iMate Astronomy Control Box

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iMate Astronomy Control Box

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Price: $219.00

Availability: Usually ships in 2 business days
Product Code: 8480

Description

Support Documents

The iMate is a single-board computer that features a powerful 64-bit ARM processor with Wi-Fi, preloaded KStars planetarium software, Ekos control and automation tool, and INDI drivers. This hardware-software combination will support the use of most current and future devices (cameras, focusers, filter wheels, etc.) allowing the user to choose a brand and model.

With 32Gb eMMC storage along with a slot for up to 64Gb TF (micro SD) memory, iMate has the ability to control and capture an entire automated imaging session. The iMate is cross-platform; use it with Windows, IOS, Linux, Android, etc.

Features

Orange Pi 3 LTS with 64-bit ARM processor, 2GB LPDDR3 SDRAM and 32GB EMMC flash memory
1X USB3.0 and 2X USB2.0 ports
3X 12VDC outputs (2 programmable)
Up to 64Gb high speed MicroSD card (class 10 or higher)
Open Source Architecture
Preloaded KStarts/Ekos/INDI driver for mount, camera, focuser and other device control
iPolarServer for iOS polar alignment
Windows, MacOS, iOS, Linux, Android remote connection to iMate via WIFI network
Mounting method: 31mm dovetail saddle for finder scope shoe mounting, 1/4"-20 threaded hole, or 2X M3 threaded holes
One year Limited Warranty

Average Rating: Average Rating: 4 of 5

4 of 5 Total Reviews: 2 Write a review »

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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

iMate is a "System" not a "Box"	June 21, 2024
Reviewer: Stanley Ralph from Moorestown, NJ United States

iOptron is an Integrator of an EAA Product. They are curating all INDI software fragments including Kstars/Ekos to make a working "system".
Other EAA suppliers just give you a box and an interface to more software. The sum of all the parts does not make a box work. Somebody does that; so often, it's YOU.

iOptron has taken a different path. They want their box to be a "product", not a DIY project for Linux Geeks (no offense, but isn't astronomy the goal?).

In my business, these are called baseline upgrades, meaning that it still all works together with improvements.

Keeping all the software playing nice with itself and others is really hard. Congrats to iOptron for stepping in the void.

We should all want a Product (which includes documentation, tutorials, trouble reporting) not a bunch of piece parts with asynchronous update cycles with no directions on how to test. Ugh.

I'm patient while iOptron curates the next baseline upgrade. You should be too. It's worth it.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

OK start. needs setup time++& better apps/updating	January 17, 2024
Reviewer: William Shaw from Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire United Kingdom

Used with a GEM45, Altair 26C, SESTO SENSO 2 & ZWO guider. I power mount & dew heaters separately - the IMate controls & powers everything else. Set up takes some fiddling with power, USB & settings. The ipolarserve tool might need a firmware update to the ipolar. It's sluggish on plate solving & fits display, but the imaging is fine. While I would have preferred a more powerful unit say with a Pi 4/5, this is still a useful low-cost unit for a light OSC rig. The self-generated wi-fi is strong and I can access it from indoors easily. Only 3 stars as (a) you need to set the time for each session; (b) I cannot update KStars; (c) making it a client of home wifi doesn't yet work; (d) the ipolar phone app is a disappointment. On mounts with a rigidly attached ipolar the desktop ipolarapp allows an advanced camera position calibration that is faster (no rotating!) & more accurate. There is no desktop app with the iMate & only a cut down phone version which has lost the good features.

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