The new and forthcoming Starlight 694 range of cameras features one of the most exciting new sensors to become available to amateur astronomers for years.
In effect a larger and more sensitive version of the popular and high performing Sony 285 sensor as found in the SXVR-H9.
The SXVR-H694 uses the very latest and certainly the best CCD to be released by Sony since we started designing and producing cameras around Sony CCDs in 1991. It has a remarkable Quantum Efficiency of 77% which was previously unheard of in an interline sensor; but with all of the wonderful benefits of an interline CCD, especially from Sony such as incredibly low thermal noise and very fast electronic shutter (no need for mechanical shutters).
The versatility of this sensor is also another key selling point.
With 4.51 micron pixels and peak 77% QE, it is ideally suited to short to medium focal length scopes and will provide a very high sampling rate and thus sharp images.
But binned 2x2 (mono only) the pixels will still be relatively small at 9 microns rendering the camera perfect for imaging at long focal lengths achieving the perfect sampling rate for high resolution imaging together with ultra low noise and very high sensitivity.
Major features:
Medium format, high resolution 'Exview' CCD chip, with 6,050,000 x 4.54uM square pixels in a 15.98mm diagonal array.
H694C version - Single-shot colour, using a Bayer matrix of R, G and B on-chip filters. No filter wheel required.
Very high sensitivity - 77% QE at peak of response in yellow light, 65% at Hydrogen alpha line (656 nM).
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
High speed USB 2.0 interface for approx. 5 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.
CCD type: Sony ICX694ALG (mono), ICX694AQG (colour) 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: Less than 7 electrons RMS - typically ONLY 5 electrons!
Full-well capacity: Greater than 20,000 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 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 -30C 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. 400g.