Description
กล้องถ่ายภาพไกด์ ASI290MM Mini (mono) Guiding Cameras USB2.0
Camera Sensor
The ASI120MM Mini camera integrates the AR0130CS 1/3″ sensor (4.8 mm x 3.6 mm). It is a new model in the “mini”-series of cameras from ZWO. This camera has 1280 x 960 pixels with a pixel size of 3.75 μm x 3.75 μm. It provides 12-bit ADC and the QE peak is almost 80%.
Astrophotography Performance
The ASI120 mini-camera offers you very good performance for planetary imaging as well as for guiding. Low read noise, high dynamic range, AR protective window and much more are just some of the key characteristics that set it apart from the competition.
High QE
Regarding the absolute QE Curve, we estimate the Peak Value to be almost 80%.
120Mini VS 120MM-S
Compared with the ASI120MM-S camera, the new 120-Mini has a sleeker design, less weight, and it can reach focus at the same position as an eyepiece.
USB2.0Port & ST4 Port
USB 2.0 Port: Mini camera has one USB2.0 type-C port. Type-C port is very popular in mobile phones, as it doesn’t matter which way you connect it (unlike for example type-A or type-B)
#USB-C to USB-A cable is required.
ST4 Port: The camera can be connected directly to the auto-guider port of the mount.
Connecting Drawing
- M28.5-CS adapter
- CS-C adapter
- 1.25″ extender
- 1.25″ filter
Mechanical Drawing
Specification
เซ็นเซอร์รุ่น(Sensor)
1/3″ CMOS AR0130CS(Mono)
ความละเอียด (Resolution)
1.2Mega Pixels 1280×960
ขนาดพิกเซล(Pixel Size)
3.75µm
ระยะเวลาการเปิดหน้ากล้อง(Exposure Range)
64µs-2000s
Max FPS at full resolution
Binning 1×1:
1280X960@35FPS
1280X720@46FPS
1024X768@54FPS
800X600@90FPS
640X480@118FPS
320X240@224FPS
Binning 2×2:
640X480@35FP
อัตราการส่งถ่ายข้องมูลของตัวกล้อง(Bit rate)
12bit output(12bit ADC)
Back focus length
8.5mm
Shutter Type
Rolling shutter
ROI
Supported
Non-volatile memory/On camera storage
Build-in total 192K byte user-accessible space(image size up to 480X320)
การเชื่อมต่อ (Interface)
USB2.0
ST4 Guider Port
Yes
Protect window
AR coated window
Adaptor
1.25″ / M28.5X0.6
ขนาดของตัวกล้อง(Dimension)
φ36mm X 61mm
น้ำหนัก(Weight)
60g
อุณหภูมิขณะทำงาน(Working Temperature)
-5℃~45℃
Storage Temperature
-20℃~60℃
รองรับการใช้งานที่ความชื้น (Working Relative Humidity)
20-80%
ระบบปฏิบัติการที่รองรับ (Supported OS)
WIN7/8/10 32&64、Linux、Mac
Support & Download
Drivers and Softwares:
Our website is always updated with the most recent camera drivers as well as software for DSO and planetary imaging. Please make sure the most recent driver and software has been installed before you start shooting:
https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/software/
ASI120, ASI174 and ASI290 mini camera have very beautiful outlooks, small size, light weight, this is not a big deal.
We should consider much more…
ASI120, ASI174 and ASI290 mini-cameras all have an appealing design, small size, light weight and much more. And while we are very pleased with the looks of our products, of course what matters the most is how well they perform in their intended use…
How to choose a good guide camera?
Many people might mention the size, ability to fit with different types of equipment (guide scopes, OAG etc.), stability and ease-of-use.
We agree. That is why our cameras in the “mini”-series all fulfill these, what we think are, basic characteristics of a good guide camera.
But what are truly the most important traits. Let’s face it, when you set up your equipment for a night of imaging, you just want things to work and to see that smooth graph on your guiding software before you start your imaging sequence. In order to do that, there are some things to consider (apart from the points mentioned above):
- Sensitivity,
- Precise guiding,
- Big FOV.
High Sensitivity
Sensitivity is the first thing we considered. This is of course a crucial ability when looking for a star to guide on. So, from the beginning, we were set on using monochrome sensors to design our guide cameras. Because monochrome sensors have much higher sensitivity than their colour counterpart. Luckily the ASI120MM Mini, ASI290MM Mini and ASI174MM Mini all have very high QE peak value – about 80%, which can detect more stars in view and shorten the exposure time in guiding.
Each of the cameras have their own strength and depending on what you value in a guide camera, one might be better for you than the others.
Entry Level
ASI120MM Mini is designed for newcomers, it is more affordable than ASI290MM Mini and ASI174MM Mini. You can easily get the well-sampled stars with the help of ASI120MM Mini. It’s light, compact and robust. If you are still wondering about which one you should choose as your first guide camera, the ASI120MM Mini is a very good choice.
Precisely Guiding
ASI290MM Mini is designed for precise guiding. The 2.9um pixel size gives you a higher arcsec/pixel than the ASI224 or ASI120 camera. This means that, in the same guide scope, the ASI290MM Mini can detect movement of stars to a higher degree than the other cameras. ASI290MM Mini will improve your guiding precision with around 30% compared to the ASI120MM Mini.
Big FOV
ASI174MM Mini is designed for large field-of-view guiding. This is very useful when looking for a star to guide on, using an OAG. When you use an OAG-guider with a Ritchey-Chretien or Schmit-Cassegrain telescope, the hardest part is to find a suitable guide star. ASI174MM Mini has a larger 1/1.2″ sensor which means your FoV is 4 times bigger than that of the ASI120MM Mini.
Smiling Face
If you squint your eyes, the back of the ASI mini-camera looks like a smiling face (albeit you have to squint quite hard). On the back you will find a type-C USB port, which is widely used in mobile phones. The ST4-port is used for auto-guiding on mounts. So if you are having one of those observing nights when Murphy’s law is by your side, at least you’ll have an excellent guide camera (that smiles at you).
Focus like a eyepiece
ASI mini camera can focus at the same position as an eyepiece. This means that you can focus with an eyepiece, and then directly insert the ASI mini camera into 1.25″ holder – focus done!
Work with OAG
The Mini-camera series are well suited for OAG use: They have a much bigger focus range than normal ASI cameras. No more worrying about your guide camera and main camera not being able to find focus at the same time.
Work with CS adapter and CS lens
Work with 1.25″ extender
ASI 120mini camera is available now! You can buy it form us or our dealers! Wish you all have clear skies!