4ilm4n2025]

I sometimes use a Windows Surface tablet; that would give you a screen (and keyboard if you get the detachable keyboard cover). It's a Surface Pro 3 I recovered from a recycle pile, but it has enough CPU & RAM to run what I need. It's not as light as, say, an Android tablet, but it's a lot lighter than the Dell Precision laptop I usually use.

 

ETA - and when not using it for access to your gear, it's a pretty good e-reader (a nice big screen for my old eyes).

Edited by m4ilm4n2025, 11 May 2025 - 07:38 PM.