ASIAir versus Nina on miniPC? - Forums

Topic starter

Nov 7, 2022

I'm just wondering what the pros and cons are of the above.

I'm a NINA user on a Windows 11 miniPC and am more than happy with its capabilities and upgrade path.

What are the advantages of the ASIAir solution?

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JohnHen

Nov 7, 2022

I have both, ASIAir on my small setup when traveling because it is easy to operate, maintain and to setup. It is also very light and compact and it works exceptionally well. But I am using NINA and a miniPC on the bigger scopes because it provides a high degree of flexibility and free choice of hardware.
CS, John

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Karl Theberge

Nov 7, 2022

Other than portability, do you see any ?
Power management ?

Really, with nina you can buit autonomous sequence, use any type of material, use script and pluggins.

The power of your mini PC vs Raspberry pi based hardware is not even comparable.

If you have a really small and portable setup running on battery, I can understand using a AsiAir.

But other that that, is see no advantage to move to a close and limited environnement.

Personnally I am a fan of NINA running on my Qieter 3

Karl

Jonny Bravo

Nov 7, 2022

All-in-one design and ease of use are two that come to mind. Assuming you've got the compatible hardware (mount, focuser, camera, etc), then the AAP is a single box solution for control and capture. It's got DC power points, USB ports, built-in WIFI, storage and a dedicated app that'll run on your phone or tablet.

Consider, too, the cost. $300. To get something similar, you need a PC, Pegasus powerbox and wifi router. A Pegasus PPBA alone will cost you more (currently $329) than that AAP.

Note - I run NINA on a Beelink miniPC, power and USB is through a PPBA and I have a wifi router. The advantage of that kind of system is in its modularity and full-featured programs (i.e. PHD2, NINA). The choice to go this route was more driven by incompatible hardware (Pegasus focuser and QHY guide camera) than any philosophical love/hate of one system or the other.

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Leonardo Landi

Nov 7, 2022

I run NINA on Eagle 4 by Primalucelab. The best of the two worlds in my opinion. You have a DC power distributor, dew straos power and control, SQM meter and other features in a box that you can install easily on your telescope like the AAP. The environment is win10 and you can run the software you want.

Andy Wray

Topic starter

Nov 7, 2022 · Edited: Nov 7, 2022

Jonny Bravo:
To get something similar, you need a PC, Pegasus powerbox and wifi router. A Pegasus PPBA alone will cost you more (currently $329) than that AAP.

FWIW: I don't see a need to use a Pegasus PPBA for my setup ... I just use the power supply that came with my mount plus the USB ports on my miniPC. (N.B. My Newtonian doesn't need dew heaters). The Mele Quieter3 PC is also less than £230 at the moment, so pretty cost-effective. I did fork out on a wifi powerline extender, however, which cost me £60. So, £290 in total which is about £50 less than the ASIAir Plus.

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Jonny Bravo

Nov 7, 2022

Andy Wray:
Jonny Bravo:
To get something similar, you need a PC, Pegasus powerbox and wifi router. A Pegasus PPBA alone will cost you more (currently $329) than that AAP.

FWIW: I don't see a need to use a Pegasus PPBA for my setup ... I just use the power supply that came with my mount plus the USB ports on my miniPC. (N.B. My Newtonian doesn't need dew heaters). The Mele Quieter3 PC is also less than £200 at the moment, so pretty cost-effective. I did fork out on a wifi powerline extender, however, which cost me £60. So, £260 in total which is about £80 less than the ASIAir Plus.

I only listed out components that would give similar features to what the AAP provides. Sure, you can absolutely setup a rig without it for less. You can also probably DIY something if you're handy

Tareq Abdulla

Nov 10, 2022

Simply put, go with AA of any version only if you have enough many ZWO items mainly camera, if not then i feel like Apple computer without Apple software in hand.

I have one ZWO cooled camera against 4 non ZWO cooled cameras, and that ZWO camera isn't the main most used but it is there to be used, i don't know if anyone in my place will buy AA for just 1 cooled camera and 4non cooled cameras from ZWO, sooner or later i might just get rid of ZWO cameras later and go with alternatives if available for both cooled and non cooled, then i will feel like why did i buy ASIAir if i no longer will use ZWO products later.