ZWO ASI290 Mini - High-sensitive Autoguider & Mono CMOS Camera

ZW Optical ASI290 Mono Autoguiding Camera and Astro Camera

The ASI290 is the ultimate autoguider and much more. The modern Sony IMX290 MONO sensor convinces with an outstanding QE of more than 80%. Only few sensors reach this sensitivity. Another special feature is the extremely high resolution, due to the 2.9 µm pixels. That makes this camera very interesting for astrophotography.

The advantages of the ASI290 Mini as autoguider

♦ You always find a guide star, even with an off-axis guider - guaranteed!
♦ With the high resolution, you can easily guide telescopes of up to 11" aperture with a 50 mm finder - guiding with the finder becomes possible.
♦ The practical 1,25″ housing makes adaption easy. Push the camera into the 1,25″ receptacle, focus and get started with guiding.
♦ Only 8.5 mm working distance from the front surface to the sensor - you can reach focus even with short maximum distances.
♦ With only 60 grams weight, the focuser is almost not loaded.
♦ Of course, ST4 cable and ST4 port are supplied. Connect the camera directly to the autoguiding port of the mount.

The autoguider software is not included in the scope of delivery. Among others, the camera is suitable for PHD Guiding, Guidedog, Metaguide, Guidemaster (Freeware) or AstroArt, MaxIm DL (commercial software).

Link to more information and download for PHD Guiding

Link to more information and download for GuideDog Guiding

The advantages of the ASI290 Mini as astro camera

♦ Highly sensitive sensor combined with high resolution for ultimate moon and planet photographs.
♦ High frame rate
♦ The camera fits into any 1,25″ focuser. Lock the camera like an eyepiece, focus and start with astrophotography.
♦ Due to the high sensitivity, the camera is also suitable for photographing nebulae and galaxies.
♦ The camera is equipped with a clear glass window which is transparent also in the infrared rage. Thus the exciting infrared photography becomes possible.

Spectrale sensitivity

The sensor convinces not only with high sensitivity, but also with a broad spectral range. The senesitivity stays high even deep in the infrared. That means more stars for guiding, and the exciting field of infrared photography (Venus, Mars, ...) becomes accessible.

The ASI290 MINI camera is this compact:

Compared to other astro cameras, the 290Mini has smaller dimensions, less weight, and it has its focal plane at the same place as an eyepiece.

What is included in the scope of delivery?

The packaging of the ASI Mini camera contains all necessary cables, drivers, adapters and also a manual.

Further information:

ASI Mini Cameras

The mini cameras ASI174 and ASI290 have a nice look, small dimensions, low weight, even these are already attractive features. But the cameras convince with further advances:

High sensitivity - important for finding a guide star
Sensitivity is the first thing which ZWO has considered with these cameras. It is very important to look for a guide star. So at the beginning, ZWO has considered only a monochrome sensor for the use in their guiding cameras, as a monochrome sensor has a significantly higher sensitivity than a colour sensor. After that, the manufacturer carefully compared the sensitivities of the available sensors. At last, ZWO decided to use the mono sensors 290 and 174. As we know, 290 and 174 mono sensor have about 80% QE peak, can detect more stars in view. In this way, the exposure time can be shortened when guiding, too.

Precise guiding

The ASI290 mini is designed for precise guiding. With 2.9 µm pixel size, the resolution (in arc seconds) is higher than the one of other autoguiders. That means that, at the same guide scope, the 290Mini can detect slighter movement of stars. The ASI290 Mini has, for example compared to the Lodestar, a significantly better guiding accuracy.

Focus like an eyepiece

ASI mini camera and eyepiece can reach focus at same position. You can focus with an eyepiece and put ASI mini camera into the 1.25″ holder.

Works on OAG

The ZWO Mini Cameras are well suited for guiding with an OAG, they have a much larger focus range than normal ASI cameras. You never have to worry again that the guide cam cannot be focused at the same time as the main camera.
 

Sensor:	1/2.8″ CMOS IMX290/IMX291
Resolution:	2.1 Mega Pixels 1936×1096
Pixel Size:	2.9 µm
Sensor size:	5.6 mm x 3.2 mm
QE (peak):	80%
Read noise:	1.0 e-
Exposure Rage:	32 µs - 2000 s
ROI:	Supported
ST4 Guider Port:	Yes
Focus Distance to Sensor:	8.5 mm
Shutter Type:	Rolling Shutter
Protect window:	AR coated window
Operating System Compatibility:	Mac, Windows, Linux
Interface:	USB2.0
Software requirements:	must support USB 2.0
Bit rate:	12bit output (12bit ADC)
Adaptor:	1,25″ / M28.5x0.6
Dimension:	⌀36 mm X 61 mm
Weight:	60 g (3.1 lbs)
Working Temperature:	-5 °C - 45 °C
Storage Temperature:	-20 °C 60 °C
Working Relative Humidity:	20% - 80%
Storage Relative Humidity:	20% - 95%
Max. Resolution:	1936 X 1096 (@ 20.4 FPS)
Speed in VGA mode:	141.5 FPS