Altair GPCAMv2 130 Mono Guide / Imaging Camera

Further details

The Altair GPCAM2 AR0130 Mono camera has the sought after Aptina AR0130 CMOS sensor, with higher sensitivity of about 78% QE.

Sensitivity is important
The AR130 is more sensitive than older 120 series cameras, this means you can guide on fainter stars lessening the chances of no guide stars being within the field. This mono version offers a significant advantage for guiding applications.

SPECIAL OFFER
FREE 1 YEAR SharCap PRO License with all Altair Hypercam Cameras! Just download the latest SharpCap, connect your camera, register when the screen pops up and sign up for your free license. Sharpcap PRO has the amazingly accurate guidescope polar alignment routine, focus assistance, live flat field subtraction and many more great features to make deepsky, EAA or solar system imaging that much easier

Very high sensitivity in the far red / NIR region makes the GPCAM2 AR0130 especially good for solar imaging with the Daystar Quark other Hydrogen Alpha filters. This high red sensitivity makes it a great choice for Astro Video or EAA use.

The form factor is ideal for the Daystar Quark. GPCAM fits direct to the Daystar Interference Eliminator and the 1.25" nosepiece screws into the other side, which goes into the Quark. Simple and easy to use. Keep it assembled and just pop it in and go!

Onboard buffering gives USB data transfer speeds significantly higher than the GPCAM1 series, pushing the USB2.0 format to the limit, yet within a stable envelope. This almost completely eliminates dropped frames, corrupted video, and enables faster more consistent frame rates, even with less powerful notebook computers.

The GPCAM2 AR0130 Mono camera can be used for any type of imaging you care to try, such as solar, planetary, lunar “lucky” imaging, and even long exposure deepsky photography. Of course video astronomy is easy with the incredible sensitivity of approx. 78% QE. Time-lapse all-sky imaging (with the optional meteor lens) is fully supported in both AltairCapture and SharpCap software.

The camera has an ST4 auto-guiding port, and can be used to auto-guide with mounts from all the major manufacturers supporting ST4 format, such as iOptron, Celestron and Skywatcher.

The casing has an external heatsink surface, which dissipates heat generated by the electronics, reducing thermal noise.

The USB2.0 connector is the high strength type - the highest quality component of it's type on the market. This is much more reliable than the micro-USB connectors found on smartphones (we all know how those loosen up over a short time!).

You would be hard-pressed to find a more versatile small-format colour astronomy imaging camera with this price and features. And what's more, you get UK/EU based warranty support, plus the Altair Camera Google User Group for all your technical questions - a great place to share tips and techniques to get the best out of your camera.

Included in the box:
Camera body.
2m High-speed USB2.0 A male to B male cable.
1.5m ST4 guide cable.
1.25 inch x 20mm nosepiece with female 1.25" filter thread on the front.
CS-Mount adapter with built-in Clear Optical Window, AR coatings. (Attached at factory but removable).
Plastic dust cap 1.25".

Sensor & performance specifications:
ALTAIRGP130M: APTINA AR0130 MONO CMOS sensor
Sensor Size: 1/3" (4.8x3.6mm)
Exposure duration shortest/longest:
0.115ms (0.000115 secs) / 800 secs 13.33mins (trigger mode)
0.115ms (0.000115 secs) / 5000ms (5 secs) (video mode)
Bit depth: 8bit & 12bit mode switchable
Pixel size microns: 3.75x3.75 um
Resolution in pixels: 1280x960
Recording System: Still Picture and Video
Region of Interest (ROI) support: Yes, in SharpCap & AltairCapture
Approx. Max frame rates (assuming computer Bus and Hard Drive operating at full bandwidth)*:
8 bit mode:
1280x960 - 27-30fps
640x480 - 55fps ROI mode
320x240 - 104fps ROI mode
12 bit mode - approx 50% of above.
* Based on average user reports. May be revised with more data. Shorter exposure durations yield faster frame rates. An expensive PC does not guarantee a fast frame rate.
Sensor QE / Quantum Efficiency: Approx. 78%
Gain Sensitivity: 6.5V/ lux-sec
Dynamic Range: 82dB
SNR Maximum: 44dB
Readout: Progressive Scan
Shutter: Electronic Rolling Shutter

Software & OS support:
Drivers & software download (Windows only): Download Altair Camera Drivers Here
Driver support: PHD2, AltairCapture, SharpCap, (Windows DirectShow)
AltairCapture OS support: Win XP (32bit), Vista/ 7/ 8/ 10 (32 & 64 bit)
USB Port & Cable: USB2.0, 2m cable (USB3.0 port compatible).
ST4 Port & Cable: Standard ST4 Opto-Isolated, 1.5m cable, iOptron, Celestron, Skywatcher SynScan GOTO.

Camera Format:
Cooling: Air-Cooled large surface area camera body.
Camera body length: 70 mm total length including CS-Mount and 5mm extension ring.
Camera body weight: 90 g
AR-coated UV/IR blocking filter wavelength transmission 380-650nm.
AR-coated clear optical window wavelength transmission: 350-1050nm.

Please Download Altair Camera Drivers Here Before plugging in the camera

Delivery charge £5.95