ZWO-OAG Off Axis Guider

NEW from ZWO Thin Off Axis Guider that allows you to Autoguide in SCTs and Refractors whilst only adding 16.5mm to the optical path.

Features a precision 8mm x 8mm prism, it comes complete with M48 and T2 adapters to the scope and M42 and M48 adapters to camera to keep back focus to a minimum, a 5mm spacer for guide cameras where the back focus is only 12.5mm.

Compatible with all ZWO ASI cameras.

A must for Cassegrains,and Refractors No guide scope - No differential flexure between Guide scope and main telescope.

Download Instruction Manual

Connection diagram

Sky-Watcher Evostar ED72 refractors provide the finest images obtainable in their design class. These doublet refractors deliver dramatic, coal-black skies and faithful, contrast-rich views of planetary and deep-space phenomenon that are second to none. Sky-Watcher Evostar refractors are the logical choice for the discriminating amateur astronomer looking for an investment in advanced instrumentation for exceptional viewing and astrophotography, the focus position is designed for use with a camera.

This telescope is designed to be used as an astrograph, it short focal length make it ideal for imaging large star fields without the need for a large astronomical mount. However, we suggest the Skywatcher 0.85x Reducer / Corrector to flatten the wide field for better imaging results

It is also a perfect scope for Autoguiding with the addition of the ZWO ASI 120Mini Guider camera

FEATURES:

The Celestron Off Axis Guider is an essential astroimaging accessory for long focal length telescopes that require the most accurate guiding possible. The Celestron Off Axis Guider uses a prism to intercept a small portion of the telescope’s focal plane (outside the field of view of the main imaging camera) to locate a guide star. Any movement seen by the guide star will be the exact same movement seen by the imaging camera. Guiding this way will correct for tracking errors, as well as opto-mechanical errors or flexure. The result: better astroimages with pinpoint round stars.

Off Axis Guiders have been around for a long time, but typically pose three main challenges:

Finding a guide star from the far edges of the telescope’s focal plane can be difficult, considering the small field of view and sometimes less-than-ideal illumination.
Getting both imaging camera and autoguider to reach focus with one another is time consuming and sometimes requires experimentation.
Additional spacers and adapters are usually required for your particular camera, telescope, and autoguider, which adds to cost and complexity.

The Celestron Off Axis Guider addresses these challenges by:

Providing a large 12.5mm prism that can be adjusted to move closer to the center of the telescope’s focal plane, depending on the size of the imaging camera. This results in brighter guide stars, with the help of the large prism to fully illuminate the autoguider sensor.
Featuring a high-quality, fixed-orientation Helical focuser. This provides extremely smooth and accurate focus of the autoguider without changing (or twisting) the autoguider camera orientation.

Including all the needed spacers and adapters are included for most common imaging configurations, including DSLR cameras, Nightscape CCD cameras, and more. The following adapters are included: SCT/EdgeHD, female M48, female M42 (T-thread), male M48, male M42 (T-thread), 3 T-thread spacers

Additonal Specifications

Helical Focuser Travel: 8mm
Telescope Connection: M42 T-thread, M48, and SCT/EdgeHD
Autoguider Connection: M42 T-thread, and standard 1.25" adapter
Camera Connection: M42 T-thread, and M48

Instruction Manual

ASI174MM Mini camera integrates Sony IMX174LLJ / IMX174LQJ 1/1.2″ sensor (11.3 mm x 7.1 mm). It is the first model in the “mini”-series of cameras from ZWO. This camera has 1936 x 1216 pixels with a pixel size of 5.86 μm x 5.86 μm.  It camera provides 12-bit ADC and its QE peak is 77%.

Astrophotography Performance

ASI174MM mini camera offers you very good performance for planetary imaging as well as for guiding. Low read noise, high dynamic range, AR protective window and much more are just some of the key characteristics that set it apart from the competition.

USB2.0Port & ST4 Port

USB 2.0 Port: Mini camera has one USB2.0 type-C port. Type-C port is very popular in mobile phones, as it doesn’t matter which way you connect it (unlike for example type-A or type-B)

#USB-C to USB-A cable is required.

ST4 Port: The camera can be connected directly to the auto-guider port of the mount.

High Sensitivity

Sensitivity is the first thing we considered. This is of course a crucial ability when looking for a star to guide on. So, from the beginning, we were set on using monochrome sensors to design our guide cameras. Because monochrome sensors have much higher sensitivity than their colour counterpart. Luckily the ASI120MM Mini, ASI290MM Mini and ASI174MM Mini all have very high QE peak value – about 80%, which can detect more stars in view and shorten the exposure time in guiding.

Each of the cameras have their own strength and depending on what you value in a guide camera, one might be better for you than the others.

New Improved from ZWO-OAG-L

ZWO-OAG-L is the latest iteration of M68 OAG with a larger prism size of 12mm x 12mm. The bigger clear aperture brings wider field of view in guiding. It is easy to use, and suitable for users who are interested in long focal length photography. To take the most advantage of it, we recommend you to match it with large format guiding cameras.

Features:

1. Lightweight and exquisite, 17.5mm thickness.

2. Prism size: 12mm x 12mm.

3. The effective light-passing aperture is 11.7mm x 8.3mm.

4. Can be used to connect the main camera and guide camera simultaneously. No guide telescope required.

5. Packaged with an M48 sensor tilt plate (5mm).

Operating Guide:

1. For guiding, OAG-L can only work with ASI Mini cameras like ASI174MM Mini, ASI290MM Mini and ASI120MM Mini.

2. Considering the large prism size, we don’t recommend you use OAG-L with telescopes whose clear aperture is smaller than M48.

3. Yet it is recommended to use with 2” EFW or 7x36mm EFW, and with APS-C cameras (ASI2600) or full frame cameras (ASI6200/2400). The large clear aperture supports full frame cameras without vignetting.

4. The major differences between ZWO-OAG-L and M68 OAG are about the prism size and the threads. ZWO-OAG-L removed the inner threads so you can directly use the screws to connect it to other equipment.

5. If the thread of your telescope side is M48, then you don’t need to remove the M48 sensor tilt plate coming with ZWO-OAG-L. On the contrary, you need to remove it and use some other sensor tilt plate at the corresponding thread of your telescope.

The pictures below show how to remove the sensor tilt plate:

OAG-L Mechanical Drawing

OAG-L & OAG-L-68 Mechanical Drawing

Connection Guide:

Please Note:

While adding ZWO-OAG-L into your optical train, please make sure the prism won’t block the camera sensor.

You can use the guiding screw to adjust the guiding camera’s focus length. Please make sure the distance from the prism to the main camera and to the guide camera are the same. To ensure the result, it is better to do this in the daytime for the adjustment will be very difficult at night.

ZWO ASI220MM Mini New Generation Guide Camera

ZWO ASI220MM Mini camera integrates a 1/1.8" SC2210 sensor (7.68mm x 4.32mm). It is a mono guide camera with excellent near-infrared sensitivity. This camera has 4um x 4um pixels with an array of 1920 x 1080 and a full well capacity of 8780e. The protective window is AR coated.

Instruction Manual

SKU: ASI220MINI

New update to the Celestron StarSense Autoguider

Key features:

• Automatic alignment: Aligns your telescope to the night sky in about three minutes with no user input, thanks to Celestron’s patented StarSense technology.
• Precise GoTo: Boosts the pointing accuracy of your Celestron mount, placing celestial objects in the centre of the field of view of high-powered eyepieces and small imaging sensors.
• Autoguiding: Tracks celestial objects accurately for pinpoint stars in long exposure astro images, eliminating the need for a separate autoguiding camera, guidescope, and computer.
• Assisted polar alignment: Walks you through an easy, automated process to dial in the best polar alignment.
• High-quality 4-element optical design: Features a unique optical design by famed optical designer Mark Ackermann, with sharper optics than other mini-guidescopes.
• NEW! Included dew shield: Helps prevent dew from forming on the optics, also acts as a lens shade to block stray light.
• Multiple ways to control: Works with your NexStar+ hand control, CPWI telescope control PC software, or the SkyPortal Powered by SkySafari™ app (for WiFi enabled mounts)

SkyWatcher Evoguide ED50-V2

Sky-Watcher’s new Evoguide ED50-V2 with ED lenses and low dispersion 50mm diameter.

The 31.8mm ring focuser allows you to use the Evoguide ED50 both as a finder and as a guide telescope, in fact, it is equipped with a T2 thread to allow the attachment to most of the driving and shooting cameras on the market. It is obviously compatible with 31.8mm eyepieces. The Evoguide ED50 is equipped with collimated rings, each with 3 nylon-tipped screws. The Evoguide ED50 has a Vixen mini bar, compatible with the majority of commercially available bases.

Ideal as a high-quality finder and guide telescope.

EVOGUIDE 50ED-V2 Features:

• Designed for use with all Autoguiders
• High-quality ED Glass
• Small compact size
• Vixen Style Dovetail Foot
• 242mm (f/4.8) focal length
• Advanced color correction
• Helical Focuser

You might also like these accessories ...

The Sky-Watcher family of EvoStar ED telescopes started with the 80ED, a value for money favourite of astronomers all over the world.

The new Sky-Watcher Evolux 62ED refractor is perfect for those looking for a compact and ultra-transportable instrument ideal for Wide Field, Deepsky astrophotography.

An optional custom designed 0.90X reducer/ flattener is available as an option.

It flattens the field for pinpoint stars right out to the edges, whilst reducing the focal length to 360mm

The new EVOLUX 62ED continues this tradition with major enhancements including:

• Unparalleled levels of optic performance for an ED telescope
• Updated 2-lens element design
• New ED glass
• 62mm / f 6.5 (f5.8 with optional reducer)
• New optional re-designed dedicated reducer/field flattener for wider field of view and faster imaging
• Retractable integrated dewshield for improved handling
• Precision 61mm (2.4″) dual-speed focuser

Here's a great mount option:

Specifications:

• Focal length=400mm / f = 6.5
• Focal length = 360mm / f=5.8 with optional dedicated reducer/flattener for wider field of view
• Net Weight: 2.5kg
• Retractable dewshield for compact handling and storage
• High precision new 61mm (2.4″) dual-speed focuser
• Aluminium hard case
• V style Dovetail

QHYCCD has designed a dedicated Off-Axis Guider (OAG) for the miniCAM8, featuring a large 14×10mm prism. The oversized prism maximizes light throughput to the guide camera, enabling higher guiding precision. It comes with a standard M48 telescope interface for easy connection and maintains a 55mm back focal distance for broad compatibility with imaging setups.

The telescope side of the Pyxis LE is a simple two-inch "push-fit" barrel. The long barrel adapter, just short of 2-1/2 inches, is easily inserted into any 2" focuser such as the Optec TCF-S Temperature Compensating Focuser. Combined with the TCF-S or TCF-Si, the Pyxis LE creates a focuser/rotator combination requiring less than 4-1/2 inches of back-focus.

The camera side of the Pyxis LE is a standard male T-thread. Any T-thread camera, filter wheel, off-axis guider, or industry standard T2 ring can screw directly on to the exit port of the Pyxis LE - no other adapters are required. All of the users existing accessories - T-thread spacers, off-axis guiders, filter wheels, etc. - can be attached directly. With the Pyxis LE, the confusion typically surrounding adapters is eliminated since the Pyxis LE is ready to use out-of-the-box. Simply attach your camera, slip into a 2-inch focuser, and you're ready to go.

The Pyxis LE is ideally suited for small, well-balanced cameras such as the QSI, Fish Camp, Starlight Xpress or SBIG ST-series CCD cameras. Canon and Nikon DLSR cameras will attach directly using an optional T2 bayonet ring. Optional T-thread extender rings can be added in 7.5 and 15mm lengths for additional offset to avoid filter wheel stepper motors such as with the SBIG CFW9.

Specifications

• Physical Size: 3.14" x 4" x 6.5" (80mm x 102mm x 165mm)
• Clear aperture: 1.515" (38.5mm)
• Weight: approx. 1.1 lb. (.5 kg)
• Telescope Adapter: 2" barrel adapter for any 2" focuser
• Camera Adapter: T-thread
• Back-Focus: .68" (17.3mm)
• Resolution: 0.050 degrees/step
• Power: 12 VDC 1 Amp (12 Watts max)
• Communications Interface: USB 2.0
• Software Interface: Pyxis LE-Control and ASCOM-compliant driver

Technical Specs

Stable and Strong
High Parallelism

Specifications

Suggested Guide Cameras

EVOGUIDE-50ED

Sky-Watcher’s 50mm ED Guidescope with ED lenses and low dispersion 50mm diameter.

The 31.8mm ring focuser allows you to use the Evoguide ED50 both as a finder and as a guide telescope, in fact it is equipped with a T2 thread to allow the attachment to most of the driving and shooting cameras on the market. It is obviously compatible with 31.8mm eyepieces. The Evoguide ED50 is equipped with collimated rings, each with 3 nylon tipped screws. The Evoguide ED50 has a Vixen mini bar, compatible with the majority of commercially available bases.

Ideal as a high quality finder and guide telescope.

Features:

• Designed for use with all Autoguiders
• High quality ED Glass
• Small compact size
• Helical Focuser

• CAPTURE ULTRA-HIGH-RES IMAGES & VIDEO: Intuitive yet powerful, this camera captures detailed 20 MP (5240 x 3840) stills and smooth AVI video of the planets, Moon, and Sun (with a solar filter). Easily stack your frames, create high-quality prints, or share your results online.
  HIGH-PERFORMANCE SENSOR FOR SHARPER DETAIL: The AR2020 back-illuminated CMOS sensor features 1.4 µm pixels on a 7.3 x 5.4 mm sensor. With 8.7 ke⁻/lux-sec sensitivity, it captures crisp detail even in challenging seeing conditions.
• INSTANTLY COMPATIBLE WITH YOUR TELESCOPE: NexImage 20 slides directly into your telescope’s 1.25” eyepiece holder using the included nosepiece—no adapters needed. Capture sharp, high-resolution photos and smooth planetary videos right at the focal plane.
• ZOOM IN ON THE DETAIL WITH REGION OF INTEREST (ROI): Crop the frame to capture just your target—perfect for small objects like planets. ROI increases frame rate for smoother video, reduces file size, and speeds up stacking and post-processing.
• EASY USB CONNECTION TO YOUR COMPUTER: Simply connect the NexImage 20 to your Windows PC via the included USB-A to USB-C cable.
• DUAL-PURPOSE: IMAGING + AUTOGUIDING: NexImage 20 doubles as a capable autoguider, helping your telescope stay locked on target during long-exposure astrophotography. For advanced users with additional guiding hardware, it adds precision tracking to your setup.
• iCAP SOFTWARE INCLUDED: Capture, preview, and save your images and video with iCap—Celestron’s dedicated imaging software for NexImage. Easily adjust exposure, gain, and frame rate, and take full control of your imaging workflow from your Windows PC.

Capture your own stunning images of the planets, Moon, and Sun (with solar filter) with the Celestron NexImage 20. Our team engineered this high-performance USB camera for serious astrophotography. With a powerful 20 MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor, NexImage 20 captures ultra-high-resolution images at 5240 x 3840 pixels, giving you crisp, detailed results ready for stacking, printing, and sharing online.

NexImage 20 is one of the best values in Solar System imaging today, delivering impressive detail and producing images that rival those from cameras costing hundreds more. It's an excellent way to get started with astroimaging—even from light-polluted city skies. If you can see a planet through your telescope, you can capture it with NexImage 20!

Advanced Sensor Technology

At its core is the AR2020 sensor, optimized for low-light conditions with 1.4 µm square pixels on a 7.3 x 5.4 mm sensor. This combination delivers impressive sensitivity (8.7 ke⁻/lux-sec) and allows you to capture fine surface features, even when atmospheric seeing isn’t ideal.

Includes a free download of Celestron’s iCap software to fine-tune exposure, gain, frame rate, and more—unlocking the sensor’s full potential.

Easy Installation

Even if you’re brand new to astroimaging, getting started with NexImage 20 is fast and straightforward. After installing the driver and iCap software, assemble the camera by threading it onto the included 1.25” nosepiece. Then insert it into your telescope’s eyepiece holder, connect the USB-C cable to the camera, and plug the USB-A end into your PC. That’s it; you’re ready to capture your first high-resolution images and videos!

Region of Interest for Speed & Efficiency

Imaging the Full Moon or Sun will use a large portion of the NexImage 20 sensor. But if you’re pointing your telescope at the planets, the Region of Interest (ROI) feature is a game changer. Instead of using the entire sensor, ROI lets you crop to focus on just your target. This boosts frame rates for smoother video while reducing file size. It also speeds up post-processing, especially when you’re stacking multiple frames.

Built-In Autoguiding Capability

Beyond imaging, NexImage 20 can perform double-duty in your advanced astroimaging kit. Use it as a precise autoguider for long-exposure, deep-sky astrophotography. With additional guiding hardware (not included), NexImage 20 helps advanced users lock onto their target and maintain tracking accuracy over time.

Specifications

Specifications

The guide camera images a star through an off-axis guider (OAG), either supplied with the AO Unit as an optional extra, or through an OAG built into a filter wheel such as the MIDI or MAXI filter wheels from SX. The software calculates the centroid of the guide star rapidly and accurately, and if the guide star moves, the optical window can be adjusted to compensate for the movement of the guide star. As the guide camera and imaging camera are looking through the same optical system, any corrections made for the guide star are automatically translated through to the main imaging camera.

The optical corrections are controlled by 4 stepper motors, so the small amount of movement, combined with the lightweight mass of the optical window, allows the corrections to be implemented very quickly and much more accurately than the mount drive system is capable of achieving.

Ideally suited to longer focal lengths optical systems, the benefits of the Active Optics on the final image can also be seen with shorter focal length systems on less accurate mounts.

• Image tracking and stabilisation using a high speed tip-tilt optical window.
• Fast tracking speed of 5mS per increment.
• Overcomes rapid gear errors to stabilise even difficult mounts.
• Mount control output for correcting large drive errors while maintaining AO stabilisation.
• Image shift factor independent of optical system or camera back-focus spacing.
• Off-axis guider assembly for use with a Lodestar Pro/Ultrastar Pro guide camera.
• May be used to image stabilise many other makes and types of camera, given suitable control software.
• Clear aperture of 60mm for up to 35mm full-frame size chips.
• Short optical length – 74mm with OAG, 44mm without (add 6mm if front end adaptor is used).
• Very low light loss (~2%) from the multicoated optics.
• Filter threads for adding 48mm narrow band. IR blocking or pollution rejection filters without affecting the guide camera sensitivity.
• USB or Serial RS232 control via the computer.
• Low power consumption. Less than 600 mA at 12v DC when moving – 50mA quiescent current.
• Compact and lightweight – only 132mm in diameter x 44mm long – less than 750 grams load on the ‘scope.
  The SXV-AO-USB should be used with the off-axis guider assembly for the best results with most optical systems.

This combination uses ideally suited to using the LodestarPRO or Ultrastar PRO to view the edge of the telescope field via a 10mm square prism and provides accurate positional feedback to the control software. Unlike cameras with an integrated guider chip, the OAG puts the guide camera ahead of any filters that the user fits into the camera ring recess and so its sensitivity is always at maximum. The guide camera mounting is designed to be parfocal with a SX camera when used in this combination – fine focus adjustment is provided by moving the threaded guider mount along the prism tube. If you do not need the OAG barrel (e.g. when using a filter wheel such as the MIDI or MAXI filter wheel by SX which has a built in OAG or a camera with a built-in OAG or guide chip), you can fit the 72mm or T adaptor directly onto the rear of the AO assembly.

Specifications

The guide camera images a star through an off-axis guider (OAG), either supplied with the AO Unit as an optional extra, or through an OAG built into a filter wheel such as the MIDI or MAXI filter wheels from SX. The software calculates the centroid of the guide star rapidly and accurately, and if the guide star moves, the optical window can be adjusted to compensate for the movement of the guide star. As the guide camera and imaging camera are looking through the same optical system, any corrections made for the guide star are automatically translated through to the main imaging camera.

The optical corrections are controlled by 4 stepper motors, so the small amount of movement, combined with the lightweight mass of the optical window, allows the corrections to be implemented very quickly and much more accurately than the mount drive system is capable of achieving.

Ideally suited to longer focal lengths optical systems, the benefits of the Active Optics on the final image can also be seen with shorter focal length systems on less accurate mounts.

• • Image tracking and stabilisation using a high speed tip-tilt optical window.
  • Fast tracking speed of 5mS per increment.
  • Overcomes rapid gear errors to stabilise even difficult mounts.
  • Mount control output for correcting large drive errors while maintaining AO stabilisation.
  • Image shift factor independent of optical system or camera back-focus spacing.
  • May be used to image stabilise many other makes and types of camera, given suitable control software.
  • Clear aperture of 60mm for up to 35mm full-frame size chips.

• Short optical length – 74mm with OAG, 44mm without (add 6mm if front end adaptor is used).
• Very low light loss (~2%) from the multicoated optics.
• Filter threads for adding 48mm narrow band. IR blocking or pollution rejection filters without affecting the guide camera sensitivity.
• USB or Serial RS232 control via the computer.
• Low power consumption. Less than 600 mA at 12v DC when moving – 50mA quiescent current.
• Compact and lightweight – only 132mm in diameter x 44mm long – less than 700 grams load on the ‘scope.
  The SXV-AO-USB should be used with the off-axis guider assembly for the best results with most optical systems.

This non-OAG (off-axis guider) version of the SXV-AO-USB is designed to work with either a filter wheel with a built in OAG such as the MIDI filter wheel or MAXI filter wheel or a main imaging camera that has a built in OAG.

Combine this with the incredibly sensitive Lodestar PRO or Ultrastar PRO auto guide cameras, finding a guide star and tracking through the Active Optics system works absolutely seamlessly.

PRODUCT MANUAL Handbook-for-the-Starlight-Xpress-SX-AO-USB

Examples

Some examples of the AO in use.

No processing was applied, other than cropping, so that the images are essentially ‘raw’. The mount used was a Celestron CI700 with a C11 SCT at F10

A 2x enlarged clip from an SXV-H9 image. Ten minutes with a C11 at F10 using mount guiding only.

Another clip taken a few minutes later with the AO switched on and operating at 3 updates per second.

Here are some ‘extreme’ images from an Ultima 2000 on a fork mount with poor polar alignment and rapid gear errors. The camera was an SXV-M8C and the images have been resampled to 50% of full size for display.

Without AO correction.

With the AO switched on. (The short coloured spikes on the bright stars were produced when the AO switched off for image download)

Specifications

• CCD: Sony ICX825AL ExView2 monochrome CCD
• Pixel count: 1392(H) x 1040(V)
• Pixel size: 6.45 x 6.45uM
• Optical size: 8.98 x 6.71 mm
• Read noise: Typically 5.0 electrons
• QE: Peak QE 75% (yellow light)
• Gain: 0.3 e/ADU
• Barrel size: 31.75mm dia. x 85mm long (1.25 inch eyepiece push fit size)
• Barrel thread: 25.4mm x 0.75mm ‘CS’ mount lens thread
• Input connection: ‘Mini B’ USB socket for USB2.0
• Output connection: Standard RJ12 autoguider socket
• Output type: Opto-isolated 4 lines (N,S,E & W) pull down with common return line
• Download rate: Approx. 2 frames per second in binned 1×1 mode

The Lodestar utilises a very sensitive Sony ‘ExView’ CCD (the ICX829AK) with an array of 752 x 580 pixels in a ‘half-inch’ format. Although the chip is not cooled, it has a very low dark signal and very little readout noise, so it can be used to guide on faint stars that are beyond the reach of webcams and CMOS chip based guide cameras.

Specification

• • CCD type: ICX829AK Sony Exview interline CCD with low dark current and vertical anti-blooming.
  • CCD Full resolution Pixel data: Pixel size: 8.6uM x 8.3uM, Image format: 752 x 580 pixels
  • CCD Image area: 6.4mm (Horizontal) x 4.75mm (Vertical).
  • Colour filter grid array: YMCG secondary colour filters.
  • 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.

  Here is a rear view of the guider:

The original Lodestar used the ICX429 Exview chip from Sony and offered excellent sensitivity. However, the Lodestar X2 and the Lodestar PRO utilise Sony’s upgraded version of the CCD, the ICX829, with considerably improved QE and read noise. This new ‘Exview 2’ chip approximately doubles the Lodestar sensitivity and adds nearly a full star magnitude to the minimum guide star brightness.

It also features redesigned the boards so that a standard RJ12 guide socket can be used. This will please many users who have found the small ‘ZH’ cable socket to be too delicate.

Specifications:

• CCD – Sony ICX829AL ExView2 monochrome CCD
• Pixel count – 752(H) x 580(V)
• Pixel size – 8.6 x 8.3uM
• Optical size – 6.47 x 4.81 mm
• Read noise – Typically 5.5 electrons
• Gain – 0.4 e/ADU
• Barrel size – 31.75mm dia. x 85mm long (1.25 inch eyepiece push fit size)
• Barrel thread – 25.4mm x 0.75mm ‘CS’ mount lens thread
• Computer connection – ‘Mini B’ USB socket for USB2.0
• Output connection – Standard RJ12 autoguider socket
• Output type – Opto-isolated 4 lines (N,S,E & W) pull down with common return line
• Download rate – Approx. 10 frames per second in binned 2×2 mode (recommended)

Specifications

• CCD: Sony ICX825AQ ExView2 monochrome CCD
• Pixel count: 1392(H) x 1040(V)
• Pixel size: 6.45 x 6.45uM
• Optical size: 8.98 x 6.71 mm
• Read noise: Typically 5.0 electrons
• QE: Peak QE 75% (yellow light)
• Gain: 0.3 e/ADU
• Barrel size: 31.75mm dia. x 85mm long (1.25 inch eyepiece push fit size)
• Barrel thread: 25.4mm x 0.75mm ‘CS’ mount lens thread
• Input connection: ‘Mini B’ USB socket for USB2.0
• Output connection: Standard RJ12 autoguider socket
• Output type: Opto-isolated 4 lines (N,S,E & W) pull down with common return line
• Download rate: Approx. 2 frames per second in binned 1×1 mode

Atik One 6.0 + Atik GP + OAG Kit (Atik One Integrated Kit)

Atik One Integrated Kit

Looking for great value? For a limited time, you get three in one, the Atik One with the Atik GP, plus an M42 off-axis guider for an unbelievable price. Perfect for intermediate to experienced astrophotographer’s looking for a cooled CCD camera that takes stunningly detailed deep sky images.

The off-axis guider is a smaller version of our OAG, with the renowned smooth focusing system and moveable prism. Please note: The Kit is designed to be used as a single unit with the Atik One 6.0 or the Atik One 9.0. Its parts aren’t for independent use.

Atik One 6.0

The Atik One 6.0 features the same incredible 6 megapixel Sony ICX694 EXview sensor as our highly renowned Atik 460EX camera for outstanding sensitivity at a fantastic resolution purposely engineered for deep sky imaging. Housed in an advanced body with internal filter wheel, the One 6.0 provides an all-in-one solution for mono imaging.

Features of the One

Integrated and powerful, the Atik One series embodies Atik’s principles to bring you a high performance, simple to use platform, with internal filter wheel, all in a very compact and light package. It features an improved cooler, capable of reaching a stable -38C below ambient, and a CCD chamber design, filled with high purity Argon for a dry, condensation free environment and optimal thermal insulation.

The Atik One also features an internal USB hub and accessory power port, so that you can keep the cable clutter under control. In addition, two 1/4” tripod mounting holes are available to give you more options for mounting the camera and other accessories.

The 5 position integrated 1.25″ filter wheel features a mechanical roller for filter location ensuring the highest levels of reproducibility image after image. The filter wheel is natively controlled from our software or has an ASCOM driver for third party programs. Also included is a tool that allows filters to be loaded without opening the camera.

What's in the box?

• Atik One camera body
• Atik GP camera body
• M42 Off-axis guider body
• 2" adapter
• 0.5m mini-USB cable
• 3m USB cable
• 1.8m battery power connector
• CD-ROM with drivers, software and user's manual (PDF)
• Quickstart guide (paper)

Our highly acclaimed Artemis Capture software is included for camera control and data acquisition, along with a full ASCOM driver. These are also available from our Downloads page.

A universal (110-230V) power adapter is optional.

The One 9.0 mono is Atik's latest and greatest Sony based camera. It features a 9MP ICX814AL with the incredibly sensitive EXview HAD II technology, ultra-low read noise, a mechanically indexed 5 position filter wheel, and boosted cooling performance.

It also features a new CCD chamber design, purged with high purity Argon, and an integral USB 2.0 hub and a power port for accessories. You can now use just two cables to operate your entire system!