Sky & Telescope - May 2022 - 67

together before heading out to the
scope. The first step is to download the
ASIair app from either the Apple marketplace
or Google Play Store, depending
on the smart device you'll be controlling
the computer with. Be sure to
check for updates regularly, as ZWOptical
is constantly making improvements
to the app. I installed it on my iPhone 8
and on my Generation 6 iPad.
The ASIair Plus attaches to most
scopes with an aluminum dovetail
shoe designed to fit in the quick-release
finderscope brackets found on most
commercial telescopes. The shoe can
be positioned on the bottom or on the
side of the device. Additionally, there's
a ¼-20 threaded socket by each of the
bracket ports that can be used as an
alternate mounting point.
After installing the app, plug in
the unit, turn it on, and link it to
your tablet or smartphone. Curiously,
ZWOptical doesn't include the 12-volt,
5-amp power supply for the device
itself, though it's available on the
company's website for $29. Fortunately,
I had a compatible one handy. About 30
seconds after powering up, the Wi-Fi
activates (signaled by an audible beep),
and you can connect your tablet or
smartphone and launch the app.
Next, configure your mount, imaging
and autoguiding cameras, as well as
any electronic focusers or filter wheels
you intend to use. As programmed, the
ASIair Plus is limited to controlling
ZWO cameras and peripheral devices,
with the exception of Canon and Nikon
cameras. It can, however, drive a wide
range of Go To mounts. I used it to
control my iOptron CEM25P mount as
well as my observatory telescope with
its Losmandy Gemini 2 Go To drive system.
Both connected with no problems.
App Control
Once the device is configured to work
with your gear, you're ready to set up an
imaging plan. The ASIair app displays
a series of intuitive icons along the top
of the screen for each device. Starting
from left, there are settings for the
device itself (Wi-Fi, power-port control,
etc.). Next is the camera settings followed
by autoguiding, telescope, filter
wheel, focuser, and finally storage (such
as the TF card or internal storage).
Devices not connected are grayed out.
Users can program entire imaging
plans that include everything from
the exposures of the sky to calibration
frames. Multiple targets can be
programmed for a given night. These
plans are configured by tapping Autorun
on the right side of the screen and
then creating an imaging schedule. You
can save these schedules for future use
or modify them later. I set up imaging
schedules that included everything
except dark and flat-field images.
The four power-out ports on the
1
2
3
4
pAs a control station, the ASIair Plus is
loaded with ports and switches. 1 This end
includes the 12-volt, 5-amp power input, the
on/off switch, and the Wi-Fi antenna at right
along with the reset button and a red LED
indicator.
pThe ASIair Plus comes with four cables for its power connections, one USB 3.0 cable, and an
Ethernet cable. Users will have to purchase the 12-volt, 5-amp power supply for the device separately
or provide their own.
2 Four USB ports are located on
the opposite end - two black USB 2.0 and
a pair of blue USB 3.0 ports. An Ethernet
port at left permits hardwiring of the device
to a network. 3 A single jack at left connects
to the shutter release cable of certain
Canon or Nikon DSLRs. Four power ports
line this side of the device, each having
an LED indicator that lights up when each
is activated in the ASIair app. 4 The side
opposite of the power ports has a USB-C
connection used to transfer files from the
device's internal memory. The TF card slot
(commonly known as a Micro-SD card) accepts
up to 1-terabyte cards. At center is a
¼-20 threaded hole for mounting the device.
The smaller threaded holes are an alternative
connecting location for the mounting
shoe (seen at the bottom of the unit).
sk yand tele scope .o r g * MAY 2022 67

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Sky & Telescope - May 2022

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