ASI2600MC AIR

[Dark Raven]

Interesting new development.



The tease started as April Fools Day joke.


But now appears to be introduced at NEAF. Below was shared in one of AP imaging groups.



Nico posted this.



It was a matter of time. I like the concept, if it gets to work properly (had to RMA my 2600MC DUO). I wonder how much memory will it have 32 GB or 256 GB. What do you think?

Edit 1: From: https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/919191-new-camera-zwo-asi2600mc-air/

Edit 2:

Edit 3:

https://x.com/zwoastro/status/1781344506878509057

 

Edit 4:

ASI AIR Mini hardware inside.

2600MC Duo can be externally controlled via ASCOM / Alpaca over WiFi.

 

Edited April 20 by Dark Raven

[saac]

It's a nice looking product and it does makes sense. It would make for a really clean and much simplified setup. Dare I say it, providing a high end smart telescope setup with swappable telescope ability.  What would concern me is that by combining the individual components you lose all if one fails.  Look at the recent issue people have experienced with firmware updates on the AsiAirs.  That said, I'd love to have one but the price/weather usage ratio is a bit high for my budget. 

Jim 

[Richard_]

When I saw the April fools post on Facebook, I laughed and thought who would want that. But after looking at the promotional banner and realising they are using the duo, you can see that they are combining three different pieces of astro gear together.

Sure, you can't upgrade each item individually as they're integrated, but at least they're trying something new and I'm sure some users will enjoy the lack of cables and clutter. Time will tell if people buy into this or not.

[ONIKKINEN]

This actually looks pretty good. If someone is picking up the hobby from scratch, then this thing covers your imaging camera, guiding, and control all in one and that price tag is not that bad either. That is if it really is 2000 USD (probably at least 3000€ here, yay taxes).

[Vroobel]

I'm not sure how the guider behaves if you want to use a dual-narrowband filter. E.g., the use of an OAG requires that filters are first after the sensor. This is about the Duo cam in general.

BTW, I experienced problems with guiding with the OAG when I was refocusing (EAF). NINA offers pausing the guiding while refocusing, I'm curious how ZWO dealt with it.

Edited April 18 by Vroobel

[Dark Raven]

27 minutes ago, Vroobel said:

I'm not sure how the guider behaves if you want to use a dual-narrowband filter.

Works just fine.

 

[Dark Raven]

Nico confirms it is ASI AIR Mini hardware inside and 2600MC Duo is externally controllable via ASCOM / Alpaca over WiFi.

[Dark Raven]

Ben interviews Simon abot ZWO ASI2600 Duo Air

 

 

[Elp]

Most of those videos reveal a lot that was announced at NEAF (SW HD mount details, ioptron new mounts, ZWO new products etc), worth watching. ZWO also announced the 2600MM Duo and a square sensor planetary camera the 676MC.