ASI220MM Mini

mrpugh55

Very disappointed. The ZWO native driver installs and the operating system identifies the camera, but you cannot connect to it in either SkyX or Maxim as it throws an error (there is no connection to the device).

Switching to the ASCOM driver, tried both 32 and 64 bit version. You can connect to it and take an image, but the moment you take a subframe, and then return to full frame, the camera hangs in both Maxim and SkyX.

Seriously?
Martin

Tech@ZWO

mrpugh55
Hi Could you tell us the version of the native driver and the software you used? and also the version of your computer OS.

We will check it. thanks.

Bonzer2u

What version of windows are you running?
Thx...

mrpugh55

I am running Windows 7 (where the ZWO ASI 120MM Mini) works just fine.
I have taken the latest ASI drivers v3.20 and also tried v3.16, v3.17 and v3.19.
I have also tried ASCOM x86 v6.5.12 and 6.5.13

As I said, SkyX cannot even connect to it using the ASI driver, and with the ASCOM driver, the camera hangs after taking a subframe and returning to full frame in both SkyX and Maxim DL.
Thanks
Martin

Tech@ZWO

mrpugh55 Thanks we will check this,
Also could you test the camera in ASIStudio with different cables to rule out the problem？ thanks.

mrpugh55

What news? I cannot use this camera at present. I will try and test it with AI Studio.

Tech@ZWO

mrpugh55
We tested in SKYX and MDL, both work fine.
Please test the camera in ASIStudio with different cables and ports first. and directly connect it to PC, don't use any hub.

If possible, you can refer to this guide to catch the SDK log, and send it to us for analysis. thanks.

how-to-get-sdk-log-without-dbgview-on-windows.pdf

549kB

GanymedeOrbiter

Tech@ZWO Did ZWO's tests include running the ASI220MM mini on older systems like WIndows 7 or Windows 8.1? Just wondering if these new cameras were tested for compatibility on anything earlier than Windows 10.

I know from direct experience (Teamviewer session with QHY tech support) that the same sensor camera from QHY (QHY5iii200M) is NOT compatible with Windows 8.1 - they say the driver cannot support Windows 8.1. So it is possible that this is also the case for the ASI220MM mini with Windows 7 or 8.1.

Would be interesting to know for sure.

mrpugh55

Hello.
I have tried the camera now on a completely different PC running Windows 10 and the latest version of the SkyX. Same problem. I have captured the SDK log as you detailed. Attached. My vendor will not take this camera back blaming SkyX. So I am now $449 out of pocket.

asicamerasdk.txt

12kB

Swizerlan

mrpugh55 did you do what zwo suggests and use another program to verify it works

mrpugh55

I thought that 2 mainstream programs, Maxim and SkyX would be sufficient given I have at least 6 or 7 ZWO cameras operating correctly under these programs. Dont see why I should test under ASIAir when I dont use it, and neither do any of my clients.

w7ay

mrpugh55 I thought that 2 mainstream programs, Maxim and SkyX would be sufficient given I have at least 6 or 7 ZWO cameras operating correctly under these programs.

One way to prove that the camera is not completely dead is to use a short USB cable (and never a cable that is shipped with any of ZWO's products -- those are garbage), and connecting the camera to a Mac or Windows computer running one of ZWO's own software products, like one of the programs in their ASIstudio suite (not ASIAIR). At room temperature.

It is the only way to prove to ZWO/dealer that the camera is DOA, and that they need to replace it.

If it works with the latest ASIstudio, then your problem is caused by some software driver which ZWO provided to the other programs that created the problem (for example, an older driver that does not support a brand new camera like the ASI220).

If it works, but not with a longer cable, or when the temperature drops, then you have hit the ZWO marginal engineering lottery.

I think that @Swizerlan was just trying to help you narrow down the causes of the failure that you encountered.

Chen

Swizerlan

mrpugh55 Hello not Asi Air but asi studio which is their free program. As Chen suggested I am just presenting an alternative which can at the very least help you determine if the camera is working.

Tech@ZWO

GanymedeOrbiter All works

mrpugh55

the fault remains ZWO. If you take a subframe either with the ASCOM 32bit or 64bit driver, then revert to full frame and take an exposure the camera hangs. You have to disconnect from the camera and reconnect to get it to work, which is utterly useless when you are doing unattended remote imaging.

w7ay

mrpugh55 If you take a subframe either with the ASCOM 32bit or 64bit driver, then revert to full frame and take an exposure the camera hangs.

FWIW, I just tried using ASIImg (one of the ASIStudio applications in the ASIStudio suite) on macOS 12.6.3 running on a Mac Studio Ultra. Using the ASI220 mini, I could change the ROI back and forth (if that is what you meant by "subframe"), and did not notice any hangs.

So, if your camera hangs with ASIImg, then the camera is bad; get the dealer to replace it. If it does not hang, then the camera is probably OK, and the ZWO driver that your other programs use is bad.

Quite a few of other manufacturers also use the SC2210 sensor that is used in the ASI220 (e.g., QHY5III200M). If the sensor is your preference, your dealer might be willing to do a camera swap.

Chen