Version Check on ASI224MC-Cool & ASI290MM-Cool

ozy

I purchased both an ASI224MC-Cool & ASI290MM-Cool from OPTCORP. They arrived today. I believe these are old models. Both units have ST4 guide ports. According to this website, ZWO stopped using the guide ports long ago and now are including USB 2.0 Hubs with them. On top of that, the newest ASI229MC-Cool (v3 i think?) has the Amp-Glow fix.

Can I get confirmation of this? If so, I'm going to return them both. Now i'm frustrated that I do not know how to tell which version I am purchasing. I do not want to buy old models.

How can I guarantee that I'm buying the newest version of the product?

ozy

I'm assuming no response yet because of Chinese NY. I hope you guys are having a wonderful week. I have many friends at my work off all week too.

mktmgrjrm

I just purchased an ASI290MM-Cool from Highpoint Scientific - received it today, and it is also the 'Gen 1' version with the ST-4 guide port. I'm wondering the same things you are, and will contact Highpoint tomorrow to see what they have to say. I'm more concerned about any updates that have been made to the camera including amp glow improvement and the front filter improvement to address dewing.

EDIT: After some more searching, it appears that the Gen 1 cams we've received are TWO versions behind, and apparently there is a 4th version about to come out.

ozy

mktmgrjrm wrote:
I just purchased an ASI290MM-Cool from Highpoint Scientific - received it today, and it is also the 'Gen 1' version with the ST-4 guide port. I'm wondering the same things you are, and will contact Highpoint tomorrow to see what they have to say. I'm more concerned about any updates that have been made to the camera including amp glow improvement.

I called them also and they confirmed their 290MM-Cool's are V1 (ST4 Ports). They have 224MC-Cools with USB ports, but I'm not going to buy it until I know how to make sure I have the newest version. These cameras are too expensive to purchase the old ones when there were lacking technologies on their earlier versions.

ozy

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mktmgrjrm

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ozy

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ozy

Welcome back from NY! Can I please get a response to this question?

Sam@ZWO

there is only one small change with the newest 224 and 290 cooled cameras

ST4 port to USB Hub

there is no V3 V4

ozy

Sam wrote:
there is only one small change with the newest 224 and 290 cooled cameras

ST4 port to USB Hub

there is no V3 V4

Hi Sam, you in other posts have said that there is a new AntiGlow option being added to the 224 model. I tested on an ST4 version and the amp glow is very bad. Are you saying that there is NO amp glow fix in any newer models? And you also said on Cloudy Nights or here that there you would be activating that amp glow fix even earlier than your initially stated 8 or 10 seconds.

What model has the newest AmpGlow fix? This is very important to me, as the ST4 version I received from OPTCORP had very bad amp glow even with the cooler on. For EAO outreach, it is too much.

Sam@ZWO

Ozy wrote:
Sam wrote:there is only one small change with the newest 224 and 290 cooled cameras

ST4 port to USB Hub

there is no V3 V4

Hi Sam, you in other posts have said that there is a new AntiGlow option being added to the 224 model. I tested on an ST4 version and the amp glow is very bad. Are you saying that there is NO amp glow fix in any newer models? And you also said on Cloudy Nights or here that there you would be activating that amp glow fix even earlier than your initially stated 8 or 10 seconds.

What model has the newest AmpGlow fix? This is very important to me, as the ST4 version I received from OPTCORP had very bad amp glow even with the cooler on. For EAO outreach, it is too much.

Hi Ozy

the PCB board version is V1.3 which add this fix, but the amp-glow is still there just far better

you may feel amp glow is worse when cooler on because the dark current is lower

ozy

Sam wrote:
Ozy wrote:
Sam wrote:there is only one small change with the newest 224 and 290 cooled cameras

ST4 port to USB Hub

there is no V3 V4

Hi Sam, you in other posts have said that there is a new AntiGlow option being added to the 224 model. I tested on an ST4 version and the amp glow is very bad. Are you saying that there is NO amp glow fix in any newer models? And you also said on Cloudy Nights or here that there you would be activating that amp glow fix even earlier than your initially stated 8 or 10 seconds.

What model has the newest AmpGlow fix? This is very important to me, as the ST4 version I received from OPTCORP had very bad amp glow even with the cooler on. For EAO outreach, it is too much.

Hi Ozy

the PCB board version is V1.3 which add this fix, but the amp-glow is still there just far better

you may feel amp glow is worse when cooler on because the dark current is lower

OK so now tell me HOW to make sure I purchase a camera using V1.3. I do not want to buy an old camera. Do I have to order directly from ZWO?

Sam@ZWO

the label is on the bottom of PCB

you should can see it through the protect window

ozy

Sam wrote:
the label is on the bottom of PCB

you should can see it through the protect window

Does this V1.3 PCB apply to the 224MC-Cool version too? Is it easy to see this label through both non-cooled and cooled version windows?

Sam@ZWO

Ozy wrote:
Sam wrote:the label is on the bottom of PCB

you should can see it through the protect window

Does this V1.3 PCB apply to the 224MC-Cool version too? Is it easy to see this label through both non-cooled and cooled version windows?

yes

ozy

High Point Scientific checked their entire stock for me and none of them had a v1.3 sticker on them.

I am very frustrated and have stopped searching for the newest camera. I have my name down for a QHY224C instead. I want to stay with ZWO but it's too difficult for the customer to make sure they are buying the newest product.

Sam@ZWO

the 224 on market is around 1 year, and this change has been done at leat half year

I am sure HPS have the newest version

ozy

Sam wrote:
the 224 on market is around 1 year, and this change has been done at leat half year

I am sure HPS have the newest version

So you are saying the v1.3 fix has been done 6+ months ago? Any idea why OPTCORP would have sold me SUPER old cameras then?

If I order one from HighPoint, when I receive it, how can I verify it is the newest version without opening it up? Is there no firmware identifier in the camera?

chripell

Just a quick confirmation: v1.3 as the latest PCB refers to ASI290MM (both cooled and uncooled) as well? Thanks!

Sam@ZWO

chripell wrote:
Just a quick confirmation: v1.3 as the latest PCB refers to ASI290MM (both cooled and uncooled) as well? Thanks!

no, ASI290 don't have heavy amp-glow

this change only apply to ASI224