The Lodestar X2 is a new and improved version of the highly regarded Lodestar USB2.0 guide camera.
Featuring the Sony ICX829AL EXview II CCD the Lodestar X2 has the same sensor size and resolution as it's predecessor but offers approximately double the sensitivity. This adds almost a full star magnitude to the minimum guide star brightness making it even easier to find a suitable guide star.
It also uses a new RJ12 guide socket which will please those users who found the smaller 'ZH' cable socket on the previous Lodestar too delicate.
Suitable for most mounts with a standard autoguider input.
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CCD type: ICX829AL Sony Exview interline
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CCD with very low dark current and vertical anti-blooming.
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CCD Full resolution Pixel data: Pixel size: 8.2uM x 8.4uM, Image format: 752 x 580 pixels
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CCD Image area: 6.4mm (Horizontal) x 4.75mm (Vertical).
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CCD quality: Grade 1
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Spectral Response: QE max at 620nM (~77%), 45% at 400nM and 770nM.
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Readout Noise: Less than 10 electrons RMS - typically only 6 electrons.
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Full-well capacity: Greater than 50,000 e- (unbinned)
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Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 1000x.
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Dark current: Dark frame saturation time greater than 1 hour. Less than 0.1 electrons/second @ + 10C ambient.
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Data format: 16 bits.
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System gain: 0.4 electrons per ADU
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Computer Interface: Built-in USB 2.0 compatible interface.
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Image download time: Typically 0.2 seconds at full resolution using USB 2.0.
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Power requirements: USB powered.
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Cooling system: Ambient air cooling.
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Size: 32 x 86mm black anodised aluminium barrel with 1” x 32tpi ‘C mount’ thread at the CCD window end & input/output plugs at rear.
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Weight: approx. 85g.
| Average Rating (6 Reviews): | |
Fast international service Friday, 9 November 2018 | David
Very fast, very happy
Thursday, 12 July 2018 | Tony
This thing is fantastic. I was previously guiding with the Orion SSAG, and until it finally died and forced my hand, I was getting great results.
However, since upgrading to the mono Lodestar X2, I’ve been blown away. The sensitivity is truly excellent while the actual guiding quality left me speechless. I use PHD2 for guiding and have spent many, many nights staring at ‘those red and blue lines’ - I have never seen them as ‘Flat’ as I have since upgrading.
It’s a joy to see everything working so perfectly and I honestly would recommend this product to anyone looking at guide cameras. It’s such an essential part of astrophotography, you won’t regret it!
Tony
Monday, 23 April 2018 | Marco
Nice good performing guidecamera. Package is lacking good documentation and or info on the website of the manufacturer. Initially it is not that obvious (still isn't) that, for example in my case (comb. Orion guidescope 60mm and PHD2), a binning of 2x2 is preferable/better option. Really hope it will make a difference while being combined with my 8'' SCT and OAG.
Friday, 30 March 2018 | Paul
Installation required reference to SX website, as suggested, then no problem installing. Camera working ok. SX software straightforward.
Tuesday, 20 March 2018 | David
I bought this camera specifically to use with an OVL Off-axis Guider on my 6" Ritchey-Chretien telescope. I am delighted with the performance of the Lodestar and have not had any issues finding suitable guide stars through the OAG, despite the relatively small field of view of the scope. The camera is very sensitive and has improved guiding significantly.
Sunday, 3 September 2017 | Vikrant
I have both old lodestar and new lodestar autoguider CCD. ICX829AL chip is much sensitive then older ICX429AL.
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