ZWO ASI174MM USB3.0 Monochrome CMOS Camera with Global Shutter Technology and Autoguider Port

This NEW ZWO ASI174MM camera makes SONY's Pregius Global Shutter CMOS technology available for amateurs without braking the bank. it comes with a large sensor, large pixel size, high frame rate and comparatively high resolution that makes it the best choice for a beginner who would like to focus on Lunar and Solar imaging and try some deep sky imaging as well.

(For solar imaging it is essential that you use the correct safety equipment.  You should never point a telescope directly at the sun or you run the risk of permanent blindness - if you are not sure, please ask us for details.)

This camera comes with USB3.0 connection that gives you the opportunity to use it with newer laptops and is backward compatible with USB2.0. High framerates are not a guarantee for excellent images, but certainly helpful if other circumstances are given.

It comes with an AUTOGUIDER PORT just as many other ZWO cameras, so you may use it for both imaging or guiding!

This camera will mostly be used for imaging the Sun and the Moon, but it can also be used for deep sky imaging up to a certain level as it supports up to 1000 seconds exposure time. 

This monochrome version is recommended for L-RGB or narrow band deep sky photography if you want to get out the best data from your camera and achieve sharp, contrasty deep sky, solar or lunar images, but if you don't want the hassle or cannot spend much time and happy to go for a compromise, simply choose the colour version, the ZWO ASI174MC.

With this monochrome version, you'll also need a filter wheel and a set of L-RGB filters or H-alpha and OIII filters, and maybe even H-beta and SII filters as well for narrow band astro photography...
 

Features of the New ZWO ASI174MM Camera

Specification of ZWO ASI174MM USB3.0

Sensor: 1/1.2" CMOS SONY IMX174LLJ
Resolution: 2.3Mega Pixels 1936x1216
Pixel Size: 5.86µm
Exposure Rage: 32µs-1000s

Supported Resolutions:
12bit ADC:
1936X1216@128FPS
640x480@309FPS
320x240@577FPS
2X2Bin : 968x608@128FPS

10bit ADC:
1936X1216@164FPS
640x480@397FPS
320x240@740FPS
2X2Bin : 968x608@164FPS

ROI: Supported
Interface: USB3.0  (and backward compatible with USB2.0 as well)
Bit rate: 12bit output（12bit ADC）
Adaptor: 2" / 1.25" / M42X0.75
Dimension: φ62mm X 41mm
Weight: 140g

Working Temperature: -5°C—45°C
Storage Temperature: -20°C—60°C
Working Relative Humidity: 20%—80%
Storage Relative Humidity: 20%—95%

For full specification, driver installation tutorial (youtube video), basic usage information and recommended third party software please visit the manufacturer's website: ZWOptical

There is also a ZWO Forum here for ZWO camera users: ZWO USER GROUP

and also a Yahoo Group where you can find lots of information about how other members use the ZWO cameras: Yahoo Group ZWO ASI Cameras