The ZWO ASIAir Mini astrophotography controller is already the fourth-generation device that has retained the reliability and well-proven capabilities of previous generations, while also enhancing user comfort with new developments.
As its name suggests, it is truly compact! The new ZWO ASIAir Mini camera/mount control unit occupies almost half the space of the ZWO ASIAir Plus version and is more affordable. As a result, some changes can be observed, such as the absence of a power switch on the device, although it can be shut down via an application. Users might perceive the switch from USB 3 to USB 2 connections as a slight step back, possibly justified by maintaining price levels. However, user feedback confirms that this change did not result in significant disadvantages. The Ethernet connector has also been removed from the box, but no worries, images can be easily and quickly downloaded to a PC via the USB-C connection if the WIFI is considered slow.
The ZWO ASIAir Mini camera/mount control unit is a modern mini-computer prepared for almost every astrophotography task, serving as the "Swiss army knife" for dedicated astrophotographers. It supports numerous ZWO-manufactured hardware (motorized focuser, filter wheel, guide and astro cameras) and is even capable of controlling Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras. (However, it does not support cameras from other manufacturers beyond this!) Since it does not require a computer for use, only a WiFi-enabled smartphone or tablet, it saves users from many annoying cables that have previously plagued observers not using ASIAir.
Premium Design
The device's housing is entirely made of aluminum using CNC technology, guaranteeing outstanding protection and an elegant appearance. It is designed to be even smaller than its predecessors, weighing only 220 g. The device measures 100 x 70 x 26.5 mm, with M4 and 1/4" threads on the bottom for easy mounting anywhere.
The ZWO ASIAir Mini features 4 USB 2.0 ports for connecting various cameras or the ZWO EAF focus controller and filter wheel. It includes a 2.5 mm camera exposure controller, for which a 2.5 jack-plug exposure cable suitable for the specific camera brand must be separately acquired. The 4 12V power outputs allow for powering external units (e.g., cooling fan, flatbox, mount, focus motor). Larger load-bearing mounts - such as SkyWatcher NEQ-5 Pro, HEQ-5, EQ-6R, Wave 100i, 150i, ZWO AM3N, AM5N - and the power supply for cooled ASI cameras require a separate power source, as their use is not recommended through the ASIAir.
The ZWO ASIAir Mini camera/mount control unit requires 12V for power, which can be supplied from a battery or a 230V power grid. In the latter case, a minimum 2A power adapter is necessary, although a 5A adapter is recommended if you wish to use all 4 power outputs of the unit.
Software Features
The ZWO ASIAir Mini user interface is accessible via WiFi from mobile devices with iOS 10.0.2 or newer or Android (min 5.0) operating systems, with at least 4 GB of RAM. To ensure high-efficiency WiFi signal transmission, the ASIAir Mini has been equipped with an external WiFi signal booster antenna, allowing control from up to 20 meters away, and significantly increasing data transfer speed. The ASIAir Mini user interface is extremely intuitive and user-friendly, supporting numerous functions:
- focus assistant: helps with precise focus adjustment using a focal ratio graph or even with the use of the ZWO EAF
- polar alignment: enables polar alignment of the mount with arcsecond accuracy using an efficient plate-solving function
- goto function: easily moves the mount to the selected target
- autoguiding: allows precise guiding on multiple stars
- preview: easily view the "live view" of the target to be photographed
- image stacking function: "stacks" the image live, improving the quality of the "live view"
- planning mode: simply specify which objects you want to photograph, and the device will set and photograph them in sequence
Connection with Windows is only possible through an Android emulator, such as Bluestack.
Package Contents:
- ZWO ASIAir Mini unit
- power cables: 2 x 0.5 meter DC, 2 x 1 meter DC, and 1.5 meter DC extension cable.
