Miss-orientation of my ASI174MM mini compared to the 1-1/4" barrel

pleiades

Hi,

I received my ASI174MM mini a few weeks ago. It was long to test it with my OAG because the weather was really not compliant.

Last night, I needed to rotate the camera because the larger sensor dimension was not in the same plan as the right ascension. It was installed perpendicular instead. According to the label on the 1-1/4" barrel, the label should be written on the same axis as the larger sensor dimension. This morning, I put aluminium tape to mark the exact position of the camera related to OAG before dismantled it. After inspection, the label are really perpendicular to the sensor main axis. I don't know if this camera came from a bad batch or not.

By chance, I owned also an ASI290MM mini for another setup so was able to inspect it. The label on the barrel coincide with the CMOS sensor main axis like my ASI6200MM.

Is there a way to rotate the internal motherboard (including CMOS sensor) to permit the main axis to be parallel to the label? I see two tiny Philip screws in the front but not sure if there are two other holes perpendicular to them.

Maybe it seems picky but I prefer when thing are well done. And please, don't tell me that the guiding calibration process could take care of it...I know. It might be a labelling defective process BUT I paid the big price for this camera so I want what I've paid for.

Regards,
Yves

w7ay

pleiades

For what its worth, my ASI174 Mini's long edge is also perpendicular to the writings at the back, where the connectors are.

ZWO is never consistent with their products. Because of that, I mark the long edge of some of my ZWO branded main cameras with Gaffer tape.

The silk screened writings (or even screws) at the back are not precise anyway. It can only get you within a degree or so with the sensor orientation. The best way to get the correct angle is still by using a plate solve.

These things are unfortunate, especially with the OAG case, where you want the guide camera pixels to be as close to the optical axis as possible, and at least aligned with any prism stalk's rectangular holes. You need to buy from a better manufacturer if you need more engineering attention to details. The money that you save by buying from ZWO is easily spent on time loss on the customer's part in resolving issues like the one you found.

Chen

Tech@ZWO

pleiades Is there a way to rotate the internal motherboard (including CMOS sensor) to permit the main axis to be parallel to the label? I see two tiny Philip screws in the front but not sure if there are two other holes perpendicular to them.

There are only two screw holes on its body, so can not rotate the board.
In addition, only the ASI174MINI barrel label is perpendicular to the long edge, other mini cameras are paralleled, because the ASI174MINI sensor is larger, and does not have a position to place the screws holes beside the short edge.

pleiades

w7ay

Thanks Chen for your input !

Regards,
Yves

pleiades

Tech@ZWO

Thanks for this useful information. So, it was on purpose and seems logical according to limited dimension of the CMOS motherboard design (ASI174MM) related to the 1-1/4" barrel.

IMHO, ZWO should write a note about that in the web page.

Regards,
Yves

Tech@ZWO

pleiades Sorry for the trouble, and thanks for your suggestion, i forwarded this to our team. 🙂