{"product_id":"redcat-51-asi2600mc-pro-color-astrophotography-kit","title":"RedCat 51 Color Astrophotography Kit with ASI2600MC Pro, AM3N or AM5N Mount","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe RedCat 51 Color Astrophotography Kit is a complete, guided deep-sky imaging system built around the equipment serious beginners and upgraders are actually using today: the William Optics RedCat 51 WIFD III, the ZWO ASI2600MC Pro cooled color camera, and a ZWO harmonic mount. Choose the compact \u003cstrong\u003eAM3N\u003c\/strong\u003e or step up to the \u003cstrong\u003eAM5N\u003c\/strong\u003e if you plan to add a larger telescope later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEverything is controlled from your phone or tablet with the ZWO ASIAIR Plus, including plate solving, autoguiding, autofocus and imaging sequences, so you spend your clear nights collecting data instead of troubleshooting cables and laptops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote:\u003c\/strong\u003e This is a complete astrophotography system, not a push-button smart telescope. Setup, polar alignment and some learning are required. If you want one-button imaging, see our smart telescopes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's Included\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWilliam Optics RedCat 51 WIFD III, 250mm f\/4.9 Petzval APO (with Bahtinov mask cap, rings, dovetail and soft case)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZWO ASI2600MC Pro (2025 model) cooled APS-C color camera\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZWO harmonic mount with TC40 carbon fiber tripod: choose AM3N (17\/28 lb payload) or AM5N (33\/44 lb payload)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZWO pier extension (PE160 with the AM3N, PE200 with the AM5N) and tripod carry case\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZWO ASIAIR Plus 256GB smart controller\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWilliam Optics UniGuide 32 guide scope\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZWO ASI220MM Mini guide camera\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZWO EAFN electronic autofocuser\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOptolong L-eNhance 2\" dual-band filter with ZWO M54 2\" filter drawer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZWO 12V 10A AC power adapter\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne 30-minute tech support session with the Mile High Astronomy team\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy This Setup\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA proven wide-field scope.\u003c\/strong\u003e The RedCat 51 is one of the most-used small refractors on AstroBin, with a flat field across full-frame sensors and an internal focuser that holds focus through the night.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe camera the community relies on.\u003c\/strong\u003e The ASI2600MC Pro's 26MP APS-C IMX571 sensor, zero amp glow and regulated cooling make it the most-used deep-sky color camera on AstroBin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarmonic mount, no counterweights needed.\u003c\/strong\u003e The whole imaging payload weighs roughly 9 lb, well within either mount's no-counterweight rating. Most RedCat 51 imagers on AstroBin choose the AM5\/AM5N, which leaves room to add a larger telescope later.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGuiding included.\u003c\/strong\u003e Harmonic drive mounts need autoguiding for long exposures. The UniGuide 32 and ASI220MM Mini handle it out of the box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuilt for light-polluted skies.\u003c\/strong\u003e The L-eNhance dual-band filter isolates hydrogen-alpha, hydrogen-beta and oxygen-III emission, so you can image emission nebulae from Front Range suburbs as well as dark sites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eImaging Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFocal length \/ ratio\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250mm, f\/4.9\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eField of view (ASI2600MC Pro)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eapproximately 5.4° × 3.6°\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eImage scale\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eapproximately 3.1 arcseconds per pixel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCamera sensor\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSony IMX571 APS-C, 6248 × 4176, 3.76µm pixels\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMount payload (no counterweight)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAM3N: 17 lb \/ AM5N: 33 lb\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eControl\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZWO ASIAIR app (iOS and Android)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat You'll Need\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA phone or tablet with the free ASIAIR app\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAC power, or a 12V battery or portable power station for dark-site use (not included)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOptional: a dew heater strap and controller for humid or cold nights\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShould I choose the AM3N or the AM5N?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth carry this kit easily without counterweights. Choose the AM3N for the lightest, most portable setup. Choose the AM5N if you expect to add a larger telescope, such as an 80–100mm refractor, in the future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat can I photograph with this kit?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 5.4° × 3.6° field of view is ideal for large nebulae and galaxies, such as the North America and Pelican Nebulae, the Heart and Soul Nebulae, the Rosette Nebula, the Veil Nebula complex, the Orion Nebula region and the Andromeda Galaxy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I need a computer?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The ASIAIR Plus runs the camera, mount, guiding and autofocus, and you control it from a phone or tablet over Wi-Fi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I use this kit in a light-polluted area?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The included L-eNhance dual-band filter is designed for emission nebulae under suburban skies. For galaxies and star clusters, remove the filter and image from a darker site.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy is a guide scope included?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHarmonic drive mounts have periodic tracking error that must be corrected for exposures longer than a few seconds. The UniGuide 32 and ASI220MM Mini provide that correction automatically through the ASIAIR.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs there a monochrome version of this kit?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The \u003ca href=\"\/products\/redcat-51-asi2600mm-pro-mono-astrophotography-kit\"\u003eRedCat 51 Mono Astrophotography Kit\u003c\/a\u003e uses the ASI2600MM Pro with a 7-position filter wheel and Optolong LRGB and 7nm SHO filters for narrowband imaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs this a smart telescope?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It is a modular imaging system that delivers much higher image quality and flexibility than smart telescopes, but it requires setup and some learning. The included support session helps you get started.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ZWO","offers":[{"title":"ZWO AM3N with TC40 Tripod","offer_id":49723525890307,"sku":"RC51-2600MC-AM3N-KIT","price":4999.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"ZWO AM5N with TC40 Tripod","offer_id":49723526938883,"sku":"RC51-2600MC-AM5N-KIT","price":5899.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1979\/5379\/files\/redcat-51-color-kit-am3n-whats-included.jpg?v=1790807228","url":"https:\/\/milehighastro.com\/products\/redcat-51-asi2600mc-pro-color-astrophotography-kit","provider":"Mile High Astronomy","version":"1.0","type":"link"}