Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 70

NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE
WI-FI CONTROLLER
ZW Optical announces the latest version of its smart
Wi-Fi controller for astrophotographers. The ASIAIR Plus
($279) lets you power and control your camera, focuser,
autoguider, and Go To mount using your Android or iOS
smart device. The ASIAIR Plus is a mini-computer with a
1.5 GHz CPU, 4GB of DDR4 memory, and 84GB of internal
storage. Smaller and lighter than its predecessors, it's
housed in a CNC-machined casing that attaches directly
to your telescope or mount. It includes four female 5.5 ×
2.1-mm, 12-volt DC outputs, two each of USB 2.0 and
3.0 ports, and a 2.5-mm DSLR shutter release port to
control your Canon, Nikon, and ZWO imaging equipment.
The unit connects to your smart device via a Wi-Fi
antenna - with greater range and reliability than previous
versions offered - and is controlled using the free
ASIAIR app. It saves images to its internal memory or to a
user-provided TF card, which you can later offload to your
processing computer via a USB-C connection.
ZW Optical
astronomy-imaging-camera.com
STAR-HOP MAKER
A new software program promises to make planning
your observing sessions easier. Star-Hop Maker (€21, or
about US$25) lets you create your own custom star-hopping
maps that make hunting down your targets an easy
and fun experience. This Windows-compatible program
allows you generate star-hop routes for specific targets
with just a few clicks. Simply choose your target and the
program will determine the best star-hopping path from
the brightest nearby object to your observing destination.
Users can query the program's database to find
new targets or create object-specific observing plans
- for example, observing only barred spiral galaxies in
Ursa Major. You can add or remove Hopping fields to
create a continuous tour from one object to the next. To
use your star-hop at the telescope, you can print it out
or upload it to Google Drive and access it via the free
Android Star-Hop Maker Companion app.
Star-Hop Maker
starhopmaker.com
 WIDE ADAPTER
Tele Vue Optics now offers a special wide T-mount adapter for Nikon cameras.
The Nikon F-Mount Wide T Adapter with Bayonet (#NWT-2073, $57) is
designed to take full advantage of the aperture potential in Nikon's bayonetstyle
camera adapter to minimize vignetting with Tele Vue imaging systems.
The bayonet connects any Nikon camera to Tele Vue imaging systems that
utilize its proprietary 2.4-inch-format accessories, and it provides 13% greater
aperture than standard T-mount adapters. Nikon's Z-series mirrorless cameras
require an additional F-to-Z adapter to achieve proper spacing.
Tele Vue Optics
32 Elkay Dr., Chester, NY 10918
845-469-4551; televue.com
New Product Showcase is a reader service featuring innovative equipment and software of interest to amateur astronomers. The descriptions are based largely on
information supplied by the manufacturers or distributors. Sky & Telescope assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of vendors' statements. For further information
contact the manufacturer or distributor. Announcements should be sent to nps@skyandtelescope.org. Not all announcements can be listed.
70 OCTOBER 2021 * SKY & TELESCOPE

http://www.starhopmaker.com http://www.astronomy-imaging-camera.com http://www.televue.com

Sky & Telescope - October 2021

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