ZWO ASI178MM USB 3.0 Back Illuminated Mono CMOS Camera
The ZWO ASI178MM comes with an exciting, comparatively large, 1/1.8″, 6.4M pixels IMX178 sensor that features SONY STARVIS and Exmor R technology.
The result is extremely low read noise (2.2e), high sensitivity and 14bit ADC (analogue-to-digital converter: the higher the better...).
The comparatively large sensor, extremely low read noise, high sensitivity and comparatively high framerates make this new camera a very good choice for various astro photography and microscopy applications.
The ASI178MM camera comes with USB3.0 connection that gives you the opportunity to use it with newer laptops and is backward compatible with USB2.0. High framerates are not a guarantee for excellent images, but certainly helpful if other circumstances are given. There is no USB 2.0 version of this camera as that simply won't be enough to use the camera's possible high framerate, plus, for the same reason, we would really recommend to use it with USB3.0 compatible hardware as that's the only way to achieve very high framerates...
It comes with an AUTOGUIDER PORT just as many other ZWO cameras, so you may use it for both imaging or guiding!
This camera will mostly be used for high magnification Lunar and Solar imaging and for microscopic imaging, but it can also be used for deep sky imaging up to a certain level as it supports up to 1000seconds exposure time. This monochrome camera provides you with the best data output and therefore even better images (in comparison to a colour camera), but you'd have to add filters and a filter wheel when you take images of planets or deep sky, however you could use it as it is without colour filters for solar imaging (but still must have a solar filter in front of the telescope when observing or imaging the Sun!!!)
Features of the ZWO ASI178MM Monochrome Camera
Recommended for high-magnification Lunar and Solar imaging, microscopic imaging and to image some deep sky objects
Resolution: 3096X2080 at up to 30fps (at 14bit ADC) or 60fps (at 10 bit ADC)
Long time exposure up to 1000s!
Autoguider Port
Very low read noise (1.5e)
High Sensitivity
Full aluminum housing with standard 2" interface
M42X0.75 internal thread.
T-thread to C-mount adapter included
DOWNLOADS
On the included CD you'll find drivers and two software applications: Firecapture and SharpCap. These are both freeware and the latest versions can be downloaded from the developers' websites.
If you have any problem with installing any of the software from the CD, please download them from here:
Firecapture Downloads
SharpCap Downloads
oaCapture (for Mac)
We'd recommend to use the latest version of Firecapture with the USB3.0 ZWO ASI cameras...
Specification
Sensor: 1/1.8” CMOS IMX178
Resolution: 6.4 Mega Pixels 3096*2080
Pixel Size: 2.4µm
Sensor Size: 7.4mm*5mm
Diagonal: 8.92mm
Exposure Rage: 32µs-1000s
ROI: Supported
ST4 Guider Port: Yes
Focus Distance to Sensor: 12.5mm
Shutter Type: Rolling Shutter
Protect window: AR window
(IR Cut-off filter is recommended)
Operating System Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux
Interface: USB3.0/USB2.0
Bit rate: 14bit output(14bit ADC)
Adaptor: 2″ / 1.25″ / M42X0.75
Dimension: φ62mm X 36mm
Weight: 120g or 4.2 ounces (without lens)
Working Temperature: -5°C—45°C
Storage Temperature: -20°C—60°C
Working Relative Humidity: 20%—80%
Storage Relative Humidity: 20%—95%
Supported Resolutions:
10bit ADC/14bit ADC
3096×2080 60fps / 30fps
2560×2048 62fps / 31fps
2048×1080 116fps / 58fps
1280×960 130fps / 65fps
800×600 204.7fps / 102.3fps
640×480 253.1fps / 126.5fps
320×240 479.7fps / 239.8fps
More resolutions can be defined by user
SOFTWARE and DRIVERS
Up-to-date drivers can be found on the manufacturer's website. Click here!
For full specification, driver installation tutorial (youtube video), basic usage information and recommended third party software please visit the manufacturer's website: ZWOptical
There is also a ZWO Forum here for ZWO camera users: ZWO USER GROUP
and also a Yahoo Group where you can find lots of information about how other members use the ZWO cameras: Yahoo Group ZWO ASI Cameras
