Camera ASI 178 MM Mono, ZWO

Manufacturer's product description:

The ASI 178 camera has extremely high sensitivity. It is suitable for the Moon and planets, but also for deep sky objects, making in universally applicable!Our expert comment:

The camera has a 1/1.8" sensor, and Sony's new STARVIS and Exmor-R technology produce low-noise, but still high-sensitivity images. This results in a very versatile camera that can be used for a variety of applications.

Further advantages of this model:

• Resolution - 3096x2080 pixels

• 30 frames per second with 14 bit ADC or 60 images with 10 bit ADC

• long-term exposure possible - up to 1000 seconds

• supports ROI (Region of Interest)

• auto-guider connector

• aluminium housing with 2" and T2 connectors

• with 2.5mm AllSky 170° wide-angle lens

Delivery includes a CD with two freeware programs :

• FireCapture and SharpCap. The latest versions of these programs, as well as drivers, can be found on the manufacturer's website - astronomy-imaging-camera.com/software/

• Software and drivers are available for free download on the manufacturer's website: http://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/software/

• For installation, please use the 'ZWO ASI camera drivers for other cameras.exe' file in the 'Driver' folder.Specifications:Capacity Sensor type CMOS Chip (Sony IMX178)Megapixel 6,4Resolution Photograph (Pixel) 3096 x 2080Pixel size 2,4Interfaces USB 3.0Bit depth (Bit) 14Active cooling noConnection (to the telescope) T2Colour camera noOperating temperature (-5) - (+45)Max. exposure time (min) 16Min. exposure time 32 µsImages per second60Supported operating systemsWindows, Linux, Mac OSXCable length (m)2Size of chip (mm) 7,37 x 4,92Flange focal distance (mm)12,5Chip - Diagonal (mm)8,86Special featuresInfrared filtersno Equipment Filter wheel noGeneral Weight (g)120SeriesASI 178Diameter (mm)62Height (mm)36Outer material Aluminium Area of application Autoguideryes Moon & Planetsyes All Sky, Meteoreyes Nebulae & galaxiesyes

• We recommend the 'SharpCap' freeware as image capture software: http://www.sharpcap.co.uk/sharpcap/downloads

The camera is designed for USB-3 and can freeze if the data transmission rate is too low.

The following parameters are recommended for initial testing:

• Capture Area - 3096x2080

• Binning - 2

• Frame Rate Limit - maximum

• Turbo USB - 97

• Highspeed Mode - On

• Hardware Binning - On

The sliders for exposure and gain should be so adjusted so that the camera is not overloaded.

The menu settings for the computer's performance can be adjusted after a first live image is displayed.

Select the appropriate model in the Sharp Cap 'Camera' menu. If no image is displayed on older computers when using 'Binning 2', please try again with 'Binning 4'.

(Bernd Gährken)