7awol Loc: Butler, Pa

I got my ASIair PLUS in time to take to the Black Forest Star Party at Cherry Springs State Park several weeks ago. Great viewing conditions on six evenings provided ample opportunity to get familiar with the new PLUS.

I have owned and totally enjoyed using the previous version, the ASIair Pro for the past year. I initially purchased the Pro to add guiding to my little portable wide field rig. A William Optics Space Cat 51 mounted on an Ioptron SkyGuider Pro and an astro modded Nikon D5500. This kit was providing nice 90 second exposures while tracking when I had good polar alignment. I knew that the SkyGuider was capable of much longer exposures if I took advantage of it's guiding option. That required a guide scope, guide camera and a gadget to make it all work together. After a bunch of researching, I ordered the ZWO ASIair Pro, the 120 mini camera and guide scope kit. About $500. I had it up and imaging in short order with the help of a couple of members from my astro club. My very first images, guiding for 5 minutes on M31 (Andromeda Galaxy) had pinpoint stars. I was blown away.
The ASIair Pro automated the polar alignment procedure (no more down on my knees looking through the polar scope) and provided complete control of my Nikon D5500. I was still "star hopping" and manually pushing the camera to find targets since the SkyGuider does not have go-to capabilities. If I had an autofocuser, a filter wheel and a go-to mount, the ASIair Pro would have controlled those also. All via wi-fi from my smartphone or tablet. The only squawk that I have with the ASIair Pro is the limited wi-fi range. During long imaging sessions, I would jump in my camper for a break and the wi-fi connection would drop. Same at home, dropped connection when inside the house. The drop would not affect the imaging run, it continued as programmed, but it would not permit me to monitor guiding accuracy or image capture progress as the Autorun continued. Kinda frustrating. Not being tethered to my rig played a big part in my decision when buying the ASIair Pro. I wanted that unwired freedom. Regardless, I compensated and made many wall hanging astro images with the ASIair Pro riding on my little telescope.

Then the ASIair PLUS was announced. A bit sleeker appearance, some tweaking of the onboard electronics AND the addition of an external wi-fi antenna. I ordered one on the spot. The PLUS was priced the same as the Pro. While waiting for it to arrive, I replaced the SkyGuider Pro with an iOptron GEM28 mount. The new PLUS now plays well with the upgraded kit. Having everything controlled by the PLUS via wi-fi from my tablet, now including go-to options for my mount, has allowed my to spend much more time imaging. And where I live, just west of the Allegheny Mountains, imaging time is scarce and precious. The ASIair Plus Autorun program can be programmed to do all imaging tasks, including system shut down (and parking your mount in the home position) at the end of the session. It will not, however, put the cover on your rig. AND the enhanced wi-fi allows me and my tablet to wander away from the telescope during long imaging sessions and stay connected! During the Black Forest event, I would often do just that. My neighbors were impressed that I could share my imaging progress on my tablet while visiting their campsites. I could also duck into my camper for a warm up without loosing connection with the telescope. At home I can bring the tablet inside and stroll to the back rooms (sixty feet from the telescope) and still maintain connection. Signal strength drops to one bar however. The PLUS is a keeper for me.

As a sidenote, the Black Forest folks host an astro swap meet during the event. I decided to put my ASIair Pro on the sales table. It sold within 10 minutes. The buyer asked why I was selling, I explained my challenge with the limited wi-fi. He said that he didn't care, he was going to install it via ethernet cable to a second telescope at his home Observatory. We both won!

YAHOO! A little antenna.


PeeWee (my little wide field rig) controlled by ASIAIR PLUS


PeeWee (and the PLUS) at the Black Forest Star Party at Cherry Springs State Park


300 seconds on SkyGuider Pro with ZWO ASIAIR Pro, 120 mini camera and guide scope kit

(Download)

tramsey Loc: Texas

Excellent Photos - Long explanation but at the end it's an oh yah
I'm glad you wre able to sell your ASIair so easily. I always enjoy your photography.

mikedent Loc: Florida

Nice shot of Orion! I have Ioptron CEM 25P; how do you like the GEM28??

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Outstanding image of Orion. Great work. You mentioned you also captured M31 would love to see that one also.

7awol Loc: Butler, Pa

My first go-to mount. I stuck with iOptron since I had pleasant experiences with their SkyTracker and SkyGuider Pro products. I chose this new little mount because it is small and lightweight yet is rated for a 28 pound load. I like traveling to dark sky areas and a goal was to keep my whole kit light and portable. Everything works as advertised so far, no squawks yet.

7awol Loc: Butler, Pa

This was the very first image that I made after connecting the ZWO ASIair Pro, 120 mini camera and guide scope to to the iOptron SkyGuider Pro last October. 299 seconds at ISO 400, the William Optics Space Cat 51 is f/4.9. My camera is an astro modified (IR cut filter removed) Nikon D5500.

(Download)

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Nice shot. Is that a 250mm focal length?

7awol Loc: Butler, Pa

Yes, the Space Cat 51 is 250mm. With my crop sensor Nikon D550 that provides a FOV of 5.5 x 3.6 degrees (equivalent to 375mm FOV). I forgot to mention that the M31 image was a stack of 10. I use a MacBook so stacking with Starry Sky Stacker then process in PS CC.

Marc G Loc: East Grinstead, West Sussex, England

Nice images & great explanation

DickC Loc: NE Washington state

Very nice capture!!