ZWO ASI290MM Mini User manual

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ASI Mini Camera Manual
Revision 1.1
Nov, 2017
All materials related to this publication are subject to change without notice
and its copyright totally belongs to Suzhou ZWO CO.,LTD.

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Table of Contents
ASI Mini Camera Manual..............................................................................................................1
1. Instruction.................................................................................................................................3
2. Camera Models and Sensor Type .............................................................................................4
3. What's in the box?.....................................................................................................................4
4. Camera technical specifications................................................................................................5
5. QE Graph & Read Noise...........................................................................................................6
6. Getting to know your camera....................................................................................................9
6.1 External View......................................................................................................................9
6.4 Protect Window...................................................................................................................9
6.5 Analog to Digital Converter (ADC)....................................................................................9
6.6 Binning..............................................................................................................................10
7. How to use your camera..........................................................................................................10
8. Cleaning..................................................................................................................................11
9. Mechanical drawing................................................................................................................12
10. Servicing.................................................................................................................................12
11. Warranty .................................................................................................................................12

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1. Instruction
Congratulations and thank you for buying one of our ASI Cameras！This manual will
give you a brief introduction to your ASI camera. Please read it thoroughly. If you
have any other questions, please feel free to contact us. [e-mail]
ASI Mini Cameras are designed for both Guiding and Photography.
Its excellent performance and multifunctional usage will impress you a lot!
For software installation instructions and other technical information please refer to
“Support”on our official website.
https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/

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2. Camera Models and Sensor Type
There are 2 types of ASI mini models:
Model
Mono or Color
USB Speed
Sensor
ASI290MM Mini
Mono
USB2.0
IMX290
ASI174MM Mini
Mono
USB2.0
IMX174
3. What's in the box?
ASI290MM mini / ASI174MM mini

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4. Camera technical specifications
ASI290MM Mini
ASI174MM Mini
Sensor
1 / 2.8″ CMOS
1/1.2”CMOS
Diagonal
6.5mm
13.2MM
Resolution
2.1Mega Pixels 1936×1096
2.3Mega Pixels 1936×1216
Pixel Size
2.9μm
5.86μm
Image area
5.6mm*3.2mm
11.3mm*7.1mm
Max FPS at full resolution
20.4FPS
164FPS(10bitADC)
Shutter
Rolling shutter
Global shutter
Exposure Range
32μs-2000s
32μs-1000s
Read Noise
1.0~3.2e
3.5-6.0e
QE peak
80%
78%
Full well
14.6k e
32k e
ADC
12 bit
12 bit/10 bit
Interface
USB2.0
USB2.0
Adapters
1.25″/M28.5
1.25″/M28.5
Protect window
AR window
AR window
Dimensions
36mm
36mm
Weight
Uncooled 120g/Cooled 410g
Uncooled 62mm/Cooled 78mm
Back Focus Distance
8.5mm
8.5mm
Supported OS
Windows, Linux & Mac OSX
Windows, Linux & Mac OSX
Working Temperature
-5°C—45°C
-5°C—45°C
Storage Temperature
-20°C—60°C
-20°C—60°C
Working Relative Humidity
20%—80%
20%—80%
Storage Relative Humidity
20%—95%
20%—95%

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5. QE Graph & Read Noise
QE and Read Noise are the most important parameters to measure the performance of a camera.
Higher QE and lower Read Noise are needed to improve the SNR of an image.
Mono 290 sensor Relative QE Curve
Mono174 sensor Relative QE Curve

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Read Noise includes pixel diode noise, circuit noise and ADC quantization error noise, and the
lower the better.
The Read Noise of the mini cameras is extremely lower when compared with traditional CCD
cameras. It is even lower when the camera is set at a higher Gain.
Depending on your target, you can set the Gain lower for higher Dynamic Range (longer exposure)
or set the Gain higher for lower noise (such as short exposure or lucky imaging).

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6. Getting to know your camera
6.1 External View
6.4 Protect Window
There is a protect window before the sensor ofASI290 camera.
Our ASI290MM Mini andASI174MM Mini comes with the AR window, thickness is 1.1 mm.
6.5 Analog to Digital Converter (ADC)
The ASI290 and ASI174 mini camera records in 12bit ADC, ASI290 mini also support 10bit ADC.
This camera also supports ROI (region of interest) shooting, and this smaller ROI has faster fps.
USB2.0 type-C Port
ST4 Guide Port
USB2.0 type-C Port
ST4 Guide Port

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6.6 Binning
The ASI290 and ASI174 mini camera supports software bin2 mode. We recommend customer to
use software binning if you don’t care speed.
7. How to use your camera
There are many adapters available for this camera for connecting to your scope or lens. Some are
included with the camera and others you can order from our site:
1. CS adapter
2. C/CS Aapter
3. 1.25” extender
4. 1.25”filter(optional)

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8. Cleaning
The camera comes with an AR protect window, which can protect the sensor from dust and
humidity. Should you need to clean the sensor, it’s better to do so during the daytime. To see the
dust, you just need to setup your telescope and point it to a bright place. A Barlow is required to
see these dusts clear. Then attach the camera and adjust the exposure to make sure not over
exposed. You can see an image like below if it’s dirty.
The big dim spot on the image (at right ) are the shadows of dust on the protect window.
The very small but very dark spot in the image (at left) are the shadows of the dusts on the sensor.
The suggested way to clean them is try to blow them away with a manual air pump. To clean the
dust on the sensor you will need to open the camera chamber.
We have a very detailed instruction on our website:
https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/manuals/

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9. Mechanical drawing
10. Servicing
For software upgrades please refer to “Support-manual and software”on our official website.
https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/
Repairs and servicing are available by emailing [e-mail]
For customers who bought the camera from your local dealer, dealer is responsible for the
customer service.
11. Warranty
We provide 2-year warranty for our products. We offer repair service or replacement for free if the
camera doesn’t work within warranty period.
After the warranty period, we continue to provide repair support and service on a charged basis.
This warranty does not apply to damage that occurred as a result of abuse or misuse, or
caused by a fall or any other transportation failures after purchase.
Customer must pay for shipping when shipping the camera back for repair or replacement.