ZWO ASI Air Mini Review

The ZWO ASI Air family continues to grow with the addition of the ZWO ASI Air Mini! In this review, I discuss the features of the mini, from what it has to what it lacks. The mini lacks USB 3 technology, thus download speeds are a bit lower, and high frame rate planetary imaging isn't really feasible. However, for deep sky photographers the ASI Air mini will excel as a cost-effective solution to controlling your imaging session from start to finish.
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[@siegfriednoet]

Very good review again ! question though, how is the time sending the file over in regards to the asi plus, did you compare those two ?

[@pathdoctor1]

I absolutely don’t need one but certainly going to get it!

[@Astrophotographyinlight]

Exactly! 😂

[@davidletz9123]

OK, a very green newbie question...how do I get the images from the internal storage on the AIS Air Mini to my computer? If I am using a DSLR/mirrorless camera, is there a way to save on the camera SD card rather than on the internal storage of the AIS Air? Can I insert a USB thumb drive in an available port and set it to save to that? Thank you!

[@billneedham5785]

Cody can u explain how to ger this hooked up. I have a Androig tablet 11 it finds the wi fi but cant get internet so i cant finish setup. Thanks Astrobill

[@anthonyvescio4673]

I'm using it for easy EAA with the live stacking feature.

[@anthonygraham6449]

Are you getting to keep the AM5? It’s going to be hard to part with it.

[@williamcavender7166]

I am seeing a carbon fiber Edge HD, tell us about it, and maybe compare the Antila Gold to the NBZin some future video.

[@mrtambourineman6107]

Which is better for a beginner?

[@darklovell9892]

so I've seen some wires that go from usb to ethernet is it possible that I can use it on the asiair mini?, And how can I connect it to the sky watcher adventurer 2i?, Because I'd love to use the polar alignment that it has it would make my life so much easier.

[@dlindsay1797]

Does the mini not have 'station' mode Wi-Fi like the Plus?

[@Zero_Point_Energy1]

Seems to me the follow-up mount to the AM5 should have ASIAIR built in…

[@melvinatkins3443]

As always a really good review but I use the ASIAIR pro and a zwo 294 mc pro camera the needs to be connected using one of the usb3. Would my camera work with the ASIAIR mini?

[@AstroBlender]

Yes it will work fine, USB 3 cables will just act like USB 2 when plugged into a USB 2 port.

[@Stefan-Astro-Art]

@@AstroBlender ow thats good to know. i was thinking to buy a shoe for on my WO GT81 with on there the ASIAIR mini. The mini cost in europe 275 euro and the plus 399 and the plus 256gb is 479 euro. I already have the plus but for my 2nd telescope i though why not the mini.

[@mikehardy8247]

That's what I did.

[@victormulero]

Good afternoon, can you tell me if the Asiair Mini can be powered with 5V through the USB-C port with a traditional 5V powerbank? Do you think it would work well? Thank you very much.

[@a10guy]

I just got mine and it can be run on 5v, but I think it's through the 12v jack. The downside is that you cannot power anything that needs 12v with it then, just 5v items.

[@victormulero]

@@a10guy okk, thank you verte much

[@beyonderbill3409]

I ordered one of these yesterday. You had another video regarding issues with the ASI Air communicating with Celestron mounts. I'll be using a Celestron AVX with the mini. Do you know if the Mini that you talk about here has the same, or any other issues with the Celestron Avx?

[@josegiovanni8695]

Hello, where do you connect the zwo dedicated camera, if the asiair mini does not have a USB 3 port, at least you use both platforms at the same time, the asiair mini for the guide camera and the main camera you use it with NINA, all at the same time . I shouldn't have bought that crap. How do you use the main camera?

[@brettatton]

Depends what kind of NextStar control you have. Mine is an older one with a modular plug for programing and remote control. All you have to do is connect the control to the ASIair USB port with the same adapters you'd use to program the control. Before you can control the NextStar you have to turn on the mount and do the usual initialization steps...when you get to Align pick Quick Align and Enter. Nothing happens except the success message is displayed....Now the ASIair app can be used to control the mount. Your mount type will be listed in ASIair...I'd like to add a bit more. We found that ASIair wouldn't talk to an older NexStar handbox. We only had sucess with the Plus model. That one has the Celestron symbol on the lower left key of the keypad. If there is a way to give ASIair control over a older handcontrol with less than version 5.0 firmware we have not found a way to make it work. Granted the older NextStar with an asterisk are getting reall old so I can't fault ZWO for this. They have done a good job with most mounts. Expecting you to buy their dedicated astro cams, filter wheels and focuser motors is not a big ask.

[@Cheshire_Astronomy]

how will the usb 2 handle the 183 + guiding + EAF through the one usb? that must put strain on it. Also I dont see why anyone would buy this, like it then buy the pro, seems a bit of a duff market. Finally , its smaller, but the pro isnt exactly huge, I dont see that as a valid argument for it either

[@iancraig2507]

I can live with the memory limitations. After moving from pc control to asi air I found that it all become so much easier.

[@mrtambourineman6107]

Yeah?

[@spacedogsbackyardastronomy8274]

hey can I talk to you about some astro setups?

[@fpanadero2626]

USB3.0 + 5g ≈ Optimal Transmission to tablet.... right?

[@veeretsy7528]

Does this asi air support an exos 2 pmc 8 mount?

[@dgv646]

😂😂😂😂 throw that piece of sh!+ away and get a real mount

[@logankeller509]

I have a nexstar 8se and eos t7 camera. What would be the best extender size I should look at getting to properly focus?

[@qayumzaidi4185]

your voice sounds like mr.Beast. thanks for the review

[@mrtambourineman6107]

Shutter control for a dslr too?

[@peterschmitz4308]

You may have already found your answer but here is the comparisons: astronomy-imaging-camera.com/wp-content/uploads/ASIAIR-Mini_09-1.jpg

[@SamodelkinSlava]

Здравствуйте, смотрю ваши видео, ваши комментарии честны, за это я вас очень уважаю и прислушиваюсь к вам, подскажите пожалуйста, как вам телескоп RASA, стоит ли его покупать для съёмки глубокого космоса?

[@dgv646]

No USB 3? Useless

[@MrRandyj72]

Just move it to USB C and be done with it

[@hawkesworth1712]

Again, a review ignoring the elephant in the room. You buy one of these and it won't work straight out of the box because even though it also functions as a power hub there is no power supply provided. Everyone who has ever unboxed one of these things finds out it is not sold fit for purpose. I think it's so easy to blow up a mount or a camera with the wrong power supply and it seems to me they don't want to be the people responsible for doing it.

[@l.m2517]

What an elephant ! 😂

[@forknerj]

What's with the backwards ball cap? While the content is helpful, I can't get past the stupid look of the hat. Trust me, the look does nothing to instill credibility to you comments. Too bad. I was enjoying your videos; now not-so-much. Yeah, I'm old and opinionated.

[@spike--]

😭