ZWO ASI174MM USB3.0 Mono Astro Camera - Sensor D=13.4 mm, 5.86 µm Pixel Size

The fast ASI174 astro camera comes with a large CMOS sensor with high resolution. The camera is a good alternative for all astrophotographers who attach importance on a large field.

As the other cameras, the new ASI174 convinces through multi-purpose usage like:

planetary photography (Barlow lens helpful)

moon photography - due to the large sensor, beautiful overview images are possible

solar photography (with appropriate filtering)

very well suited for stacking and EAA (elektronically assisted astronomy) due to extremely high frame rate

deep-sky photography (the camera is uncooled, but the CMOS sensor offers a good noise response)

autoguiding camera

comes with AR protection window - full transmission also in IR. If infrared should be blocked, an IR-cut filter is necessary.

System requirements

USB 3.0 should be available and supported by the operating system. Support exists since

Windows 8

Mac OS X 10.8

Linux Kernel 2.6.31

The camera manufacturer writes:

"most important is USB3.0 host controller
we recommend "Intel® USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller"
from customer´s feedback, all intel host controller works and can provide the maximum data transfer

and here is more detail test result:

tested platform and USB Host controller:
Lenovo IdeaPad Z580: intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller
MacBook air 2014: intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller
Dell Inspiron 17-7737 i7: intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller
HP Pavilion dv7 Notebook PC: intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller
MacBook Pro 2013: intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller
PC: Renesas Electronics USB3.0 Host Controller
PC: AMD USB3.0 Host Controller

PCIE-USB3.0 Card: NEC/Renesas ?PD720200A ?PD720201 & ?PD720202
PCIE-USB3.0 Card: VIA Labs VL800

already know incompatible USB host:
PCIE-USB3.0 Card: NEC/Renesas ?PD720200 under windows 8
PCIE-USB3.0 Card: Trendnet TU3-H2PIE card
PC: Etron usb3.0 host controller"

Downloads, drivers:

ZWO provides software and drivers online for free download.

Software and drivers for all ZWO cameras

Frequently asked questions about ZWO cameras:

The FAQ area is constantly updated by ZWO, here you will find answers to many questions.

FAQ about ZWO cameras

ZWO Users Forum

Manuals for ZWO products:

The manuals page is constantly updated by ZWO, here you can find user guides for ZWO products.

Link to the manuals

How to clean my ZWO camera:

The manufacturer provides a manual that covers how to clean an ASI camera and regenerate the desiccant tablets: Please click here.

Astrophotographic results obtained with this camera on Astrobin

Here you can find some astrophotographs made with this camera model: Link to Astrobin

Astrophotographic results obtained with this camera on Astrobin

Here you can find some astrophotographs made with this camera model: Link to Astrobin

ASI174 in practical use:

Karl Heinz van Heek has made this beautiful H-Alpha image of the Sun with the ASI 174 camera through a 90/600 mm apo. He has reduced the aperture to 80 mm.

Effective focal ratio was f/30 - made with the TZ4 (telecentric system).

Congratulations to the beautiful image.

Here are a few images, made by Michael Schröder:

ASi174MM on Jupiter, resolution 480x480, up to 200 fps, moderate seeing.





Sun, Lunt LS60HT, 120fps, 2000 frames, miserable seeing.




Lunar Imaging (4 days after new moon, 16 bit, 60 fps):


Mare Crisium

The artifacts in Mare Crisium are not caused by the camera, but by an inaccurate subtraction of a flat.




Crater Petavius and surroundings



One day later, at 12 bit and 120 fps:


Craters Atlas, Herkules and Endymion, also with surroundings




Craters Jansen and Fabricius




Rimae Goclenius

Photograph by Robert Ruckhofer

Our colleague Robert Ruckhofer (https://www.stardustastro.net/) from Austria took a nice picture with this camera as part of his job:

Object: Sun in H-alpha
Photographer: Robert Ruckhofer
Telescope: Lunt LS60THa Double-Stack (60THAD60/B600C)
Camera: ZWO ASI174MM (ASI174MM)
Image type: 4 panel mosaic
Exposures: 10000 exposures per panel, 15 % stacked
Atmospheric conditions: "Seeing was rather modest and it was not very clear either".

Thank you very much for this stunning image!

Three solar photographs by Stéphane Langlois (France):

Object: Sunspot

Imaging data:

Photographer: Stéphane Langlois (France)
Telescope: TS refractor 152 mm f/5.9
Solar filter: Baader Herschel wedge
Additional filter: Baader Solar Continuum Filter
Barlow lens: TeleVue 2x Powermate
Camera: ZWO ASI174MM


Object: Group of sunspots

Imaging data:

Photographer: Stéphane Langlois (France)
Telescope: TS refractor 152 mm f/5.9
Solar filter: Baader Herschel wedge
Additional filter: Baader Solar Continuum Filter
Barlow lens: TeleVue 2x Powermate
Camera: ZWO ASI174MM


Object: several groups of sunspots

Imaging data:

Photographer: Stéphane Langlois (France)
Telescope: TS refractor 152 mm f/5.9
Solar filter: Baader Herschel wedge
Additional filter: Baader Solar Continuum Filter
Barlow lens: TeleVue 2x Powermate
Camera: ZWO ASI174MM

Thank you very much for these beautiful and detailed images!

Two lunar photographs by Stéphane Langlois:

Object: Moon (mosaic)

Imaging data:

Photographer: Stéphane Langlois (France)
Telescope: TS refractor 152 mm f/5.9
Filter: Baader CCD RGB-G
Barlow lens: TeleVue 2x Powermate
Camera: ZWO ASI174MM


Object: Lunar crater Copernicus

Imaging data:

Photographer: Stéphane Langlois (France)
Telescope: TS refractor 152 mm f/5.9
Filter: Baader CCD RGB-G
Barlow lens: TeleVue 2x Powermate
Camera: ZWO ASI174MM

Thank you very much also for these nice and detailed images!

Question:
How to mount the camera on a tripod or dovetail bar?

Answer from Teleskop-Service:
In the center of the back of the body, there is a female 1.25" photo thread. This allows you to mount the camera on a tripod or dovetail bar (possibly via an L-bracket for binoculars):

Safety informations: PDF Download