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June 24th: Store is closed for Quebec National Holiday. Orders placed that day will ship on June 25th.
June 24th: Store is closed for Quebec National Holiday. Orders placed that day will ship on June 25th.
ZWO IR-Cut Protective Window

ZWO IR-Cut Protective Window

by ZWO
SKU ZWO-D21IR-CUT1
$16.00 - $18.00
$16.00
$16.00 - $18.00
$16.00
Price Match Policy!
  • 21 mm diameter protective window for select ZWO cameras
  • Integrated UV/IR-Cut filter maintains natural color balance
  • 1/4 λ surface flatness preserves image sharpness
  • 1.1 mm thickness for correct optical path length
  • Seals sensor chamber from dust and humidity
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • ZWO D21 IR-Cut Window

    The ZWO D21 IR-Cut Window is a precision-polished optical element designed to protect your camera's sensor, featuring a 21 mm diameter and a standard 1.1 mm thickness. Its integrated UV/IR-Cut filter preserves true color balance, while the 1/4 λ surface flatness ensures that the window does not introduce any degradation to your final image sharpness.

    Precision Optics: 1/4 λ Flatness at 1.1 mm Thickness

    This is not simply a piece of glass; it is a critical optical component. The ZWO D21 window is ground and polished to a 1/4 λ surface flatness, a specification that guarantees it is optically transparent and will not distort the incoming wavefront from your telescope. This preserves the finest details on planetary surfaces and ensures tight, point-like stars. The 1.1 mm thickness is standard for ZWO cameras, ensuring no change in back focus when replacing a stock window.

    OEM Protection: 21 mm Diameter with UV/IR-Cut

    Designed as a direct factory replacement, the 21 mm diameter window perfectly seals the sensor chamber of compatible ZWO cameras from dust, pollen, and humidity. The integrated UV/IR-Cut coating is essential for all color cameras, as it blocks the out-of-focus infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths that CMOS sensors are highly sensitive to. This prevents star bloat and delivers a clean, color-accurate image without requiring a separate filter.

    • Direct Fit: Replaces the original window on ASI120, ASI178, ASI290, ASI224MC, ASI385, and ASI185MC series cameras.
    • Essential Filtration: Acts as the primary L-filter for color cameras, correcting for the sensor's infrared sensitivity to produce natural colors on targets like Jupiter's Great Red Spot and Mars' polar caps.
    • Sensor Safety: Provides a physical barrier that protects the delicate CMOS sensor and its microlenses from physical contact and environmental contaminants.

  • Which ZWO cameras are compatible with the D21 IR-Cut Window?

    The ZWO D21 IR-Cut Window is a direct replacement for the stock window on the following camera series: ASI120, ASI120-S, ASI178, ASI290, ASI224MC, ASI385, and ASI185MC.

    Why is 1/4 λ flatness important for the ZWO D21 window?

    A 1/4 λ (quarter-wave) flatness specification ensures the window is optically perfect and will not bend or distort light as it passes through to the sensor. A less flat window would act like a poor-quality lens, softening the image and reducing the fine detail your telescope resolves. This precision is critical for high-resolution planetary, lunar, and solar imaging.

    Is the ZWO D21 IR-Cut Window required for monochrome cameras?

    While the IR-Cut function is most critical for color cameras to achieve correct color balance, the window is still essential for monochrome cameras like the ASI290MM or ASI178MM. It provides the same crucial protection from dust and humidity. For luminance imaging, it also correctly blocks IR to match the focal point of LRGB filter sets.

    If I see dust spots on my ASI224MC images, do I need to replace this window?

    Not necessarily. The first step is to try cleaning the exterior surface of the window with a sensor cleaning kit or rocket blower. If the dust motes remain fixed in the same position on your flat frames after cleaning, they are likely on the sensor itself, which may require removing the window for a deeper cleaning. You would only replace the window if it is scratched, cracked, or the coatings are degraded.

    Will using the ZWO D21 IR-Cut Window affect my focus when imaging the Moon with my ASI120MM?

    No, it will not affect your focus. The ZWO D21 is designed to be parfocal with the original window installed in the camera from the factory. At 1.1 mm thick, it maintains the correct optical path length, so you can replace a damaged window without needing to change your focuser position.

    How do I know if my ZWO camera's protective window is damaged?

    Damage can be physical or a degradation of the coatings. Look for obvious scratches or cracks. Coating failure can appear as blotchy or hazy patterns on the glass that cannot be cleaned off. These issues will show up in your images as fixed artifacts or a general loss of contrast that cannot be corrected with flat frames.

  • SKU ZWO-D21IR-CUT1
    Diameter 21 mm
    Filter Type UV/IR-Cut Protective Window
    Thickness 1.1 mm
    Surface Flatness 1/4 λ
    Warranty 2 Years

    • D21 IR-Cut Window

      × 1

  • ZWO 2-Year Limited Warranty