HEQ5 and ASI AIR Pro Setup Guide
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- čas přidán 9. 07. 2024
- In this video, we go over a setup guide for the Skywatcher HEQ5 and the ASI Air Pro. I show you the method I use to get it all set up and running, hopefully this helps you out if you are running into any snags!
This video is NOT sponsored.
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Do you use the hand controller with the ASI Air, or an EQmod cable,?
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My Astro Gear in this video:
Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro: amzn.to/3yJSfVU (Amazon)
Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro: bit.ly/3oam0NL (Agena Astro)
William Optics Zenithstar 61: bit.ly/3IiEv9E (Agena Astro)
ZWO ASI294MC Pro: bit.ly/3o3Fd3R (Agena Astro)
ZWO ASI Air Pro Kit: agenaastro.com/zwo-asiair-pro...
AC to DC 12V Power Adapter: amzn.to/3CNEx4h
EQMOD Cable (to connect ASI AIR to HEQ-5): amzn.to/3u7eUrO
Recording Gear for the Curious:
Camera: amzn.to/3kML6QP
Microphone: amzn.to/3E17I7R
Tripod: amzn.to/3Ci0haW
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this, and pay for replacement screws I've dropped in the dark. Thank you for the support!
Did I miss where you level the tripod?
No, I actually forgot to include that! Thanks for reminding me!
Agreed, leveling the tripod is indeed an important step.
@@blanejnasveschuk6351 Yes it is. Ever since Mark reminded me, I level when I set up, and again right before polar aligning. I hope you all do the same!
Got to say, out of all the all the video's online, the content from Astro Escape is the best I've come across for how-to...
Thank you for the feedback! Glad to have you watching :)
Don't ever comment on videos, but this tutorial was perfect. I haven't set my HEQ5 mount up for a long time, but it's time to bring it out! (:
Good job!
Glad to see another fantastic video out. I love taking the virtual journey with you step by step even though I don’t have any of this. I feel like I’m learning a lot from you.
Thanks Dan! You should get a setup some time!
Thanks brother. Finally got my ASI air connected to my mount.
Hey man, how do you power the mount and asi air? have you plugged the mount into the asi air?
Liked and subbed buddy! Great video and that backdrop is KILLER!
Thank you! I love that constellation tapestry, it's great! I hoped the guide helped you out!
awesome....look forward to the next video
Thank you, Mike!
Hi, great video! I do have that exact setup (ASIAIR Pro+ HEQ5 Pro mount).
Answering your question, I do use a EQMoD cable to connect the ASIAIR Pro to the mount, with great results.
I also use Sky Safari Plus connected and synced to give me more versatility and information.
Clear skies
I haven't played around with SkySafari yet, primarily since I find the ASI Air app good enough for my imaging sessions, but I'll have to give it a go sometime soon. What extras do you like that SkySafari has that the ASI Air app doesn't?
Great video and very helpful! To answer your question: I connect my zwo asi air plus to my skywatcher heq5 pro via an eq-mod or eq-dir cable (one end in the heq5pro where normally the hand controller goes, the usb-end in the asi air). Furthermore, an extra power cable is needed from the heq5pro (where you normally plug in the power cable; this extra power cable is provided with the asi air plus) to the asi air plus (in one of the 4 power ports on the side). Once I did that, I needed to acivate this power port on the asi air plus in the asi air app, without which the mount would't receive power. But after activation the mount works fine.
That's exactly how I've done it too. As long as you keep the total power draw under 6 amps, you can power your mount with the AIR.
Eqmod cable direct from asiair to mount I havent used my hand controller for a year or so now
The hand controller does make a nice weight for visual observing notes, if you have an EQMod cable :)
I could've used this video a couple years ago. Good video
Thanks! I'm glad it helped you out.
Hi, good video. Yes, the EQmod cable direct connected to ASIAIR Pro and SkyView Pro mount is the best way to go, it solves a number of problems that I had with the ASIAIR Pro and mount. I have a Radian 61 and Celestron 6SE, each has its own ASIAIR Pro. This way I do not have to change settings between scopes.
Nice, that certainly makes things simpler with multiple setups.
I use the Lynx Eqmod cables for AZ-GTI, and azeq5 AZ-EQ5-GT mounts. I have never used the hand controllers - cumbersome cabling.
Polar aligning in the southern hemisphere is trivial with the asiair pro, no visible reference stars. Love the plate solving and centering.
Yep, I'd go EQMOD all the way. I think the only reason I'd use the hand controller on the HEQ-5 pro at this point is if I was doing anything visual.
very very valuable and simple information for an amature thanks.
You're welcome!
Great video. Just got my Orion Atlas Pro AZ/EQ mount, Orion 110mm Eon telescope and the AsiAir Pro. Will be trying the set up out for the first time in the next couple of weeks. Hope to use the USB A port on the mount to the USB B 2.0 port on the ASiAir Pro. Crossing my fingers. I’m new to this. Lots of fun going through the learning curve! The optics and modern technology astounds me! Dr B from Manitoba, Canada
I agree that it's astounding. It's also very rewarding to see it all come together when you get done shooting and start processing. Good luck!
Have the skywatcher azeq5 with the ASIAIR pro and zwo 120 guide scope., 72 inch refractor. I just got first light a couple of weeks ago on a zwo asi 294 Pro System is amazing.
@@AstroEscape The whole system works amazingly! Polar alignment, auto guiding, plate solving. Very few hiccups so far. Can hardly wait to take some dso images (maybe this weekend if the cloud gods cooperate). I wonder how well the asi air pro works in winter at -10 or -20oC? The manual says the operating temp is 0 to 40oC.
Very nice video. One question: With the HEQ5 mount with the eqmod interface to ASIAir, how do you set mount tracking to sidereal tracking mode? I think in SynScan there are different tracking modes? Sidereal, lunar, solar, etc.
That setting is in the mount settings tab, towards the bottom of the page.
I use a CEM40 mount so it probably is of no surprise that I connect the mount using the provided USB cable. I have a bit different way of setting up the ASIAIR Pro with my gear. I'll probably shoot a video of my own after the holiday to illustrate my way of setup.
Cool, I'll keep an eye out for it :)
Excellent tutorial
One question
Can I use asiair with dslr canon before I get in to dedicated camera ?
Yes I have eq6R
Yes, you can! It works out just fine as long as it's on the compatible list :)
Overall great video as I'm looking to get started and considering this combination. For us newbies, it would have been nice to see the cable interfacing you used between the ASI Air and HEQ5. I see from the list its the EQMod cable. Did you have to do anything special in the ASI air to have the two interface or is it simply plug and play? Again, thanks for the presentation.
For the EQMod cable, it's basically plug and play, and select it in the app. Not much else to do from there. If you use the hand controller, you have to do the three-star alignment before plugging it into the ASIAIR, and it's more of a hassle.
@@AstroEscape how should this be done, since my heq5 is not recognized, with 2 cables tested, what particular technique?
@@tontonjc If you are using the hand controller, you need to plug the controller in normally, then do a 3 star alignment with it. After that, plug a USB cable into the hand controller and the ASI AIR and select "synscan mount." That method is a pain though, it's buggy. Using an EQMOD cable is much easier, it goes straight between the mount and the AIR. For that, you need to select EQMOD mount. Once I got that cable, I haven't looked back. How are you currently plugging it in?
@@AstroEscape i put eqmod cable and is not recognized
The one think I wanted to see the most was where to plug in the cables for EQMod and Guiding. The video panned over all the cables plugged in real quick so I still have not found a video that shows how to hook it up.
The EQMod USB end goes into one of the USB 2.0 slots, and the other end goes into the slot for the hand controller. Check out my "How to Set up the ASI AIR Plus" video, a little less than three minutes in I plug my EQMod cable in and it's visible on screen. Guiding also goes into the USB 2 slot if you are using one that can run off of USB, like the 120mini.
@@AstroEscape Thanks for your reply. I kept searching and found your other video which explained the hookup. I appreciate your videos.
Hi, great video, and very helpful. I'm running a set up similar to yours; it is AsiAir Pro and iOptron Gem28. I wonder if you could help me with this.
My AsiAir is connected WiFi with Gem28, do I need to run guiding cable from guide camera (ZWO 120) to the mount (there is a plug named "Guiding") or it is being done wireless?
Thank you for the answer. (I know it is an old video, I'm just scanning web for the answer).
The guide camera only needs to go to the ASI AIR, the AIR will handle everything from there. As long as the AIR can control the mount, you're good.
Cool video, I use the R292 port on my mount and keep the hand controller connected. Because my mount is a bit older I need an adapter to convert to USB but so far it is reasonably on point.
I am using in iEQ30 pro - and set the configuration to that in the mount settings.
I’m testing out a new zwo mini guide cam tonight so we will see how it goes.
So far it gets my exposures to about 2 min no guiding but really want to unlock the 4 min +
So how did it go? Were you able to get good guiding numbers?
It went decent - I was in the sub 1 range for good portions of my first night. The second was a bit less consistent - I suspect because of needing better focus on my ZWO mini and scope and because my default settings aren't always responsive enough. I'll experiment a bit in the coming week but so far I am happy to have it reach 180 seconds with modest averages @@AstroEscape
Another question
What do you use for polar alignment polar scope or polimaster thing
The Polar Scope on the HEQ-5 and the ASI AIR app's polar alignment.
Great vid, I just bought a used V1. There is one thing I don't understand and hope you can help.
When I've done my PA do I need to move the mount back to the home position before doing a 2 star alignment? or does the 60 degrees that ASIAIR moved the mount have no impact? Thanks.
If you've done your PA with the AIR, you shouldn't need to do a 2-star afterwards, especially if you aren't using the hand controller at all. But for the HEQ5, if you are using the hand controller, the process is 3 star -> ASI AIR's PA, then focus & find your target.
@@AstroEscape Excellent.
Thank you very much for your help.
Great video so thank you very much for putting this out there. I have a question about cables and asiair setup for the mount. You said that because you're not using the hand controller set the asiair to "EQ MOD " mount. What kind of cable do you need for that and do you plug it into the autoguider port or the hand controller port? And, again, what kind of cable do you use for this? Is it a "EQ MOD cable?" It appears there are several varieties of EQ MOD cables. Which one do I need? And, to be clear, the only setup that this requires is plugging in the cable to whichever port on the mount and plugging the other end to a usb port on the AA? If I do use the hand controller port, with a usb cable, what setting do I select in the AA? I think I'd prefer to use the hand controller usb port but things are real sketchy as to how to proceed in the software, meaning which mount do I select in the drop down menu on the AA setup page? Sorry, I know this is a lot of newbee questions. I'm just trying to get this rig set up properly. Thanks for any help you can provide!
You're fine! Ask away! So yeah, the cable is an EQMOD cable, it is basically a usb cable merged with a network cable, to put it simply. The USB end connects to the ASI AIR, and the other end connects to the hand controller port on the HEQ5. The hand controller is not needed at all. The one I have linked in the description of the video is the one I use. I haven't had any issues with it in the years I've had it. From there, select EQMOD Mount in the app and you should be off to the races!
For using the hand controller, you need to plug that in normally, and connect a usb cable to the port on the hand controller and the other end in the AIR. In the app, you choose SynScan Mount. Be aware, I've had issues with that method, the EQMOD cable is a much better experience.
@@AstroEscape Ok, I think I found that cable I need on Amazon. Hopefully, I'm good to go now. I'll let you know if I have further questions, once I get another chance to set things up. Thanks again!
Have to wait 6 weeks or more for my recently purchased ASIair plus. Then I have to decide if my DSLR´s will give me optimum usage of the Z81 system or should I get a dedicated color-astro-camera ?
Eh, I would say learn the process first, unless you have the budget for it. No need to move fast!
hi thanks for the video, I have an ASIAir mini arriving monday. Just ordered an EQ Mod cable. Reading through your comments section here I'm seeing a few of your subscribers had trouble getting the air to work when plugged in directly to the HEQ5 via EQmod cable. Why is that?
My best guess on that is faulty cables. I know the one I linked below works, never had an issue with it. But, one produced by a different manufacturer may not work as well or be configured incorrectly with the wire pairing inside.
@@AstroEscape thanks for the reply. Turned out it was irrelevant for me anyway as the mini doesn't support my Canon R3 so now I'm using a laptop and NINA with ASCOM.
Great video! I have the same setup, heq5, asiair, z61, but with an ASI533. I can't get asiar to connect to the mount with the eqmod cable. What settings do you use on the asiair?
I set the mount to EQMod Mount. Are you plugging the cable into the USB 2 slots (black)?
@@AstroEscape I plugged into the 3.0, my mistake!! Thanks!
So i have an HEQ5i with wifi dongle (no Hand controller) and i'd like to connect to the mount wirelessly (via the network) is this possible.
I will have to look into that, I haven't tried. I can try it with the AM5 and the Skywatcher Star Adventurer 2i which both have wifi and get back to you on that.
Does the ASIair input the GPS information on itself if there is a good wifi around ?
Yeah if it has any connection to the internet (such as a cell phone or wifi) it will. However, I would double check with another app to make sure it's accurate and not using your ISP's coordinates! If you don't have a connection, you'll need to enter it manually.
Wow.. Was using a Polemaster and a Celestron GPS device...
I just got the ASIair Plus and a HEQ5. Where to plug it in to the mount???? Supposed to be a USB cable? Or ??? (Found it: plug usb cable into the hand controller usb port and select EQ MOD MOUNT in the ASIair). Didn’t see this in the video.
If you are using the hand controller, you need to select Synscan mount, but you'll need to do a 3 star alignment before plugging the USB cable between the hand controller and the ASIAIR in.
I did exactly that, one side of the cable in the heq5pro where normally the hand controller goes and the usb-end in the asi air, but the asi air says it’s not connected. Swithed to another eq-dir-cable, same problem. Any tips?
Yep, use EQ mod cable direct from EQ5 to Asiair Pro as for some reason I couldn't get it to work any other way.
I had a bad time trying to use the hand controller + USB cable, it would always slew off target for me. EQMod is much simpler. Did you get the same thing, or was it simply not working at all?
@@AstroEscape Couldn't get it to work at all. Worked first time with EQ mod cable.
What cable did you use in order to link the ASIair to the mount without needing the Synscan controller ?
I use an EQMod cable, the specific one I have is linked in the description. Any EQMod cable will work though.
@@AstroEscape this is where my problem lies. I tried two different EQmod cables. I also got the asiair plus and a Skywatcher HEQ5 pro go-to mount. When I plug the usb end to the ASIAIR USB 2.0 port and the other end to the hand controller port on the mount and it doesn't work, even with any baud I can try. Am I missing something here ?
I had problems figuring out GPS. Some tutorial word instruction as if ASI Air auto fills gps. Mine hasn't hooked to my Android with location on. Also, not being a GPS coordinate expert, I was confused by the coordinate decimal vs coordinate DMS . So, my attempts to find instruction with a newbie perspective was a bit hard and created a slight extra hurdle towards first light.
On my 3rd attempt I found a calculator to convert what Google gives me in decimal to what ASI Air accepts in DMS coordinate form. Finally I was pass that hurdle and was so tired and flustered as to why my Polar alignment was way off until I noticed Am5 was turned 180 the wrong way. After that within minutes I had first astrophotography light ever with Elephant Trunk Nebula.
Some devices do pull GPS data, but not all. If you have to convert from decimal to DMS, you can use a website like www.latlong.net/ to find your location and get both formats.
Odd question, but your blue sky map in the background looks exactly like one in my observatory wall which is a fabric printed star map of sorts that I got from Amazon. Is yours the same?
I got it off of Amazon a few years ago, so it's possible!
I have the same mount and the ASIAIR Pro. When it gets to polar alignment it does it's plate solve and then tells me it will rotate 60 degrees, I hit next and it will move 1.7 degrees (pause), 2.3 degrees (pause), and then to 3.5 degrees and stops. Nothing happens and it just sits there. Any ideas?
How are you connecting the mount to the ASIAIR? Using the hand controller or EQMod cable?
@@AstroEscape Eqmod cable
I recently setup my asiair plus to use home internet via station mode and ethernet cable. ( many thanks for the video explaining this). So after aligning the mount north, leveling it, I polar align via ASIAIR, then slow home position, then to a star in the western sky, then back home. Then hell starts. No matter what item I point it to, the mount turns the scope sideways and straight up. Once it does that, if I try to send it back to the home position, it thinks straight up is home. I tried two different phones and a tablet. Same. I doubt the ethernet is the issue. Any thoughts? Also restarted everytime multiple times, different days etc. Location,date etc is all correct. I hadn't used the mount for a while ( weather) . If you had to use a process of elimination, where might I start. Much thanks in advance Mike location 19473
To start, how are you connecting the air to your mount? Speaking of, is your mount the HEQ-5? If you are using the hand controller, that could be the cause as I have had a similar issue.
@@AstroEscape Yes it is an HEQ-5 I do not use the hand controller. I have the ASIAIR plugged into the hand controller port. Much thanks for the reply.
I hate the Alt/Az bolts on my HEQ5. Get really close to the mount at 64 degrees north.. Cheated once when polar aligning by adjusting the length of the front leg itself. Got perfect alignment with my polemaster..
Yeah I feel it even at 40 degrees, it's always bumping into the polar scope!
I just found this channel while searching for help on connecting my ASIAir Pro to my HEQ5 Pro--and I'm still lost! Which ports are we supposed to use to connect these? When I connect the ST-4 cable between the two devices, I get an error message. If I use the ST-4 cable to connect the ASIAir Pro to the Hand Controller's extra port, I get an error. Clearly I'm doing something very basic very wrong...
You need to connect the hand controller to the mount normally with the ST-4 cable that came with it (as if you were not using the ASI Air), then use a USB cable from the hand controller to the ASI Air. Or, use an EQMod cable (linked in the description) to bypass the hand controller entirely. Whichever method you do, you need to select it when the app boots up, either "Synscan" or "EQMod Mount."
@@AstroEscape Thank you! I went for the EQMod cable solution, doing away with the hand controller altogether, and it works great!
Wait, how did you connect the asiair to the HEQ5?
I use the EQMod cable I have linked in the description. I know that one works, some people have issues with other brands.
Hi, anybody Knows, if the synscan wifi connects to the Air? 😮😮
If it's wifi from a mount it should.
This is great! But the crucial part, I'm still not sure how the HEQ5 connects to the ASIair :(
If you only have the hand controller, plug the hand controller into the HEQ-5 normally. Then use a USB cable (Type A, like this: www.amazon.com/SANOXY-Cable-Type-Male-Black/dp/B00183I7EE ) to plug into the hand controller. Plug the other end into the ASIAIR. But, you have to do a three star alignment before plugging the USB cable into the ASIAIR. After that select Synscan for the mount. I find that method to not work very well though, it always changed the hemisphere I was in anytime I did that. An EQMOD cable that goes directly between the HEQ-5 Pro and the ASIAIR is MUCH simpler to do, no need for a three star alignment and no issues. I have one linked in the description :)
@@AstroEscape I tried this... I still can't seem to get it to work properly. What would I select in the menu?
also, thanks for responding :)
@@Dwayne_Green You're welcome! You'd select Synscan in the app if you are using the hand controller. But, like I said, you HAVE to do the three star alignment first. After that the ASIAIR should detect it.
@@AstroEscape gotcha... I'm not sure how to do the three star alignment. That hand controller is such a pain! I've ordered an EQMod cable, so hopefull wont have to deal with that stupid thing. lol
I use my Meade LX90 10” on a fork Mount with my asi Air pro
Very nice! Since your setup is much larger in aperture than mine, what's your favorite target you've imaged so far?
I am just started with the photo…. I have asi 294…. M27, Vestern veil
Great video !! Thank you !! Could you explain in details how to install the cables? I'm a bit lost there, and your video doesn't really cover this step ^^'
My "how to set up the ASI AIR plus" video has that covered :)
@@AstroEscape Thank you for the direct reply and for the other video! Such a great help!!
Waiting for it to get dark... that or wait for the damn clouds to go away! :)
At this point I'm waiting for the smoke from wildfires to go away. Just walked my dog, it's "clear," but the moon was super hazy.
рассказал отдельно про монтировку и компьютер, а как подключается одно к другому не показал!!!
Thanks for the feedback. This is an older video, I always have it on my mind to make sure to SHOW what I am talking about now 😀
Использование Google Translate: Спасибо за отзыв. Это старое видео, я всегда думаю о том, чтобы ПОКАЗАТЬ то, о чем я сейчас говорю. 😀