ALSO POSTED ON ASIAIR v2.4.1 PUBLIC BETA RELEASE
After the App Store 2.4.1 release update last week, like many others, I experienced unexpected results on my first use of that app release and the accompanying firmware update.
For the first time, four sequential cycles of PA terminated with a message that ASIAir Plus could not find sufficient stars to complete PA. On the 5th attempt – same sky area, same stars, PA succeeded - with no ‘insufficient stars’ message. I continued my capture using Autorun for control (20 subs, 1200s, gain100, no MF, reasonable guiding). Otherwise, my session seemed to have completed normally (just too many SkyLink trails, etc.).
My next step in capture was to create my Flat calibration subs (controlled light from Pegasus Astro Flatmaster) in Autorun - 30 subs with automatic exposure – my normal settings. Upon capture completion, I examined my subs and was very surprised and disappointed to find every exposure was completely mid-range grey with no aberrations – no hot pixels, no colour deviations, even pixel density - and showing 3 separate not-overlapping histogram R, G and B curves… in other words – useless Flats.
After this outing, I discovered (user forum and other sites) that many imagers experienced those and other different symptoms and perceived a growing consensus that the App Store ASIAir Rel 2.4.1 (including firmware upgrade) was buggy and released to imagers in that unsatisfactory condition. Following a buildup of reports of ASIAir Rel 2.4.1 bugs and failures, ZWO provided an open letter of apology for releasing software/firmware that hand not been fully tested. ZWO also provided instructions on how to roll-back to a Rel. 2.3.3-level App and Firmware (subsequently showing as Rel 2.4.12).
I followed the rollback process to the Rel 2.3.3-level and prepared for an imaging session the night of June 30/July 1. PA worked well, mount performed well, guiding performance was very sound (RMS 0.4”). Again, post-capture, I ran Autorun Flats creation… and all my resulting subs were, as in my previous session using ASIAir Rel 2.4.2 , “every exposure was completely mid-range grey with no aberrations – no hot pixels, no colour deviations, even pixel density - and showing 3 separate not-overlapping histogram R, G and B curves”… equally useless.
I expect (HOPE) the ASIAir team is busy completing alterations to the unacceptable Rel 2.4.2 of ASIAir including necessary and proper pre-release testing.
The rolled-back version (Rel 2.3.3 in Rel 2.4.12) still produces bad Flats!!
I have not yet filed a bug report for the failed Flats process… I will.
