Mini computer

Sequence Generator
1

I would like to buy SGP and buy also a computer for that. I would like to use a mini computer. Which one would work best for this?

2

Most will work fine. In most aspects, SGPro is not particularly demanding of CPU or its resources. The following are considerations and things that can be demanding (which you may not need):

  • Image analysis for focus quality and other metrics like eccentricity. When using the most precise settings, this can bring less powerful computers to a halt pretty quickly.
  • Related… the Image Grader tool may run slowly on slower machines
  • Enough space to hold the catalogs for several plate solvers

SGPro is actually most demanding with screen real-estate. It is responsible for display information-rich data across a broad spectrum of gear and events. So, while not part of the computer technically, it should be able to drive a minimum of HD (larger is better).

https://help.sequencegeneratorpro.com/MinimumSystemRequirements.html

3

I use the MeLE Quieter3Q mini PC. It came with Windows 11 pro, and have it mounted on the iOptron mount leg. Access is wireless once the PC is setup initially. I use RDP to access the desktop. SGP and all the supporting apps works fine with this setup.

Mike

1 Like
4

Mini-PC, Intel N100 12th Gen 16GB DDR4, 512GB M.2 PCIe 3.0 x 4 SSD Win 11 Pro Desktop-Computer, 4K Dual Display/2,5G LAN/USB-C/WiFi 6/

What about something like that?

5

Is RDP better than VNC?

6

Sorry…I haven’t used VNC in years.

Mike

7

I use the MeLE Quieter3Q mini PC

I use one of these as well. They’re nice for the price.

Yes, RDP is substantially better than VNC and definitely feels more like you’re sitting at that machine than VNC. I always have lagging and just a generally bad experience with VNC.

Jared

1 Like
8

WiFi is good with this or is it necessary to have an antenna? What about usb connections it has not enough for my equipment? Port?

9

The MeLE has 4xUSB3 ports and 2xHDMI ports. Plus, there is a port for an external micro SD card. I use a Pegasus Astro Pocket Powerbox Advance Gen2 mounted on the OTA and have all the USB and power wiring going to that and then 1 USB3 cable from the Pegasus to the MeLE.
The MeLE I have has 16GB of RAM and 2x250GB internal storage cards. One is for the O/S and apps such as SGP and the other is for storage of the camera capture data. After an imaging session I’ll copy the data to the removable SD card to bring to a separate processing PC.

The MeLE has a built-in antenna. When imaging from home I’ll access the mini PC from the local wireless router. I have a virtual network configured in Windows 11 on the mini PC to act as an AP and can login to and access the mini PC when I’m out in the field (and away from the home router).
Attached is a picture of the portable setup. I keep the OTA w/gear mounted as one unit and just slide it off the mount head after removing 2 cables. This makes take down and setup very easy and fast. The MeLE is mounted on the leg and can rotate depending where in the yard I am setting up so as to maximize the wireless reception from the MeLE to the local AP inside the house.

Mike

OTA
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1 Like
10

Wow the Powerport is a great feture, but also expensive… Does it work also with a normal hub with electric connection 15W?

Is there a feature in SQP, where you can see the space like in Ekos as a bowl and you can navigate same as in Steallarmate?

Is it also possible to make planet pictures with this the MeLE? Is it fast eough?

SOrry for to many questions…

Thank you

11

Before I installed the Pegasus power box, I used a basic USB3 hub with no problems. The Pegasus made wire management for USB and power much easier.
To the minicomputer, it’s just another USB device.
I’m not familiar with Ekos.
The MeLE should be fast enough for planetary streaming to the internal storage.

Mike

12

There is no planetarium integrated in SGP. You could install a third party app though.
Discussion here