ZWO CAA rotator

After years of anticipation, ZWO has finally unveiled their Rotator, also known as the Camera Angle Adjuster (CAA). Peter Zelinka got his hands on the new ZWO CAA, and has been testing it for 3 months. He's sharing his experiences—from unboxing and setup to real-world performance. This is a summary of Peter's video review you can check out below. He offers a detailed breakdown of the Rotator, its features, quirks, and why it could be a game-changer for astrophotographers.

Unboxing and First Impressions of the ZWO Camera Angle Adjuster Electronic Rotator

What’s in the Box?
The Rotator arrives in a neatly packaged box, and while the unit I reviewed is a prototype, the final product should be similar. Inside, you’ll find:

• The Rotator itself
• An additional adapter plate for different camera sizes
• A USB-C cable for connectivity
• A screwdriver for adapter swaps
• Additional accessories for adjustments

The Rotator is larger than I initially expected—closer in size to ZWO’s 7-position 36mm filter wheel. This bulk is due to the electronics housed at its base. While I’d hoped for a smaller, sleeker design, the size is manageable.

Is the ZWO Rotator Worth It?

After three months of use, the ZWO Rotator has become a valuable addition to my astrophotography setup. Here’s a quick summary of its pros and cons:

Pros:

• Excellent build quality and sturdy design
• Simplifies imaging multiple targets with automated sensor rotation
• Integrates seamlessly with ASIAIR and ZWO Duo cameras
• Dynamic guide calibration updates

Cons:

• Larger and heavier than expected
• Occasional software bugs with the ASIAIR app
• Potential cable clearance issues

Build and Design

The Rotator features clear labels for the telescope and camera sides, which is a thoughtful addition (something missing on their filter wheels). On the side, there’s a USB-C port and a port labeled "HC" for a hand controller. Internally, the device has multiple threading options, presumably to accommodate rotation.

Setup and Configuration

Camera and Telescope Integration
Attaching the camera to the Rotator and then to the telescope can slightly affect your back focus. For my ZWO ASI 2600 Duo, the process involved:

1. Removing the 16.5mm adapter.
2. Screwing the 21mm adapter directly onto the Rotator.

This maintained my back focus without additional adjustments. If your camera isn’t threading properly, the optional adapter in the box should resolve the issue.

Addressing Clearance Issues

Using my older SpaceCat 51 telescope, I encountered a clearance issue—the Rotator interfered with the dovetail plate. The fix was simple: I adjusted the dovetail plate’s position, pushing it forward to provide enough room for the Rotator.

Cable Management

During initial testing, I noticed USB cables were pushed dangerously by the rotating camera. This risked damaging ports on the ASIAIR Mini. Fortunately, I discovered that only the camera rotates during operation, meaning careful pre-setup adjustments resolved the issue.

Real-World Performance

ASIAIR Integration

Using the ASIAIR app, the Rotator integrates seamlessly. Once connected via USB, you’ll find a new "CAA" button for control. Key features include:

• Manual Rotation: Adjust the camera angle using a dial or specific values.
• Auto-Rotation: Syncs with the sky atlas or imaging plans for automatic adjustments.
   

First Night Challenges

On my first night, I tested the Rotator by aligning with the Pleiades. Initially, I encountered a "sync failed" error during the go-to process. Rebooting the plan resolved the issue.

Using the Rotator’s auto-rotation feature in the sky atlas was more successful. Selecting a composition and hitting "go-to" allowed the Rotator to adjust the camera angle accurately.

Guide Calibration Updates

One major advantage of the Rotator is its ability to update guiding calibration dynamically. This feature worked flawlessly with my ASI 2600 Duo, confirming that the guide coordinates rotated appropriately for new targets.

Some questions and comments are being posted online already around the CAA:

"Add a camera, filter wheel, filters and it sure looks like a lot of meat hanging off the back of a scope."

"How do you take flats? Seems like you are still going outside to do flats at each rotation."

"Stop the presses for just another rotator? When they come forward with a filterwheel with an integrated rotator and OAG, that fits within 55 mm, you can call me again. That would be revolutionary. "

"Rotators are one of the most notoriously difficult products to get right, so if they’ve managed it at that price point I’m somewhat impressed. They’re notorious sources of flex, wiggle, non-repeatability, etc. only very recently have any become available that are pretty good in those respects without being in the Optec price range."

"It looks like it’s 16.5mm thick, and replaces the 16.5 adapter that comes with zwo cameras. Looks like we can stack the efw with it."

Efficiency with Multiple Targets

For nights where I photograph multiple objects (e.g., the Pleiades and the Spaghetti Nebula), the Rotator proved invaluable. I could:

1. Capture images of the Pleiades for three hours.
2. Transition to the Spaghetti Nebula with an automated sensor rotation.

This streamlined my workflow, eliminating the need for manual adjustments and saving valuable imaging time.

Tips for a Smooth Experience

1. Daytime Testing: Ensure all cables, connections, and clearance issues are resolved before imaging at night.
2. Focus Adjustments: When adjusting focus, make small, precise changes to avoid overcorrection, especially with telescopes like the RedCat series.
3. Monitor Automation: Even with automation, keep an eye on your setup to catch potential errors early.

ZWO CAA Review from Peter Zelinka - The Long-Awaited Rotator has Finally Arrived!

Unboxing and testing the new ZWO CAA (Camera Angle Adjuster), a compact rotator for astrophotography.

The Space Koala walks us through the setup, shares her first impressions, and analyzes its performance during real imaging sessions. Is it worth adding to your astrophotography toolkit?