[Recommendations Sought] Mini PC for full frame image capture - Forums

Topic starter

Nov 4, 2023

Hello,
I have recently upgraded to an ASI6200MM. I'm looking for recommendations for a Mini PC that can handle this camera without long downtimes between subs. I do not intended to do live stacking. I do intend to do 30s L subs but don't want more than 1-2s between subs. (Dithering will increase this, of course.) I've spent several hours searching various forums and, while there are plenty of recommendations for APS-C size sensors, I'm having trouble finding recommendations specific to full frame cameras.

I'm considering:
https://www.amazon.com/MeLE-Quieter3C-Computer-Industrial-Ethernet/dp/B0BYZ91RFL/
and:
https://astro-gadget.net/gadgets/astrophotography/astropc-pro-new-mini-pc-windows-pro-intel-celeron-8-128-gb

Gear:
ASI6200MM Pro
ASI174MM Mini (Connects to main camera)
ZWO 7x2" EFW (Connects to main camera)
ZWO EAF
iOptron CEM 70

I'd like to make sure I'm not going to run into issues like I am with my AsiAir Mini.
(ZWO _claims_ the mini is fine for full frame image capture, but it isn't.)

Thanks in advance!

Jon

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Jerry Yesavage

Nov 5, 2023

Hi. I have the 6200 and use it with a Dell small FormFactor Optiplex 3070... this runs my whole observatory and no download problems:

If you go out on Amazon you can find these "renewed" for anywhere from 100-300$... just a thought as there is little that is going to go bad with these other than the SSD and you get a real computer...

Just a thought but these are widely used in government and industry and are plenty reliable... you do not need the i7... but if you can get it... why not...

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Jon Main

Topic starter

Nov 5, 2023

Jerry Yesavage:
If you go out on Amazon you can find these "renewed" for anywhere from 100-300$

Thanks Jerry!

JohnHen

IOTD Staff

Nov 5, 2023

Jon Main:
Hello,
I have recently upgraded to an ASI6200MM. I'm looking for recommendations for a Mini PC that can handle this camera without long downtimes between subs. I do not intended to do live stacking. I do intend to do 30s L subs but don't want more than 1-2s between subs. (Dithering will increase this, of course.) I've spent several hours searching various forums and, while there are plenty of recommendations for APS-C size sensors, I'm having trouble finding recommendations specific to full frame cameras.

I'm considering:
https://www.amazon.com/MeLE-Quieter3C-Computer-Industrial-Ethernet/dp/B0BYZ91RFL/
and:
https://astro-gadget.net/gadgets/astrophotography/astropc-pro-new-mini-pc-windows-pro-intel-celeron-8-128-gb

Gear:
ASI6200MM Pro
ASI174MM Mini (Connects to main camera)
ZWO 7x2" EFW (Connects to main camera)
ZWO EAF
iOptron CEM 70

I'd like to make sure I'm not going to run into issues like I am with my AsiAir Mini.
(ZWO _claims_ the mini is fine for full frame image capture, but it isn't.)

Thanks in advance!

Jon

Hello,
i have meanwhile two of the Mele Quieter3C on two rigs running, one with 8GB and the other with 16GB. Both on full frame QHY600M plus FW, guide cam, EAF etc. and as far as SW goes, NINA, Ascom. Sharpcap, ASTAP and many other SW. I have both combined with a PegasusAstro PowerBoX Advance and mounted on top of the scopes. Works perfect. Here you can see (if you zoom in) how the Mele is mounted on top of my small scope.
Hope that helps.
CS, John

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Philip Bartlett

Nov 5, 2023

Hi Jon,

I also have a Mele Quieter3C on my EdgeHD 9.25 and QHY268m (only APS-C) and it runs everything (NINA, PHD2, ASTAP, SharpCap) without any problems (you can see it on the top of my scope in my profile image). I even tried it with NINAs lucky imaging plugin and it had no problems with continuous one second exposures. I use an 512B SSD plugged into its internal expansion slot.

I also use NINA's RemoteCopy to upload images to my PC inside the house immediately after each exposure using WIFI and send updates to LightBucket. I'm not sure what capture software you intend using but NINA starts the next exposure while doing whatever PSF fitting etc it does before saving each image, so there is no downtime between exposures. With SharpCap, I can write images to SSD disk at the full frame rate (6fps x 51Mb = 3Gbs) thanks to the 4 x USB3.0 ports. The USB ports have no problem powering the EAF, my QHY filter wheel and guide camera (all powered via the USB ports).

I highly recommend the Mele.

Philip.

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Torsten Daiber

Nov 5, 2023

Hi,

the Mele should be ok, I run a double setup on the 2C with a 294 in 47M mode and a 183 (20 MPixels) with 2 instances of Nina and of course the guider, mount, focuser, filter wheel. Just make sure you have enough power. Most of the problems I had were because of an underrated power supply or battery.

Torsten

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Adam Drake

Nov 5, 2023

Anything Pi-based like the Air is going to be outclassed by any mini PC available. I think it's hard to top the MeLe offerings for the price/performance.

Well Written

Jon Main

Topic starter

Nov 5, 2023

Philip Bartlett:
Hi Jon,

I also have a Mele Quieter3C on my EdgeHD 9.25 and QHY268m (only APS-C) and it runs everything (NINA, PHD2, ASTAP, SharpCap) without any problems (you can see it on the top of my scope in my profile image). I even tried it with NINAs lucky imaging plugin and it had no problems with continuous one second exposures. I use an 512B SSD plugged into its internal expansion slot.

I also use NINA's RemoteCopy to upload images to my PC inside the house immediately after each exposure using WIFI and send updates to LightBucket. I'm not sure what capture software you intend using but NINA starts the next exposure while doing whatever PSF fitting etc it does before saving each image, so there is no downtime between exposures. With SharpCap, I can write images to SSD disk at the full frame rate (6fps x 51Mb = 3Gbs) thanks to the 4 x USB3.0 ports. The USB ports have no problem powering the EAF, my QHY filter wheel and guide camera (all powered via the USB ports).

I highly recommend the Mele.

Philip.

Seems reasonable, thanks!

Adam Drake:
Anything Pi-based like the Air is going to be outclassed by any mini PC available. I think it's hard to top the MeLe offerings for the price/performance.

Agreed, I guess the question now is if the AsiAir Pro is "good enough."

Torsten Daiber:
Hi,

the Mele should be ok, I run a double setup on the 2C with a 294 in 47M mode and a 183 (20 MPixels) with 2 instances of Nina and of course the guider, mount, focuser, filter wheel. Just make sure you have enough power. Most of the problems I had were because of an underrated power supply or battery.

Torsten

Fair enough, I'm using an Ecoflow River II 750wh power supply.

Chris White- Overcast Observatory

Nov 5, 2023

I've used minix and mele mini pc's for years with full frame IMX455. Both are "adequate" but if you intend to pursue more intensive processes they are not great. The mele doesnt have a fan and is throttled back when it gets hot, so it really suffers with summer imaging. Processor is better than the minix so when it's cool enough it outperforms it.

I like to evaluate frames and focus runs with ASTAP, and neither of these computers are very impressive for this.

Honestly, if you want to live stack or review data or capture video or lucky imaging, or do anything other than basic capture I'd seriously consider getting a NUC with an i7 processor. It costs twice as much as the other mini PC options like minix, mele, beelink, etc… but it's well worth the investment.

FWIW- I also keep my computers off the OTA. Fans can cause vibration problems and heat sources on your scope are a bad idea and can result in thermal issues that mess with star shapes. So I'd get a NUC with a good processor and keep it on the pier.

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GergoB

Nov 5, 2023

I own a QHY600M and use both a Mele 2Q and 3Q. I have few hundred nights on each. Even the old 2Q does just fine.

NelzAstro

Nov 5, 2023

I'm using the Astro-Gadget AstroPC Pro here on one rig, it's really good although there has been a slight QC issue with my unit. There was a cracked solder joint on the power input and after 2 months it failed. I sent it back and they had it repaired within 24hrs and shipped back to me. Incredible customer service given they are based in Kharkiv!

The other rig uses the Mele Quieter3C, functionally as a PC there is zero difference between both of the above, just the AstroPC Pro makes for a much tidier cable arrangement with it's built-in 12V power distribution.

For full frame just upgrade the internal storage with a nice NVMe drive, they are so cheap not and even 2TB can be had for under £100.

Agreed on the above for livestacking, you can pick up secondhand NUCs for quite cheap on eBay, I picked up a 7th Gen i7 for £120 as it had no storage drive pr OS although I very rarely use it.

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Observatório Astrográfico do Boqueirão

Nov 5, 2023

I'm using in my setups a Dell Optiplex 3050 Micro. Seems a good option also. He's part of my EQ Mount with the OnStep system attacked to him.
I think is a good suggestion also to consider. I use to have a Rasperberry Pi running Stellarmate and Astroberry, but the problem is (this is very personal for me), the OS Linux arm is very temperamental and crashes on everything. I'm running now in my All Sky Camera that he only does that.

Clear Skies,

Cesar

Richard H

Nov 5, 2023

Hi Jon,

I have two Mele Q3 mini computers running Windows 11 Pro on two telescopes. They are both very fast and never had a problem with either.
The trick on these nice units id to install a Crucial P5 2280 (P5 is the latest and fastest) 1TB or 2TB SSD P5 drive and transfer the OS to the new SSD drive and reformat the system's EEM drive as a data drive for image capture. The Mele Q3 EEM drive is fine but you will do better with the Crucial SSD. The OS can be downloaded from the Mele.com website and does not require another MS license.

You should check out Chad's very informative videos from PatriotAstro.com. He has some really nice videos on YouTube that are easy to follow while configuring your new mini PC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejXiAW_nAeA is one of 5 video's in his mini pc series.

Also, if your using NINA or planning to check NINA out Chad's video's. He's the best when it comes to NINA.

Richard

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Mark Ellis (PhoenixAstro)

Nov 6, 2023

I would recommend going with the Mele mini pc, You may get away with the AsiAir, but don't take ZWO's word on that. When using a FF camera, you will need additional storage space for the subs regardless of your exposure time.

I would also recommend getting an m.2 ssd to add to the Mele. I recommend getting a 2TB since the prices of the m.2's have been dropping. A 1TB will also do you good. If you goto Patriot Astros youtube, he has a series of video's on setting up the Mele to include adding an m.2 and imaging your windows onto the new cars.

Once you get it up and running, You'll be off to the races.

Mark

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NelzAstro

Nov 6, 2023

Just a quick note on the AstroGadget AstroPC Pro, it is a Mele Quieter3C under the hood but with active cooling (1x fan) and a 12V pass through with 1 input and 4 outputs (this is also the power input for the PC meaning the USB-C port is an actual USB port unlike on the Mele). It comes with a 128GB mSATA drive in the primary m.2 slot and an empty m.2 slot for further expansion.

The WiFi antennae add a heap of range to the already capable wifi6 of the Mele Quieter3 and if like me you mount it in a dual losmandy bracket with spacers (making a kind of box like structure under the scope), the antennae can poke out the sides alleviating the Faraday cage effect that the losmandy plates create.

Makes for a very tidy and capable setup, once I get back to Somerset I'll pop a photo on here to show what I mean.

Another way is using the Mele Quieter3C with a Pegasus Astro powerbox but that gets pricey quickly!

Whatever option you go for a storage upgrade will pay dividends!

Clear skies to you from rainy Cornwall!

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Jon Main

Topic starter

Nov 6, 2023

Thanks for all the feedback, lots of good info here!

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