I purchased a C8 with an AVX mount last June. I just started in astrophotography in October when I purchased an ASIAir. I haven’t got much photographing since then because the ASIAir has some interworking issues with the AVX mount. I’ve opened a couple of Bug reports with ZWO and decided not to wait around for them to fix the issues. I purchased a Mele Quieter 3C and have spent the last couple of days installing NINA and other software and drivers plus trying to learn Windows 11 on my first Windows machine since the late 90s. My goal with NINA right now is for it to work with my AVX mount and it should because it’s using CPWI, Celestron’s mount software. I will still have a lot of interaction with the equipment because I have to set up and take down every night. I still have to go outside to take flats and dark flats. I don’t trust software and weather to leave a telescope outside all night.

well said Dave! Just starting down the NINA road myself. I'm gonna start in the kiddie pool first. CS

Great video. I started with SGP and then moved to NINA and it is an awesome piece of software. Not to say I don't use the ASIAIR as well for certain setups also. Clear skies. Hmmm I wonder who that astrophotographer was you mentioned still hooked on LOLA 🤔😂

@DaveUrbanAstro

5 ай бұрын

Logan, yea, NINA, especially since adding the possibility of extending it's functionality with plugins has really been great! As for that astrophotographer with his love affair with LOLA, I hear that he is coming to the dark side LOL! Hopefully you are able to capture some more of those beautiful southern objects! I need to go south for about a month so that I can capture some of those beauties! CS!

I used the ASIAIr for a long time, and then i got a dome and needed more control and that pushed me to NINA and I absolutely love it. I just spent a few hours framing and saving over 60 targets into NINA and now when i open the sequencer i have a nice view of Relevant visible targets on the side that i can drag right into my advanced sequence to update the target and go. Saves so much time especially when you've got an expected clear night.

@DaveUrbanAstro

5 ай бұрын

Totally agree! CS!

I grew tired of constantly struggling with getting NINA to work along with Windows updates and never did get plate solving working well without internet. So, I bought into the ASI 'ecosystem' and use two ASIAIR controllers for my rigs. One has a DSLR and the other an ASI DAC. It works seamlessly and it gets the frustration out of the way.

@boaty1968

5 ай бұрын

Platesolving will give issues irrespective of program used , which usually boils done to a wrong setting ie ,wrong fl , exposure to long especially if using ASTAP , wrong catalogue or file path ,

@DaveUrbanAstro

5 ай бұрын

I agree with @boaty1968 comment that if you don't get your parameters set correctly, plate solving will be problematic. I know that in the past I had issues only to discover that I mistyped the size of my objective so that the focal length was not being correctly reported to the plate solving software, in this case ASTAP. I also have discovered that one should always have a backup plate solving software setup for those times when something does go wrong and you need another plate solver. If you dig into the NINA documentation, there is a link to a special version of PlateSolve 3 from PlaneWave that has been created specifically for NINA. That is what I use as my "backup." Now the only time I have plate solving issues is when I discover that the cloud cover is too thick! That's when I watch NINA to see what is going on and figuring out that clouds are rolling in and it is time to close shop for the night. YMMV! CS!

in the same spirit, I use indigo to do polar alignment, guiding and acquisition from the same client program connected to a remote server.

@DaveUrbanAstro

5 ай бұрын

We are really lucky at this point in time that we have so many options for image acquisition, and each of us will find that tool that meets our needs. I am glad that indigo meets your needs, and as the old saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! CS!

I just wish there is a miniPC that works like the ASIair, has a built in power box that does not cost an arm and a leg like the Eagle. The AstroPC has one, but you can't control the power percentage delivered.

@user-lt9py2pu6u

5 ай бұрын

I use an Eagle LE which is their cheapest and most basic mini pc and to be honest it wasn't that expensive ( unlike the 4 and 5 which are admittedly horrendously expensive ). The problem is the separate PSU is also rather expensive too but you don't have to use their own of course. Even though it is their basic unit it is still very powerful and will run virtually any software or hardware. I was looking at the latest Stellarmate specs, it is a bit cheaper than the LE but from what I can see you can only use the installed Stellarmate software but it will run most cameras, filter wheels, focusers etc. supported by the INDY platform. I still think ZWO are shooting themselves in the foot by blocking the ASIAir controllers from using third party software and hardware, they have a loyal customer base anyway who wouldn't suddenly stop buying their gear just because they could, but they would undoubtedly sell far more ASIAirs to people like me who use gear made by other manufacturers.

Great video and very well explained! I found it very enjoyable! I recognise that very same path that I also took.... Mirrorless Camera, shutter release, skywatcher trackers and then onto a goto and learning the ASIAIR (very good) and then being intreged about NINA and testing it on an old laptop and getting my gear to connect and work! All very important steps! Now both my rigs run NINA 👍👏

@DaveUrbanAstro

5 ай бұрын

Thanks! Still working on my other rig, I have my "main" rig now fine tuned between the telescope and mount, now I am working on my RC6 and the Losmandy G-11! CS!

Great video Dave. I just picked up a Mele3 and installed NINA on it. getting ready to use with the dual Rokinon rig. ASIair is great but to get the most out of the set up, NINA has synchronized dithering. Next challenge is learning the advanced sequence function in NINA. May need some help on our next imaging session. Clear skies.

@DaveUrbanAstro

5 ай бұрын

Michael, no problem. We can get together and I can show you what I know about the advanced sequencer. It really does help and yes, I am dying to try out the synchronized dithering but need to get another Rokie and camera to try it out on. Or perhaps I can put the Rokie on my new scope and do both together, anyways, NINA has a lot of features and the more I use it the more I love it. CS!

Thanks. Noticed a rabbit running near your patio chairs. 😊

@DaveUrbanAstro

5 ай бұрын

Yes, in our household we have a daughter, my daughter's childhood friend who is living with us temporarily, two dogs, a cat and yes, a bunny named sunny. Oh, and there is an astrophotographer somewhere in that mix LOL! CS!

@ronm6585

5 ай бұрын

@@DaveUrbanAstro Lol.

APT was great and I too used it for a few years but once I tried NINA I sleep better when the rig is doing its thing. Very powerful and lots of options.

@DaveUrbanAstro

5 ай бұрын

And I love that it now supports plugins, which provide additional functionality beyond what comes out of the box! CS!

I'm sure NINA is great, and we aren't scared of it's "complexity", the problem is that user interface is an absolute nightmare, we'd rather use Voyager than try to wrap our minds around that interface. Maybe it just clicks with some people I guess.

@DaveUrbanAstro

5 ай бұрын

Matthew, I agree, the interface is a bit complicated, and sometimes I get confused myself where to go for what settings. But there are two things that for me make it a great program, one is the advanced sequencer and the second is the ability to extend the functionality of the program with plugins. And it is these two features that allow me to automate my image capture. My daughter and her friend are both UI/UX designers and they just roll their eyes when they see me using the app as it doesn't fit best practices for great user interface or experience. But then this is astrophotography, and where would the challenge be if everything we used was designed to work smoothly and painlessly? LOL! CS!

I started 2 years ago with APT and it gives me the results I want at the end of the night. I’m setting up the QHY Q-focuser and if that runs reliably then I’m staying with APT. If not I will give NINA a try.

@DaveUrbanAstro

5 ай бұрын

There is nothing wrong with APT, I recently went out and took a look at it and it has a lot features that I really love. But as I said, my goal is to automate my image capture, set it up and let it run. And NINA does that for me, especially with the advanced sequencer and many of the plugins that are now available which extend NINA's functionality. CS!

@boaty1968

5 ай бұрын

@@DaveUrbanAstro Apt v3.40 now allows this with the latest session craft upgrade 👍

@user-lt9py2pu6u

5 ай бұрын

It's all about results and what you're comfortable with. I actually quite like APT but feel more comfortable with Sharp Cap V4.0 I have downloaded NINA but, because Sharp Cap does everything I want and I am very comfortable using it I haven't actually used it for imaging. Ok there is a small annual subscription to use all of the Sharp Cap functions but it's very minimal. Bottom line is if you're getting results with a system you're happy with, stick with it.

I use SharpCap for EAA and stay with it.

@DaveUrbanAstro

5 ай бұрын

A lot of folks use SharpCap, I did for a while too, as well as BackyardEOS and APT. But my goal is to automate my image runs so that there is minimal interference needed from me 🙂 You will find that there as many data acquisition software packages, and I didn't even mention SGP (Sequence Generator Pro), which is a big one that many use. It's a buffet, and you just need to pick what works for you and run with it. CS!

@user-lt9py2pu6u

5 ай бұрын

I use Sharp Cap v.4.0 for deep sky and solar imaging and I love it, I was about to go with NINA but the introduction of the easy to use sequence planner changed my mind.

I have the Apertura 75Q and was wondering which Deep Sky Dad flat panel fits it.

@DaveUrbanAstro

5 ай бұрын

Yea, me to. What I did was use some felt around the inside, two layers, and it seems to work. It isn't as tight as I think it should be, but it stays on and holds it's position, so I am happy. I do know that is you reach out them, they will have you measure the lens hood and either suggest one to you or create a new size. I think by this point they have all the possible sizes made LOL! CS.

@mikegrau8056

5 ай бұрын

@@DaveUrbanAstro Thanks for the reply. I did contact them with measurements and they stated that the Redcat 51 flat panel will fit. I was just wondering if that was the unit you purchased and if it fit. If it was then I guess I will have to tighten it up like you did.

So I'll offer just one slight twist to your stated purpose for using NINA. Automating your setup is great and I do it too, but the view that you have to buy components from different companies to get the best result I don't think I agree with. I have a setup that is completely ZWO, including mount, cameras, focuser, filter wheel and controller. I also from time to time use that collection of equipment with NINA (except the controller) and have flawless, reliable performance with results I am happy with. Both setups work well. I've heard a lot of complaints about being locked into an ecosystem, and maybe there was a time when that was true. I don't think that's a valid concern today, unless your main motivation is finding the cheapest components. I'd rather have seamless over cheapest.

@DaveUrbanAstro

22 күн бұрын

It is always a trade off, and it depends on what you are looking for. I know that a lot of folks go for easy. I guess if I was starting out fresh, I'd go with the ZWO way with the ASIAir, but then I'd focus on what I couldn't do or couldn't have and try to find something else. Oh, well . . .

Coming from SGP, NINA was not too much of a jump. The really bad part of NINA is their Discord support system. It's a mismatch of inputs and questions. There is so much knowledge on that "forum" that gets lost in there, it's a huge waste.

@boaty1968

5 ай бұрын

I agree with the discord comment 💯

@DaveUrbanAstro

5 ай бұрын

Yea, Discord is kind of, well, "discordant" for support or help. There is some good stuff on there, but you have to weed through a lot to get to what you are looking for. CS!