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 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

Introducing the Starlight Xpress TRIUS PRO Series of cooled CCD cameras to our product portfolio.

The TRIUS range of cameras was introduced in 2014. These were the first cameras on the market to incorporate a powered USB 2.0 hub in the rear of the camera to enable the user to connect their USB filter wheel and guide camera directly to the camera rather than multiple cables back to the computer - simplicity and convenience.

The new TRIUS PRO Blue series follows on from that success. We have redesigned the electronics to give even lower read-noise figures and faster downloads. With the Sony CCD cameras, we are now getting read-noise figures that are better than most CMOS cameras (when used at unity gain), along with 16bit data and significantly better dark-noise figure thanks to the impressive cooling. Dark frames really are a thing of the past, making calibration frames optional rather than compulsory, giving you more time to capture data and process your images.

There's lots of advantages of using a CCD chip for deep-sky imaging compared to CMOS cameras.

Please note this camera uses a "Grade 1" CCD chip.

Specifications

• CCD type: ICX825AL EXview II CCD with ultra low dark current and vertical anti-blooming.
• CCD Full resolution pixel data: Pixel size: 6.45uM x 6.45uM, Image format: 1392 x 1040 pixels
• CCD Image area: 8.98mm (Horizontal) x 6.7mm (Vertical).
• CCD quality: Grade 1 or better – No bad columns, no dead pixels, no more than 50 ‘hot’ pixels (saturated in <10 seconds).
• Spectral Response: QE max at 580nM (~75%), 50% roll-off at 360nM and 770nM.
• Readout Noise: Typically ONLY 3.5 electrons.
• Full-well capacity: Greater than 23,000 e- (unbinned)
• Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 800x.
• Dark current: Less than 0.002 electrons/second @ – 10C CCD temperature.
• Data format: 16 bits.
• System gain: 0.3 electrons per ADU
• Computer Interface: Built-in USB 2.0 compatible interface.
• Image download time: Typically 0.6 seconds at full resolution.
• Power requirements: 115VAC / 240VAC @ 12VA, or 12VDC @ 900mA max.
• Cooling system: Regulated set-point cooling supply with thermoelectric cooler to give a minimum CCD temperature of >-40C below ambient.
• Size: 75 x 70mm black anodised aluminium barrel with 42mm ‘T2’ thread at the CCD window end & input/output plugs at rear. CCD alignment screws are provided for setting the chip parallel to the focal plane.
• Weight: approx. 450g

PRODUCT MANUAL Trius-PRO-825-handbook

PRODUCT DATASHEET 2022-SX-TRIUS-PRO-Blue-Camera-Specification

The Trius PRO-814 is a higher resolution version of the very popular PRO-694 camera. It has a similarly high QE and low thermal noise, but offers 9.19 megapixels of resolution.

Each pixel is 3.69 x 3.69 uM in size. This camera features a triple USB hub and Argon fill, along with 3 stage Peltier cooling.

The very high resolution makes the 814 particularly well suited to the super-fast short focus ‘scopes and ‘Hyperstar’ systems that are now widely in use. The new ‘PRO’ version reduces the read noise and download time of the original Trius 814 design.

Specifications:

• CCD type: ICX814AL (mono) Exview CCD with ultra low dark current and vertical anti-blooming.
• CCD Full resolution pixel data: Pixel size: 3.69uM x 3.69uM, Image format: 3388 x 2712 pixels
• CCD Image area: 12.49mm (Horizontal) x 9.99mm (Vertical).
• CCD quality: Grade 1 or better – No bad columns, no dead pixels, no more than 50 ‘hot’ pixels (saturated in <10 seconds).
• Spectral Response: QE max at 580nM (~77%), 50% roll-off at 360nM and 770nM.
• Readout Noise: Typically only 3 electrons RMS.
• Well depth – 15,000e
• System gain – 0.25e / ADU
• Image download time – 5 seconds in 1 x 1 binning mode
• Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 800x.
• Dark current: Less than 0.002 electrons/second @ – 10C CCD temperature.
• Data format: 16 bits.
• System gain: 0.25 electrons per ADU
• Computer Interface: Built-in USB 2.0 compatible interface.
• Power requirements: 115VAC / 240VAC @ 12VA, or 12VDC @ 900mA max.
• Cooling system: Regulated set-point cooling supply with thermoelectric cooler to give a minimum CCD temperature of approximately -40C below ambient.
• Size: 75 x 70mm black anodised aluminium barrel with 42mm ‘T2’ thread at the CCD window end & input/output plugs at rear. CCD alignment screws are provided for setting the chip parallel to the focal plane.
• Weight: approx. 450g.

There's lots of advantages of using a CCD chip for deep-sky imaging compared to CMOS cameras.

Please note this camera uses a "Grade 1" CCD chip.

Specifications

• High speed USB 2.0 interface for approx. 2.5 second downloads.
• Built-in triple powered USB hub for guider and filter wheel control.
• Single USB cable control for all features – get rid of that dangerous cable tangle!
• Very low power consumption. Less than 1.5 amps at 12v DC.
• Compact and lightweight – only 75mm in diameter x 70mm long – less than 500 grams load on the telescope.

• CCD type: ICX694AL Exview CCD with ultra-low dark current and vertical anti-blooming.
• CCD Full resolution pixel data: Pixel size: 4.54uM x 4.54uM, Image format: 2750 x 2200 pixels
• CCD Image area: 12.49mm (Horizontal) x 9.99mm (Vertical).
• CCD quality: Grade 1 or better – No bad columns, no dead pixels, no more than 50 ‘hot’ pixels (saturated in <10 seconds).
• Spectral Response: QE max at 580nM (~77%), 50% roll-off at 360nM and 770nM.
• Readout Noise: Typically, only 3.5 electrons RMS.
• Full-well capacity: Greater than 17,000 e- (unbinned)
• Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 800x.
• Dark current: Less than 0.002 electrons/second @ – 10C CCD temperature.
• Data format: 16 bits.
• System gain: 0.27 electrons per ADU
• Computer Interface: Built-in USB 2.0 compatible interface.
• Image download time: Typically 2.5 seconds at full resolution.
• Power requirements: 115VAC / 240VAC @ 12VA, or 12VDC @ 900mA max.
• Cooling system: Regulated set-point cooling supply with thermoelectric cooler to give a minimum CCD temperature of approximately -40C below ambient.
• Size: 75 x 70mm black anodised aluminium barrel with 42mm ‘T2’ thread at the CCD window end & input/output plugs at rear. CCD alignment screws are provided for setting the chip parallel to the focal plane.
• Weight: approx. 450g.

PRODUCT MANUAL Trius-PRO-694-handbook

PRODUCT DATASHEET TRIUS-PRO-694-Blue-Datasheet

There's lots of advantages of using a CCD chip for deep-sky imaging compared to CMOS cameras. If you'd like to know more, read BINTEL's tech article here.

Please note this camera uses a "Grade 1" CCD chip.

Specifications

• CCD type: Sony ICX674ALG (mono) EXview CCD with ultra low dark current and vertical anti-blooming.
• CCD Full resolution pixel data: Pixel size: 4.54uM x 4.54uM, Image format: 1940 x 1460 pixels
• CCD Image area: 8.81mm (Horizontal) x 6.63mm (Vertical).
• CCD quality: Grade 1 or better – No bad columns, no dead pixels, no more than 50 ‘hot’ pixels (saturated in <10 seconds).
• Spectral Response: QE max at 580nM (~77%), 50% roll-off at 360nM and 770nM.
• Readout Noise: Typically only 3.5 electrons RMS
• Full-well capacity: Greater than 17,000 e- (unbinned)
• Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 800x.
• Dark current: Less than 0.003 electrons/second @ – 10C CCD temperature.
• Data format: 16 bits.
• System gain: 0.3 electrons per ADU
• Computer Interface: Built-in USB 2.0 compatible interface.
• Image download time: Typically 2 seconds at full resolution.
• Power requirements: 115VAC / 240VAC @ 12VA, or 12VDC @ 900mA max.
• Cooling system: Regulated set-point cooling supply with thermoelectric cooler to give a minimum CCD temperature of approximately -40C below ambient.
• Size: 75 x 70mm black anodised aluminium barrel with 42mm ‘T2’ thread at the CCD window end & input/output plugs at rear. CCD alignment screws are provided for setting the chip parallel to the focal plane.
• Weight: approx. 450g.

PRODUCT MANUAL Trius-PRO-674-handbook

PRODUCT DATASHEET 2022-SX-TRIUS-PRO-Blue-Camera-Specification