11 replies to this topic

[Rpadgett]

ZWO Problems
I have invested over $10,000 in a little over a year in astrophotography systems.
I am experienced in photography and image editing for over 30 years.
Did much research prior to investing in astrophotography gear.
Started off with Skywatcher Star Adventurer GTI with Samyang 135 2.0.
Was so excited I jumped into a Williams Redcat 51III, WO Uniguide 32 guide scope, ASI120MM guide camera, ASI Air mini, ASI 533MCPRO camera, ZWO AM3 mount with multiple accessories; and Pixinsight software.
Purchased an Apertura 75Q, ASKAR 103APO with reducers, SVBONY 50 Guide scope, and Seestar S50 about six months ago.
Installed ZWO EAF focusers on ALL scopes.
Have a preorder QHY Minicam 8 with filter wheel and AM5 on order.
Getting unbelievable results in my Bortle 9 skies every clear night available.
Seestar was fun used as educational tool and a scout scope for my larger imaging systems.
Very pleased with all until ZWO ASI software mandatory update several months ago.
I was consistently guiding averaging .5 to .7 even with heavy 103 originally, after mandatory update 3-4 months ago now getting 1.5 to 3.0 at BEST with the lightweight Redcat.
Also, when viewing goto in observatory does not enlarge object on screen when close to object.
Just having to live with poor guiding at 180 seconds.
Recently did a mandatory ZWO update on the Seestar S50 and everything changed again.
Now every time I go to an object AFTER LEVELLING, says level out when trying to focus object.
Recheck level and is WAY OFF and have to start over and relevel without moving scope.
Really upset with LARGE investment which performed perfectly UNTIL MANDATORY ZWO UPDATES completed.
Have spent MANY hours researching on ZWO solutions with astro forums without any consistent results.
I have spent more time than ever, and money on this hobby; and now feel lost.
Primarily ZWO issues.
If any suggestions available, please let me know.

[bobzeq25]

ZWO Problems
I have invested over $10,000 in a little over a year in astrophotography systems.
I am experienced in photography and image editing for over 30 years.
Did much research prior to investing in astrophotography gear.
Started off with Skywatcher Star Adventurer GTI with Samyang 135 2.0.
Was so excited I jumped into a Williams Redcat 51III, WO Uniguide 32 guide scope, ASI120MM guide camera, ASI Air mini, ASI 533MCPRO camera, ZWO AM3 mount with multiple accessories; and Pixinsight software.
Purchased an Apertura 75Q, ASKAR 103APO with reducers, SVBONY 50 Guide scope, and Seestar S50 about six months ago.
Installed ZWO EAF focusers on ALL scopes.
Have a preorder QHY Minicam 8 with filter wheel and AM5 on order.
Getting unbelievable results in my Bortle 9 skies every clear night available.
Seestar was fun used as educational tool and a scout scope for my larger imaging systems.
Very pleased with all until ZWO ASI software mandatory update several months ago.
I was consistently guiding averaging .5 to .7 even with heavy 103 originally, after mandatory update 3-4 months ago now getting 1.5 to 3.0 at BEST with the lightweight Redcat.
Also, when viewing goto in observatory does not enlarge object on screen when close to object.
Just having to live with poor guiding at 180 seconds.
Recently did a mandatory ZWO update on the Seestar S50 and everything changed again.
Now every time I go to an object AFTER LEVELLING, says level out when trying to focus object.
Recheck level and is WAY OFF and have to start over and relevel without moving scope.
Really upset with LARGE investment which performed perfectly UNTIL MANDATORY ZWO UPDATES completed.
Have spent MANY hours researching on ZWO solutions with astro forums without any consistent results.
I have spent more time than ever, and money on this hobby; and now feel lost.
Primarily ZWO issues.
If any suggestions available, please let me know.

Suggestion. Your problems appear to be mostly (entirely) with the ZWO software, not the hardware.

Ditch the ASIAir for a Windows PC. It will let you use a WIDE variety of astrophotography software, and give you MUCH more control over your main rig. And it's really not that hard to use.

This group is reasonably evenly divided among people who use an ASIAir, and people who use a Windows PC. The people who like the ASIAir better think that it's simpler. That doesn't appear to be the case here.

Don't fight. Switch. <smile>

The smart telescope forum may be able to help you with your Seestar.

Edited by bobzeq25, 09 February 2025 - 12:51 AM.

[rgsalinger]

While I'd like to agree with Bob, I would suggest that you post the guide logs that are giving you trouble. If you don't have good guide settings in your AA, carrying them over to a PC is not going to fix things. If you have a loose tripod, getting a PC won't fix things. I would also ask for a picture of the system with some information about whether it's on tarmac or grass. Those two things are what's needed to get help.

 

There are hundreds of imagers using the AA in all it's forms (even me) and there just haven't been any reports like yours. You know, the first rule of astro-photography when it comes to equipment is to buy the best mount that you can afford. I can't tell much with what you posted, but I wouldn't touch let alone buy an AM3 given how little difference in price there is between it and the AM5. 

[GiffS]

Yeah something is not right here. Trust me I have had my frustrations with ZWO updates but they always get sorted out relatively quickly. I am on IOS for the AIR and Windows for PC stuff. Dollars to doughnuts there some other gremlin hiding in your set up or your kit. PC or AIR there will always be something that needs to be updated that causes a problem. ASCOM drivers, at least for me, are every bit as much of a PIA.

[PhilHoyle]

While I'd like to agree with Bob, I would suggest that you post the guide logs that are giving you trouble. If you don't have good guide settings in your AA, carrying them over to a PC is not going to fix things. If you have a loose tripod, getting a PC won't fix things. I would also ask for a picture of the system with some information about whether it's on tarmac or grass. Those two things are what's needed to get help.

 

There are hundreds of imagers using the AA in all it's forms (even me) and there just haven't been any reports like yours. You know, the first rule of astro-photography when it comes to equipment is to buy the best mount that you can afford. I can't tell much with what you posted, but I wouldn't touch let alone buy an AM3 given how little difference in price there is between it and the AM5. 

FWIW:  I have both the AM5 and the AM3.  The guiding on the AM3 is WAY better than the guiding on the AM5.  ZWO provides a report of the periodic error of each mount.  On the AM5 it was 25 arc-sec.  On the AM3 it was 5 arc-sec.

[rgsalinger]

Hmm. Well I've never heard of an SW mount with less periodic error than my Paramount MYT. So, could you post the analysis that came with the AM3. Further, periodic error is irrelevant if you have (trust me it can happen) some degree of looseness in your tripod. Last summer I struggled for more than an hour with my SW mount to get it properly tracking. Turned out that I had not sufficiently tightened everything down. Just sayin,,,,,

 

FWIW I have one the new AA/Duo combos with the latest firmware and drivers. It works just fine on my network both natively and using NINA. So, again, my bet is that something has changed in your setup and that you do NOT have a ZWO software issue. 

 

Also, I always recommend to people that they don't just keep updating drivers and software unless there is a reason to do so or unless they are hopelessly behind. I usually change my software once a year unless there is something broken. That allows me to avoid being a pioneer. 

[ButterSmooth]

Because the guiding numbers change with an update doesn't necessarily mean the guiding is worse.  How are the images?  Zwo or PHD may have changed the calculations for the graph in the update.  If your FWHM has increased then be concerned.  Otherwise, enjoy your new 'more sensitive' guiding output graph.

Edited by ButterSmooth, 09 February 2025 - 01:42 PM.

[rgsalinger]

He uses an AA so PHD doesn't enter the mix very much at all.

 

I've never heard of the PHD guys changing or adding an algorithm without some announcement in the forum. So, if you think that's the case ask on the PHD forum if something was changed. The last two changes that I noticed were multi-star and then LowPass2 for high resolution encoder mounts. I haven't seen a PHD release for some time. I don't update my stuff often, though. It's just asking for trouble IME. 

[bobzeq25]

He has two options.

Spend time getting the AA to work. And then, the next time things go South, he'll be in exactly the same place. Up the creek without a paddle. Having no clue what to do.

He can spend that time getting a Windows PC to work. And then, if problems arise he'll be significantly better positioned to solve them.

This is not a close call. If an AA is working for someone, great. It can be the easiest option. I'm not maintaining using an AA is a bad thing.

But, if it's not working for them, it has little merit.

Edited by bobzeq25, 09 February 2025 - 03:26 PM.

[rgsalinger]

I think that there's a problem with AA owners in that they've skipped over learning about imaging because the app connects with the mount. This forum is constantly peppered with questions that should never need to be asked if the OPs just knew that there IS a PHD manual, for example. Not sure that switching to a PC is the answer, though. I always (boring) post the same thing. Get the book, join a club, get a mentor. Now buy some equipment. It's like the old Ready, Fire, Aim joke.

[Rpadgett]

Thanks for all the input.

Reached out to ZWO and they asked for an error report which I will do

Out this week attending the Daytona 500

Back next and get back into it all

Thanks again

[Rpadgett]

Sorry for the delay
Had a catastrophic computer and backup up HD crash
Lost 250K images
Drive at recovery service
Replacing everything computer wise
Will get back when data recovered
BACKUP A BACKUP
Thanks