ZWO ASI2600MC DUO

The ZWO ASI2600MC DUO combines both imaging and guiding sensors into the one body. The main imaging sensor is the back-illuminated Sony ExMor IMX571 APS-C with a QE up to 80%, a bit rate of 16 bits, an ultra-high 14 stops dynamic range and ultra-low 1.0e readout noise. Using the latest hardware, full well capacity is extended to 73ke-. Plus, no amp glow!

Note: as it is effectively a built-in OAG, the stars visible to the guide sensor may appear distorted. This will not affect normal use.

Thanks to its compact design, the ASI2600MC DUO only requires one USB cable for control, reducing potential cabling issues. No separate OAG and guide camera are needed.

Sony’s back-illuminated CMOS technology improves sensitivity, minimizes noise, reduces power consumption and increases data download speed. In a conventional front-illumination structure, the interconnection of metal wiring and transistors are above the photosensitive silicon surface (photo diode), reducing the overall sensitivity and therefore the quantum efficiency. In back-illuminated sensors, the photosensitive surface is placed on top of the wiring so the incoming light is not obstructed, resulting in a greater quantum efficiency. Sony has developed a new and unique photo-diode structure and an on-chip lens that is optimized for back-illuminated structures, achieving a higher sensitivity and a lower random noise.

The ASI2600MC DUO features a 16bit ADC that can achieve a dynamic range output of 14 stops. This improves the image sharpness and contrast significantly and the colour shades are smoother and more natural.

The ZWO ASI2600MC DUO incorporates a 512MB DDR3 memory buffer that improves data transfer reliability and it minimizes amp-glow caused by slow data transfer speeds.The USB 3.0 Port provides 5Gbps bandwidth and lets the camera run at 3.51fps at full resolution (26 Megapixels). 

The USB 2.0 Hub allows to connect 2 USB controlled accessories such as a filter wheel, a guiding camera or an electronic focuser, reducing the amount of cables that run directly from your computer. The 2 stages TEC cooling system allows a ΔT of 35°C below air temperature.

Note: All cooled ZWO cameras require an external power supply of 12V at 3-5A with a 2.1×5.5 mm connector (positive tip).

The dew heater avoids the problem of dew condensation on the optical window of the sensor. The heater can be turned off via software. The power of the heater is 5W.Traditional CMOS sensors produce a weak infrared light source that is often seen in the corner of uncalibrated images as bright glow. The ASI 2600MC uses the zero amp glow circuit that averts this artefact in your images.

Amp glow artefact– exposure 300 seconds.

ASI2600 frame with no amp glow – exposure 300 seconds.