Great run through on this mini pc. The Mele mini PCs certainly seem to be very popular choice when it comes to astrophotography and will probably be what I look at the next . CS
I have the Quieter 3C MeLe. I added a SSD stick and migrated Windows from the eMMC drive to the SSD drive, then installed Stellarmate on the eMMC drive. I haven't messed with NINA yet, but eventually I intend to install that on the Windows drive. I just have to be sure I have the correct boot order set in the BIOS, if I'm taking it out into the field. It has enough USB ports for what I need. I bought it because the specs mention it can be powered with a power bank with the right power delivery. I have high performance power banks, but I also have a power converter that clips onto my Ryobi 18v batteries and enables USB and AC power capability, so I have options for power. My biggest gripe is that the wireless connection is horrible, so updating Windows takes a long time if I don't connect it via ethernet cable.
I really like your concise, factual and helpful style Steve - many thanks for the time you put into these vids. I’m also looking at the Mele range for kit at the end of the garden, and since my hub is on the wrong side of the house was considering the Mele PGC35 which has (I think) the ability to generate Wi-Fi rather than just receive it (not my strong point). Do you agree and consider it would have the legs to run image capture and auto guiding and mount control? Many thanks for any advice you might be able to give…
Thanks so much Andrew, really appreciate your kind comments mate! :) Think you should be good with the PCG35 in regards to capture and imaging...its a slower system, but don't see you having any real problems...let us know how you get on! :)
I use a Mele Quieter 3Q, 4 USB3 ports,. I power it with a Bluetti EB55 lithium power station. I had to purchase a 5.5x2.1 to USB C adapter from Amazon. It's only rated at 5v but it works fine. The processor is an Intel N5105 processor. I use NINA on this minipc and it seems to run fine. The only program that runs slow is Stelllarium. I get even get 10fps so trying to scroll via my iPad via MS Remote Desktop iand entering text is frustrating. I'm wondering if the Quieter 4C with the N100 processor would be better? I was wondering if you have used Stellarium on your Mele and how it performs. The FPS is shown at the bottom of the screen. Can you get 10fps or more on your mince? I also have an ASIAir Plus 256. I had some compatiblity issues with my AVX mount so I switched to NINA. Luckily these issues seemed to have been addressed in the latest 2.2 version that has recently been released.
Hi mate, thanks for tuning in! Sorry, I haven't used Stellarium with the N100 so I can't compare it to your experience...I have found the N100 version to be great though and it's handled all of the software I use (NINA, Sharpcap, Fire Capture, Synscan, etc.) no problem with no lags...even when using Remote Desktop. Would highly recommend it. :)
I've been using UP Core plus for years. It worked fine for my purpose (NINA and Sharpcap). The only problem I had with it was that it did not last too long... I needed new one every roughly 6 months. After 8th unit I stopped and now I see this Mele PCG02 N100 as worth checking. Anyone knows if you can power it directly from unregulated LiFePO4 (max 14.6V) or LiION (max 16,8V) battery through this usb-c port dedicated for power?
Hi Steve, currently in the middle of moving house so not much astro photography at the moment. My rigs are controlled by the following, 1x ASIair mini, 1x PLL Eagle LE, 1x Stellarmate Pro. I have just bought a Sky Watcher Wave 100i harmonic drive mount, which does not work properly with the ASIair mini ( can't calibrate guiding) Currently trying to solve this problem with the supplier. Really could do with a week of clear skies to set everything up. This mount will eventually be used with the Stellarmate Pro, but I have not had time to fully test this either (not a pc for the beginner, but has a lot of potential) my favourite is still the Eagle LE, I use it with Sharp Cap, but it will just as easily run NINA, APT etc., I do not currently have the dew heater auto control module ( next buy?) so I have to adjust the power levels manually from the LE software. All these pcs come with their own WiFi hotspot and the connection to my phone, tablet and Laptop is good. I prefer using my laptop when using the Eagle, and my tablet for the other two. The ASIair mini is used mainly for my grab and go rig which is based around a Red Cat 51, Star Adventurer GTi mount and a ZWO ASI585MC Pro camera with a EAF and ASI mini guider, works great (I can sub the Cat for a SY 135mm f2 lens for a wider field). Clear Skies
Great setup list mate and hope you get the Wave 100i working properly with your ASIAIR! Let us know how you get on…I’m thinking of picking one up too! 😀👍🏻
Thanks for tuning in mate…yes this mini PC has great wifi and I’ve had zero issues with it over the course of many different types of imaging sessions…
❓QUESTION OF THE DAY: How do you control your Astrophotography imaging sessions? Let us know in the comments below!
I used a .mini computer on my Telescope with external hard drive and the Pegasus power box, on my Altair Astro triplet 80mm ED 🔭
We're grateful for the review you shared about our MeLE products. Your feedback means a lot to us.
No worries folks! Having great fun with it! Hope your team are all well! 👍🏻😀
If you guys could add 12V power management to your PCs, they'd be the perfect Astrophotography computer!
this one is for me. Still use a laptop with one cable to the rig, all else into the powerbox adv gen2, which is great. thanks for showcasing it
That's awesome mate...glad my video was helpful and have fun with the Mele! :)
Great run through on this mini pc. The Mele mini PCs certainly seem to be very popular choice when it comes to astrophotography and will probably be what I look at the next . CS
Thanks Logan! Yes, really recommend this one…it’s been a brilliant performer for me over the course of many sessions on a range of projects!
I have the Quieter 3C MeLe. I added a SSD stick and migrated Windows from the eMMC drive to the SSD drive, then installed Stellarmate on the eMMC drive. I haven't messed with NINA yet, but eventually I intend to install that on the Windows drive. I just have to be sure I have the correct boot order set in the BIOS, if I'm taking it out into the field. It has enough USB ports for what I need.
I bought it because the specs mention it can be powered with a power bank with the right power delivery. I have high performance power banks, but I also have a power converter that clips onto my Ryobi 18v batteries and enables USB and AC power capability, so I have options for power.
My biggest gripe is that the wireless connection is horrible, so updating Windows takes a long time if I don't connect it via ethernet cable.
Thanks for sharing your experiences mate! Appreciate you tuning in and best of luck with your imaging! :)
I really like your concise, factual and helpful style Steve - many thanks for the time you put into these vids. I’m also looking at the Mele range for kit at the end of the garden, and since my hub is on the wrong side of the house was considering the Mele PGC35 which has (I think) the ability to generate Wi-Fi rather than just receive it (not my strong point). Do you agree and consider it would have the legs to run image capture and auto guiding and mount control? Many thanks for any advice you might be able to give…
Thanks so much Andrew, really appreciate your kind comments mate! :)
Think you should be good with the PCG35 in regards to capture and imaging...its a slower system, but don't see you having any real problems...let us know how you get on! :)
I use a Mele Quieter 3Q, 4 USB3 ports,. I power it with a Bluetti EB55 lithium power station. I had to purchase a 5.5x2.1 to USB C adapter from Amazon. It's only rated at 5v but it works fine. The processor is an Intel N5105 processor. I use NINA on this minipc and it seems to run fine. The only program that runs slow is Stelllarium. I get even get 10fps so trying to scroll via my iPad via MS Remote Desktop iand entering text is frustrating. I'm wondering if the Quieter 4C with the N100 processor would be better? I was wondering if you have used Stellarium on your Mele and how it performs. The FPS is shown at the bottom of the screen. Can you get 10fps or more on your mince?
I also have an ASIAir Plus 256. I had some compatiblity issues with my AVX mount so I switched to NINA. Luckily these issues seemed to have been addressed in the latest 2.2 version that has recently been released.
Hi mate, thanks for tuning in!
Sorry, I haven't used Stellarium with the N100 so I can't compare it to your experience...I have found the N100 version to be great though and it's handled all of the software I use (NINA, Sharpcap, Fire Capture, Synscan, etc.) no problem with no lags...even when using Remote Desktop. Would highly recommend it. :)
I've been using UP Core plus for years. It worked fine for my purpose (NINA and Sharpcap). The only problem I had with it was that it did not last too long... I needed new one every roughly 6 months. After 8th unit I stopped and now I see this Mele PCG02 N100 as worth checking.
Anyone knows if you can power it directly from unregulated LiFePO4 (max 14.6V) or LiION (max 16,8V) battery through this usb-c port dedicated for power?
Hi Steve, currently in the middle of moving house so not much astro photography at the moment. My rigs are controlled by the following, 1x ASIair mini, 1x PLL Eagle LE, 1x Stellarmate Pro. I have just bought a Sky Watcher Wave 100i harmonic drive mount, which does not work properly with the ASIair mini ( can't calibrate guiding) Currently trying to solve this problem with the supplier. Really could do with a week of clear skies to set everything up. This mount will eventually be used with the Stellarmate Pro, but I have not had time to fully test this either (not a pc for the beginner, but has a lot of potential) my favourite is still the Eagle LE, I use it with Sharp Cap, but it will just as easily run NINA, APT etc., I do not currently have the dew heater auto control module ( next buy?) so I have to adjust the power levels manually from the LE software. All these pcs come with their own WiFi hotspot and the connection to my phone, tablet and Laptop is good. I prefer using my laptop when using the Eagle, and my tablet for the other two. The ASIair mini is used mainly for my grab and go rig which is based around a Red Cat 51, Star Adventurer GTi mount and a ZWO ASI585MC Pro camera with a EAF and ASI mini guider, works great (I can sub the Cat for a SY 135mm f2 lens for a wider field). Clear Skies
Great setup list mate and hope you get the Wave 100i working properly with your ASIAIR! Let us know how you get on…I’m thinking of picking one up too! 😀👍🏻
Interesting.
Thanks mate, glad you found it useful and cheers for tuning in! :)
The non-starter for me is the lack of 12v out to power the equipment
Yep, I hear you mate...this doesn't suit every set-up. Thanks for tuning in and hope you have a fruitful imaging season this year! :)
Does the mini PC have any wifi capabilities? Or would it require an external AP for wireless connections?
The mini PC comes with built-in WiFi functionality.
Thanks for tuning in mate…yes this mini PC has great wifi and I’ve had zero issues with it over the course of many different types of imaging sessions…