The Bad: ASI2600 Grease Leak - The Good: ZWO & Agena are taking care of it!

The Bad News: So my beloved ZWO ASI2600MC Pro developed the dreaded silicon grease leak.
The Good News: Both ZWO and Agena Astroproducts were very helpful, supportive, and are taking care of the problem.
ZWO:
astronomy-imag...
Agena Astroproducts:
agenaastro.com/

[@Rafastro]

I’m just happy to hear Agena as a second option to ZWO repair!! I love Agena, they’ve been incredible with me with other stuff.

[@AstroQuest1]

Couldn't agree more! They have been my main store for a couple of years now.

[@Captain326]

So very happy for you in regard to receiving such great and very fast customer service!

[@AstroQuest1]

Thanks for the comment and Me too!! Cheers

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

Great to hear you're getting another camera sorted out Kurt & not being asked to clean it yourself, hopefully the replacement will be with you soon.

[@AstroQuest1]

Yeah, as long as they are taking care of it. I already switched to the Edge so I am not needing anytime soon. Cheers

[@wzuhl]

They're both great companies. I'm sorry that you're dealing with the issue, but hopefully, your replacement 2600 will arrive soon. Thanks for your great videos, I have found them extremely helpful!

[@AstroQuest1]

Thanks for responding Wayne.

[@robertbrowning4888]

Hey Kurt, it's good to hear Agena is taking care of you. I have this camera as well and had the grease issue. It was leaking at the corner and not all the way across the sensor like yours. I bought mine from Highpoint Scientific and they offered to have it cleaned and fixed with the new pad or send it back to ZWO for free replacement with the new version that doesn't leak. Since ZWO had a backlog of the new 2600MC Pro cameras I chose to clean it myself rather than wait. Highpoint has a really good video on how to do this and I had no problems cleaning this. The only issue is that it can come back without the upgraded pad, but so far it has been fine. -Cheers, Robert

[@AstroQuest1]

Thanks for the info Robert. As I said I have no problem cleaning it (although considering how much it costs - I don't think I should have to so soon), I just did not want void any warranty. This camera was supposedly the newer version so hopefully it is isolated. I can see in a few years if it needs cleaning then I will do it myself. Eventually it will run out of grease as there is only so much in this pad...

[@HeavenlyBackyardAstronomy]

Great to see you again, Kurt. Sorry about the camera, but that was great news that they will replace it. You are right ... why need to fuss about repairing new equipment. I've been seeing a lot of videos concerning this issue with the ZWO 2600. I will be in the market for a new higher-end mono camera and am now considering the Player ONE Poseidon-M Pro (IMX571). I am hearing great things about this camera.

[@AstroQuest1]

Thanks 👍 Pat. This issue seems to b going away with the newer models like mine but it is not totally gone yet. Good luck with the search for the high end mono. That Player ONE sounds impressive. The sensor IMX571 is the same on the ASI2600, hopefully they don't use the grease. Also, thanks for the weather reports. Cheers Kurt

[@LogansAstro]

Glad to hear they are giving you a replacement.

[@AstroQuest1]

I am as well. Cheers

[@DSOImager]

Good to hear they are getting you squared away. CS!

[@AstroQuest1]

Yeah, very pleased they are taking care of this.

[@davewilton6021]

I encountered the oil (silicon grease) leak on my 2600MM three times. I cleaned it the first two times, and on the third I contacted ZWO and, like you, they offered to fix/replace it. (I went to my dealer too, but they didn't have any replacements in stock, so I dealt directly with ZWO.) I ended up with a new 2600. And fortunately, I had hung on to my old 1600 and had that to use in the short wait for the replacement. Evidently, they have fixed the manufacturing problem, and if anyone encounters it on a "new" camera from now on, it's likely that the camera is one from an older manufacturing run. Everyone makes errors, and you judge a company by how they respond to the ones they make, and ZWO has done everything right.

[@AstroQuest1]

Thanks for the info Dave. Supposedly this camera was one of the new batches, if it really was a new batch camera, I hope it was an isolated case. Cheers

[@zara8289]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Agena is awesome as always! Glad to hear they took care of you and makes me feel much better about all the purchases I've made though them.

[@AstroQuest1]

Glad to do it Zara! I have used Agena quite a bit recently! Cheers

[@billblanshan3021]

Yep, and sorry to hear that Kurt but i feel your pain. I have been through 5 x 2600 cameras now due to this problem. Agena is a great company to work with though, Scott's their is the best!

[@AstroQuest1]

Thanks Bill. It is a pain but I am more on the happier side that they are just sending a new one and not making me jump through a bunch of hopes. Wow you have gone through 5 cameras? Yikes. Hopefully the fifth one is a char. Also, thanks for your PI plugins, they are a lifesaver. Cheers Kurt

[@billblanshan3021]

@AstroQuest1 thanks buddy!

[@AstroDanno]

Glad to hear they are taking care of it. I’ve had mine over a year now, and I’m still dreading the day I see oil. I think I got the new batch after they fixed the issue, but I’m not 100% sure on that.

[@AstroQuest1]

Hey Danno, They do seem to be having less issues with the new model. That is what my camera is so they have not eliminated it yet. Cheers Kurt

[@AstroDanno]

@@AstroQuest1 oh boy, here comes anxiety. 😂

[@JeffHorne]

My biggest fear. I preordered the 2600MC years ago, so I got the first batch. I haven’t run into the issue yet, but I’m sure I will someday. I did just acquire the mono version, and I’m hopeful that it doesn’t have the issue (I don’t think it does.) Good on Agena for taking good care of you.

[@AstroQuest1]

Thanks Jeff. I am hoping this is just an isolated incident since it was the newer version. Hopefully you will never run into it. Congrats and good luck with the mono version. Cheers

[@michaelfeigenbaum2415]

Too bad that happened Kurt but at least looks like a happy ending. Agena is my go-to because of good customer service like you described. The Edge system looks ready to go!

[@AstroQuest1]

Thanks Michael, the Last couple of years Agena has been my first stop as well! Cheers Kurt

[@enriqueboeneker]

I’m so sorry to hear that this happened to you too. Don’t understand why such expensive equipment can have such a failure. Though Ageena and ZWO responded swiftly, this should not have happened in the first place. Glad to hear that you’ll receive a replacement. Cheers!

[@AstroQuest1]

Yeah the camera is really phenomenal except for this issue. Hopefully it is an isolated incident.

[@Astrobloke]

The dreaded leak. Sorry you got hit by this. I have still been able to avoid the problem, touch wood. Agena astro are a great retailer. Hope you get a new camera soon, clear skies

[@AstroQuest1]

Thanks Glenn, I thought the newer versions don't leak, oh well, hopefully I am just one of the few 'special ones'. I am very happy ZWO and Agena are taking care of this. I am already setup for galaxy season now and don't use this camera for that so I can wait. The progress on your shed is looking really cool. I am following along. Cheers Kurt

[@Astrobloke]

@@AstroQuest1 I thought they had sorted it too. Keeping my fingers crossed mine stays clear. Thank you for following the build. I am loving the project and its coming along, lots more to do still.

[@joelewandowski8232]

That's good that they back their products. How do you like the asi294 pro ? I'm considering buying that one.

[@AstroQuest1]

Hey, I like it. If you get the mono version it really good because you can actually make the pixel size even smaller. The color version does have a weird artifact when using NB filters like the L-Extreme but flats usually takes care it. Cheers

[@elapid13]

Major bummer!

[@AstroQuest1]

Yeah, I wanted to get more time on SH@-240 but honestly I more happy that taking care of this.

[@elapid13]

@@AstroQuest1 understood, ZWO seem to be looking after you. Please give us a follow up 🍻

[@stevenmoore7123]

Sorry this happened. Don't think ill be considering the 2600 any time in the near future.

[@AstroQuest1]

Yeah definitely a concern on the one hand, on the other they taking care of it which is what is most important. This camera was part of a new batch and I am only familiar with one other from the new batch so hopefully it is isolated. There are other camera options, though. Good luck

[@benoitbreton5243]

I thought the oil leak flaw was currently fixed ! Just got a 2600mc Pro about a month ago, but I'm now worried about getting the same issue sometimes in the future. How long did it take from the moment you got your camera till you started to see the oil leak, just wondering ?

[@AstroQuest1]

Yeah I thought so too, hopefully it is isolated. Anyway, i have had it for 11 months. Cheers

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Damn Kurt, sorry to hear about your camera, I've been lucky so far on mine. I know it's been a awhile, I'm still trying to catch up on my YT watching, Did you get the new camera yet?

[@AstroQuest1]

Thanks Joe, Sure did, I was without it for only two weeks so I am happy that ZWO is taking care of this right away these days. Cheers

[@niraj_dave]

Dang now I m little worried..so far everything is going good with mine. last year or before I had talked with zwo in general asking if this was still an issue(even before i got the camera)-they said it's not but to get in touch if it happens-hopefully next one is good one and this becomes a distant memory-

[@AstroQuest1]

Hey Dave, Hopefully mine is an isolated incident. Cheers

[@Aero19612]

Probably due to the bad Karma you stirred up from electrocuting those poor pickles, Kurt! Glad to hear ZWO and AgenaAstro are taking care of it. I've had good experience with Agena but had questions about ZWO.

[@AstroQuest1]

Ha Ha, Yeah I should treat my pickles better. A couple years ago it took a month before I ever got a response from ZWO, however, lately they have been pretty good. - Cheers

[@bullshitvendor]

this is just such a hole-in-one flaw. I would not go for a replacement that potentially carries the same design disease, I d take my money back and spend it something that doesnt randomly start oozing stuff all over the sensor.

[@AstroQuest1]

Yeah, that thought had crossed my mind as well.