CAA is crazy

DvsZIO2F

In reply to your response to my original post:

No, I cannot use my ASIAIR Plus units to control my CAA on this telescope rig, because my focuser is an in-line Prima Luce Esatto focuser, which the ASIAIR cannot control. I can’t replace my Esatto focuser (nor do I want to) with anything from the ZWO range, because you don’t make an in line focuser of this type. I use a focuser of this type to avoid mirror flop issues with Schmidt-Cassegrains, so I really don’t want to use a ZWO focuser on the regular focus control.
Your ASCOM driver does not allow rotation angle limits, as far as I can see, and certainly nothing I have been able to do within NINA or SGP has been able to fix this issue.
Absolutely my CAA was not at the limit of its rotation. I was able to confirm my CAA can rotate more than 180 degrees in either direction. I was able to verify after the disasterous peer crash that I could manually rotate the camera (using the hand controller) easily to the required 6 degrees, and indeed go further all the way to almost 360 degrees in that direction.

Why can’t you simply introduce a software feature that allows the user to manually define its current position (whatever that actually is) as being “zero degrees”, and make all further rotations relative to that position? Every other rotator I have used on the market seems to have that basic and vital facility, except, apparently, ZWO.

Tech@ZWO

DvsZIO2F Regarding your third point, could you record a video demonstrating the issue? Please reset the 6 degrees and let me see if it's heading in the wrong direction.Additionally, I will note your suggestion regarding the feature allowing users to manually set the zero digit and pass it on to the development team.In NINA software, the rotation range of the CAA can be restricted.

DvsZIO2F

Tech@ZWO
Sorry, I can’t record the video you requested at the moment because my rig is in pieces being repaired (soldering my second USB B socket into my 7-position filter wheel, after the unexpected pier crash from the surprising 364 degree rotation caused the damage).
But very interesting that N.I.N.A. Offers 90 degree mechanical rotation limit in the software - my version doesn’t seem to have that so I will upgrade. HOWEVER, this illustrates perfectly one of my original points that +/- 90 degrees is all that is ever needed for perfect framing and obviously the N.I.N.A. developers recognize that. Furthermore, the presence of this much needed feature shows that the requested +/- 90 degrees is indeed perfectly reasonable and possible. So PLEASE can you add exactly this feature to the ASIAIR software? That should solve everyone’s issues with the CAA.

benek

Do not encourage anyone to switch to ZWO products, especially AsiAir, which is only good for beginners during the first 6 months of their astrophotography journey. Just fix your mistakes. I’ve had the rotator since March 2025, it’s mounted on my telescope, but I don’t use it because it’s garbage that damages equipment. I’ve already written posts about this several months ago, and all you ever reply is that it will be passed on to the team… and you’ve done nothing about it. I’m throwing this junk on an auction site, hopefully someone will buy it!
I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS EQUIPMENT, SAME AS I DO NOT RECOMMEND ZWO AS A COMPANY, WHICH ONLY CARES ABOUT PROFITS AND DOESN’T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT ITS USERS. A LOT OF TIME HAS PASSED SINCE THE LAUNCH AND THEY’VE DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT IT!!!

Tech@ZWO

benek
Could you please tell me how the device was damaged during the operation of the CAA and what specific steps you took? I will analyze the cause

glenn.mitchell

I use the CAA via N.I.N.A. I limit the rotation to 180 degrees. Works fine for me.

benek

Tech@ZWO

If I describe my problem, show you on a video what’s happening, and follow all the instructions… do you guarantee a quick solution ? ? ?

If yes, then I’ll spend my time, make a video, and point out the problem. If not… it’s a waste of my time!

probro1154

I've embraced full 360° rotation with cable management and have had no problems with two different units.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqpSYlOYJjs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpTx_1wga9Y

I find the temper tantrums hilarious. Kudos to ZWO for still trying to help them.

Tech@ZWO

probro1154 Your solution is excellent and worth learning from; it is highly feasible and ensures the safety of the cables.

Tech@ZWO

DvsZIO2F Under normal circumstances, the CAA will not rotate 360 degrees. The only possible scenario is that you enabled reverse mode during operation. Currently, ASIAir supports limiting rotation to 180 degrees. Regarding the feature to limit rotation to 90 degrees, I will provide feedback. Thank you for your suggestion!

DvsZIO2F

Tech@ZWO
I did not enable reverse operation.

Tech@ZWO

benek I need to know how you operated in order to analyze the cause

Tech@ZWO

DvsZIO2F If you can reproduce your operations and the issues that occurred, please record a video and send it to my email. rma@zwoastro.com