N.I.N.A and Seestar app simultaneous use/compatibility

mattitech

I was considering setting up N.I.N.A in a Windows virtual machine. But I was wondering, since its not very practical for me to take my laptop outside every time, can I begin setup of the Seestar on the Seestar app (Polar alignment, Plans) and then keep watching on N.I.N.A or will I run into issues? Can N.I.N.A overwrite some settings in the Seestar apps and break it?

Basically what I wanted to know is: To what extent can the Seestar app and N.I.N.A be used together without issues?

marvindj

Yes. For example, use the ZWO app to polar align, then use NINA to select target, start capturing subs, etc.

mattitech

marvindj Does the Seestar drop its built-in plate solving/rejection stacking and plans the moment it is connected to NINA? I'd like to be able to run plans and turn off my laptop to go to sleep and let the Seestar run all night like I would with the app. Can I still do that with NINA or must my PC stay on?

marvindj

mattitech NINA becomes the controlling application. NINA needs to remain running to execute the commands, including commands generated by the plans that are executed by NINA.

So, the laptop needs to remain ON....

3AC9bx99

My understanding with NINA is that if you are running a sequence through NINA, your PC must stay on all night otherwise nothing will happen. You need to ensure your computer does not go to sleep. However with a plan in the Seestar app, you can shut down the app and even your internet feed and the Plan will continue to run, the Seestar will shut down at the end of the Plan if set to do so. I prefer to use the App for unattended runs because of this.

mattitech

3AC9bx99 What kind of advantage does NINA bring to thr Seestar pipeline compared to the app then?

3AC9bx99

Depends what you want to do. The Seestar App does all the basic functions you need in a simple to use package. NINA is more involved and takes some time to learn. There are more advanced functions such as a customizable autofocus function which you can introduce into a sequence based on time intervals, more flexible exposure times instead of the fixed time settings within the App, and a very precise polar alignment based on live plate solving. The polar alignment routine is the only part of NINA I use, otherwise I am happy with the rest of the App as it comes, it does what I need to get good images. I suppose you do have the larger screen to view images with NINA on a PC, but I have a android tablet with a large screen, so again I am satisfied with that.

mattitech

3AC9bx99 So I could start up NINA on my desktop, connect it through touch n stars on my ipad to take it outside, do the PA and AF, then start plans on the Seestar app to have it be independent? Is that correct?

3AC9bx99

Yes, that is what I sometimes do, though |i take my PC outside, connect up via NINA, do a PA then transfer over to the Seestar App and carry on. I have the App running at the same time so I can check the PA in the App to see if it coincides with NINA. I usually find I need to open the Seestar arm first with the App before connecting to NINA.

mattitech

3AC9bx99 Thanks very useful. Its interesting to see how well the two can work together without conflict