ZWO ASI1600MM USB 3.0 Monochrome CMOS Deep Sky Imager Camera
This is an exciting moment as with this NEW ZWO ASI1600 camera, ZWO made its debut into the DSO imager camera market.
The ZWO ASI1600 camera is an excellent choice for imaging deep sky objects, however it can do much more than that. With a max framerate of 23 FPS this camera can also be used as an extremely high resolution planetary imager. If you cannot decide if your thing is deep sky or planetary imaging, go for this camera. It is also a much more affordable alternative to converting a dSLR.
You can even use it for guiding, although we understand that it is somewhat a waste of a talent to use it for guiding, but there might be special circumstances or setups when you would want to use it for guiding, so the opportunity is given.
There are four versions with the same large 4/3" sensor (21.9mm diagonal):
Colour Uncooled, Monochrome Uncooled and Colour Cooled or Monochrome Cooled.
This product listing is for the UNCOOLED MONOCHROME version of the ASI1600.
Now you will have to decide whether you want a simple solution and go for a one shot COLOUR CAMERA or would like to get more data out your camera and go for the Monochrome version. If you would mainly use it as a deep sky imager camera, we'd also recommend to go for the Cooled version, but if you cannot afford or you'd be mainly using it as a very high resolution planetary imager, then go for the Uncooled version.
Consider that with this monochrome version, to get colour images, you'll also need a filter wheel and a set of L-RGB filters or H-alpha and OIII filters, and maybe even H-beta and SII filters as well for narrow band photography...
LIMITING FOCAL RATIO - Please read
Please note that the sensor diagonal size is very close to the internal clear aperture of a 1.25" filter (24mm to 26mm) therefore with very fast telescopes there might be vignetting.
Anyone imaging with 1.25" filters ideally needs to get the filters as close to the sensor as possible, to reduce vignetting.
Features of the NEW ZWO ASI1600MM Monochrome Camera
Recommended for Deep Sky Imaging as well as the Sun, Moon and planets at very high resolution (this monochrome version is also an excellent choice for Solar imaging)
(To image the Sun you'll have to use a proper front solar filter or Herschel wedge depending on your telescope. Please contact us if not sure!)
Resolution: 16MPixel 4656X3520 at up to 23fps
Pixel Size: 3.8µm
Exposure range: 32µs - 2000s!
Read Noise: 1.2e @ 30dB gain
Full Well: 20ke
ADC: 12 bit
Cooling: 40 - 45 degrees below ambient (obviously, only on cooled versions)
Standard Autoguider Port
Built-in RAW mode and Grey mode output support. Only about 30% storage space required compared to the Color data format!
Peak Quantum Efficiency: TBC
Full aluminum housing with standard 2" interface
M42X0.75 internal thread.
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 Beta Downloads
SharpCap Downloads
We'd recommend to always use the beta version of Firecapture, but reverse to the latest stable version if you experience problems.
Specification
Sensor: 4/3″ CMOS
Diagonal: 21.9mm
Resolution: 16Mega Pixels 4656×3520
Pixel Size: 3.8µm
Max FPS at full resolution :23FPS
Exposure Range: 32µs-2000s
Read Noise: 1.2e @30db gain
QE peak: TBD
Full well: 20ke
ADC:12bit
Interface: USB3.0/USB2.0
Adaptor: 2″ / 1.25″ / M42X0.75
Protect window: AR window
Dimensions: φ62mm X 41mm
Weight: 140g
Back Focus Distance: 6.5mm
Working Temperature: -5°C—45°C
Storage Temperature: -20°C—60°C
Working Relative Humidity: 20%—80%
Storage Relative Humidity: 20%—95%
Supported resolution
12Bit ADC
4656×3520 14.7fps
3840×2160 23.1fps
1920×1680 32.9fps
1280×960 47.1fps
640×480 80.4fps
320×240 124.4fps
10Bit ADC
4656×3520 23fps
3840×2160 36.2fps
1920×1680 57.7fps
1280×960 73.6fps
640×480 125.7fps
320×240 192.4fps
more resolutions are user defined
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 Yahoo Group where you can find lots of information about how other members use the ZWO cameras: Yahoo Group ZWO ASI Cameras
