I have a ASI585MC. My ASIAir Plus is at 2.1.1 10-74. I've been trying to get this camera to work reliably with my ASIAir Plus for the last month.
The main issue is GO TO. I've pretty much given up at F/10 since plate solving is so hit and miss. Even at F/6.3 with a focal reducer sometimes it can find and center targets but more than likely ASIAir gets lost. But on a few attempts ASIAir works as advertised. Not sure if their is some compatibility issues with the AVX mount going on also.
Being a beginner I figure most of this is my user errors. But in my research on these forums and elsewhere I found some information that may be a reason for my issues.
ASIAir plate solving sensor minimum is 0.2° x 0.2°. I checked the 2018 ASIAir document and it states 0.4°. But in one of the posts here someone said it had been changed. I can't find any ZWO document to confirm but lets say its correct.
I got introduced to Astronomy.tool. In the FOV section when you enter the data of your camera sensor and choose a DSO you can see how the FOV looks on the object. There is also some data on the FOV of the camera sensor. At F/10 the 585 sensor is 0.31° x 0.18°. At F/6.3 with a focal reducer the sensor is 0.5° x 0.28°
In Astronomy.tools Sensor Suitability tool the 585 at F/10 is oversampling and at F/6.3 is at the top end of Normal sampling. I don't know how sampling can affect ASIAir plate solving and GO TO functionality.
My conclusions are:
- At F/10 the 585 sensor is too small to be compatible with ASIAir Plus, very unreliable. Looks like you need a refractor with shorter focal lengths.
2.At F/6.3 on an SCT the 585 sensor is on the FOV margins and you get unreliable operation with ASIAir. Go To feature is still unreliable. Sometimes it works and when it works you give GO TO target after target and it will find and center but that is less than 50% of sessions. Best on a refractor.
- ASIAir is designed for only larger sensor cameras on SCTs Maybe an ASI533MC planetary would work being at F/10 on my 8" SCT 0.32° x 0.32°, at F/6.3 0.51° x 0.51°.
- If I want to just do planetary imaging then all the camera with sensors smaller and cheaper than the 585 aren't compatible with the ASIAir. No GO TO to center the planet.
My workaround to image Jupiter recently was to use the 585 at F/6.3, got lucky when GO TO was working and GO TO placed the scope close but not in field of view of Jupiter. Had you use external visual finder scope to try to center. At least ASIAir solar track was working. Once centered using 1080P video I removed the focal reducer and just inserted a 2x barlow and 585. Then I had to recenter manually trying to get a bright blob in the FOV then manual focus. With the SCT I had to turn the focuser clock wise a long time . In the end after a long endeavor I was able to get Jupiter centered and focused to take some video and remarkably ASIAir kept Jupiter in the center for a few 2 minute videos. I didn't time the whole procedure but it was a long time.
It would be nice if ZWO would put in the info sheet of each of their cameras or ASIAir whether or not compatible with ASIAir based on sensor size and focal length. I would've spent a little more on a different camera but it sure would've saved me a lot of grief if that is causing all my issues.
My next endeavor is to experiment with my Nikon D5100. I've only had two sessions and one session it worked and another session GO TO didn't work.
I've notice all the ASIAir review videos on youTube are with a refractor or a RASA at F/2. All shorter focal lengths.
Thanks
