ASI432mm first impressions

[Martin_S]

My ASI 432 arrived today , I was unable to to any serious imaging due to high winds and a milky sky, I was able to get a few decent images .

This was my setup, 120mm Skywatcher f/8 achromat in an open frame,a tilted 2" 7nm H-alpha fliter as a sub energy rejection filter, Baader TZ4 telecentric focal extender, Player One energy rejection filter,Combo QuarkChromosphere, modified PST etalon(from a Coronado PST), ASI432mm camera .

Here is a brief list of pro's and cons of the ASI 432mm.

Pros.

Very sensitive, this camera really pulls out the finer details.

An excellent camera for Telecentric setups with Quarks etc , The pixel scale is perfect for my F/33 setup.

A tilt adaptor is included with this camera.

Cons, and points to note, these are not bad but you should be aware of the following.

You must have updated drivers from ZWO

If you use Firecapture you will need version 2.7.11 as older versions will not detect the camera.

It also works with ASICAP, I have not tried Sharpcap.

This camera runs HOT!!!! the chip temperature quickly rose to 52 degrees in the Australian heat, so you may have to consider some form of cooling.

In all I'm happy with this camera I got 2 good captures in shocking conditions, before the sky gave me a white out.

I hope this is of use to anyone considering using this camera.

Martin

2023-02-07-0321_3-U-R-Cak_ZWO ASI432MM_Gain=281_Exposure=15.1ms_Gamma=50(off)_9_lapl5_ap27979_out.jpg (147.42 KiB) Viewed 2572 times

2023-02-07-0321_9-U-R-Cak_ZWO ASI432MM_Gain=281_Exposure=15.1ms_Gamma=50(off)_10_lapl5_ap17633_out.jpg (135 KiB) Viewed 2572 times

20230207_133832.jpg (100.25 KiB) Viewed 2572 times

[marktownley]

Thanks Martin, given those conditions the results are very good.

Must say i'm very much thinking of one of these cameras to use with my HaT.

[pupak]

My experience is that uncooled ZWO cameras have no thermal bridge between the camera body and the sensor chip, so additional cooling has minimal effect. In this regard, the Player One cameras are excellent, where the additional fan on the cooler keeps the chip temperature below 35 degrees Celsius even in hot summer.

[Martin_S]

My experience is that uncooled ZWO cameras have no thermal bridge between the camera body and the sensor chip, so additional cooling has minimal effect. In this regard, the Player One cameras are excellent, where the additional fan on the cooler keeps the chip temperature below 35 degrees Celsius even in hot summer.

Thanks for your input Peter, Player One cameras, are hard to get here in Australia. I did read somewhere that uncooled ZWO cameras have a finger on the back of the chip that touches the camera casing to help keep the chip cool. When I next image with the 432 I'll post comparison Firecapture screenshots between cooled and uncooled setups. Cooling my 174 has always kept the chip around 38-40 degrees on a hot day, without cooling it peaks at over 50 degrees. My little cheap phone coolers work well to keep the casings cool.
Once the Ambient temperature rises the condensation soon evaporates.20230207_070649 by Martin Symonds, on Flickr

Martin

[pupak]

I mounted the heatsink and fan on the ASI174. When cooling, the temperature of the chip barely stays at ambient temperature. With the Player One cameras I get the chip temperature 10-15 degrees below ambient. That's my experience.

[Martin_S]

Peter, here is a comparison between an uncooled and a cooled ZWO ASI432mm camera.

The cell phone cooler will stabilise the chip temperature around the 40 -44 degree mark, in an ambient temperature of around 30 degrees Celsius.

Martin

Screenshot.jpg (21.11 KiB) Viewed 2409 times

[pupak]

Yes, I have a similar experience. I don't cool the ZWO camera by more than 10 degrees, while I get the Player One below ambient temperature, which is a difference of about 20 degrees. If the ZWO camera had a thermal bridge to the camera body, the results would have to be the same, but they don't.
It's not about the noise level here, but about protecting the camera against high temperature damage, and that works on the ZWO as well.

[Dennis]

Nice first results. I wonder why ZWO doesnt have that thermal bridge between chip and housing.. that was what turned me towards the Player One cameras. On the other hand those industry chips are probably fine also with higher temperatures. Have fun with this interesting chip (im a big fan).

[TareqPhoto]

I was planning or thinking to buy the P1 version of this camera, but the discount from ZWO and also including the tilt adapter for free both made my mind about ASI432, the only reason i wanted that P1 version is that cooling fan they have, i still not sure how much i need the cooling over tilt for solar mainly Ha solar, and because i already have ASI174mm and 290mm so wanted to have tilt for those too, P1 is smart to include it within their cameras bodies, so maybe one day i will get one either for solar or planetary.

[marktownley]

Martin, have you ever compared this camera to an IMX174 chipped camera?

[MAURITS]

Very nice first images despite the weather conditions.