ZWO ASI Air Pro: A Game-Changer in Astrophotography

If you’ve been diving into astrophotography, you’ve likely heard of the ZWO ASI Air Pro—a compact, all-in-one device designed to simplify your imaging sessions by acting as a control centre for your gear. We have been using it for a while now, and it’s been a real game-changer for streamlining our workflow. But how does the ASI Air Pro compare to other versions like the ASI Air Plus, ASI Air Mini, or the older ASI Air, and how does it stack up against other popular astrophotography control solutions like Stellarmate and NINA? Here's our hands-on experience.

What Makes the ZWO ASI Air Pro Special?

The ASI Air Pro is essentially a mini-computer that controls your ZWO cameras, guiding systems, and mount, all from the palm of your hand via an app on your phone or tablet. One of the key features that drew us in is its wireless control and the intuitive interface. We now no longer need to carry around a laptop or worry about multiple cables tangled up in the dark.

The device integrates:

• Polar alignment assistance

• Plate solving

• Guiding support for multi-star guiding

• Automated image capturing

• Focus control

What we love most about the ASI Air Pro is its simplicity. It's designed specifically for ZWO products, meaning it works seamlessly with their cameras, mounts, and EAF (electronic automatic focuser). If you're in the ZWO ecosystem, this is a fantastic option for reducing setup time and focusing more on capturing those beautiful deep-sky images.

ASI Air Pro vs. ASI Air (Original) and ASI Air Plus

The original ASI Air set the groundwork for integrating ZWO cameras with a mobile app. However, the ASI Air Pro is a notable upgrade due to several key features:

• Faster performance: The Pro has more RAM (4GB) compared to the original (2GB), making it faster for image processing and smoother when handling multiple tasks.

• More ports: The Pro features four USB ports, while the original had fewer, so you can easily connect more peripherals like a filter wheel or guiding camera.

• Improved build: The Pro comes with a sleek aluminium case, which is both durable and reduces the risk of overheating during long sessions.

Then there's the ASI Air Plus, which is an even newer upgrade. It builds on the Pro’s strengths with:

• More storage: The Plus offers more internal memory, which is a bonus if you capture a lot of data.

• Wi-Fi range improvement: One of the biggest complaints about the Pro was its limited Wi-Fi range, which the Plus addresses.

• Power monitoring: The Plus also lets you monitor the power status of connected devices—an excellent feature for remote sessions.

Despite these upgrades, we have found the ASI Air Pro to be more than capable for our needs. If you’re someone who needs stronger Wi-Fi or wants to store more data directly on the device, the Plus might be a better option, but for most backyard astronomers, the Pro is a solid choice.

ASI Air Pro vs. ASI Air (Original) and ASI Air Mini

The ASI Air Mini is the most compact and affordable member of the ZWO's ASI Air family, designed for portability and ease of use. It shares a lot of similarities with the ASI Air Pro, but the main differences come down to size, features, and versatility.

Here's a quick comparison of the key differences between the ASI Air Pro and the ASI Air Mini:

• Size and Portability: The ASI Air Mini is more compact and lightweight, ideal for travel and minimal setups. Whereas the ASI Air Pro is slightly larger but still portable, with a more durable aluminum case.

• USB Ports: The ASI Air Mini has 2 USB ports, limiting the number of connected devices. Whereas the ASI Air Pro has 4 USB ports, offering more flexibility for connecting additional peripherals like guiding cameras and filter wheels.

• Ethernet Port: ASI Air Mini has no Ethernet port, it relies on Wi-Fi only. Whereas the ASI Air Pro includes an Ethernet port for stable, wired connectivity in remote locations.

• Internal Storage: The ASI Air Mini has 16GB of internal storage, compared to the ASI Air Pro's 32GB of internal storage, allowing more space for data handling and images.

• Performance: The ASI Air Mini's 2GB of RAM is more suitable for simpler setups Whereas the ASI Air Pro's 4GB of RAM provides faster image processing and better multi-tasking for more complex setups.

• Power Management: ASI Air Mini has no built-in power outlets. The ASI Air Pro has 4 power outlets to manage and power your cameras, mounts, or accessories, reducing cable clutter.

  
  

In summary, the ASI Air Mini is ideal for portable, simple setups, while the ASI Air Pro offers greater flexibility, more connectivity, and power management for more advanced astrophotography needs.

Comparing ASI Air Pro to Stellarmate and NINA

Now, let’s talk about alternatives. The ASI Air Pro may work seamlessly within the ZWO ecosystem, but it’s not the only astrophotography control system out there.

Stellarmate

Stellarmate is a similar device to the ASI Air but offers broader hardware compatibility, it runs on the Raspberry Pi system. While the ASI Air is focused solely on ZWO products, Stellarmate works with a variety of astrophotography equipment, including other camera brands. Stellarmate uses KStars and Ekos for control, which are powerful but come with a steeper learning curve.

In our experience, Stellarmate offers more customisation and flexibility, but it’s not as intuitive or as polished as the ASI Air Pro. We often found ourselves troubleshooting more with Stellarmate, especially when it came to connectivity or device recognition. For tech-savvy astrophotographers who want full control over their setup, Stellarmate might be the better option, but if ease-of-use is your priority, the ASI Air Pro wins hands down.

NINA (Nighttime Imaging 'N' Astronomy)

Then there's NINA, which is free astrophotography software often used with mini Windows PCs, such as the MeLE Quieter . It’s an incredibly powerful tool that offers robust automation and control over your entire imaging session. In terms of flexibility and capabilities, NINA can do a lot—autofocusing, plate-solving, meridian flips, you name it. Plus, it’s compatible with a wide range of hardware, not just ZWO. However, NINA is more complex to set up compared to the ASI Air Pro. For us, NINA’s complexity is a trade-off; you get incredible control but sacrifice some simplicity.

What Users Are Saying

From our experience and from what we have seen in online forums and communities, users tend to praise the ASI Air Pro for its ease of use and seamless integration with ZWO hardware. The intuitive app and wireless control are huge pluses, especially for beginners or those who want a more streamlined process.

However, some users have reported issues with the Wi-Fi range of the ASI Air Pro, which can be frustrating if you’re not close enough to the device. The Plus version addresses this, but it’s something to consider if you’re working in larger areas.

On the other hand, Stellarmate users appreciate the flexibility it offers, especially with non-ZWO gear, but often mention its steeper learning curve. NINA users love its powerful automation features but note that its complexity setup making it less convenient and daunting if not tech savvy.

Conclusion: Is the ZWO ASI Air Pro Right for You?

After using the ASI Air Pro, we would recommend it to anyone using ZWO cameras and mounts who values portability and simplicity. It’s not as feature-rich or flexible as NINA or Stellarmate, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s the perfect tool for streamlining your astrophotography sessions, letting you spend more time observing and less time tinkering with tech.

If you’re invested in the ZWO ecosystem and don’t want to deal with a laptop in the field, the ASI Air Pro or even the ASI Air Plus is a solid choice. If you need more flexibility or enjoy the deeper customisation of your gear, Stellarmate or NINA might be worth exploring further and at times we do use it for non ZWO equipment. But for us, the ASI Air Pro has become a staple in our astrophotography kit.

Overall Rating (1 to 5 Stars) =    4 *Stars

Supply (Gift/Purchased/Loan) = Purchased (Used/Secondhand)

Disclaimer:

The thoughts and impressions shared in this review are based on our personal experience with the product. It’s important to note that everyone’s experience may differ depending on their setup, preferences, and expectations.

In the interest of transparency, we are open about how the equipment is provided for review. If we purchased the item ourselves, borrowed it from a supplier, manufacturer, or another amateur astronomer, or if it was donated or gifted by a supplier or manufacturer, we will clearly state so in the review (at the bottom).

We strive to be objective in our evaluations and do not allow gifts, loans, or financial incentives to influence our reviews or alter our opinions. Our goal is to offer honest and impartial assessments to help others make informed decisions.