Hi Tim,
First you need to know that the ASIAIR-PRO is a dedicated ZWO only environment and it is only useful for imaging it is not a general purpose computer. Set up as I have it here you can use a phone based planetarium app to find and direct the Gemini to an object but the ASIAIR-PRO has a good sized database of objects available internally so it is not a requirement and with the ASIAIR-PRO plate solver you will get the best positioning results for imaging.?
?
Anyway, I have been playing with an ASIAIR-PRO to run a ZWO-EAF autofocuser, ASI290MM-mini for autoguiding, ASI183MM-PRO & ZWO-EFW as the main imager and filter wheel on my G11G with Gemini 2-mini. The truth is the standard R-Pi4B WiFi sucks and this is a known issue. So I looked for a solution and found it in the GL.iNet Slate nano router. There are cheaper routers out there but nothing combines AC750 WiFi speed, strong radio signal and a 3 port Gigabit switch in a nano sized package and let's be honest, the $30 upcharge over a standard nano router with only N150-N300 WiFi speed and a single 10/100 Ethernet port is not even a rounding error in terms of imaging gear cost.??
The EAF, EFW, imaging and guide cameras are all connected to the ASIAIR-PRO using appropriate USB ports. The ASIAIR-PRO is connected to the SLATE AC750 router's 3-port Gigabit switch, the Gemini 2-mini is also connected using a wired Ethernet connection to the Slate. If you use the Slate in the default router mode you can get to the ASIAIR-PRO through the Slate and it just works as it was supposed to. There is some setup involved using the ASIAIR-PRO app on a phone or laptop running under an Android emulator over WiFi. Using static IPs are perfectly reliable so that's what I do for this kind of application. You set static IPs for the ASIAIRPRO, Gemini 2 controller and Slate router. Once set you connect to the Slate using the Slate's IP addy and the ASIAIR-PRO and? Gemini IPs will be accessible. One thing you need to know is that by default the Gemini 2 uses UDP protocol with port 11110 (top of my head) not TCP at port 4030 (also top of my head). This must be set to get the ASIAIR-PRO to connect to the Gemini 2.?
The best situation is where you have the Slate working as a bridge which allows you to use as above but when you are near your home LAN it connects to the local LAN over WiFi and you can see the Gemini and ASIAIR-PRO on the network. Of course you need to run an emulator on your PC to use the ASIAIR-PRO Android app but this is an easy install using the BlueStacks Android emulator.??
Anyway the short answer is yes it works pretty well once setup right.
Here are a couple of images to show the current piggyback guide camera setup which will be replaced in a few days and retested using a new ZWO OAG with helical focuser to see if there is enough advantage to overcome any disadvantages of using an OAG behind a refractor. At some point I will also test the OAG behind a hot-rodded M10" f/6.3 SCT with a Starizona SCT II 0.63X Coma Corrector working @ f/4. Could be really good, or not we'll have to see.?I'm waiting to test again with the latest updated Android app and ASIAIR-PRO firmware if the clouds clear out here in sunny southern California.?
??
--
Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
? ?Astropheric Weather Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
Chip Louie