The NEW KING of Mini Astro PC's? (Astrostation V.S ASIAIR) πΈβ¨π
The Astrostation, a new mini astro computer, offers increased flexibility by supporting various brands of astro-imaging equipment, unlike the ASI Air which primarily works with ZWO gear. However, the Astrostation lacks features like live stacking and a sky atlas, which are present in the ASI Air, potentially hindering its ability to fully replace it as the go-to mini astro computer.
ASI Air Features
β’ 00:00:16 The ASI Air, released in 2018, is a popular mini astro computer that mainly works with ZWO equipment, known for its user-friendly interface, and features like live stacking, and sky atlas, although storage expansion is no longer available.
Astrostation Features
β’ 00:00:05 The Astrostation is a new mini astro computer from TBE Tech, offering compatibility with a wider range of telescope equipment, including cameras, mounts, and filter wheels, and has a fast cooling camera.
Comparison of Interfaces
β’ 00:01:19 Both the Astrostation and ASI Air have user interfaces with tabs for camera control, guiding, mounting, filter wheel, and autofocusing, but the Astrostation interface lacks a sky atlas for framing deep-sky objects and doesn't offer live stacking.
Storage and Connectivity
β’ 00:03:48 The Astrostation has 32GB of internal storage, expandable via SD card, but the USB port is not functional at this point in time. The ASI Air features 256GB of internal storage, but external storage is not available.
Pricing and Alternatives
β’ 00:08:13 Astrophotography is an expensive hobby, with both the Astrostation and ASI Air being viable options, but the Astrostation is generally cheaper by 5-10% on average. Users might also consider using a regular Mini PC with free software like Nina for remote control.