ASIAIR doesn't see ASI120MM

JohnLF

I have used a ASI120MM as a guide camera with PHD2 running on my windows laptop since 2015 and have not had connection issues.
Recently, I purchased a ASI2600MC-Pro as my new imaging camera, and a ASIAIR-Pro to control both imaging and guide cameras. Both cameras and the ASIAIR Pro are ZWO products. The ASIAIR Pro appears to work correctly and can control the ASI2600MC-Pro, as the imaging camera, But I am surprised that the ASIAIR Pro doesn't connect to the ASI120MM, or even offer it in the list of cameras to connect to. In the connection box, the only camera listed is the ASI2600MC. I have tried four different USB cables and I have tried connecting the ASI120MM directly to the ASIAIR and also to the hub on the back of the ASI2600MC. So far, nothing works.
Last night, I set up the guide camera, connected to my laptop via USB and confirmed, using PHD2, that the camera is functional and in fact, I got good guiding during this test. Then I switched and connected the camera to the ASIAIR Pro, turned on the Pro, connected my tablet with ASIAIR app, and once again, it never offered a connection to the ASI120MM.
I'm stumped as to why the ASIAIR sees and connects to the ASI2600MC-Pro but can't do the same for the ASI120MM. Until this gets solved, I can't guide my images. What advice do you have?
Thanks,
JohnLF

w7ay

JohnLF

Which version of the ASI120 is it?

The original ASI120 does not work with ASIAIR. Known problem, and not likely to be rectified.

The pancake ASI120 with a blue USB-3 Type B connector should work.

The ASI120MM-Mini (with USB-C connector, implementing USB-2.1 protocol) should also work.

If you have an older pancake version (non-mini) of the camera, and if the camera's USB Type-B connector is a USB-2 (black plastic insert) instead of a USB-3 Type-B connector (the one with the baby blue plastic insert with the extra USB 3 pins), then don't waste any more time trying it. It is documented by ZWO to not work with the ASIAIR.

Chen

Swizerlan

w7ay Why wont ZWo update the firmware of the original asi 120mm? It is ridiculous to have this camera and have it be unusable.

JohnLF

Thank you, Chen. You have answered my question. I have the older ASI120MM with the black plastic USB 2.0 connector. According to you, I will need to replace the guide camera. If I were to get the ASI1290MM Mini, I assume that too would work with the ASIAIR-Pro, correct?

Thank you,
JohnLF

w7ay

JohnLF If I were to get the ASI1290MM Mini, I assume that too would work with the ASIAIR-Pro, correct?

John, I assume you mean the ASI290MM, right? If so, it should be a far superior camera than the ASI120 for guiding.

I am currently using one (the USB-3 version) through an 685nm pass filter for near-IR guiding, and it is still sensitive enough to get multiple stars through a 55mm f/4.5 guide scope with 0.5 second exposures. You should have no problem with 1 to 2 second exposures and full spectrum guiding; I am just trying to eek out an extra 10% to 20% better guide error by using near IR guiding. (I suffer from OCD :-) :-).

Good luck,
Chen

JohnLF

I bought the ASI1290MM Mini today. I tested it at the store with my ASIAIR-Pro to be sure they work together.
Thank you for your advice. I am looking forward to getting good guiding with the ASI1200MM and good images with the ASI2600MC.
Regards,
John LF

w7ay

Swizerlan Why wont ZWo update the firmware of the original asi 120mm?

Is that a rhetorical question, or do you expect ZWO to actually answer you? :-)

(I have just a suspicion why it has been abandoned -- and from the problems I had with my ASI120, it is not something that are fixable with firmware.)

Chen

edl77

My asi120 mc-s will not connect either. This has the usb 3.0 port. This is a shame. They should use all zwo cameras. Shame on you zwo!