Product Description
Camera Sensor
Back-illuminated CMOS Image Sensor with 14bit ADC. ASI178MC has a 1/1.8″ and 6.4M pixels sensor (IMX178) with SONY STARVIS and Exmor R Technology.
Astrophotography Performance
Extremely low read noise(1.4e-2.2 e), 1.4e @27db, high sensitivity and 14bit ADC make it very suitable for astronomy and microscopy high resolution photography.
Relative QE Curve
USB 3.0 Port & ST4 Port
USB 3.0 Port: Can provide 5Gb bandwidth to let ASI178 run at 30 fps (14bit, normal mode) or 60 fps (10bit, high speed mode) at full resolution(6.4Mega).
ST4 Port: Can be used connect with auto guide port of mount, for guiding.
Mechanical Diagram
What is in the box?
Comes with a 2.5mm all-sky lens which can provide a nearly 170° view of the sky.
Camera technical details
Sensor: 1/1.8” CMOS IMX178
Resolution: 6.4 Mega Pixels 3096*2080
Pixel Size: 2.4µm
Sensor Size: 7.4mm*5mm
Diagonal: 8.92mm
Exposure Range: 32µs-1000s
ROI: Supported
Non-volatile memory/On camera storage: Build-in total 192K byte user-accessible space(image size up to 480X320)
Interface: USB3.0/USB2.0
ST4 Guider Port: Yes
Focus Distance to Sensor: 12.5mm
Shutter Type: Rolling Shutter
Protect window: IR-CUT window
Operating System Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux
Interface: USB3.0/USB2.0
Bit rate: 14bit output(14bit ADC)
Adaptor: 2″ / 1.25″ / M42X0.75
Dimension: φ62mm X 36mm
Weight: 120g or 4.2 ounces (without lens)
Working Temperature: -5°C—45°C
Storage Temperature: -20°C—60°C
Working Relative Humidity: 20%—80%
Storage Relative Humidity: 20%—95%
Supported resolution
10bit ADC/14bit ADC
3096×2080 60fps / 30fps
USB3.0
2560×2048 62fps / 31fps
2048×1080 116fps / 58fps
1280×960 130fps / 65fps
800×600 204.7fps / 102.3fps
640×480 253.1fps / 126.5fps
320×240 479.7fps / 239.8fps
USB2.0
3096×2080 6fps
2560×2048 8fps
2048×1080 19fps
1280×960 34fps
800×600 89.5fps
640×480 139.9fps
320×240 479.7fps
More resolutions can be defined by user
Our website is continuously 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 have been installed before you start shooting:
It is also recommended to read the Manuals first before shooting.
Shipping & Delivery
Fast Shipping: we will choose DHL, UPS, FedEx etc to deliver it. Usually you will get your package within 15-20 days.
- Fast Shipping(amount ≧ 199USD) for free
- Fast Shipping(amount < 199USD) : $30.00 (We do not provide free shipping from now on.)
Introduction
- It will take around 60-90 days for shipment via ePacket/China Post Registered Air Mail/EMS, which can’t be guaranteed due to force majeure. If you can’t get the air mail package after 2months, please let us know ASAP: info@zwoptical.com
- Customers from Brazil and Chile should leave a message to provide your CPF or CNPJ as your custom needs it.
- Customers from Russia need to provide the complete English name with three words as well as the English shipping address.
Tracking site
DGM: http://webtrack.dhlglobalmail.com/?locale=en-US
China air mail: http://www.17track.net/en
Tax
- The price list on our website is USD without tax.
- Please note that buyers are liable to pay tax involved, such as Import tax, VAT , customs handling fee, etc. The additional fees may be collected at time of delivery by courier.
- For best local service we advise customers buy our cameras from local dealers.
Warranty & Return
1. ZWO hereby declares that it will provide customers with a warranty period of 2 years for ZWO branded products (excluding APO), as per this policy. APO products will be covered by a 1-year free warranty service, starting from the day following the receipt of the product by the customer. For ASIAIR Plus users, the warranty period will commence from the day of device activation.
2. If a User encounters the following Dead on Arrival (DOA) and contacts ZWO within the corresponding time limit to issue the Product purchase invoice and relevant evidence, ZWO will provide door-to-door pick-up service and, as appropriate, after-sale replacement (or partial replacement), repair or return (or partial return) service for the following Products:
1) Product quality problem
Provided that a User detects a quality problem and contacts ZWO within 30 days after receipt of the Products, and ZWO support team confirms that the Products indeed have a quality problem or defect after their inspection, ZWO will provide free replacement service towards such Products;
2) Product transportation problem
Provided that a User finds obvious signs of bubbling, serious overstocking, or deformation on the outer package of the Products upon receipt of the Products, and provides ZWO with pictures of the outer package and proof of receipt within 3 days after receipt of such Products, ZWO support team will verify the actual shipper and determine the responsible party for such transportation problem. In the event that ZWO is the actual shipper, ZWO will be responsible for providing the relevant return or replacement service, however, if the Products are directly sold or transported to the User by an agent of ZWO, the agent will be responsible for providing the relevant return or replacement service.
3. If the Products are under the following circumstances, they are not within the scope of warranty service, ZWO may provide maintenance services to the Users:
1) The Warranty Period of the Products has expired; or
2) The Products are injected into liquid or affected by moisture or corrosion; or
3) The Products are damaged by an external force (such as the broken of the camera protection window glass, the deformation of the product shell, the broken of the USB port, etc.); or
4) Disassembling, repairing by a third party, refurbishment of the Products (such as downloading erroneous firmware) without the written authorization of ZWO; or
5) The product system is modified, or the maintenance notice is lost or changed; or
6) Product quality problem caused by installation not following the requirements or instructions for the Products; or
7) Physical damage or failure of the Products caused by the force majeure (such as strong vibration or extrusion such as flood, fire, earthquake, or thunder stroke); or
8)Damage caused by the improper User operation during the period of shooting or use, such as using without the equipment protection or direct shooting of the sun; or
9) No valid purchase invoice or warranty certificate; or
10) The Products are second-hand products.
Any quality problem with the accessories or other parts of the Products is not a condition for the return or change of the Products, and the User may solely request to replace the accessories with new ones, which shall be handled after verification by ZWO support team.
If the issue with your ZWO product was caused by certain damage (such as severe damage not covered by the 2-year warranty), you might have to pay the replacement value.
4. For the normal repair or replacement of the Products during the Warranty Period, the User will bear the return cost. When returning the Products, Users shall specify the actual reasons for the damage to the Products, and shall provide the corresponding valid certificates, such as pictures or videos, etc.
For the Products that need to be replaced after being confirmed by ZWO in writing, the User shall return the Products with the complete package, together with all accessories, manuals, etc., to the address designated by ZWO.
By sending back the product to ZWO, the User agrees to pay out-of-warranty fees that may arise during the repair process of the product. ZWO will send back the product after charging.
5. If a User encounters any problem during the use of ZWO Products, you may at any time contact ZWO for technical support via ZWO Support.
For the Products that need to be returned for after-sales service, ZWO will provide the corresponding RMA code for reference.
ZWO will not accept any products having no RMA code that have been returned privately without ZWO written confirmation.
6. If a User purchases the ZWO Products from a ZWO agent, the User may contact the ZWO agent directly for the relevant after-sales service.
Bob – :
You talk about the pixel size of the 178 being too small for an f/10 SCT (I have a 10″). I don’t fully understand the correlation, but would a focal reducer help the situation at all? I would love to have the added resolution this camera adds, especially for planetary shooting, but would eventually love to try DSO photography also. Are you saying this camera is not a good choice (even the cooled version) for DSOs because the pixel size is too small? I would think you would want all the resolution you can get, especially for small DSOs. I know the 1600 would probably be a much better choice, but like the frame rate of the 178. Please help me understand the pixel size versus f/ ratio.
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Sean Wang – :
It’s not a math, Bob. It’s experience about equipments capacity. Telescope stablity and mount tracking accuracy, brightness of target, it’s very hard to shoot DSO object from SCT and 178mc. But, not means it’s impossible.
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Paul – :
Thank you, Sam.
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Paul – :
Hi there,
I will be using the ASI178MC mostly for DSO imaging. May I know do I have to remove the IR cut filter for DSO imaging?
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Sam Wen – :
no, you don’t need to
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Nicholas – :
Bought the 224MC Color. Can’t wait to try it out!
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Nick Johnson – :
After reading the Q&A on several of these cameras, I can’t decide on weather to purchase the 178MC-Color or the 290MC-Color. Either one would be used with my 9.25″ SCT mainly for planetary and maybe some auto guiding. Any suggestions? And can I shoot small target DSO’s with either one?
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Sam Wen – :
I think larger pixel size is better for SCT, so 290MC or 224MC
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Samuel Horton – :
Would this camera be a good fit for a dob with these specs?
Mirror 16″ (406mm)
Focal length 1829mm (72″)
Focal ratio f/4.5
I mostly observe planets but would like to see DSO’s.
Sam
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Sam Wen – :
I think maybe ASI224MC is very good for planets and EAA
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Nicolas Doña – :
What is the quantum efficiency for each color or in general of this ccd, because not find it anywhere
Thanks
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Sam Wen – :
the peak value should be around 70%
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Abhijit – :
Hi,
I already have ASI 120MC-S since past 2 years. It performed exceptionally well with Sky-watcher 6 inch Dobsonian. Currently use it with Sky-watcher 10 inch Dobsonian. Thinking about upgrading now.
Can you recommend which camera should I go for?
My budget is not for cooled camera. So thinking about Getting ASI 178MC.
Since it mentions MC I assume it does not have USB 3.0 as it with ASI 120MC-S variant? Does that affect frame capture speed?
Secondly can this ASI178MC camera used with Canon Lens using proper adapter to do Deep sky Astrophotography? Particularly dark nebula like Horse head? If not please suggest suitable camera for nebula photography under USD 500 budget.
Thanks
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Etienne – :
Hello,
I read the camera is compatible directshow. Can you confirm that i can use with any program on Windows that use DirectShow (like DShow Capture on VLC, use as a wecam on Skype and other third party software and with OpticTracker)
I tell this because i have long time ago buy a Inova camera (PLB-cX) and manufacturer said “compatible DirectShow and the camera never worked with any DirectShow software.
Best Regards.
Etienne.
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Sam Wen – :
yes, our cameras provide directshow driver, you can download and install
we make sure it works with most apps such like ampcap MaxIM-Dl etc..
but we cannot test every app
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Ron Sekker – :
How can I use this camera for microscopy. Is an adapter included ?
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Sam Wen – :
yes, CS adapter included
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Kevin – :
Hi,
Will I have any problems running this through a laptop with AMD A4-7210 Quad Core (1.8GHz – 2.2GHz, 1600MHz MC, 2MB L2 and 8GB DDR3 RAM. It has USB3
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Sam Wen – :
usually no problem
but you’d better check the host USB3.0 chip at first
http://zwoug.org/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=1688
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Winni – :
Sam
You said the 178 pixel size is too small for a f/10 SCT (I have a C8). Would it be suitable if I use a Hyperstar f/2 on the C8?
Winni
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chonghaic – :
Hi Sam, I have a Celestron EdgeHD 9.25 f/10 SCT with 2350 focal length. Is ASI224MC or ASI178MC better for me if I wished to do planetary imaging and DSO imaging?
Any other considerations if I wished to use the ASI camera with a 2.5x barlow or through a 10mm EP via Afocal (eyepiece projection) for planetary imaging?
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Sam Wen – :
I think 224 maybe more flexible because of it’s 3.75um pixel size
the pixel size of 178 is too small for SCT
even a 2X barlow should be enough imaging with ASI224
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Wido – :
Hi Sam,
Just got the 178MC – cool and I already like this camera, although not yet tested under the stars.
I took some darks in sharpcap (FITS, still images) and came to these conclusions as far as the gain settings, with “low” meaning absolutely no pixels/noise and high meaning some noise (but acceptable):
Sec. Gain*
Low / Mid / Max.(= lower/upper right small amp glow and some noise)
300 s 150/200/250
180 s 200/250/300
120 s 250/300/350
60 s 300/350/400
*tested at -15 C.
So my question is what gain settings do you recommend? Based on my sharpcap tests, and preferring no noise whatsoever, I would say 150 gain standard…and up to 300 for images < 1 minute. Would you agree that 150 gain is OK, also in terms of dynamic range? Also, do you have any recommendations for offset settings?
Thanks,
Wido.
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Sam Wen – :
as ASI178 has 14bit ADC the unity gain and highest dynamic range gain setting is the same
so the gain depends on the bright area of your target, just don’t over exposure
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Markus – :
Hi Sam,
thank you for your reply!
In fact the pixel size of the 178MC is too small to do Deep-Sky with f/10 scopes. I prefer to do that with fast camera lenses or with my small APO (focal length: 420mm). Is there a big difference in the sensitivity of these two sensors?
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Sam Wen – :
that should be ok, 224 is more sensitive than 178 especially in IR range
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Markus – :
Hi Sam,
i have to decide between the ASI178MC and the ASI224MC. The small pixels of the 178MC will fit good to my f/10 scopes.I also like the higher resolution for dooing all-sky and the low amp-glow and read-out-noise of the 178MC. How is the sensitivity compared between the 178MC and the 224MC? There are huge differences in the full-well-capacity (15k vs 19,2k) and the g-sensitivity (425mV vs 2350mV).
Is the ASI178MC better as an allround-camera for sun, moon, planets, all-sky and some brighter deep-sky objects or should i go for the ASI224MC?
Thanks!
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Sam Wen – :
224 is better but 178 has a larger sensor, I think the pixels size of 178 is too small to do DSO imaging with f10 scope
so you’d better choose 224
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Spoutnik17 – :
I have a Celestron C8 with a Skywatcher 80/400 for guiding and I’m looking for ASI178 but I can’t make a choice between MM or MC. I want also to use it for planetary photography.
Can you help me ? 🙂
Thanks
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Sam Wen – :
I think color version is more suitable for beginner
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na magner – :
Sam I am new to all this can you please help me , I have a celestron NexStar 130SLT, Diameter= 130mm and FL= 650mm I like the ASI178 MC because of its high resolusion at 6.4 Mega Pixel. My main interest is lunar, planet and satellite observation/video will this camera work well with this telescope if not , which camera would you suggest for me to buy.
Thank you.
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Sam Wen – :
yes, I think so, but you need USB3.0 host controller
otherwise, rolling shutter would be a problem
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rodcyn1 – :
Do you have these in stock and how long would it take to ship to Queensland Australia?
Regards
Rod
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Sam Wen – :
just have one instock 😉
it will take around 1 week to reach you
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Rusty Harris – :
I am interested in this camera for both planetary and deepsky my laptop only has usb 2.0 will this still give sufficient
frame for planetary imaging!
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Sam Wen – :
yes, you can get a very fast fps if you choose ROI through USB2.0
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