You know what I like about your videos: it’s straight forward, sharp and clear, no blabbing, just the content. Keep up the good work !

@darkrangersinc

5 ай бұрын

Thank you I actually felt like I gave this one a little bit more context so I was a little worried people would’ve thought that it was talking too much but I wanted to give a little background because it is kind of a once in a lifetime build for me. I’ll never have this much new stuff at one time in one video so I had to enjoy it a little bit 🤷🏻‍♂️😀. Thanks for being a part of the channel and tuning in. I appreciate the positive feedback!

Thanks for your hard work putting this together Ryan! It’s very nice to have an option that’s not necessarily ZWO based cheers Si

I already have a setup with mini-PC, NINA and PHD2, but these kind of videos are still very valuable to me to see if there are small tips and tricks I may have missed. What I really like about the software is that it is completely open source - which leads to a lot of brilliant minds in the community contributing and improving on it constantly. Mind-baffling that it is also completely free. I've donated to the project myself, just because I like it so much.

Great review. Really appreciate the step by step process. It would be great to have a video or 2 on using NINA, especially the advance sequencer. Thanks

Very cool! I’ve made it this far too but with so few clear skies I just keep imaging with my AA. 😂Looking forward to next video and following along.

Fingers crossed for you. Glad someone will be testing this out and reporting it back to us. I don't think I could afford a full Eco swap out like this just yet. I haven't even gotten my ZWO main camera an WO scope in, let alone think of a change out. Congrats and look forward to more great content. Now back to my Pix tutorials...

@darkrangersinc

5 ай бұрын

Fortunately, that was a couple days ago and I’ve been able to image a couple nights successfully. I wanted to make sure that everything I told you guys was correct before I released the video. Just keep progressing at the rate you want to and when you’re ready to make the switch, you know you have a video to help 👌🏼 I’ve got plenty of Pix videos to watch as well! Good luck

Nice straight forward and to the point which is what makes your channel so great.

@darkrangersinc

4 ай бұрын

Thanks I actually gave this one more context as its kind of a "once in a lifetime" type build at least for me... so I did want to have some fun explaining it all plus set up part 2 and 3. So I was worried it would feel like it was too much "intro" but I think if it's at least interesting people don't mind it seems. Part 2 we will literally just dive in after a SUPER quick intro under 60 seconds likely, since I set up the context in this one. Let me know if there's anything you want to see!

@nikaxstrophotography

4 ай бұрын

@@darkrangersinc When you mentioned the cost and i did the mental figures with our exchange rate, that's the cost of a second hand car here! Ouch!

Very helpful video! For me every time I do a dry run indoors and works. It doesn’t outside. But I know that the checks need to be done outside before a data session. I have used just about all the acquisition Software paid and open architecture. NINA is by far my favourite especially in light of automation. Thanks for your time and work… it does make a positive difference…

To be fare, I watch this 4 or 5 more times, so much information, brilliantly done sir.

This was an excellent upload, mate! Clear and concise, with a healthy dose of gear excitement...nicely done! I'm currently undertaking a Primaluce refit of my Esprit 100, so this was a well-timed video for me...Keep up the great work and best wishes from a rain soaked Scotland! ;)

@darkrangersinc

4 ай бұрын

That’s a nice scope perfect focal length for nebula

Hocus Focus is a great Nina plugin. It’s used for sensor tilt. While blurxtermintor works wonders getting it right out of the box helps prior to software fixing it. 2cents

@darkrangersinc

4 ай бұрын

Yeah I have hocus focus in for part 2 👌🏼

Gonna have to blur out that price tag. My wife watches these.

@darkrangersinc

5 ай бұрын

Tell her I’m in Canada it’s actually 30% less ;)

Thanks for all your hard work doing these great videos!

FYI - I have imaged successfully a couple nights before launching this video just to make sure the information I gave was good, but this truly was filmed in real time with getting everything set up, which is cool to share with you guys! Join our growing Community for additional help and support including 1 on 1 time if needed! www.patreon.com/DarkRangersInc? Support the channel and a company that supports astrophotography for all gear related purchases Agena Astro has the best prices and fastest (free) shipping times ! agenaastro.com/?rfsn=7545037.59bc8b

Goodbye ZWO I can’t wait to make this switch I’ll start saving my pennies!

Someone really needs to put together an all in one software package that includes all these important bits like the ASIair interface. Then have it compiled for PC, Windows arm, Linux pi arm, Mac, Mac arm and maybe risc V.

@darkrangersinc

4 ай бұрын

That would be really nice but once you get it installed, you can really just run it all in Nina. it’s only a pain for the first time and honestly if I wasn’t explaining its 20 min tops. What would be nice is if somebody just put it all in one place online and that actually gives me a really good idea. I think on my website, I’ll put all the links for the programs at least, and some common drivers all in one spot! Thanks for the comment and inspiration!

Intresting this explanation.

Great explainer, Ryan

This is informative and helpful, thank you.

From experience, put the Eye on the other side of the Eagle and leave the Power connectors at the rear of the Eagle as it helps with balance. The Eye is finger tight and just unscrews, it can be mounted either side of the Eagle.

@darkrangersinc

5 ай бұрын

I’ve imaged with it a few nights now and not had any problems, but if I do run into any, with a different scope. I’ll give this a try for sure. Thanks for the heads up!

Thanks for the clear, concise and straightforward tutorial on how to connect everything to NINA . When might Part 2 come out?

Interesting video. Costs of the products dusplayed, excluding a telescope and tripod are already over USD $10,000. The camera alone is 50% of the total. I can understand how the hobby becomes an expensive addiction.

@darkrangersinc

4 ай бұрын

You can do a budget version by getting a Mele computer and a power box. You also don’t need to have a full frame camera etc. But yes, overall this is not an inexpensive hobby.

Old video, but... Thanks for sparing me the... $12k unboxing!... And I didn't see optics or a mount!!!

@darkrangersinc

2 ай бұрын

The second part just came out! If I included the mount and scope that would have more than doubled the unboxing price lol. The Full Frame Camera/EFW/OAG Combo was the big chunk at $4800, and then $1800 in Filters to fill the EFW it adds up quick!

@KingLoopie1

2 ай бұрын

@@darkrangersinc Even on my low end of the spectrum it adds up fast! $$$ here and there, $$$ there, $$$ here and there and don't forget the peripherals... It never ends. That's buying used so don't forget the upgrades like a heavier mount etc. I would suggest that someone do a total cost video, but it would forget half the stuff and be too depressing. I try not to think about it too much. 🤔

I will never financially recover from this 😅

@darkrangersinc

5 ай бұрын

lol you can do it gradually just doesn’t work well that way for a full swap video. But just do one thing at a time!

@seemantadutta

5 ай бұрын

@@darkrangersinc Oh yeah, I am only getting my galaxy rig ready for spring and spent a good chunk of change on getting the 8" Edge SCT plus accessories. So I will stay with ASI AIR workflow for a little more time, considering I started just last fall. Great video btw, I have learned lots from your content!

Interesting.

cool, and maybe you could explain in part 2 whats the adventage of eagle 5. I didnt get this point. Is it because of WIFI? Assuming I go out then sitting in my car with the laptop? But then after 4h I need to connect a big Powerbank to my laptop 😀 And anyway going out the latest when meridian flip to care everything goes right. And also going out for making flats..

@darkrangersinc

4 ай бұрын

I do go over some in the video if you watch it all the way through but I can expand in part 2. What I mention in this one is the Inclinometer and motion detector that register any movement, and can also help you set up polar alignment as it also has VERY accurate GPS so with the latitude you can use the inclinometer to get yourself very close with no PA. It also lets you know in real time what altitude you are shooting at assuming you have it parallel to the scope. The COOLEST feature is the "eye" which tells you in real time ALL NIGHT what the SQM is and is giving you a real time bortle measurement essentially. So you can see from one night to another the sky conditions and how it's affecting your images. It's also very strong you can mount another scope on it. And it has so many power ports its ridiculous you can add the ECCO weather station as I have which acts as a dew controller and comes with two probes you can put under your dew strap so it knows exactly what temp to keep it all. There are more beyond this but keep in mind it really not much more money so any bonuses are awesome. A remote PC with these stats will cost you $400+ and you would need a very big powerboat by pegasus or someone to match all the ports the newest one they just came out with is $600 and has pretty much the same number of ports. So you'll be over $1000 plus the cables and accessories.

As a noob i was keen to go down the zwo locked in route, but after using nina for one evening, i doubt ill swap to zwo

@darkrangersinc

3 ай бұрын

Now that you’ve already tried Nina, you definitely don’t want to go backwards if you’ve been able to get through it, just keep moving in that direction like any system there will be issues you have to troubleshoot and what not but in the long run it’s better to have options to any equipment you want them to be locked into just one brand

@jesuschrist2284

3 ай бұрын

@@darkrangersinc yeah, i was obviously looking at asiair and their walled garden, but until i get issues or frustrated with nina (which i doubt) ill stick with it :)

Hello I just saw your channel and was interested in what you are doing with non-asiair computer controlled devices. I have downloaded the device controllers and NINA and so forth as you had outlined but I am still unsure of one thing. That is how did you load those applications onto the Eagle computer? I presumed you were using a laptop just to test the integration, but were planning to use your phone or tablet for night use. I appears you have a Windows tablet that has all the software loaded onto it. So, I am wondering if you are controlling the devices with your laptop or if the Eagle is controlling the workflow? Sorry for the confusion. Oh, I did subscribe to your channel too. Thanks for all you have done and are doing.

@rvoykin

4 ай бұрын

No it’s an iPad not windows just has Remote Desktop it’s all being loaded on the actual eagle after connected via the Remote Desktop. It’s not a trial run. All of the software and drivers are actually being installed on the Eagle and ready to go image after this. You can see how all the devices are connecting and communicating.

@stuartriley

4 ай бұрын

@@rvoykin thank you for the clarification on the question and the video

@darkrangersinc

4 ай бұрын

@@stuartriley no problem I could see how it would seem like I was just doing it as a simulation because I’m on my iPad but you have to have something to remote in unless you just want to hook up a monitor, mouse and keyboard. Which is an option but then running it would be awkward unless you have an observatory.

@stuartriley

4 ай бұрын

@@darkrangersinc thanks for your reply and the advice on the process. I did learn a lot from this video.

What were you using prior to NINA? I am switching over from the CCDWare Suite & Maxim. So far, NINA has been great. I have different versions or mfrs of all the gear you have listed and everything works as it should. NINA is pretty badass, especially for open source.

@darkrangersinc

5 ай бұрын

ASIAIR before this

@gr0uch02a

5 ай бұрын

Right on, duh! I always forget that the ASIAir is software unto itself, not just hardware.@@darkrangersinc

@darkrangersinc

4 ай бұрын

yeah its truly its own ecosystem in a good and bad way. It's super easy but also super limiting... @@gr0uch02a

Is this goodbye to ZWO…?

@darkrangersinc

4 ай бұрын

That’s the whole point really is to let people be unrestricted I have to say using the flat panel and some of the other features are really nice. Every night I can tell Nina to close the panel turn on the light and do all my flats for me and dark flats so when I wake up, I can just throw it all right into the computer computer and go! Since companies aren’t so nice to send me three computers lol, I’ll still use the ASIair though to run a second or third rig for product testing and reviews. I’m looking into a budget build with a Mele and power box! You can get more computing power with it for under $300. It doesn’t have some of the cool features like the “eye” which tells you your SQM conditions all night, so you know what Bortle class you’re pointing at, and inclinometer, and motion sensor. But for $269 you can get 32gb of and 500GB for even less than an ASIAIR! Then it’s just a matter of getting a power box that has enough plug-ins for your specific set up. Pegasus makes several different models including the saddle that comes on their NYX 101 that I have coming to me this week. so realistically you could do Nina build within $100 of an ASIair plus.

You need to blur out your passcode at 6:23

@darkrangersinc

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the heads up, I think you’d have to be within 50’ or so to do anything with it. I went in and changed it anyway.

@007triman

4 ай бұрын

Sounds good.@@darkrangersinc BTW I really enjoy the thoroughness of your videos and I'm looking forward to the next parts. And have subscribed.