ZWO ASI1600MM Pro - cooled monochrome CMOS Camera for many fields of astrophotography
ASI cameras stand for very good workmanship and have modern CMOS sensors installed. The cameras of the ASI1600 series are already almost a legend. The state-of-the-art Panasonic CMOS sensor convinces with very high sensitivity and very little noise at the same time.
Now ASI goes one better with the new ASI1600 PRO version. The main differences to the cooled version are:
♦ DDR memory buffer for more stable data transport auch unter USB2.0
♦ Improved thicker body
♦ Even less sensitive against dew and icing
Advantages and features of the ASI 1600MM Pro mono camera:
♦ USB 3.0 for a fast download - an also be used with USB 2.0
♦ DDR3 memory buffer to help improve data transfer reliability. Additionally, the use of a memory buffer minimizes amp-glow, which is caused by the slow transfer speeds when the camera is used with a USB 2.0 port.-- Powerful Peltier cooling up to 45 °C below Environment.
♦ Powerful Peltier cooling up to 45 °C below ambient
♦ Sensitive CMOS sensor with 22.2 mm diagonal - 16 megapixels
♦ High resolution through 3.8 µm pixels
♦ Comes with AR protection window - full transmission also in IR. If infrared should be blocked, an IR-cut filter is necessary.
♦ Distance from T2 connection thread (female) to camera sensor: 17.5 mm
♦ High sensitivity - QE more than 60% - ideal astronomy camera for dim objects
♦ 12bit ADC
Application ranges of the camera:
♦ Deep sky images (nebulae and galaxies): Due to the high sensitivity, nebulae and galaxies are captured after only a few seconds. By cooling down the camera up to 45 °C below ambient, the already low noise can be further reduced. By increasing gain (like the ISO setting of DSLR cameras), you can reduce exposure times below 30 seconds. Effects from seeing or inaccuracies of the drive are eliminated.
♦ Solar, lunar and planetary images: extremely short exposure times (due to high sensitivity) freeze the seeing. Through the high resolution of the sensor, many details can be reproduced even at shorter focal length. Video astronomy is also possible.
Important: external power supply required!
Please notice that all ZWO cameras with cooler need to be connected to an external 11-15 V power supply to work.
Even when the cooler is not being used the power supply must be used for the camera to be reliably recognized.
Optimal support by Teleskop-Service before and after purchase:
We work with the cameras ourselves and can offer you optimal advice. Which camera matches your telescope, how do you achieve optimal adaption ...
Teleskop-Service is one of the biggest ZWO dealers. Due to our contacts, we offer best possible service also after purchase.
Practical tip 1 from TS: Integration of 2" filters, 360° rotation and quick coupling
The camera is often used on correctors that do not have a filter thread. In addition, the filters should always be used as close as possible to the camera. Here we offer you a solution that can do much more.
♦ 2" filter holder directly in front of the camera
♦ 360° rotation for the right choice of the image section
♦ Quick release - you can remove the camera from the remote ear at any time, without screws and thus entangling the cables
The adaptation is very simple, the 21 mm T2 extension is replaced by:
♦ 1x TSROTT2-T2 and 2x T2AbstimmA1
One tuning ring comes to the camera side, one tuning ring comes to the telescope side of the rotator. Then screw on the M42-M48 adapter with 16.5 mm length and you are in the right distance with the camera.
Practical tip 2 from TS: Storage of cameras and accessories
Especially in our latitudes, the nights are often very humid. This humidity condenses on your camera, eyepiece or filter when they come into the warm interior of the apartment. Especially cooled cameras are affected by this. Quickly a photo session is over because the sensor ices up.
Good storage is an important prevention against dew and also extends the life span.After use, put the camera immediately into the TS Protect Case and add some silica gel. During storage, the silica gel will suck the moisture out of the camera. At the same time, the penetration of humid room air is prevented. Dry storage even allows the small dry tablets in cooled cameras to partially regenerate. Your camera or accessories are always ready for you in optimal condition. You can find the silica gel and the case in our product recommendations.
Downloads, Drivers:
ZW Optical supplies software and drivers online for free download.
Software and drivers for all ZWO camerasFrequently Asked Questions about ZWO Cameras:
The FAQ section is constantly updated by ZWO, here you can find the answers to many questions.
FAQ about ZWO camerasZWO Users ForumManuals for ZWO products:
The manuals page is constantly updated by ZWO, here you can find user guides for ZWO products.
Link to the manualsHow 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
The newest reviews:
(1 review)* * * * *
2020-04-30 09:08:32, Arnaud Labenne
Perfect
Astrophotographic results obtained with this camera on Astrobin
Here you can find some astrophotographs made with this camera model:
Link to AstrobinCooled ASI cameras - quick guide
Quick Guide for the quick first use of your cooled ASI camera.
Link to the manual in English - PDF fileSensor cleaning and desiccant cartridge replacement
Here you will find tips on how to identify where the dirt is and how to clean the sensor or change the drying cartridges.
Link to the manual in English - PDF fileAstrophotographic results with the ASI 1600 mono cooled:
Rosette Nebula NGC 2244♦ Picture by Bernd Goossmann
♦ Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM pro mono, cooled
♦ Telescope: 6” Newtonian with 0.73x reducer / corrector
♦ Filter: Astrodon S-II, H-alpha and O [III] 3 nm
♦ Exposure times: 18 x 220 sec
I am thrilled by this camera and the filter wheel! What a wide field! As formerly sensitivity-spoilt Atik 460 EXm owner, the ASI convinces me, too! Its technical system is well-thought-out and its drivers establishes a reliable link! I’m really happy to have expanded my “fleet” with the ASI!
Bernd Gooßmann
NGC 891 with ASI1600MMC & TS 16" f/8 RC♦ Image author: Michael Pagitz (AMOS Observatory)
♦ Telescope: TS 16" f/8 Ritchey Chretien Astrograph
♦ Camera: ASI1600MM-Cool - gain 200
♦ Exposure: 20 x 120 sek / binning 2x
Customer comment:
Yesterday, we have installed everything and got it running and, quite frankly, I have NEVER made a quick and dirty photograph which was that good. We have snapshot "cross-country" just for fun and taken NGC 891 with 10x2 minutes. The image is unguided, no darks, no bias, just stacked and the contrast adjusted very slightly, nothing else.
The ASI1600MMC works like a DSLR, attach, pull the trigger, ready.
ASI 1600 cooled - a declaration of love
Unfortunately I have too little time for astrophotography and also not the desire anymore to work through the night during the week.
That is why, for me, astrophotography unfortunately was in "pause mode" - until I have worked with the ZWO AI 1600 cooled for the first time. For me, it is plain fun with this camera.
Just yesterday, I have taken a picture of NGC 7331 with my 12" TS RC (focal ratio f/5.4). Instead of using approximately 300 seconds per integration and to stay until 2 am as in the past, I have exposed only 40 seconds per integration with the ASI 1600 (Gain 300). I finished at 10 pm and made a beautiful picture - everything recorded - even the color information. Now I am looking forward to editing ... thus astrophotography is just fun ...
Wolfi Ransburg - Munich, 12.10.2017
