ZWO ASIAIR Mini - New to Astrophotography? Watch before buying - Is this the best ASIAIR for you?

[@TeamAstroworkz]

Hope you like the mini review - tell us how you'd use your Mini and what other topics you'd like to see on Astroworkz

[@LogansAstro]

Nice run through. I haven't got the mini but still waiting for these damn clouds to go away so I can start using the ASIAIRplus.

[@TeamAstroworkz]

its been abysmal ! hence doing some videos .. least its useful - Mini is v cool .. only a few differences too - I've testing to do for internal betas and I am just not getting any sky time!

[@JustJamie-h3l]

great review , best one i have watched on the mini , thanks

[@namorandy]

Good review, explanation.Orderd already and waiting for mine Mini

[@TeamAstroworkz]

Hope you enjoy it! Its a fun little box!

[@TedByrneTV]

Excellent overview - thank you.

[@TeamAstroworkz]

Glad it was helpful!

[@highbidder3952]

I wish ZWO would include advisery popups as you use the unit as an option . This would be good if you can choose to use or not. As a beginner, this would be great to help navigate the + as you learn and can shut it off if you want. Please consider this option. this would help for beginners to take the correct steps for running this + easier as helping to not get lost in the progress moving through the program of setting up and running.

[@TeamAstroworkz]

yes we have discussed a Simple vs Expert mode and how that could be implemented - its a good idea for optional pop ups ... even for me - my brain occasionally misses steps !

[@trevorgreen2232]

Thanks Simon for a really good presentation and I really think this mini is an excellent tool . I am still using my original plastic cased version and with the software upgrades it still does everything I need on my portable setup but this mini would be even better . Clear Skies :)

[@TeamAstroworkz]

thanks Trevor - there is still lots of life left in the V1 for sure! The Mini is def more robust and better Wi-Fi plus the power option via the USB C is a new feature that will be handy for people not using 12V devices. But totally agree - I still have a V1 we test against too :) thanks and there will be more insights on the Mini soon :)

[@hawkesworth1712]

Good review but I would take issue with just one fact. You said the each 12v outlet could supply 3A with a maximum for the device for all outlets combined at 6A. It says on the device that input for the device is 12v/2A minimum and the output is 12v/3A max. Surely if the max output was rated at 6A it wouldn't say 3A on the device specifications. Both of the ZWO devices I have - that have 12v jacks - clearly label the jack with the voltage and amperage. For some reason this is not done on the ASIAIR devices.

[@TeamAstroworkz]

The mini has the same power capability as the Plus ... none of my asiair devices have the current capability either marked on the inputs or outputs ... the ratings are the same as the other models ... ie 3A per port with a max of 6A across all 4 ports - which has been confirmed plenty of times with our internal teams - you are plenty safe sticking to those ratings

[@Myu007]

Could this be power with Cellphone power banks with USB ports? I cannot see DC to USB cable are supplied in the current versions? many thanks from Auckland

[@TeamAstroworkz]

yes you can port the mini using the USB C port too

[@stevenickolls8016]

Thanks for the very informative video. I won't be getting the product really as I'd rather not be restricted to their walled garden, preferring instead the likes of SharpCap Pro, Stellarium, ASCOM, ASTAP, StarTech and Pegasus Astro all products that talk fine to one another and most with bigger user bases. The StarTech USB over Ethernet hub provides excellent range for hardware control up to 60 metres. Do keep producing these fine videos though. Cheers.

[@TeamAstroworkz]

no worries Steve thanks - and I also use SGP and 3 x Eagles too :)

[@kenhaughan5428]

A very thorough review. The mini WiFi range is supposed to be around 20 metres. Have you tested this?

[@TeamAstroworkz]

yes the mini signal I found is strong and reliable - my operating position when I am doing backyard work is about 25m from my antennas on the outside WiFi AP on 2.4 GHz - on 5GHz its not as far but I don't tend to use 5 GHz much as the download speeds at 2.4 are fine for me

[@dgv646]

That is not correct, the range is quite short, 10 m at best. Yes, you can connect to it from much farther than that but the download rate even right next to it is a bit slow. Zero chance of downloading a preview at all from indoors. This really renders it useless for live adjustments unless you are right next to it, which is not a problem but all you can do from afar is to monitor, not really control if you can't get an image.

[@Astronurd]

​@@TeamAstroworkz I just attach a mini router via an Ethernet cable. WiFi for ever.

[@mikehardy8247]

I'm in the process of learning the asiair +. A difficult task wit nearly perpetual cloud cover. I have this paired wit a modest OTA and imaging rig using SA GTI. I like doing wide field, and was wondering if the mini would benefit a MSM tracker. Probably not.

[@TeamAstroworkz]

sorry I dont think MSM is supported and likely not a use tbh

[@davidbalogh520]

Thanks, very helpful. Is it useable with ZWO 294 Color Camera that has USB3 port?

[@TeamAstroworkz]

Yes, absolutely - just slightly slower download speed but not too much

[@alomgirmiah]

ASIAIR mini is great except for the wireless range. The download speed drops significantly if you are more than 4 meters away. Any suggestions?

[@TeamAstroworkz]

mostly ensure you don't have cables etc running by antennas and ensure the ASIAIR is well powered .. low battery volts on 12V can certainly mess it up - I try to avoid running USB anywhere near antennas as they can affect wifi signals

[@alomgirmiah]

Thanks.I am running ASIAIR of the AM5 DC output. I tried what you said, didn't see any noticeable improvement.

[@randallpatrickc]

Good for EAA?

[@TeamAstroworkz]

yes sure :)

[@abulka]

It has a nice "live" stacking mode.

[@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.

[@TeamAstroworkz]

yes it can - I used a battery powerbank during testing - if the packs big enough it can last a while - also note 12V ports are not available if you use USB C but thats ok for a mirrorless/DSLR tracker setup :)

[@victormulero]

@@TeamAstroworkz Thank you very much, your answer is very useful for me.

[@TeamAstroworkz]

no problem - thats the idea of the channel - to provide some insights into some of the details that people need help with ... feel free to pass on any ideas for videos you think you would be helpful - we have more reviews, user guides, tips/tricks etc coming - there will be a steady stream of useful info from us :)

[@dgv646]

It crashed when I tried to use it with the ASI294mm pro. Took a single 300 s sub and it froze

[@TeamAstroworkz]

I'd be checking the power is connected to the camera - later ZWO cooled cams need 12V continuous even if not cooling ... check USB cable and then test it on ASI Studio to remove the camera or ASIAIR from the equation - but the mini is more than capable of running slow exposure runs at 300s

[@dgv646]

@@TeamAstroworkz dude I'm not new. I know all that. Maybe my unit is messed up. I'll contact ZWO