Starfront Observatories ASI2600MM Pro Imaging Package
A Unique Opportunity for Remote Astrophotography Under Bortle 1 Skies!
Looking for Something Different? Check Out the Other Starfront Observatories Affiliated Bundles We Offer at High Point Scientific!
Here at High Point Scientific, we have partnered with Starfront Observatories to offer you a unique opportunity to image under Bortle 1 skies. This package consists of a high performance camera and all of the accessories needed to capture stunning images—all you need to do is pick your preferred telescope! Giving you flexibility in choosing your OTA, you can best select which Starfront pier reservation is right for you: Mini Pier, Lite Pier, or Standard Pier. To make your life easy, you have the option to ship this entire bundle directly to Starfront Observatories near Brady, Texas. Once arrived, you can collect outstanding images under these pristine Bortle 1 skies from the comfort of your own home! If you have not yet joined a the Starfront Observatories community, you can learn more about how to rent and reserve a pier within their advanced roll-off-roof facility by visiting the Starfront Observatory website.
The components within this package have been carefully selected due to their high quality performance and compatibility with one another. Also, you can rest assured knowing everything you need is included—from small necessities like USB cables and power adapters to critical elements like a reliable equatorial mount and an all-encompassing WiFi Camera Control device. Please note: You may need to add an additional finder scope shoe depending on the telescope you select for proper accessory attachment. The Apertura Finder Scope Shoe is a great option. This packages comes complete with a ZWO ASI2600MM Pro, a ZWO ASI220MM guide camera, a ZWO 30mm guidescope, a ZWO ASIAIR Plus 256GB, a ZWO AM5N, a ZWO EAF and temperature sensor, two Apertura 5 AMP AC Adapters, a ZWO 7 Position electronic filter wheel, 3 Optolong narrowband filters, and Apertura Astrophotography LRGB filters. With the ASI2600MM Pro, get the most out of these Bortle 1 skies with this highly sensitive Sony IMX571 monochrome sensor. Not only this, but this APS-C sized, 26 megapixel sensor is perfect for capturing beautiful, high resolution images. Once these items arrive at Starfront Observatories, whether shipped from you or directly from us, their team will install everything on your reserved pier and you’ll be fully equipped to image from some of the darkest skies in the world!
Please Note:The cost of renting the mini pier is $149/month. You are required to rent the pier directly from Starfront Observatories. Purchasing this bundle will allow us to send the equipment directly to Starfront Observatories, but not reserve a pier at their location.
Want Us to Ship it Directly to Starfront Observatories?
If you want us to ship it directly to the team at Starfront Observatories, please enter the following shipping address at check out. Please ensure you enter your first and last name when filling out the shipping information. See example below. We will ship the equipment in factory sealed boxes.
Please Note: Starfront deliveries are not eligible to be split and shipped. If an item(s) is(are) not in stock, the order will be held until the entire order can ship together. Any “Arrives By” dates in order updates do not apply.
If you would like to ship the equipment yourself, then enter your personal shipping address, and then you can ship it to them at your leisure. Starfront Observatories highly suggests shipping your equipment using UPS or FedEx and recommend you utilize shipping insurance options in case of a rare scenario where the equipment gets damaged in transit. Please see Starfront Observatories' website for more information on their shipping policies.
[Your Name]
Starfront Observatories
1724 County Road 244
Rockwood, TX 76873
Ready to Choose Your Telescope?
Our team has made it easy for you to select your OTA. Simply click below to discover which telescopes are suitable for a Mini, Lite, or Standard Pier reservation. Whether you plan to image with a small telescope like the Apertura 75Q Refractor, or larger optics such as the Sky-Watcher Esprit 120 mm, these classifications will help you in selecting the best telescope based on your personal astroimaging goals under the outstanding Starfront Observatories Bortle 1 skies.
A Curated Package for the Starfront Observatories. Dark Skies Await!
No matter what Bortle class you may reside under or what your local weather conditions are like, this bundle helps you take advantage of the consistently clear, Bortle 1 skies of Central Texas. Each component has been thoughtfully selected with performance and efficacy in mind—delivering a package that is sure to help you reach new heights in your astroimaging journey. Take a look below for a more in-depth look into each component included within this bundle.
ZWO ASI2600MM Pro Monochrome Camera
This high resolution cooled camera comes loaded with features! The backlit APS-C Sony IMX571 sensor offers a pixel array of 6248 x 4176, making this a 26 MP powerhouse. This allows you to capture an outstanding amount of detail under the dark, Bortle 1 skies of the Starfront Observatories. Not only this, but the ultra-high dynamic range of 14 stops provides a wide span of signal collected.Thanks to its monochrome design, the ASI2600MM Pro has an outstanding peak QE of 91% as opposed to its color counterpart, the ASI2600MC Pro’s peak QE of 80%. Assembled with careful circuitry, this camera produces zero amp glow, streamlining your remote observatory sessions by omitting the need for dark frames. Also, this camera includes an onboard dew heater to fight pesky dew from forming on the sensor window. ZWO has equipped this camera with a USB 3.0 interface for quick transmission speed, and features a USB 2.0 hub for the addition of accessories such as the ZWO EAF or the ZWO ASI220MM Mini (both included within this package).
ZWO AM5 Harmonic Drive EQ Mount
Providing high performance and dependability, two things necessary for remote imaging, is this renowned ZWO AM5N! The internal harmonic drive and synchronous belt deliver exceptionally high torque, zero backlash, and smooth, stable slewing. The total weight of the components within this package is a little over 9 lbs., and with the AM5N's rated max payload capacity of 33 lbs., you have plenty of room to spare for a telescope of your choice. Fully compatible with the included ASIAIR, operation of this mount is a breeze. Quickly slew to your target, effortlessly return to the home position, and even plate solve to ensure precise telescope positioning. With its updated design, ZWO has included internal cable management, meaning no cables will cross the DEC axis. This significantly reduces the chances of cable snags and keeps your equipment safe—something vital during remote imaging!
ZWO ASI220MM Mini Monochrome Guide Camera
In order to take full advantage of the Bortle 1 skies, guiding is a must. This is where the ZWO ASI220MM steps in! This guide camera offers incredible resolution through its high near infrared sensitivity, low 0.6e readout noise, and large full well depth. Also, thanks to its monochrome design, the sensor is able to soak up more incoming photos than a color camera, resulting in peak quantum efficiency of 92%. Perfectly compatible with the included ZWO 30mm f/4 guidescope, everything you need for guiding is included within this package.
ZWO 30mm f/4 Mini Guide Scope
A perfect companion to the included ZWO ASI220MM is this ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope. Featuring a focal length of 120 mm and aperture of 30 mm, this guide scope helps clearly resolve the night sky for a wide selection of guide stars to guide upon. Focus is held in place from session to session with the focus lock thumb screws, and the included synta-style dovetail mounts effortlessly to the finder base found on most imaging telescopes. This guide scope weighs only 1.1 lbs., adding minimal weight to your remote setup.
ZWO Standard EAF
Achieving sharp focus is a must when it comes to capitalizing on the brilliance of these Bortle 1 skies. With this ZWO EAF, each frame is sure to be brimming with clarity! How does it work? This electronic focuser takes a series of photos and creates what’s called a V-curve. This curve determines the exact focal point of your optics, and adjusts your telescope’s focuser accordingly. By relying on software, this focus routine can be performed periodically throughout your imaging session to ensure your focus remains pristine, even through drops in temperature. Weighing less than 1 lb. and featuring extensive compatibility, this ZWO EAF adds very little bulk to your remote set up, is compatible with a wide variety of telescopes, and is fully operable with the included ZWO ASIAIR.
ZWO Temperature Sensor for EAF
Designed to pair with the ZWO EAF, this temperature sensor allows you to monitor the changes in temperature throughout your remote imaging sessions. In doing so, you have greater control over how often to perform your autofocus routine for the sharpest images possible.
ZWO ASIAIR Plus WiFi Controller
Operating as the brain center of your remote rig is this ZWO ASIair Plus! The ASIair Camera Controller technology allows full control of the ZWO equipment within this bundle: the ASI2600MM Pro, AM5N, EAF, and the ASI220MM Mini. Frame up your targets, plan your imaging sessions ahead of time, cool your camera, the list goes on! Featuring 256 GB of internal eMMC storage (244 GB available), soak up an entire night of stunning Bortle 1 images without worry of storage limitations. With this also comes hasty transfer speeds. Enjoy an average of 120+ MB/s read speeds, and 95 MB/s write speeds. With the ASIair Plus, you also have the ability to monitor the working status of your gear with displays of voltage, WiFi connectivity, power consumption, and even real-time temperature. Thanks to the ingenuity from ZWO, this ASIair Plus has you set up for success!
Two Apertura 5A AC Adapters
Supplying power to your remote rig are two Apertura Universal 5 AMP AC Adapters. Compared to most other manufacturer’s 12V power supplies, this Apertura Universal AC Adapter offers increased resting voltage, resulting in a steadier, more accurate 12V of power when in use. This is especially important when utilizing gear with high amp requirements, such as the 3 amps required when cooling the ASI2600MM Pro. Included with each of these power adapters is a US AC power cable, as well as a 5.5 x 2.1 mm extension cable. With threading on both ends, there is no need to worry about the cables coming unplugged, giving you peace of mind during your remote imaging sessions!
Apertura 2" LRGB Astrophotography Filter Set
To create color images with your remote monochrome sensor you need the help of filters; which allow you to capture slices of the light spectrum one at a time and then combine each of these later into a single image. The Apertura 2" LRGB Astrophotography Filter Set contains all the filters you'll need to create stunning images of both broadband and narrowband targets alike, with four filters that give you a full color view of galaxies, stars, and nebulae. Featuring precision off-band blocking and a very high average max transmission of 98%, your red, green, and blue color channels will be bright and well separated; with a high-quality luminance filter sporting the same impressive blocking and transmittance that will add that final "pop" to your ASI2600MM Pro image!
Optolong 2" Filter Set with H-Alpha, SII, and OIII Filters
Tuning your monochrome sensor for faint deep sky targets is this narrowband set from Optolong! Including 7 nm H-Alpha, 6.5 nm SII, and 6.5 nm OIII filters, you have everything you need to create vibrant SHO photos, and images that include a mix of both narrowband and broadband data when combined with the included Apertura 2" LRGB Astrophotography Filter Set. These Optolong filters are crafted with high quality Schott glass to ensure maximum light transmission to your camera sensor—helping you make the most out of Starfront’s Bortle 1 skies. Also, each surface is multi coated with ion-assisted deposition technology to enhance resistance against scratches and uphold the stability on the central wavelength (CWL). With a 2” diameter, these filters fully cover the APS-C sensor of the ASI2600MM Pro for optimal performance from corner to corner!
ZWO 7 Position Electronic Filter Wheel for 2" Filters
To make it easy for you to swap between these 7 Optolong filters, this package includes the ZWO 7 Position Electronic Filter Wheel (EFW)! Fully compatible with the ZWO ASIAIR, quickly toggle from filter to filter, and even draft imaging sequences to change filters automatically throughout your sessions. After a filter swap, you can even set your EAF to perform its autofocus routine to ensure focus remains sharp between filter datasets. This EFW bolts directly to the ASI2600MM Pro.