grasshopper vs ZWO

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astro1949
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grasshopper vs ZWO

Post by astro1949 »

some ( quite a few) of the ZWO and Grasshopper 3 cameras use the same chip ( 174, 178 ***)

my question is - the price seems to be approx: 2:1 give or take a few $ why ???

thanks,
bob


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Celestron 5MP Orion 6MP V2 ZWO 174CC 178C 224C
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Re: grasshopper vs ZWO

Post by astro1949 »

somebody must know


Bob

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Re: grasshopper vs ZWO

Post by marktownley »

No idea?


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Re: grasshopper vs ZWO

Post by GreatAttractor »

Obviously, it's not just about the chip cost. I'd think - market size and type, electronics and software support (e.g. PGR mentions they have their custom USB3 stack implemented on FPGA). Imagine some top scientific/industrial lab ordering a few (tens of) cameras; they probably don't care if it's $500 or $250 apiece, so PGR's doing fine even with their higher prices.


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Re: grasshopper vs ZWO

Post by astro1949 »

thanks-- i thought the chip would be the major cost factor, then the housing ( zwo is machined aluminum).


Bob

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Celestron 5MP Orion 6MP V2 ZWO 174CC 178C 224C
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Re: grasshopper vs ZWO

Post by _Zakalwe »

One is a long established camera manufacturer with a global network of office and a history in supplying cameras and machine vision to a huge swathe of industries.
The other is a newcomer, based in a low-cost economy, with a single site. They specialise in a niche market and produce cameras in low volumes.

The cost models are totally different as are the businesses. Point Grey kit is used in medicine, science and so on, so there is a higher standard required of them, in manufacture, support, software and repeatability of results. That all carries additional cost.

In reality, I would expect the case and sensor to be only a small part of the over all cost of the cameras in question.


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Re: grasshopper vs ZWO

Post by MapleRidge »

Hi All...

I have owned 3 PGR cameras over the past 4 years or so, and they have worked very well (all Firewire) and any time I needed help their support was excellent...nice to have a Canadian company producing these excellent products.

I have also gone down the ZWO road with purchases in the past year and a half, primarily due to the fact that the cameras are less expensive. I met with Sam from ZWO at NEAF and had a good discussion with him about what I was looking for in cameras and he made some suggestions. A general concern that I have with off shore companies is support, but when the ASI1600MM died soon after starting to use it, Sam and OPT (purchase dealer) had a new one out as soon as I shipped the dead one back. So far, I have been very happy wit the ZWO product and service.

Just my 2 cents,
Brian


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Re: grasshopper vs ZWO

Post by astro1949 »

THANKS ALL------


Bob

Lunt 60 PT DS Meade 14" LX200 GPS SV 80mm F/7 SV 102MM F/11 ETX 125 10" F/5.5 Newt.
Celestron 5MP Orion 6MP V2 ZWO 174CC 178C 224C
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