Major features:

• Built-in autoguider interface and output - compatible with the optional dedicated external guide camera.
• Built-in dual serial ports for accessory control - directly drive filter wheels, GOTO 'scopes etc.
• Single USB cable control for all features - get rid of that dangerous cable tangle!
• Only ONE computer needed to control all of the devices and functions.
• Very low power consumption. Less than 1 amp at 12v DC.
• Compact and lightweight - only 75mm in diameter x 70mm long - less than 300 grams load on the 'scope!

 

The SXV-H16 is a departure from the normal SX line of Sony CCD based cameras. As Sony do not manufacture a large mono chip, we researched the available devices and decided that the Kodak KAI4022M was the best option for a new mono camera. To reduce the negative effects of the greater Kodak dark signal, we have used a two stage Peltier cooler for a 10 degree reduction in the CCD temperature, and a new high-speed USB2 interface circuit to greatly reduce the download time. The fast download minimises the visibility of bias frame artefacts, such as hot columns and the top to bottom gradient that is commonly seen on such chips. We think that the result is a highly satisfactory mono camera which overcomes the lack of suitable Sony mono devices.

Major features:

• Large, high resolution Kodak CCD chip, with 4,194,304 x 7.4uM square pixels in a 15.15 x 15.15mm array. 
• High sensitivity, 55% QE at peak (green light).
• Low dark signal - Dark frames not necessary for most of the brighter deep sky objects
• Anti-blooming with minimal effect on linearity and no lost active area
• Built-in super high speed USB 2.0 interface for approx. 2.5 second downloads
• Built-in autoguider interface and output - compatible with the optional dedicated external guide camera
• Built-in dual serial ports for accessory control - directly drive filter wheels, GOTO 'scopes etc.
• Single USB cable control for all features - get rid of that dangerous cable tangle!
• Only ONE computer needed to control all of the devices and functions
• Very low power consumption. Less than 1.0 amps at 12v DC - 12VA at 110v or 240v AC
• Compact and lightweight - only 75mm in diameter x 100mm long - less than 500 grams load on the 'scope!

The SXVR-H18 is another new departure from the normal SX line of Sony CCD based cameras. Until now, it was difficult for us to manufacture a camera based on a 'full frame' CCD, as such cameras need a mechanical shutter to avoid image smearing during download. We have now designed a highly miniaturised and reliable shutter that is small enough to fit inside the CCD chamber, and so here is our first full-frame camera!

• Large, high resolution Kodak CCD chip, with 8,300,000 x 5.4uM square pixels in a 17.96 x 13.52mm array 
• High sensitivity, 56% QE at peak (540nM - green light)
• Very good H-alpha sensitivity (48% QE at 656nM)
• Low dark signal - Dark frames not necessary for most of the brighter deep sky objects
• Anti-blooming with minimal effect on linearity
• Fused quartz optical window for good thermal and optical performance
• Fast, low vibration electric shutter. Latency less than 0.05 seconds
• Fully user adjustable chip alignment for perfect focus across the entire field
• Built-in super high speed USB 2.0 interface for approx. 4.5 second downloads
• Built-in autoguider interface and output - compatible with the optional dedicated external guide camera
• Built-in dual serial ports for accessory control - directly drive filter wheels, GOTO 'scopes etc.
• Single USB cable control for all features - get rid of that dangerous cable tangle!
• Only ONE computer needed to control all of the devices and functions
• Very low power consumption. Less than 1.0 amps at 12v DC - 12VA at 110v or 240v AC
• Compact and lightweight - only 75mm in diameter x 70mm long - less than 500 grams load on the 'scope!

Major features:

• Very large, high resolution 'SuperHAD' CCD chip, with 6,000,000 x 7.8uM square pixels in a 23.4 x 15.6mm array. Size equivalent to APS film.
• Single-shot colour, using a Bayer matrix of R, G and B on-chip filters. No filter wheel required.
• High sensitivity, equivalent to 60% QE at peak of green filters.
• Exceptionally low dark signal - No dark frames necessary for most deep sky objects
• Exceptionally effective anti-blooming with minimal effect on linearity and no lost active area
• NEW! Built-in super high speed USB 2.0 interface (USB 1.1 compatible) for approx. 3.5 second downloads
• Built-in autoguider interface and output - compatible with the optional dedicated external guide camera
• Built-in dual serial ports for accessory control - directly drive filter wheels, GOTO 'scopes etc.
• Single USB cable control for all features - get rid of that dangerous cable tangle!
• Only ONE computer needed to control all of the devices and functions
• Very low power consumption. Less than 1 amp at 12v DC
• Compact and lightweight - only 75mm in diameter x 100mm long - less than 500 grams load on the 'scope!

Price:
Colour - $4785.00

Major Features:

• Very large, high resolution 'SuperHAD' CCD chip, with 10,202,400 x 6.05uM square pixels in a 23.4 x 15.6mm array. 
• Single-shot colour, using a Bayer matrix of R, G and B on-chip filters. No filter wheel required.
• High sensitivity, equivalent to 55% QE at peak of green filters.
• Exceptionally low dark signal - No dark frames necessary for most deep sky objects
• Exceptionally effective anti-blooming with minimal effect on linearity and no lost active area
• Built-in super high speed USB 2.0 interface for approx. 10 second downloads
• Built-in autoguider interface and output - compatible with our optional dedicated external guide cameras
• Built-in dual serial ports for accessory control - directly drive filter wheels, GOTO 'scopes etc.
• Single USB cable control for all features - get rid of that dangerous cable tangle!
• Very low power consumption. Less than 1 amp at 12v DC
• Compact and lightweight - only 75mm in diameter x 70mm long - less than 500 grams load on the telescope.

Major Features:

• Medium sized very high resolution 'SuperHAD' CCD chip, with  3,980,000 3.125uM pixels in a 7.225 x 5.375mm array.
• Exceptionally high QE over an extremely wide spectral range from near UV to deep IR
• Extremely low dark signal - No dark frames necessary for many deep sky objects
• Exceptionally effective anti-blooming with minimal effect on linearity and no lost active area
• Built-in very high speed USB 2.0 interface (USB 1.1 compatible) for 2 second downloads
• Built-in autoguider interface and output - compatible with the optional dedicated external guide camera
• Built-in dual serial ports for accessory control - drive filter wheels, GOTO 'scopes etc.
• Single USB cable control for all features - get rid of that dangerous cable tangle!
• Only ONE computer needed to control all of the devices and functions
• Very low power consumption. Less than 1 amp at 12v DC
• Compact and lightweight - only 50mm in diameter x 100mm long - less than 200 grams load on the 'scope

Price:
Mono - $8299.00

Major Features:

• Large, high resolution Kodak CCD chip, with 16,085,120 x 7.4uM square pixels in a 36.3 x 24.2mm array. 
• High sensitivity, approx. 52% QE at peak (green light), 31% at H alpha.
• Low dark signal - Dark frames not necessary for most of the brighter deep sky objects.
• Anti-blooming with minimal effect on linearity and no lost active area
• Built-in super high speed USB 2.0 interface for approx. 10 second downloads
• Built-in dual serial ports for Large, high resolution Kodak CCD chip, with 16,085,120 x 7.4uM square pixels in a 36.3 x 24.2mm
• Built-in dual serial ports for accessory control - directly drive filter wheels, GOTO 'scopes etc array. 
• Single USB cable control for all features - get rid of that dangerous cable tangle!
• Only ONE computer needed to control all of the devices and functions
• Very low power consumption. Less than 1.0 amps at 12v DC - 12VA at 110v or 240v AC.
• Compact and lightweight - only 118mm in diameter x 102mm long - less than 1100 grams load on the telescope.
• 72 x 1mm input thread, compatible with Takahashi FSQ106 etc.

Price:
Mono - $729.00
Colour - $729.00

• CCD type: ICX429AL Sony Exview interline CCD with low dark current and vertical anti-blooming.
•  CCD Full resolution Pixel data: Pixel size: 8.2uM x 8.4uM, Image format: 752 x 580 pixels
•  CCD Image area: 6.4mm (Horizontal) x 4.75mm (Vertical).
•  CCD quality: Grade 1
•  Spectral Response: QE max at 620nM (~65%), 35% at 400nM and 770nM. 
•  Readout Noise: Less than 15 electrons RMS - typically only 10 electrons. 
•  Full-well capacity: Greater than 50,000 e- (unbinned)
•  Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 1000x.
•  Dark current: Dark frame saturation time greater than 1 hour. Less than 0.1 electrons/second @ + 10C ambient.
•  Data format: 16 bits.
•  System gain:  0.9 electrons per ADU
•  Computer Interface: Built-in USB 2.0 compatible interface. 
•  Image download time: Typically 0.2 seconds at full resolution using USB 2.0.
•  Power requirements: USB powered.
•  Cooling system: Ambient air cooling.
•  Size: 32 x 72mm black anodised aluminium barrel with 25 x 0.75mm 'C mount' thread at the CCD window end & input/output plugs at rear.
•  Weight: approx. 50g.

Detailed specifications:

•  Imager type: Aptina MT9M001 mono cmos chip with low dark current and anti-blooming.
•  Full resolution Pixel data: Pixel size: 5.2uM x 5.2uM, Image format: 1304 x 1024 pixels
•  Image area: 6.66mm (Horizontal) x 5.32mm (Vertical).
•  Spectral Response: QE max at 620nM (~65%), 35% at 400nM and 770nM. 
•  Readout Noise: Less than 40 electrons RMS - typically only 20 electrons. 
•  Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 1000x.
•  Dark current: Dark frame saturation time greater than 10 minutes. Less than 1 electrons/second @ + 10C ambient.
•  Data format: 10 bits.
•  Computer Interface: Built-in USB 2.0 compatible interface. 
•  Image download time: Typically 0.1 seconds at full resolution using USB 2.0.
•  Power requirements: USB powered.
•  Cooling system: Ambient air cooling.
•  Size: 32 x 60mm black anodised aluminium barrel with 25 x 0.75mm 'C mount' thread at the CCD window end & input/output plugs at rear. 
•  Weight: approx. 45g.

Price:
Mono - $401.00

Description:

The rear panel of the SXV-H9 provides multiple inputs and outputs, as shown. The autoguider output is opto-isolated and will drive any standard active-low guider input via an RJ11 'telephone' lead. The Parallel and serial socket is an 18 way latching high density connector, which provides both power and control signals for the external guide camera. It also carries two RS232 serial ports for external device control. If the serial ports are not required, the guide camera may be connected directly to this socket, otherwise a small 'port divider' box can be connected in-line and presents the two serial outputs on standard 9 pin 'D' plugs.

Description:

This is a new version of the SXV add-on autoguider, fitted with a larger and more sensitive 'Exview' CCD.