When I got AsiAir Plus (from new? batch) for my Star Adventurer GTI, I was thinking that it would be a great help, particularly because I live in the much polluted area when often it is hard to see (with eyes) any stars, and my primary goal was to use its GoTo/Star Atlas capabilities. However, I got only frustration and disappointment with this device because of pretty serious issues with SA GTI. Yes, it was already said about guiding issues, and guiding is definitely pretty average (on 7.5lb loaded and very well balanced mount) with minimal total error around 2,5” but at least it works most of the times. As well as Polar alignment which also works mostly well.
The nightmare begins when the mount should go to the selected target position. I spent many nights investigating the problem, and I’ve tried all solutions which I found in the internet – plate solve and sync, go Home and go to the target, shutdown, reset firmware, shutdown and “on” in the Home position, etc. Nothing really helps. Apparently there is wrong communication between mount (SA GTI) and AA+ and as result mount 99 times from 100 goes to the wrong position. Also, what is even stranger, sometimes suddenly “goto” begins working, the target is found and centered but if I use Plan after that, the mount begins “goto” again despite it is already on target (!) and goes to totally random position! Also, speaking about “go Home”, no matter what I do, it goes back but after the transition is done AA+ displays (and updates to the mount) totally random numbers (DEC/RA) which impossible to reset in any way except few times “on” and “off” and “on” again. And last but not least all these issues got much worse with the new firmware and new 2.0 software.
I totally understand that ZWO developers are busy with their new products but I would highly appreciate their comments and explanations what they going to do to fix mentioned issues.

    aldor-photo I almost had first light with same mount and new batch ASiair Plus tonight (whether ASiair Plus is newest version can be determined from FCC ID label on bottom). I'll advise if I have any trouble, meantime, I'd be interested to hear others' experiences with SA GTi mount and ASiair Plus... thanks!

        Today I spent all evening with additional problem because AA+ suddenly stopped track stars (at all) with crazy error >= 360" on both RA/DEC, reaching this number just in seconds after guide starts. It worked initially for an hour and stopped in the middle of the Plan. I made resets, re-calibration, again firmware update (both mount and AsiAir) and no luck, guiding is not working anymore (exactly as it was mentioned by few others). Total disaster ;(

        I’m ready to test this on the next clear night. Will feedback.

        @aldor-photo how have you connected ASiair to SA GTi? Have you tried both EQmod cable and straight USB?

        Yes, I tried both of them. And also I expect an additional problem with mount itself, because after this issue happened the mounted stopped to track stars even without AA+ just under control of its own iOS App (SynScan). It looks like AA+ messed something in mount internal tracking settings and virtually broke the mount since it impossible to make factory reset without purchase of Hand controller (which also is not for sure due to answer from SA support from another topic). Now the mount can be moved with directional buttons but when I activate tracking nothing is happened at all and same star trails (even on 10sec) like without it. I found that it is old known error on 2i which some times can be fixed with factory reset (but at least 2i has it), otherwise return to SW (or like in my case trash can since our local dealers take returns/repairs during just 7 days after purchase and price to send it back to SW close to the price of mount itself).
        What is left, just to finish my tests and as soon as it will be sky with stars: a) strip my setup to 2kg and re-test; b) setup a laptop with PHD2 and try guide with it. I will post my results there after.
        PS. Just for your information, the mount is loaded with 3,6-3,7kg and very well balanced, leveled and Polaris aligned, and I'm a "technical" person who has a well long experience troubleshooting software and hardware problems.
        Thanks, have a good day and clear sky at night 😉

        @aldor-photo Wow, I'm afraid to try this now... thanks for your detailed answer, though!

        @aldor-photo I just dropped an email to Sky-Watcher USA support calling this thread to their attention. I'll also follow up with a call to them and report back here if I learn more.

          tbhausen Thank you!
          Also, there is a topic https://www.facebook.com/groups/StarAdventurer/posts/3383039848644321/ which shows that both ZWO and Sky-Watcher USA know about the issue (or rather issues on the both sides), however, there is no further feedback from them 🙁 despite it is pretty critical. What is worse - apparently not every item is impacted and the issue does not start immediately out of the box but after few weeks (months) of use.....

              aldor-photo Thanks for the link. I joined that group. I'll let you guys know if I turn up anything new or helpful.

                @ASIAIR@ZWO#60614 can I be confident a solution is forthcoming, or should I return this mount and get something different before I run out of time?

                  Watching this post. Is this just a lottery draw kind of thing, a certain death sentence for your SA GTi and it's just a matter time, or we know the specific combinations of ASIAir software and SA GTi firmware versions that don't play well with each other?

                  NGL, as a developer myself I'm aghast and incredulous at how this (an ASIAir possibly bricking mounts) is even possible. Will ZWO take responsibility if their software bricks a mount, and if yes, how? Yes we SA GTi users might be relatively small fry in this hobby, but can you imagine how people will react when their AA+/Pro bricks their 4-5 digit fancy-pants mount?

                  tbhausen It could need more time to fix it. Such as one or two months before the next release.

                    @ASIAIR@ZWO#60646 Thank you for your reply. Can we be confident that the problems will be solved, and that we won't damage our Star Adventurer GTi mounts in the meantime by controlling them with ASiair devices?

                    +1 on the confirmation. I know releasing stuff especially for mobile takes time (approval from Apple and Google take... a week? each IIRC); but do the developers have a general idea what went wrong, and if it will have a lasting effect on the SA GTI (eg bricking the SA GTI because the ASIAir overwrote something stored in the SA GTI's silicon)?

                    Thanks!

                    +2, Very curious. Seemed to work the other night but hesitant to do it again.

                    tbhausen Hey, Do you remember the dew heater you have on the guide scope? Thats the perfect size. Thank you!

                        DaxTheDuke Dew-Not DN02 (6.5”)… the one they recommend for 1.25” eyepieces. Yes, the length is dead perfect for the 30F4.

                          Guys, we got a new FW from SkyWatcher, which fixed some communication issues. Please update your mount to this version to try again. FYI, this FW was not published by SkyWatcher yet, but it's safe to do the update.

                          mc021-ver0342.zip
                          56kB