Questions, answered.
The honest answers to what people ask before flashing their gear, starting with the most important one: how to get back to stock if you change your mind.
Will this brick my device? Can I go back to stock?
No, and yes. Every supported device can return to its original software. What that takes depends on the hardware:
| Device | Stock backup | How to return to stock |
|---|---|---|
| ASIAIR Plus (RK3568 / Rockchip) | Automatic. The process backs up the stock eMMC (~7.7 GB) before flashing | Restore from that backup; the steps are in the guide |
| ASIAIR Plus (Pi CM4) | You make it. Back up the eMMC first | Reflash the eMMC from your backup |
| ToupTek StellaVita (Pi CM4) | You make it. Back up the eMMC first | Reflash the eMMC from your backup |
| ZWO ASIAIR Pro | Not needed. Install onto a new memory card | Swap the original card back in; stock is untouched |
| iOptron iMate | Provided by iOptron | Reflash iOptron's restore image |
| Raspberry Pi (your own) | Nothing to undo; it's your board | Reflash Raspberry Pi OS any time |
For the eMMC-based ASIAIR Plus (Pi CM4) and ToupTek StellaVita, making a backup is your responsibility. Do it before you install, because the install replaces the onboard storage. The Rockchip ASIAIR Plus backs itself up automatically, and the ASIAIR Pro installs to a separate SD card so your stock setup stays safe on the original card. Each device guide links a walkthrough for its backup.
Do I need to know Linux?
Not for imaging. Day to day you work in your imaging app (Ara, APT, CCDciel, N.I.N.A., SharpCap, or Voyager), not a terminal. The one place you'll touch the command line is the initial setup: a few copy-paste commands over SSH to flash the OS and install AlpacaBridge. The device guides give you every command verbatim.
Is my camera / mount / focuser supported?
Check the Supported Drivers page. Drivers are native ASCOM Alpaca and ConformU-verified. If your exact model isn't listed but the same brand and type is, it will very likely work, because drivers are built per brand rather than per individual model.
Which imaging app should I use?
- Ara: OpenAstro's own app, on Linux, macOS, or Windows.
- APT: a popular, affordable all-rounder for DSLR and astro cameras.
- CCDciel: free and open source, with native Alpaca support on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
- N.I.N.A.: connects to AlpacaBridge over Alpaca today.
- SharpCap: great for live stacking and EAA.
- Sequence Generator Pro: Alpaca support is coming soon.
- Voyager: observatory automation for fully unattended sessions.
What hardware do I need?
A supported single-board computer (iMate, StellaVita, an ASIAIR you're repurposing, or a Raspberry Pi 4/5), your astronomy gear, and any computer or tablet on the same network to image from. Start at Set Up Your SBC.