What is on your wish list for the ASI Air Pro? Let me know down below! ****DSLR users, tip #2 is WRONG in relation to DSLR's. For ZWO cams it still stands. Check out this video to see why: ruclips.net/video/4ffeaofGBnY/видео.html Thank you to all the commenters who helped me correct myself to make that video, you guys are awesome!
I would love it if you could search for objects by their common names, i.e Eagle Nebula, Orion, Trifid, Butterfly Nebula... etc, and not just the catalogue designations. Would make things a little easier!
I'd like to see a soft button provided that for those not using GoTo mounts, gives quick selection of the Home page where the Lat/Long/Time values can be updated. If using a GoTo mount, it seems the mount page provides the position data, but not if using the ST4-only connection such as when using a tracker. I've seen cases where the Home screen was bypassed, perhaps due to what equipment was already connected and powered on, and when I encountered very long PA setup times due to erratic jumps in the alignment data, I was puzzled. I eventually saw I'd overlooked updating my position in the app...I'd become complacent about checking that because my only AP efforts until a recent trip had all been from the same location at my home. I was surprised to see that in order to access the Home screen, an app restart seems necessary for ST4-only configurations.
Thanks for the videos. I’m not finding video mode on the drop down. ? Second it would be nice if we could open the app when not connected to set things up. I have lost connection also and it asked me to polar align again. Im very new to this device. Likely user error. I read thru all the comments. Video mode an issue. Got it. :) Using Nikon D5600
I agree, setting up without being connected would be nice. Especially if being able to set up a few plan modes to be ready for a couple weeks of imaging was a possibility.
Great info, as usual! In the focusing section at 2:08 it looks like your using neighborhood trees for preliminary close focus, correct? I had no idea you could do this at less than infinity focus (on a star). Would it be possible to build your backfocus image train in the warm indoors through the window with terrestrial images less than a mile away perhaps?.
Good info in general, forgiving the corrective comments regarding video mode with DSLRs that you provided an update for, and kudos on that as well. I was unaware that flats need to be shot at longer exposures as you mention and have simply put my DSLR (a Nikon D850) into Aperture Priority and shot either a flat of bright but diffused LED video light or else a lightbox app on my Galaxy tablet. Exposures are typically 1/250 sec or faster, so I'll try a lower brightness level and explore what long-exposure flats do for my images. That said, can you advise why it is that a longer exposure for a flat is preferable? I can't say I've ever heard this mentioned before nor studied more in depth on how to do a proper flat...I just went with the general advice to shoot flats in Ap mode, then dark flats at the same exposure with lens covered and camera in manual mode. Thanks!
A slightly longer exposure allows for the dust on the telescope/lens to show up properly. 1/250th of a second is too fast for that. You'll still be able to deal with vignetting, but dust won't show up. So, as long as your flats and dark flats are a few seconds long (doesn't need to be longer than 10 seconds) you'll pick up on any dust or dirt that may have blew in with a breeze.
That camera can be a pain, I highly recommend, if possible, focus it and store it that way. Only adjust if necessary beyond that. Makes setup and teardown so much smoother.
Great focusing tip, thanks! I have read that after taking auto flats that you can switch to darks & press the edit time button & get a matching time auto filled for dark flats. Seems to be a bug if true because it properly should be labelled as bias or dark flat when taken into stacking software. Will try this when I can shoot again.
That's interesting. I haven't tried that with flats & dark flats yet, but I will give it a shot the next few times I'm out. It would be nice to hear from ZWO whether or not it's a bug or intended.
Using the video mode for focussing is a very good tip. Up to now, I never used the video mode at all. I focus my Canon EOS R, in the live view of the camera itself. For focussing the guide scope, I also take my Bahtinov mask - it works well for the 240mm scope. Regarding focus, my wish for ASIAIR Plus/ Pro would be to use a focusser of another brand than ZWO.
It would be nice for their stuff to be compatible with others. But after talking to them at NEAF, their team is smaller than you'd think. They want some compatibility but time is limited and they focus on other things. Best thing we could do is pressure the other brands to contact ZWO to start working with them for compatibility drivers. Doing that will bring it to their attention and they'll put some focus on it.
Interesting tips! As a new ASIAIR user I can use all the help I can get on that topic. Being a Celestron owner the EQMOD thing is out of scope. My big suggestion for ZWO is to include functionality for light panels like the Artesky or Pegasus models, or others supported in ASCOM. That might break the ASIAIR exclusion model ZWO seems to operate under. I do like ZWO equipment to be sure, got quite a bit in my observatory and it all works just fine. Looking forward to using the ASIAIR Plus.
Adding in some kind of flats panel compatibility doesn't seem too far out of scope. I'll be talking to them in a few weeks at a conference, I'll bring it up and see what they say!
ZWO may make a panel someday, but they won't support any 3rd party. The SDK for the ASI air is open source - if it supports any panel you may be able to reverse engineer the interface.
Sort of, it works with the Orion Atlas and Sirius mounts.... but those are the same mounts as the Skywatcher equivalents but with different branding. There's also a couple of Vixen mounts it works with, but those use Synscan hand controllers.
Great video mate I'm subscribing My wife won't let me get into astrophotography for a year minimum. I just got my first scope a 10"dob and I'm hooked. I will learn the sky and be ready when I get the green light.
Such a great video! For me as a AP newbie, I didn't know that you can focus with the ASI mini guide scope? I thought you have to move the guide cam (ASI 120mini) back and for in that cylindrical tube for getting in focus? Or do you rotate on the mini guide scope? Thx, Nico🙏
The mini scope can be rotated to focus. The front (black) part and the red part can twist apart to focus, then you spin the other one to lock it. If you extend it out far enough, you don't need the extension tube the mini camera comes with.
I used to take flats the way you suggested, but I now use the "live" mode to take flats. For some reason the total time it takes to shoot all the images is like half, even at the same exposure rate. Plus it'll stack all the flats together into 1 image automatically, which is nice. I've done multiple side by side comparisons between taking 40 flats using autorun versus 2 stacked files of 20 using live mode and the end result is the exact same.
That's nifty. I think I'll have to give that a shot sometime. I wonder if the speed when live stacking is slightly faster than using Autorun? Something I'll have to play with!
@@AstroEscape The speed isn't just slightly faster, it's like 3x faster than using autorun. I'm not 100% sure why, but it seems like autorun wants to download the picture and show it on the device before moving onto the next one. While using the live stacking though it seems to just keep taking pictures and it'll update the live stack when the image is downloaded, but it won't wait for that to happen before shooting the next picture.
@@TheMalbroughs You shouldn't be changing your focus to take your flats, it should be left the way it was when you shot your lights. You're right though, you can't auto focus in live mode. If I'm going to be using live mode to take my lights, I'll switch to preview or focus mode first, do my auto focus, then switch back to live and go from there. I'm not sure why they don't want to add the auto focus to live mode, it's available in every other mode except video.
One thing I have noticed is that if you take auto flats then change the exposure time to a number it automatically suggests the shutter speed used for the flats. But that is clunky.
Yeah, I have noticed that too. I usually do auto flats then just use the same exposure time for manually-set dark flats. Works well enough even if it's an extra step.
Thanks for this, you have a new subscriber. Re wish list for the ASIAIR, I'd like to be able to extract (or append to the filename) the EAF position for each filter, so I can do my flats the next morning. Unless you know any way I can do this presently? I have mine set up to refocus on each filter change so I should be able to reproduce the same optical path for each set. Unless you think this approach won't work!
I must be missing something - once I take a flat, I note the exposure time and then take a dark flat? But doesn’t that mean I have to remove the camera (thus disturbing the train) and cap it in a dark place?
Only thing you need to keep in account is if you are using a DSLR, the dark flats are taken at the same temperature as the flats so they calibrate properly.
Daylon, I see you use the T7i camera too. When connected to the ASIAIR Pro via USB, how do you execute mirror lockup?. I have enabled it on the camera but it requires pressing the shutter release button. Do you do that first, before starting the AIR?
Mirror lockup only runs when there's a longer exposure. Short exposures it doesn't lock up. I have it turned on at all times by using the custom menu options.
ASIAir feature request: As a non-goto mount user, I’d love an equivalent Polar Alignment interface for finding a target. As a beginner with just a Skyguider Pro and DSLR finding my target has been the hardest part by far. The ASIAir already made PA pretty trivial, it would be great to do the same for target finding.
I agree. For goto it centers itself using plate solving, or tries to five times before it gives up. That would be a nifty feature for regular star trackers.
If you do a plate solve after “PREVIEW “ image capture, then under, TOOLS, select ANNOTATE, the ASIAIR will label main objects in field of view. This way if you get in general region of where you want to be, you will know where you are currently pointing.
Ping ZWO for it. My old Celestron had a encoders and a "push to" mode on the Advanced AstroMaster on the hand controller. Plate solving on ASAI air would elim the need for encoders on your tracking mount so it would be easy for them.
Thank you for your videos. I have a Celestron CGEM II Mount and a Celestron ALT AZ Mount for my CPC800. In order to do what you recommend as far as EQMOD direct from your mount to your ASI AIR Pro, could I do the same with my Celestron mounts? Or would I need a different work around. The
ZWO hasn't listed Celestron to be compatible with EQMOD. You'll probably have to go through the hand controller. Seems they've only made Skywatcher mounts compatible with EQMOD. Hopefully that changes in the future!
@@AstroEscape thank you. I didn't know the specifics on the two hand controllers that came with each mount. I thought the CGEM II had the old style RS-232 jack. Thankfully, it has the micro mini b connector and I had a few of those from my older cell phones. I will need the RS-232 for the mount ALT AZ mount that comes with the CPC 800. I am using the original ASI Air but will hopefully get the ASI Air Plus (on backorder) soon. Not holding my breath. This will allow me time to finally get familiarized with my scopes and mounts that I purchased in late 2019 (Celestron CPC 800, Explore Scientific ED 80 CF, CGEM II, ASI 294MC Pro-main, ASI 290MM mini-guide, 385MC for planetary, ASI Air).
Hello I have an eos 90D according to what I put all the parameters to capture. Raw, L, Etc. But whenever I want to make a long exposure of 200 seconds at high isos, it generates an error and I get this warning on the screen (Only support raw ,correct and continue ). What will I be doing wrong?
Yeah, there's no smarts yet to tell it to do that. Never had a problem at this point though. If I felt it would be a problem I'd toss in a couple desiccant packets to the case I store it in.
I am a newbie in deep dark sky and soon I will be getting my ASIair pro. so my question is Can I used my fastar lens, ZWO 2600 with ASIAir? I have nexstar evo 9.25.
Hey thanks for that EQMod cable link, I have the Shoestring Astronomy one I bought a couple years ago .. but it’s construction is a little cheesy, this one looks the business and I just ordered it. So question, could I use the video mode in an ASIair Pro instead of Fire Capture on my laptop for solar with Daystar Quark and ASI290mm camera? Thanks
Yep, it should work, since essentially you are only changing the software used to record the video. Video mode was added primarily for planetary/solar system imaging, so it should work pretty much the same!
What do you recommend I hook up my Celestron AVX mount to my ASI AIR Pro. Thru the phone cable from ZWO guide camera to mount or connect straight to the mount and the hand controller usb to ASI AIR Pro?
Plug the guide camera into the ASI Air, always. You don't have to plug it into the mount if you are using an ASI Air. For the mount, try the eqmod cable! For most mounts, it bypasses the hand controller entirely and makes things a TON easier :)
@@figzastro-photography My apologies, the AVX is not a mount I own. I did talk to a couple friends that own one, however. How new is your mount? If you have the USB to serial cable, you should be able to set it to "Celestron AVX/CGE/CGEM/CGX" within the Air app. Due to the software the AVX uses, the EQMOD cable won't work for you.
I have a question. I'm in possession of a Celestron CGE mount. Been looking to connect it through the EqModcable option, but so far I found only information that it can't be done. Is this the case with the CGE ??? Good luck with your channel 👍🏼. Greetings from Enschede(The Netherlands)
That's correct, it won't work. The EQMod cable is only compatible with Skywatcher setups, and a couple of Vixen ones that use the Synscan controller. You'll have to use the NexStar hand controller with a USB cable between the controller and the ASI AIR.
@@AstroEscape yeah, that's the way I'm doing it now. It works fine, but sometimes, it's rare, the mount stops slewing for a second and then it's off... Doesn't happen a lot. Only when I am slewing to an target when I select it from the list on the AsiAir. Ever since I select it on the hand controller and haven't had problem since. Bought the mount for its capacity, it has some minor problmens, but overall a beast of mount 😇... Thanks for taking the time to answer...
I'm 80 years old, but that's my problem. I am using a Celestron CGX mount, just purchased the ASI AIR Plus. Above you say to "use the NexStar hand controller with a USB cable between the controller and the ASI AIR". My question is; is the cable a USB 3 or 2? It seems it is placed in the USB 3 slot on the ASI, but all I can find available is a white end USB 2 cable available. Does it make any difference if it is a blue or a white USB in this case? Thanks for your show, very informative.
@@Mr.B1025 made some steps since, so I'll throw in a bone here. The usb 3.0 slots (blue) should be saved for the flashdrive and main camera. Then the 2.0 slots (black) for the mount and guidecamera. So no need for 3.0 usb cable between mount/Handcontroller and Asiair. I think with the cgx you'll be able to use pulse guiding so you don't need the st-4 connection between mount and guidecamera.
@@DirkDirk1983 Thanks for your response, Dirk. So, I have the Guide Camera hooked up by the usb 2.0 90°mini cable to the ASI Plus usb 2.0 slot. The main Camera hooked up by the usb 3.0 cable to a 3.0 usb slot, and power both to the ASI Plus. ASI Power source from battery. And the Mount/Base of Hand controller usb 2.0 cable to the ASI Plus 2.0 slot. I'm just not sure about that last part. Nothing from the Guide Camera straight to the Mount. Thanks for your help, it means a lot to me. David Baumgartner 😅
Bring up the bottom bar, and hit the three stripes to see all apps. Swipe up on any app you want to close to close them all. On newer versions of Android there's a "close all" button, which is a good thing to do once in a while.
I hear you there. My friend Ben over @TheNarrowbandChannel wishes the same too! He runs multiple scopes on one mount too sometimes. Not sure how he handles it though, you'd have to ask him!
If your camera is in manual mode, you can control the shutter speed. By default on most cameras, bulb mode is the longest exposure your camera can handle without external controls like an intervalometer or something like the ASI Air. You'll need to look up how to do that for your specific camera as menus are different between brands and models.
Bulb mode by default can only do 30 seconds. You need an intervalometer or the ASI Air to go any longer. As long as it's in bulb mode, the ASI AIR can control it.
I was also looking for this option. If you search around the forums, there are people using ASIAir without direct view of Polaris. You just need clear view of 2 points in the sky 60 deg apart by adjusting the DEC angle. You should definitely look into this if your view is blocked. Cheers ! PS: I have not got around to trying this since yet myself.
Daylin, I had been stopped using my EOS 800D (T7i) DSLR which was on the list of compatible cameras. I have the latest firmware and have been able to take videos of the Blood Moon using ZWO 178mm. But I couldn't get the DSLR to function. The mirror would flop out of the way and just freeze. The solution was your tip one, RAW only, thank you so much. Waiting for support from ZWO has gone wanting. However, I am not seeing the Video mode on the ASIAIR now?? Any suggestions?
So I've seen this twice now, video mode not being available for DSLR's. I haven't gotten a chance to set my gear up and play around, but I'm starting to suspect that if it's a DSLR, it won't show video mode because the DSLR itself has a video mode. It might be able to control the video mode built in to the DSLR. If that's the case, I'll let you know.
@@AstroEscape Thanks for the quick turn around, I came to the same conclusion, I put the DSLR in video mode on the power switch and that didn't work. then, I thought that since the AIR gets the images in CR2 format and it is trying to save .fits and .jpeg on it's memory card, maybe that is the determining factor??? I really appreciate your attention to these dilemmas. Please more attention to flats. Thank you.
I haven't looked into that yet, but a good option for now, instead of sifting, you can (at least in WIndows) sort a folder by file type, and select all of the jpegs and delete them. I think they toss them in so you have something you can look at that is supported by most operating systems' default image viewer.
Thanks for this video it was very helpful. However, add me to the list of people who didn't have video mode available. I am using a DSLR (Canon T7i) and the 120MM Mini as a guide scope. I also have a 224MC. When I connected with my iPad, I could not get the option for video to show up, no matter which camera I used. I tried connecting with my Android phone (Pixel 3 XL), and when I selected the 224MC, I had the option for video. I switched back to my iPad, and suddenly I had the option for video there as well. I then tried switching to the DSLR and no surprise, no video mode. From what I can tell, if you are on an iPad, video mode will not show up if you have your DSLR connected, once I unplugged the DSLR, it did show up for my other 2 cameras. On the Android phone, it did not seem to matter that the DSLR was connected, but video mode would only be available to the other 2 cameras.
I'm going to play around with all cameras that I can connect to the air soon and see what the differences are and capabilities are in video mode. Watch out for that video, I've gotten a lot of feedback about it so I'll try to make sure it is accurate as to where video mode is possible and where it isn't.
I don't see Video mode. I only see Focus, PA, Preview, Autorun, Plan and Live. I have the latest Asiair App 1.6, and firmware 7.92. I use USB cable contact to AVX mount hand controller. I really hope I can get Video mode to focus main and guide cameras. Can anyone help? Thanks.
@@AstroEscape Interesting question! I was not able to see Video mode with asi294mc pro, but when I changed the camera to Nikon D750, Video mode showed up. Is this mode only available for certain cameras?
@@LiveLifeTheNordicWay Not that I know of. The clips in the video were done with the asi294mc pro and the 120 mini that comes with the asi air (the black and white clip). Anything on ZWO's compatibility list should be able to show video.
@@AstroEscape I am so sorry I said other way around, Video mode was not shown with D750 as main camera, but now available with asi294mc pro. Is this something new? I like your short tip video, it helped me instantly.
@@LiveLifeTheNordicWay That's interesting. The camera is listed as tested on the compatibility list, and it's not one of the ones you have to use a shutter release cable. So, in theory, it should work. Since I don't use Nikon, maybe asking someone who does if they get the same thing. Peter Zelinka uses a D750, maybe see if he's able to shed some light on it for you!
Using the video mode for focusing is a great recommendation. Used my ASIAIR Pro setup for the first time last night. Couldn't figure out how to focus so I pulled the cables out of my DSLR so I could use live view. Will def use video mode next time. Great video, keep them coming!!
Keep in mind I corrected the video mode thing. For DSLR's you still have to pull the cable, for dedicated astro cameras, video mode works. Thanks for swinging by!
When focusing cameras, no need to unplug your MAIN camera to focus your guide camera. Just switch off main camera and guide camera in APP, Select guide camera as MAIN camera, switch it on and do focus. When done switch off main camera, reselect actual main camera and switch it back on Select GUIDE camera and switch it back on. this way you don’t have to disturb the scope/mount setup or plug/unplug cables
That's a good point. The only point where that would be necessary to unplug is when using a DSLR that locks out the LCD screen when a USB cable is plugged in (mine does). Since we've figured out that DSLR's can't use video mode, you'd have to use the LCD screen for live view for focusing.
I don't get it. If you focus with the guidescope/camera, that does not focus the main telescope at all. As the video shows, you still use the Bahtinov mask to focus the telescope. So why bother with focusing the guidescope other than to make sure you track well?
You still need to focus the guide scope so it can tell where the stars are. If you leave it as the guide camera when focusing, you have to have the guide scope camera as if you were already imaging. This means you have to have it take a shot, wait until the screen updates, then adjust the focus. And then you have to wait until it settles to update with a clear image. Putting the guide camera as the main camera temporarily so you can put it into video mode makes focusing much easier because you don't have to wait for the shot to be taken, then updated on screen. In video mode it's just like looking at the screen on a DSLR.
Hi there Daylon. Nice video. I am an avid ASIAIR Pro user too (check my channel :P). I hear you mention to make sure the ASIAIR turns off after it ran its program. I never do that. My reason is dew. When I would have the telescope sit outside in the morning waiting for me to get out of bed and put the gear back in the shed I don't want it to get all wet and dewy. By leaving the device on it stays itself warm AND it also keeps the dew-heaters on. I do let it move to home position though. By the way, the red mode... I am one of the beta testers. The UI has been darkened in more places in the latest beta. Not red, but not white either!
That's a good point, Martin. But it's all dependent on how you run your dew heaters. I currently don't use the AAP to run the heaters, so turning off would be ok. Time of year could also be another factor, To each their own I guess in that regard!
Thanks for the information! I appreciate it, as my ASI Air Pro is on order! HEY: what's up with only 88 followers on IG for this guy??? There's some great images over there folks... give a follow!
What is on your wish list for the ASI Air Pro? Let me know down below! ****DSLR users, tip #2 is WRONG in relation to DSLR's. For ZWO cams it still stands. Check out this video to see why: ruclips.net/video/4ffeaofGBnY/видео.html Thank you to all the commenters who helped me correct myself to make that video, you guys are awesome!
I would love it if you could search for objects by their common names, i.e Eagle Nebula, Orion, Trifid, Butterfly Nebula... etc, and not just the catalogue designations. Would make things a little easier!
Waiting for ASIair to be compatible with Sony cameras.
@@h4zz4dous I agree that it needs to add several catalogs.
I'd like to see a soft button provided that for those not using GoTo mounts, gives quick selection of the Home page where the Lat/Long/Time values can be updated. If using a GoTo mount, it seems the mount page provides the position data, but not if using the ST4-only connection such as when using a tracker. I've seen cases where the Home screen was bypassed, perhaps due to what equipment was already connected and powered on, and when I encountered very long PA setup times due to erratic jumps in the alignment data, I was puzzled. I eventually saw I'd overlooked updating my position in the app...I'd become complacent about checking that because my only AP efforts until a recent trip had all been from the same location at my home. I was surprised to see that in order to access the Home screen, an app restart seems necessary for ST4-only configurations.
How about the ability to focus/preview guide cams without having to physically disconnect your main camera?
Video Mode and Focusing !!!! Single best suggestion I've yet seen for ASI AIR....Thank You !
You're welcome!
Thanks a million for the video mode focusing tip. That’s the way to do it for sure.
Great video and handy tips! Keep up the great work and best wishes from Scotland! :)
Your tips are LEGENDARY!! Thanks!!
Thank you! Glad they could help :)
Your video mode usage ti's just a great idea! Thanks for that
You're welcome Alain!
Thanks for the videos. I’m not finding video mode on the drop down. ?
Second it would be nice if we could open the app when not connected to set things up. I have lost connection also and it asked me to polar align again. Im very new to this device. Likely user error. I read thru all the comments. Video mode an issue. Got it. :) Using Nikon D5600
I agree, setting up without being connected would be nice. Especially if being able to set up a few plan modes to be ready for a couple weeks of imaging was a possibility.
It may be called live mode or something to that affect.
Great info, as usual! In the focusing section at 2:08 it looks like your using neighborhood trees for preliminary close focus, correct? I had no idea you could do this at less than infinity focus (on a star). Would it be possible to build your backfocus image train in the warm indoors through the window with terrestrial images less than a mile away perhaps?.
Yeah, I was using a light off in the distance. It gets things close enough for polar aligning before fine focusing.
Informative video! I've been considering the ASIAIR Pro for a portable rig. Haven't made up my mind yet on it or a NUC running NINA.
The AAP is very portable! Doesn't take up much room at all to transport :)
Get an AsiMini for $199. I had a NUC with NINA and 10 apps. I spend most days updating software on it - it's now hooked up to my PC for web browsing.
Good info in general, forgiving the corrective comments regarding video mode with DSLRs that you provided an update for, and kudos on that as well. I was unaware that flats need to be shot at longer exposures as you mention and have simply put my DSLR (a Nikon D850) into Aperture Priority and shot either a flat of bright but diffused LED video light or else a lightbox app on my Galaxy tablet. Exposures are typically 1/250 sec or faster, so I'll try a lower brightness level and explore what long-exposure flats do for my images. That said, can you advise why it is that a longer exposure for a flat is preferable? I can't say I've ever heard this mentioned before nor studied more in depth on how to do a proper flat...I just went with the general advice to shoot flats in Ap mode, then dark flats at the same exposure with lens covered and camera in manual mode. Thanks!
A slightly longer exposure allows for the dust on the telescope/lens to show up properly. 1/250th of a second is too fast for that. You'll still be able to deal with vignetting, but dust won't show up. So, as long as your flats and dark flats are a few seconds long (doesn't need to be longer than 10 seconds) you'll pick up on any dust or dirt that may have blew in with a breeze.
Another great video. I also struggled to focus my zwo guide camera
That camera can be a pain, I highly recommend, if possible, focus it and store it that way. Only adjust if necessary beyond that. Makes setup and teardown so much smoother.
Great focusing tip, thanks! I have read that after taking auto flats that you can switch to darks & press the edit time button & get a matching time auto filled for dark flats. Seems to be a bug if true because it properly should be labelled as bias or dark flat when taken into stacking software. Will try this when I can shoot again.
That's interesting. I haven't tried that with flats & dark flats yet, but I will give it a shot the next few times I'm out. It would be nice to hear from ZWO whether or not it's a bug or intended.
Using the video mode for focussing is a very good tip. Up to now, I never used the video mode at all. I focus my Canon EOS R, in the live view of the camera itself. For focussing the guide scope, I also take my Bahtinov mask - it works well for the 240mm scope.
Regarding focus, my wish for ASIAIR Plus/ Pro would be to use a focusser of another brand than ZWO.
It would be nice for their stuff to be compatible with others. But after talking to them at NEAF, their team is smaller than you'd think. They want some compatibility but time is limited and they focus on other things. Best thing we could do is pressure the other brands to contact ZWO to start working with them for compatibility drivers. Doing that will bring it to their attention and they'll put some focus on it.
Great guide scope focusing tip lol. Never dawned on me to do that.
It does help! Made things so much easier when I started doing that.
Thanks for the information. Hoping they will add support for the iPolar for alignment.
That would be awesome, although I don't see it happening. Polar alignment is already pretty good in the app alone.
Interesting tips! As a new ASIAIR user I can use all the help I can get on that topic. Being a Celestron owner the EQMOD thing is out of scope. My big suggestion for ZWO is to include functionality for light panels like the Artesky or Pegasus models, or others supported in ASCOM. That might break the ASIAIR exclusion model ZWO seems to operate under. I do like ZWO equipment to be sure, got quite a bit in my observatory and it all works just fine. Looking forward to using the ASIAIR Plus.
Adding in some kind of flats panel compatibility doesn't seem too far out of scope. I'll be talking to them in a few weeks at a conference, I'll bring it up and see what they say!
@@AstroEscape thanks Daylon! Cheers .. David
ZWO may make a panel someday, but they won't support any 3rd party. The SDK for the ASI air is open source - if it supports any panel you may be able to reverse engineer the interface.
Yes EQMod cable all the way!
It's the best method if you can avoid a hand controller, and it's compatible!
Doesn’t eq mod only work with skywatcher mounts though??
Sort of, it works with the Orion Atlas and Sirius mounts.... but those are the same mounts as the Skywatcher equivalents but with different branding. There's also a couple of Vixen mounts it works with, but those use Synscan hand controllers.
Great video mate
I'm subscribing
My wife won't let me get into astrophotography for a year minimum.
I just got my first scope a 10"dob and I'm hooked.
I will learn the sky and be ready when I get the green light.
Nice. I bet you feel like a professional drag racer in a championship race waiting for that light countdown!
Thank you for this very helpful video!
I'm glad it helped!
Such a great video! For me as a AP newbie, I didn't know that you can focus with the ASI mini guide scope? I thought you have to move the guide cam (ASI 120mini) back and for in that cylindrical tube for getting in focus? Or do you rotate on the mini guide scope? Thx, Nico🙏
The mini scope can be rotated to focus. The front (black) part and the red part can twist apart to focus, then you spin the other one to lock it. If you extend it out far enough, you don't need the extension tube the mini camera comes with.
I used to take flats the way you suggested, but I now use the "live" mode to take flats. For some reason the total time it takes to shoot all the images is like half, even at the same exposure rate. Plus it'll stack all the flats together into 1 image automatically, which is nice. I've done multiple side by side comparisons between taking 40 flats using autorun versus 2 stacked files of 20 using live mode and the end result is the exact same.
That's nifty. I think I'll have to give that a shot sometime. I wonder if the speed when live stacking is slightly faster than using Autorun? Something I'll have to play with!
@@AstroEscape The speed isn't just slightly faster, it's like 3x faster than using autorun. I'm not 100% sure why, but it seems like autorun wants to download the picture and show it on the device before moving onto the next one. While using the live stacking though it seems to just keep taking pictures and it'll update the live stack when the image is downloaded, but it won't wait for that to happen before shooting the next picture.
If using EAF, Live mode does not focus. Mine only auto focuses for autorun...
@@TheMalbroughs You shouldn't be changing your focus to take your flats, it should be left the way it was when you shot your lights. You're right though, you can't auto focus in live mode. If I'm going to be using live mode to take my lights, I'll switch to preview or focus mode first, do my auto focus, then switch back to live and go from there. I'm not sure why they don't want to add the auto focus to live mode, it's available in every other mode except video.
Subscribed. Keep up the good work
Thank you!
One thing I have noticed is that if you take auto flats then change the exposure time to a number it automatically suggests the shutter speed used for the flats. But that is clunky.
Yeah, I have noticed that too. I usually do auto flats then just use the same exposure time for manually-set dark flats. Works well enough even if it's an extra step.
On my wish list is the new ASIair Plus will play better with dslr's and Celestron wifi. Also thanks so much for all the great help Daylan!
I agree. I know people who use Sony and Olympus cameras, it would be nice to see those added to the list! You're welcome, Dan!
Get the AsiAir mini - save $100
MY ASIAIR Pro app does not show the Video mode. It goes up to Live mode only. I bought it recently, the app should be up to date.
First question I have for you, what camera are you using? If you checked out my video mode video, DSLR's can't use video mode.
Nice video. Very informative especially since I just purchased an Air. - Cheers Kurt
Glad I could help out. It's a great device, especially since I watch others struggle with other control software/hardware!
To the point, excellent
Thanks, Woody! Even with the new models, quite a few of these tips still apply.
Help I cannot connect my dlsr or guide scope. In RAW and bulb mode.
What camera are you using, both main and guide cameras?
Thanks for this, you have a new subscriber. Re wish list for the ASIAIR, I'd like to be able to extract (or append to the filename) the EAF position for each filter, so I can do my flats the next morning. Unless you know any way I can do this presently? I have mine set up to refocus on each filter change so I should be able to reproduce the same optical path for each set. Unless you think this approach won't work!
I do not know of a way to do this..... yet. I don't have an EAF, but it is on the list for upgrades. But that sounds like a great wish list item!
I must be missing something - once I take a flat, I note the exposure time and then take a dark flat? But doesn’t that mean I have to remove the camera (thus disturbing the train) and cap it in a dark place?
Only thing you need to keep in account is if you are using a DSLR, the dark flats are taken at the same temperature as the flats so they calibrate properly.
Daylon, I see you use the T7i camera too. When connected to the ASIAIR Pro via USB, how do you execute mirror lockup?. I have enabled it on the camera but it requires pressing the shutter release button. Do you do that first, before starting the AIR?
Mirror lockup only runs when there's a longer exposure. Short exposures it doesn't lock up. I have it turned on at all times by using the custom menu options.
ASIAir feature request: As a non-goto mount user, I’d love an equivalent Polar Alignment interface for finding a target. As a beginner with just a Skyguider Pro and DSLR finding my target has been the hardest part by far. The ASIAir already made PA pretty trivial, it would be great to do the same for target finding.
I agree. For goto it centers itself using plate solving, or tries to five times before it gives up. That would be a nifty feature for regular star trackers.
If you do a plate solve after “PREVIEW “ image capture, then under, TOOLS, select ANNOTATE, the ASIAIR will label main objects in field of view. This way if you get in general region of where you want to be, you will know where you are currently pointing.
Ping ZWO for it. My old Celestron had a encoders and a "push to" mode on the Advanced AstroMaster on the hand controller. Plate solving on ASAI air would elim the need for encoders on your tracking mount so it would be easy for them.
Thank you for your videos. I have a Celestron CGEM II Mount and a Celestron ALT AZ Mount for my CPC800. In order to do what you recommend as far as EQMOD direct from your mount to your ASI AIR Pro, could I do the same with my Celestron mounts? Or would I need a different work around. The
ZWO hasn't listed Celestron to be compatible with EQMOD. You'll probably have to go through the hand controller. Seems they've only made Skywatcher mounts compatible with EQMOD. Hopefully that changes in the future!
@@AstroEscape thank you. I didn't know the specifics on the two hand controllers that came with each mount. I thought the CGEM II had the old style RS-232 jack. Thankfully, it has the micro mini b connector and I had a few of those from my older cell phones. I will need the RS-232 for the mount ALT AZ mount that comes with the CPC 800. I am using the original ASI Air but will hopefully get the ASI Air Plus (on backorder) soon. Not holding my breath. This will allow me time to finally get familiarized with my scopes and mounts that I purchased in late 2019 (Celestron CPC 800, Explore Scientific ED 80 CF, CGEM II, ASI 294MC Pro-main, ASI 290MM mini-guide, 385MC for planetary, ASI Air).
Hello I have an eos 90D according to what I put all the parameters to capture. Raw, L, Etc. But whenever I want to make a long exposure of 200 seconds at high isos, it generates an error and I get this warning on the screen (Only support raw ,correct and continue ). What will I be doing wrong?
RAW + L, don't do that. Set the camera to raw only. If it's taking jpg's with the raw's, it won't work.
@@AstroEscape muchas gracias 👏🙌
@@pipeastro De nada
It goes to home then turns off without warming the sensor back up slowly?
Yeah, there's no smarts yet to tell it to do that. Never had a problem at this point though. If I felt it would be a problem I'd toss in a couple desiccant packets to the case I store it in.
I am a newbie in deep dark sky and soon I will be getting my ASIair pro. so my question is Can I used my fastar lens, ZWO 2600 with ASIAir? I have nexstar evo 9.25.
The ASI air controls the camera and the mount (not the scope), so you should be good! Altho, is that nexstar on the mount in came with?
Drift alignment feature. Been requesting this for months
That would be an amazing addition!
Hey thanks for that EQMod cable link, I have the Shoestring Astronomy one I bought a couple years ago .. but it’s construction is a little cheesy, this one looks the business and I just ordered it. So question, could I use the video mode in an ASIair Pro instead of Fire Capture on my laptop for solar with Daystar Quark and ASI290mm camera? Thanks
Yep, it should work, since essentially you are only changing the software used to record the video. Video mode was added primarily for planetary/solar system imaging, so it should work pretty much the same!
Astro Escape Roger that .. thanks!
What do you recommend I hook up my Celestron AVX mount to my ASI AIR Pro. Thru the phone cable from ZWO guide camera to mount or connect straight to the mount and the hand controller usb to ASI AIR Pro?
Plug the guide camera into the ASI Air, always. You don't have to plug it into the mount if you are using an ASI Air. For the mount, try the eqmod cable! For most mounts, it bypasses the hand controller entirely and makes things a TON easier :)
@@AstroEscape is there an EQ mod cable for a Celestron AVX
@@figzastro-photography My apologies, the AVX is not a mount I own. I did talk to a couple friends that own one, however. How new is your mount? If you have the USB to serial cable, you should be able to set it to "Celestron AVX/CGE/CGEM/CGX" within the Air app. Due to the software the AVX uses, the EQMOD cable won't work for you.
@@AstroEscape Good to know. Thanks.
I have a question. I'm in possession of a Celestron CGE mount. Been looking to connect it through the EqModcable option, but so far I found only information that it can't be done. Is this the case with the CGE ??? Good luck with your channel 👍🏼. Greetings from Enschede(The Netherlands)
That's correct, it won't work. The EQMod cable is only compatible with Skywatcher setups, and a couple of Vixen ones that use the Synscan controller. You'll have to use the NexStar hand controller with a USB cable between the controller and the ASI AIR.
@@AstroEscape yeah, that's the way I'm doing it now. It works fine, but sometimes, it's rare, the mount stops slewing for a second and then it's off... Doesn't happen a lot. Only when I am slewing to an target when I select it from the list on the AsiAir. Ever since I select it on the hand controller and haven't had problem since. Bought the mount for its capacity, it has some minor problmens, but overall a beast of mount 😇... Thanks for taking the time to answer...
I'm 80 years old, but that's my problem. I am using a Celestron CGX mount, just purchased the ASI AIR Plus. Above you say to "use the NexStar hand controller with a USB cable between the controller and the ASI AIR". My question is; is the cable a USB 3 or 2? It seems it is placed in the USB 3 slot on the ASI, but all I can find available is a white end USB 2 cable available. Does it make any difference if it is a blue or a white USB in this case? Thanks for your show, very informative.
@@Mr.B1025 made some steps since, so I'll throw in a bone here. The usb 3.0 slots (blue) should be saved for the flashdrive and main camera.
Then the 2.0 slots (black) for the mount and guidecamera. So no need for 3.0 usb cable between mount/Handcontroller and Asiair.
I think with the cgx you'll be able to use pulse guiding so you don't need the st-4 connection between mount and guidecamera.
@@DirkDirk1983 Thanks for your response, Dirk. So, I have the Guide Camera hooked up by the usb 2.0 90°mini cable to the ASI Plus usb 2.0 slot. The main Camera hooked up by the usb 3.0 cable to a 3.0 usb slot, and power both to the ASI Plus. ASI Power source from battery. And the Mount/Base of Hand controller usb 2.0 cable to the ASI Plus 2.0 slot. I'm just not sure about that last part. Nothing from the Guide Camera straight to the Mount. Thanks for your help, it means a lot to me. David Baumgartner 😅
Do you by any chance know how to turn the app off on your phone? The app runs all the time on android and I can not find out how to close it.
Bring up the bottom bar, and hit the three stripes to see all apps. Swipe up on any app you want to close to close them all. On newer versions of Android there's a "close all" button, which is a good thing to do once in a while.
I wish I could run 2 ASIAIRs and sync the dither for 2 cameras on 2 scopes on the same mount.
I hear you there. My friend Ben over @TheNarrowbandChannel wishes the same too! He runs multiple scopes on one mount too sometimes. Not sure how he handles it though, you'd have to ask him!
How can you set up your dslr to manual mode and bulb mode at the same time?
If your camera is in manual mode, you can control the shutter speed. By default on most cameras, bulb mode is the longest exposure your camera can handle without external controls like an intervalometer or something like the ASI Air. You'll need to look up how to do that for your specific camera as menus are different between brands and models.
Did you find out how to do this?when I go to shutter speed the longest it goes to is 30 seconds...should it say bulb after this?great video
@@lenkagreer4689 I called canon and they told me to put it in bulb mode.
Bulb mode by default can only do 30 seconds. You need an intervalometer or the ASI Air to go any longer. As long as it's in bulb mode, the ASI AIR can control it.
Excellent thanks for the help I have the ASIAIR pro so should be no problem now
My biggest wish is for a polar alignment routine for a star other than Polaris when Polaris is blocked at your location.
That would be an excellent addition. I've seen a lot of discussions about this!
I was also looking for this option. If you search around the forums, there are people using ASIAir without direct view of Polaris. You just need clear view of 2 points in the sky 60 deg apart by adjusting the DEC angle. You should definitely look into this if your view is blocked. Cheers !
PS: I have not got around to trying this since yet myself.
That's available. Go under the "I" in the main display and select non-polaris alignment. Works well.
Daylin, I had been stopped using my EOS 800D (T7i) DSLR which was on the list of compatible cameras. I have the latest firmware and have been able to take videos of the Blood Moon using ZWO 178mm. But I couldn't get the DSLR to function. The mirror would flop out of the way and just freeze. The solution was your tip one, RAW only, thank you so much. Waiting for support from ZWO has gone wanting. However, I am not seeing the Video mode on the ASIAIR now?? Any suggestions?
So I've seen this twice now, video mode not being available for DSLR's. I haven't gotten a chance to set my gear up and play around, but I'm starting to suspect that if it's a DSLR, it won't show video mode because the DSLR itself has a video mode. It might be able to control the video mode built in to the DSLR. If that's the case, I'll let you know.
@@AstroEscape Thanks for the quick turn around, I came to the same conclusion, I put the DSLR in video mode on the power switch and that didn't work. then, I thought that since the AIR gets the images in CR2 format and it is trying to save .fits and .jpeg on it's memory card, maybe that is the determining factor??? I really appreciate your attention to these dilemmas. Please more attention to flats. Thank you.
The ability to use two EAF's would be a nice addition.
One for the main scope, one for the guide? *drools*
That would be awesome.
Subscribed.
Thank you!
Any idea how to remove JPEGs from being taken w/ASI AIR Pro and 183 and take only FITS? Would be nice to not have to soft through after!
I haven't looked into that yet, but a good option for now, instead of sifting, you can (at least in WIndows) sort a folder by file type, and select all of the jpegs and delete them. I think they toss them in so you have something you can look at that is supported by most operating systems' default image viewer.
@@AstroEscape much appreciated! Keep it coming man, I’m here to stay and I’ll be bringing friends 👍
Drift alignment!!
ROI support for planetary
That would be amazing!
Video Mode for focusing? Gee...Never thought of that. Thanks!
It's extremely helpful, after being used to a DSLR, it was nice to see this option.
@@AstroEscape is video mode a newer feature from this year? I don’t remember seeing it before
NICEEE
Thanks for this video it was very helpful.
However, add me to the list of people who didn't have video mode available. I am using a DSLR (Canon T7i) and the 120MM Mini as a guide scope. I also have a 224MC. When I connected with my iPad, I could not get the option for video to show up, no matter which camera I used. I tried connecting with my Android phone (Pixel 3 XL), and when I selected the 224MC, I had the option for video. I switched back to my iPad, and suddenly I had the option for video there as well. I then tried switching to the DSLR and no surprise, no video mode.
From what I can tell, if you are on an iPad, video mode will not show up if you have your DSLR connected, once I unplugged the DSLR, it did show up for my other 2 cameras. On the Android phone, it did not seem to matter that the DSLR was connected, but video mode would only be available to the other 2 cameras.
I'm going to play around with all cameras that I can connect to the air soon and see what the differences are and capabilities are in video mode. Watch out for that video, I've gotten a lot of feedback about it so I'll try to make sure it is accurate as to where video mode is possible and where it isn't.
I don't see Video mode. I only see Focus, PA, Preview, Autorun, Plan and Live. I have the latest Asiair App 1.6, and firmware 7.92. I use USB cable contact to AVX mount hand controller. I really hope I can get Video mode to focus main and guide cameras. Can anyone help? Thanks.
What camera are you using? And is it plugged in and detected by the ASI Air?
@@AstroEscape Interesting question! I was not able to see Video mode with asi294mc pro, but when I changed the camera to Nikon D750, Video mode showed up. Is this mode only available for certain cameras?
@@LiveLifeTheNordicWay Not that I know of. The clips in the video were done with the asi294mc pro and the 120 mini that comes with the asi air (the black and white clip). Anything on ZWO's compatibility list should be able to show video.
@@AstroEscape I am so sorry I said other way around, Video mode was not shown with D750 as main camera, but now available with asi294mc pro. Is this something new? I like your short tip video, it helped me instantly.
@@LiveLifeTheNordicWay That's interesting. The camera is listed as tested on the compatibility list, and it's not one of the ones you have to use a shutter release cable. So, in theory, it should work. Since I don't use Nikon, maybe asking someone who does if they get the same thing. Peter Zelinka uses a D750, maybe see if he's able to shed some light on it for you!
that focsing trick is genius why didn't I think of it?
Thank you for swinging by! Is there anything you thought I missed?
@@AstroEscape nah mate most of the other things I do anyway but that focusing one is excellent
Add Support for the KING of Night camera's the A7S3... Please for god sake!
I do think Sony should be added to the lineup! It would be a wise choice on their part!
Using the video mode for focusing is a great recommendation. Used my ASIAIR Pro setup for the first time last night. Couldn't figure out how to focus so I pulled the cables out of my DSLR so I could use live view. Will def use video mode next time. Great video, keep them coming!!
Keep in mind I corrected the video mode thing. For DSLR's you still have to pull the cable, for dedicated astro cameras, video mode works. Thanks for swinging by!
I wish asiair pro would stop crashing when I go into video mode
Oh my, what's the camera you are using?
@@AstroEscape asi294mc pro, its a bug from one of the newest updates apparently. It looks like there might be a work around.
When focusing cameras, no need to unplug your MAIN camera to focus your guide camera.
Just switch off main camera and guide camera in APP,
Select guide camera as MAIN camera, switch it on and do focus.
When done switch off main camera, reselect actual main camera and switch it back on
Select GUIDE camera and switch it back on.
this way you don’t have to disturb the scope/mount setup or plug/unplug cables
That's a good point. The only point where that would be necessary to unplug is when using a DSLR that locks out the LCD screen when a USB cable is plugged in (mine does). Since we've figured out that DSLR's can't use video mode, you'd have to use the LCD screen for live view for focusing.
I don't get it. If you focus with the guidescope/camera, that does not focus the main telescope at all. As the video shows, you still use the Bahtinov mask to focus the telescope. So why bother with focusing the guidescope other than to make sure you track well?
You still need to focus the guide scope so it can tell where the stars are. If you leave it as the guide camera when focusing, you have to have the guide scope camera as if you were already imaging. This means you have to have it take a shot, wait until the screen updates, then adjust the focus. And then you have to wait until it settles to update with a clear image. Putting the guide camera as the main camera temporarily so you can put it into video mode makes focusing much easier because you don't have to wait for the shot to be taken, then updated on screen. In video mode it's just like looking at the screen on a DSLR.
subscribed to make it 1000th subscribers
Not sure how I missed this, thank you!
Hi there Daylon. Nice video. I am an avid ASIAIR Pro user too (check my channel :P). I hear you mention to make sure the ASIAIR turns off after it ran its program. I never do that. My reason is dew. When I would have the telescope sit outside in the morning waiting for me to get out of bed and put the gear back in the shed I don't want it to get all wet and dewy. By leaving the device on it stays itself warm AND it also keeps the dew-heaters on. I do let it move to home position though.
By the way, the red mode... I am one of the beta testers. The UI has been darkened in more places in the latest beta. Not red, but not white either!
That's a good point, Martin. But it's all dependent on how you run your dew heaters. I currently don't use the AAP to run the heaters, so turning off would be ok. Time of year could also be another factor, To each their own I guess in that regard!
*6 that you can't get one without being on a list :(
Heh, yeah. The shortages are very annoying. Have patience, you'll get one!
Whaaaat no red mode, really?
Yeah, really. It makes no sense!
Made it at 666 likes 😇
*Queues Iron Maiden song - Number of the Beast*
In all seriousness, I didn't realize the likes got that high, thank ALL OF YOU!
Great tips but it would be much better without that throbbing sound on top of your narration-just not needed. Many thanks from Tasmania.
I apologize, I was not as educated about sound balance at that time.
I have never had a problem by plugging into my hand controller
Are you using a Skywatcher mount? If so, which one?
@@AstroEscape no,no I’m using an old celestron cgem
Thanks for the information! I appreciate it, as my ASI Air Pro is on order! HEY: what's up with only 88 followers on IG for this guy??? There's some great images over there folks... give a follow!
Thank you! For those that read this, I don't post a lot on IG, but it's primarily where I put my photos aside from Astrobin!