ASAIR Plus - Mini PC

I have mele 4 and it runs 2600mm, FW, EAF, guide camera, etc. I use a separate powerbox like the SVBony SV241 to supply power to the mele and the dew heaters. I run one power cable to the powerbox(on the scope with the mele), and it supplies power to everything else.

I have a MeLe Quiter 4C with 16GB RAM and 500GB SSD. I have a powered USB hub (Anker), which is connected to the PC. The EAF and the guide camera are connected to the two USB 2 ports on the main camera. The main camera is connected to the hub and also an external SSD, which I use to transfer the files at the end of each session.

For the two dew heaters, I use a LED controller (3 for $10 from Amazon), powered by a 12V, 8A LED power supply.

I tried the SVBony SV241 Pro. Was not happy with it as it kept resetting. It was an issue with the temperature probe port, which was resetting all connections. So, returned it. Others have had good experience with it.

The MeLe has a weak WiFi. So, I tossed in a mesh wireless point in the tripod stone bag, which solved the issue.

If you want to use NINA’s sky atlas, it is better to download the 3GB data, instead of relying on the internet to center.

I also have the All Sky Plate Solver as my main solver. Back up solver is ASTAP. All databases are downloaded and configured in the PC.

ZigZagZebraz · Dec 9, 2025 at 02:27 AM

I have a MeLe Quiter 4C with 16GB RAM and 500GB SSD. I have a powered USB hub (Anker), which is connected to the PC. The EAF and the guide camera are connected to the two USB 2 ports on the main camera. The main camera is connected to the hub and also an external SSD, which I use to transfer the files at the end of each session.

For the two dew heaters, I use a LED controller (3 for $10 from Amazon), powered by a 12V, 8A LED power supply.

I tried the SVBony SV241 Pro. Was not happy with it as it kept resetting. It was an issue with the temperature probe port, which was resetting all connections. So, returned it. Others have had good experience with it.

The MeLe has a weak WiFi. So, I tossed in a mesh wireless point in the tripod stone bag, which solved the issue.

If you want to use NINA’s sky atlas, it is better to download the 3GB data, instead of relying on the internet to center.

I also have the All Sky Plate Solver as my main solver. Back up solver is ASTAP. All databases are downloaded and configured in the PC.

This issue you had with the SVBony 241 Pro is one of the reasons I’ve held off from buying it with the other being I wish it had more usb ports.

I’ve also experienced weak WiFi from the MeLe, but that was resolved with a high grade antenna plugged into my StarTech (it’s the 8 port rugged body hub).

Stephen Jones · Dec 9, 2025, 03:25 AM

Thanks all

Appreciate the heads up. Gives me something to think about. Ta

Oh I forgot, make sure the PC has Win11 Pro. You can RDP into it wirelessly. Only the pro OS has the ability to RDP. Your inside the home PC does not have to have a Win Pro.

One further comment, going from an asiair to using a PC and Nina is a jump in the learning curve. It is far less Plug’nPlay than an Asiair, especially getting into the advanced sequencer. For sure you will have a more powerful planner, but you will have a lot more to tinker with to get it all working correctly. I’d spend serious time on tutorials and such to make sure you get all the files for plate solving and drivers and such.

Let me throw in another question. I’ve been using an ASI Air and it’s been great. One of the things I like is the ability to monitor from my desktop over ethernet, but also to use the software on an Android phone to do polar alignment and a few other maintenance tasks while I’m right next to the gear. When using a mini PC with NINA, what is the process for polar alignment? I really don’t want to have to deal with taking a laptop out to the field.

I’ll also throw in that I tried to use the SVBONY 241 Pro, but it seems that the ports want an ASCOM configured computer. One can’t really use it as a power/USB hub with something like an ASI Air due to some of the ports not working or being inconsistent.

STAN BARTON · Dec 11, 2025, 07:08 AM

Let me throw in another question. I’ve been using an ASI Air and it’s been great. One of the things I like is the ability to monitor from my desktop over ethernet, but also to use the software on an Android phone to do polar alignment and a few other maintenance tasks while I’m right next to the gear. When using a mini PC with NINA, what is the process for polar alignment? I really don’t want to have to deal with taking a laptop out to the field.

I’ll also throw in that I tried to use the SVBONY 241 Pro, but it seems that the ports want an ASCOM configured computer. One can’t really use it as a power/USB hub with something like an ASI Air due to some of the ports not working or being inconsistent.

I use Sharpcap pro and my phone to polar align over chrome remote desktop. Sharpcap is $12 a year for the pro license, well worth it. I have never liked nina’s 3ppa. Touch-n-stars is ok, but just remoting into the mini PC with CRD is much easier to me.

The sv241 pro will probably never work with the Asiair, as one of the main downfalls of it requiring the use of ZWO products. I still don't understand why they won’t allow third party devices, other than mounts, seems like they are missing out on a large group of potential customers.

jmdl101 · Dec 11, 2025, 12:59 PM

STAN BARTON · Dec 11, 2025, 07:08 AM

Let me throw in another question. I’ve been using an ASI Air and it’s been great. One of the things I like is the ability to monitor from my desktop over ethernet, but also to use the software on an Android phone to do polar alignment and a few other maintenance tasks while I’m right next to the gear. When using a mini PC with NINA, what is the process for polar alignment? I really don’t want to have to deal with taking a laptop out to the field.

I’ll also throw in that I tried to use the SVBONY 241 Pro, but it seems that the ports want an ASCOM configured computer. One can’t really use it as a power/USB hub with something like an ASI Air due to some of the ports not working or being inconsistent.

I use Sharpcap pro and my phone to polar align over chrome remote desktop. Sharpcap is $12 a year for the pro license, well worth it. I have never liked nina’s 3ppa. Touch-n-stars is ok, but just remoting into the mini PC with CRD is much easier to me.

The sv241 pro will probably never work with the Asiair, as one of the main downfalls of it requiring the use of ZWO products. I still don't understand why they won’t allow third party devices, other than mounts, seems like they are missing out on a large group of potential customers.

Thanks for the info on using CRD.

To clarify, I didn’t want to use the ASI Air to manage the SV241 Pro - I knew that would never work. I wanted to use the 241 simply as a dumb USB and power hub, but with an eye to using it with NINA in the future. But evidently that doesn’t work. You NEED to connect to a computer that’s using the ASCOM driver - that is never mentioned anywhere in SVBONY’s literature and now they’re giving me a hard time about returning because the product was not defective.

andrea tasselli:
Never quite got why people keep putting their acquisition/control device on the rig (say a mini-PC) on top of everything else riding on the mount whilst I never felt the need. A BIG thumb up for the convenience (and speed) of having a laptop at the rig.

In my setup, all of them (Laptop inside the home, MiniPC and cellphone (or tablet)) are in the same wifi network.

First time starting TouchN’stars on android, it will scan. Just make sure it is on the same Wifi network. Typically, it will catch the NINA and auto configure.

In miniPC, apart from the TouchN’stars, need to install Advanced API plugin. It helps with communication, I believe (I am not a coder or know the innards of programming).

I have the latest version of NINA (3.2).

For polar alignment, setup the TPPA plugin in NINA (start from current position, East ON, binning - I have 2×2 binning, enter the tolerance arc-min, plate solves within 5 seconds. Except for the binning part and start from current position part, NINA will remember all the settings.

On the cellphone, connect, go to mount, slew a little to west and north, start the polar alignment. This way, the camera will always move away from the tripod and not hit the mount. With NINA, except for directly aligning on Polaris, it will work within the East to West line, anywhere in the sky.

With the App on the phone, I have run the auto-focuser, just the inside PC will display the graph only when the focusing routine is complete.

I have not explored the app further.

If you need any settings help with NINA, just post here, will help you as much as I can.

STAN BARTON · Dec 11, 2025, 03:12 PM

Thank ZZZ. I wasn’t aware that there is an Android app that can control NINA. How does it connect to the mini PC when out in the field?

bigCatAstro · Dec 11, 2025, 04:03 PM

Tony Gondola · Dec 11, 2025, 01:53 PM

I really don’t understand the resistance to using a laptop at the scope. It has all the same needs that a mini PC has but it gives you a screen at the scope. That fact has come in very handy for me, not just for PA but for finding focus with different configurations and various other issues that will inevitably pop up. Cost is about the same or less and it doesn’t put extra weight and balance issues onto the rig. No problems with WiFi range for remote access. In the morning I just grab the laptop and start processing. Of course there are lots of ways to skin the cat but using a laptop isn’t any more to deal with and has some advantages.

I don’t think it’s a resistance, it’s more about doing what works for you. If a laptop works for you, then by all means, go with it. There are inherent advantages for using a laptop over a mini.

I use a miniPC mainly because I’m not going to man the telescope all night (these days I hardly do) and I’d rather not leave a laptop outside overnight. The fanless mini I use also stays warm on its own, I don’t need to protect it with a dense tote and towel.

So, each to their own is what I’m saying.

Totally get that, it’s great that we have options. I will say though that I’ve never had to take an special precautions to protect my laptop when it’s at the scope all night. The cover is closed and it stays warm enough. I can’t see that a laptop needs anymore extra protection than a fanless mini or even an ASIAIR for that matter. That’s in Oklahoma where it can get very cold with moderate dew fall. Like you, I don’t man the scope all night as well. I remote in like everyone else.