Inside the ZWO ASIAIR Plus 3.3 Compared to the 3.0

[@Ben_Stewart]

I have the Plus and I am pretty happy with it. The fact that I can finally get some sleep at night is the real game changer. The EAF really changed my results as well. I can't go back now. Looking healthy BTW!

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

The getting sleep part is probably the one thing that convinced my wife to let me get deep into this hobby. Before the air and I had to stay out all night with it she did not like being in bed alone. It was truly a game changer win for all of us.

[@mikehardy8247]

It's just a stress receiver. Don't have to keep an eye on everything or worry so much about it.

[@possisvideos]

zwo will never make their own image sensors. they simply buy the excellent Sony bsi sensors.😊

[@WilliFromEarth]

Unlikely but not impossible. There are systems manufactures who have their own chips made at foundries. Not uncommon for specialty hardware developments. But it is usually very costly unless the volume is really high. I don’t think the volume is that high. Look e.g. at ESPROS who are making their own BSI chips, which have much higher QE across the whole visible spectrum and the world best QE in the NIR. Their chips are used for TOF (3D sensing) and not for astrophotography.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

What I meant is that they can design and have someone like Sony or Panasonic or Samyang make them for them.

[@stuartriley]

I love your channel and content.. thank you so much for sharing!

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

You are so welcome!

[@deep_space_dave]

Hey as an engineer, I appreciate these kind of breakdowns and I would love to see more but yes I know this stuff is expensive and you don't want to break it LOL. I really appreciate this one and dude you're buffing back up 🙂 Making me want to go do some pushups LOL. Again thanks and clear skies!

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Noted! It has been very hard to build back up because I can only lift every other week but getting there.

[@KopLamp]

"Nobody uses the Ethernet port" and a bit later "I use SD cards as copying over the wifi connection is too slow". That is the exact reason I use the ethernet port. I have both units too by the way (also on the testing team). Both units in my case are still the same red AFAIK.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

what is red afaik? I have to of the 3.0. One is quite a bit redder than the other. and purchased only a few months apart.

[@WilliFromEarth]

I use ethernet on my asiair pro to connect to a mesh 6 WiFi satellite and have an 1TB SSD attached to the USB3. This way I have very fast live viewing & stacking and everything is stored directly on the SSD.

[@robinell]

You look great buddy!! Thanks for the interesting video. Keep it up!!

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

I appreciate it! Soon I'll have. video up on my cancer progress.

[@SolarityTechnology]

Love your channel and info. Just some feedback, they don't fabricate their own chips and most likely don't manufacture or assemble their own boards. PCB Fabrication and PCB Assembly is stupid cheap these days. They mostlikely have Electronic Engineers designing these to cut out the cost of the Pi's, though most likely sub out most of the manufacturing.

[@luboinchina3013]

Other ways for improvement: Critical: USB ports are too close to each other putting unnecessary pressure when all the cables are connected. It would be great if it could capture two cameras at the same time (deep sky long exposures) for the camera and telescope piggibacking on the main scope so they dither at the same time. Next new version should have sim card 4g/5g connectivity for remote control observing without need of other extra equipment. Comet tracking option based on the orbital parameters, want to have blurry stars but clear and sharp comet. Could check with platesolving after each 1,2,3,4,5... photo to make sure that comet is right where we want it with the tail in full glory. Middle of the frame is not good enough. Tracking and Guiding on the comet. Autoguiding could also be adjusted so it guides on the stars but it lets them to move according to comets

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Those are all nice things to have on a wish list. Once ZWO is done with the Seestar we should see some efforts into the asiair again.

[@NoxusGr01]

Hello and many thanks for this helpful video! I'm considering to buy an ASIAIR Plus, do you know if the 32GB version is still 3.3? I'm buying directly from ZWO and I'm afraid to receive an old unit... Many thanks again and keep up the good work!

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

I'm not sure however the 3.3 has been out for a while now. I would think all of zwo sticks would be 3.3s by now.

[@NoxusGr01]

@@TheNarrowbandChannel Awesome! Maybe I'll contact ZWO directly to be sure. Many thanks again for your answer, much appreciated!

[@scottrk4930]

The "new" one is using a Thermal Pad to connect the CPU to the outer metal casing so as to use it as a heat sink . You'll need to either replace this Pad as it ages or at least add a Thermal Paste for the connection ./SRK

[@zara8289]

Just FYI; Rockchip is an ARM clone; you can get a RockPi which is a Pi clone based off those chips.

[@WilliFromEarth]

Thanks for the “tear down”! Finally on KZbin 😃👍

[@RobertKarlBerta]

I have the ASI AIR plus 3.3 version with 32 gb on board memory. I don't know if what I have found applies to older versions but..... I upgraded to the latest 2.1 10.74 firmware for the ASIAIR which did give some new features but also made a huge difference in wifi stability. Where I had the well known wifi dropouts and reconnects, immediately after the firmware update my wifi is now very robust. I can go long distances away from the AIR PLUS and I have no problems with wifi dropouts or reconnects. Has anyone else noticed this? Nothing was changed in my setup, tablet or cell phone or location other than the firmware update and that greatly improved the wifi reliability and strength. I use a Samsung Galaxy tablet with Android as well as a Samsung cell phone and both work very well now on wifi compared to before.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

That is very good to hear. I have just downloaded the latest now to wait for the spring rain to end

[@luboinchina3013]

The ugly facts about ASIAIR: There is NO stop tracking after reaching meridian in general options for all the circumstances. Last night as it was quite late and I was waiting for target to slew and preview, 6min exposure, I fell asleep and woke up 3h later with my camera and telescope hitting the tripod. Fortunately nothing broke, I am just angry that there is no option for tracking to stop at meridian at the global level, nor there is an alarm that would beep at the app level.

[@KevinRudd-w8s]

You get what you pay for mate, a simple fact of life. Also my understanding is that these units only work with ZWO equipment which is why I spent the extra money on buying an Eagle LE on which I can use any hardware or software I like, and yes, all limits are available (via the Ascom set up). It also has 4 USB2 and 4 USB3 ports, 4x12v outputs, 3x0-12V outputs (which can be used with a separate dew heater control module if required). I would like a simpler unit for my portable set up but if I buy an ASIair I will have to buy a new (ZWO) astronomy camera as well (I do use ZWO filter wheels and focusers as it is)

[@WilliFromEarth]

You can post feature requests on the ZWO forum.

[@NG-VQ37VHR]

Until they add that feature, you could set up an auto run session to finish before the meridian and then have it return home. I know it's not the most convenient solution, but it's something. I, too, have awoken to a mount that has been tracking into the tripod legs for several hours. It's a horrible feeling until you verify everything is OK. A pier extension was my solution. It atleast gives me more time after meridian before impact.

[@WilliFromEarth]

ZWO started developing their own boards during the global supply chain crises for electronic chips and components. Very smart move to be independent from the RPi4B and IOT suppliers. This gave them more flexibility on sourcing electronics. The first generation of the AA Plus used the so called RPi4 computing unit, which is mostly aimed towards hardware developers (such as ZWO) unlike the (previously used) full fledged mini computer version of the RPi4.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

It really is good that they did this. And my early tests are showing the new one is lightly fast for plate solving.

[@TheGoKidd]

Ben, speaking of the USB connectors being somewhat fragile, I took to heart one of your previous posts and now use those adhesive-backed plastic anchors to provide all my cables some strain relief. You suggested these in your video regarding cable management. Thanks, bro! Stay Strong.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Good idea! I plan to do a more extensive cable management video soon. It really is important.

[@mikehardy8247]

​@@TheNarrowbandChannelSomeone needs to make proper length, flexible ( even in cold temperatures) cables, to lessen the strain on the ports.

[@mikehardy8247]

First, I was under the apparently false impression that the mico SD slot was only for firmware updates. Using this to write images to is a HUGE relief. The use of a ZWO camera gives an extra USB port for the guide camera, freing up a USB port on the asiair for a thumb drive. A DSLR doesn't, and the files can be larger making the internal memory even more of an issue. I have a plus, and a mini. Might get a 3rd. Should it be another mini, or the new one? Thanks for bringing all this to our attention. I love tech, STEM porn?

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

This new one is really fast. Polar alignment and plate solving goes a lot faster with it.

[@mikehardy8247]

Upon inspection of my asiair mini, I realized it doesn't have a SD card slot. Bummer.

[@KJRitch]

Is the Asiair Plus 3.3 only with the 256g version? If it’s better to use the MicroSD card to transfer data then the 32g is good enough? What am I missing with using that model? Thanks.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

The 3.3 is now in 323gb and 256gb versions. Both will have the speed. I use the micro SD just for the convenience of DSO transfers.

[@abulka]

So the 32gb 3.3 has the faster processor?

[@wesleydonnelly2141]

I apologise for going off topic, but i just had to mention this! ... As a young child I was obsessed with taking things apart to see how they worked, I dissembled various radios, my own toys, kettles, Irons, Electronic keyboard Players, my Sinclair ZX Spektrum home computer ( I was a child of the 80's! LOL ) etc etc, and on a couple of occasions I even experimented with the house mains power sockets, wiring up soda cans to the mains power and turning on the power to see what happened!! 😱( and blowing the fuse box to the whole house!! My parents, well my father, gave me a heck of a beating for that!! 😱😂 ) When I look back i'm horrified at the danger I put myself and the whole family in!! LOL. So watching you dissemble those ASI's took me right back! By the way you're looking super healthy my friend! Keep it up! 💪👌❤

[@1955mlynch]

The anodizing is fading because it was sealed with either the incorrect chemicals, not enough time in the sealing bath, or both.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Eventually all anodizing will fade. But proper methods do at least slow it down. UV rays kill all pigments eventually.

[@ShevillMathers]

Or dyes not specifically made for anodising. I have been doing my own anodising for many years and have been down the track of cheaper dyes. So many items I’ve had from Chinese sources in general are not as good as USA dyes from Caswell. Black is one colour that fades easily if not done properly.

[@ronlevandoski4805]

STOP SAYING "GUY"!

[@mac48462]

Hello, Could you please clarify, is the original ASIAIR Plus considered version 3.0 and the Plus 256GB version 3.3? Thank you.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Yes. There is also a 32gb version now that is also 3.3. You will have to take yours apart to see though.

[@aw7425]

Thank you Ben, this is super seeing the pcbs. Take care, feel stronger each day and all of you have clear skies forever and and a day

[@Rtd_astro]

Excellent

[@richardgifford3456]

I just bought a 256GB version, the wifi failed and I had to return it to the retailer. They sent a replacement and this one is working properly. Awesome gadget. I just ordered a 256gB micro sd card, is there a way to make the asiair record all images on the card?

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

I use the card since it is easier to get images to the laptop.

[@LeeeB0]

Hi, do you know if the new 32GB models are also 3.3 and offering increased write speeds? or just the 256GB models still?

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

As far as I know they are the same speed just less storage.

[@JJ-yt5ou]

Nice to know! I just bought an asiair plus 32g version. This got me very curious, and I couldn't determine what version I have from the outside. I opened it up and saw the new layout. Thx for the video.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Glad I could help!

[@Hot_Sky_Astronomy]

I went ahead and bought the 256 when it came out, mostly since my Mini wasnt handling the IMX410's file size.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

It's noticeably faster.

[@Hot_Sky_Astronomy]

@@TheNarrowbandChannel Oh yeah, ~30 second file load for the mini, 2 seconds for the 256+

[@efx245precor3]

Nice review. I have the latest one here ( the 256)

[@kevinhanley3023]

ASI6200MX fades fast

[@colintraveller]

Curious Q Can a Star tracker be adapted to follow Ships in the dark .So images the passing ships don't appear like a blur

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

That is a whole other kettle of fish.

[@colintraveller]

@@TheNarrowbandChannel I know ....I reckoned you'd be the best to ask ..about the trackers if thry could be adapted

[@Zealor365]

I just finished testing the I/O rate on the new units and they are almost twice as fast as previous versions.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Your right. First night palate solving with it I was like wow this is faster.

[@abulka]

Is that due to the faster processor or faster memory or I/O?

[@ridealongwithrandy]

Good stuff!! Cheers!

[@colintraveller]

Hows the treatment coming along .. ?

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

6 more to go.

[@Q_Bits]

This is really exciting to see them with their own silicon! It's a really smart move, especially with how difficult it is to get any pi right now. This should open some really creative solutions for them in the future. Thoroughly enjoying your content!

[@astrobob135]

I am not sure it you read the caption; but rockchip is a lesser known silica. ZWO would not have the resources to fabricate silicate and CPUs. Though yes, with the resources to make PCBs is a great think.

[@Q_Bits]

@@astrobob135 yeah, I know they’re not making their own silicon chips, it was more of a generalized appreciation that they are using something that’s probably easier to source instead of the pi’s :-)

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Thank you!

[@realmcerono]

No knive involved today! Thank you!

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Ya I had to delete a lot of over controlling parent comments in the last video. Not Sure If I'll have Liam back in because of that.

[@alajmiq8]

like 37 for the wooden chair 😍

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Thanks for liking

[@paulyoung4817]

Thanks for this content, very revealing. I have used Pi4 based astro tools and I don't think the platform is really up to the job these days, however your mileage may vary. The introduction of the Rockchip is very interesting. A custom board well done ZWO. Thanks again.

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

You're very welcome!

[@AndreH3d]

Nice hat!

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Thanks!

[@luboinchina3013]

I have mini😊

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

They look nice and affordable too.

[@mikelockwood2104]

Awesome video - thank you !

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

Glad you liked it!

[@mikelockwood2104]

keep 'em coming !!@@TheNarrowbandChannel

[@guyjordan8201]

Fun to compare what’s inside and it’s good to see them turn profits into overall product improvements. Your no nonscence good attitude is refreshing. Stay strong 💪 🩸🙏🏻

[@TheNarrowbandChannel]

I appreciate that! and will always to to keep this channel no nonsense :)