Altair GPCAM2 AR0130 Mono Guide Imaging Camera, 1.2 Megapixel - Basic Set

Altair GPCAM2 AR0130 Mono Guide Imaging Camera, 1.2 Megapixel - Basic Set

The GPCAM2 enables photography of the moon, sun and planets, but also deep sky images. There is also an ST4 autoguider port!
♦ Aptina AR0130 B/W CMOS sensor - 1.2 Mpixels

♦ Sensor size: 1/3" diagonal (4.8 mm x 3.6 mm) 1280x960 pixels

♦ Pixel size: 3.75 µm x 3.75 µm

♦ Approximately 30 fps at maximum resolution

♦ 1.25" connection with filter thread

♦ USB2.0 and ST4 interface

♦ Lens mount: CS mount

♦ USB powered

♦ only 90 g

♦ The 5mm C-mount adapter visible in the fourth picture is not included.

An all-in-one multipurpose astronomy camera with a 1.2Mpixel SW CMOS sensor
Now you can enjoy cost-effective HD recording technology - with the quality and features you would expect from a product with mature CMOS technology.

The GPCAM2 enables photography of the moon, sun and planets, but also deep sky images. There is also an ST4 autoguider port!

Of course, the GPCAM2 camera is ideal for autoguiding with small guide scopes! It offers low weight and a direct connection to miniguiders - like a 1.25" eyepiece. No difficulties, no hassle, no adapters.

The GPCAM2 AR0130 Mono is also very good for recording planets. The high frame rate in combination with short exposure times is helpful for "lucky imaging" to partially compensate for the influence of air turbulence. The clear glass filter serves to protect the sensor and also allows near infrared through, so you can reduce the effects of air turbulence with appropriate IR pass filters. However, when using refractive optics in broader spectral ranges, a UV-IR blocking filter is required.

Sun photography with this camera is fun, not only in white light, but also in H-alpha and in the calcium line region. The GPCAM2 AR0130 Mono has a high sensitivity here, which keeps the exposure times short.

However, you can also attach a CS-mount lens for wide-angle shots of the sky to "capture" shooting stars or auroras - or simply create a video of the night sky with the stars passing through the field of view, thus demonstrating the rotation of the earth.

Full ROI (Region Of Interest) support is possible. This allows the frame rate to be increased to very high values by only reading out the area around a planet or a detail on the sun. With the freely downloadable AltairCapture software you can create dark frames in just a few seconds.

Practical equipment
The sensor: a specially selected 1/3" Aptina AR0130 HD CMOS sensor with 3.75 micron pixels, high sensitivity and fast bit rate, but also the possibility for long exposures.

The special DR-Pix Dynamic Response technology delivers high color quality even in very low light - a leader in maintaining color fidelity and low noise in poor lighting conditions. This makes the camera a good choice for planetary photography, but also for short exposure deep sky shots.

The Camera: Approximately the size of an eyepiece and weighing around 90 grams, the GPCAM2 offers many functions in a very small design. The sensor is protected by an optical window with anti-reflective coating on both sides. This blocks UV and IR on the color camera, allowing direct use with refractive elements such as correctors or Barlow lenses, while the window on the black and white camera is kept clear to give the user full control over what light they want to let through, for example for Narrowband photography, H-alpha solar imaging, RGB planetary imaging, or even planetary photography in the UV or IR range (which can show extreme detail).

With regard to the electronics, the new GPCAM2 is superior to the old GPCAMs in two main areas: Firstly, it has an improved frame buffer, which stabilizes the transmission of images at high image frequencies, and secondly, there is the "Trigger Mode", which allows longer recordings to be made immediately stop. You can therefore react immediately to image disturbances such as shaking, airplanes or clouds, instead of having to wait minutes for the end of the already ruined recording.

There is an ST4 autoguider interface on the back, plus 1.5m ST4 cables are included for easy connection of the autoguider to your GOTO mount. The camera is powered by the 2m USB2.0 cable, reducing cable clutter. The CNC-machined body has a standard 1.25" eyepiece barrel, so it fits almost any telescope focuser, including the Altair Miniguider 60 and 80 and the Starwave 50mm Guidescopes. A standard filter thread is available. The 1.25" -Barrel can be removed to reveal a standard CS mount thread, which can be Compatible with most industrial and surveillance lenses and microscope adapters. The heat from the electronics is dissipated over a short distance through the housing.

The optional 150° wide field lens: You can screw this separately available wide field lens directly onto the camera and take spectacular shots of streams of falling stars or cloud movements. Or use the camera for beautiful timelapse shots - your imagination is the limit.

The Software: While no drivers or software are included, they can be easily downloaded from the manufacturer's support site. The SharpCap linked there (externally) is also an interesting alternative for operating other cameras.

Minimum system requirements (according to manufacturer)

♦ Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 (32 + 64-bit)
♦USB2.0
♦ At least Intel Core2 2.8 GHz or comparable
♦ at least 2 GB RAM
♦ Monitor 17" or larger
Sensor type: Aptina AR0130 SW CMOS sensor
Sensor Size: 1/3" diagonal (4.8mm x 3.6mm)
Exposure time range: 0.115 ms (0.000115 secs) to 800 sec
Bit depth: 8-bit & 12-bit mode switchable
Pixel size: 3.75µm x 3.75µm
Resolution in pixels: 1280x960
Recording method: still image and video
Region Of Interest (ROI) Support: Yes, using SharpCap or AltairCapture
Approximate maximum frame rates (8-bit mode): 1280x960 27-30 FPS, 640x480 55 FPS, 320x240 104 FPS
Approximate maximum frame rates (12-bit mode): 50% of values for 8-bit
Quantum efficiency: maximum 78%
Gain: 6.5V/luxsec
Dynamic range: 82 dB
Maximum signal-to-noise ratio: 44dB
Readout mode: progressive scan
Shutter: electronic shutter
Spectral range: 350-1050 nm with clear glass, 380-650 nm with UV/IR filter
AltairCapture OS Support: Win XP/ Vista/ 7/ 8/ 10 (32 & 64 bit)
USB interface & cable: USB 2.0, 2 m cable
ST4 Port & Cable: Standard ST4 (optically isolated), 1.5m cable
Camera body length: 65mm total length with CS mount
Weight: 90 g (net)
Entrance window: anti-reflective clear glass pane, transmission 350-1050 nm
Camera body shape: 1.25" body, stepped
Thread on the camera: CS mount female thread for direct connection of CS mount lenses
CS mount lens compatibility: CS mount lenses with male thread and 12.526mm back focus requirement
Adapter for astro filters: included, 1.25" internal thread
Plug size: standard astro format 1.25"
Distance sensor surface to the flat part of the C-mount adapter: 17.58 mm
Distance from the sensor surface to the flat part of the 20 mm 1.25" astro adapter: 37.58 mm
Power consumption: 0.875 W (normal operation)
Maximum operating temperature: 50 °C
Minimum operating temperature: -10 °C
Maximum rel. Humidity: 80%
Power supply: 5 V DC (via USB cable)
Minimum CPU: Corresponding to Intel Core2 2.8 GHz
Minimum memory: 2 GB
USB interface: USB2.0 high speed port
Monitor: from 17"
♦ Camera
♦ 2 m high-speed USB2.0 cable A male to B male
♦ 1.5 m ST4 autoguider cable
♦ 1.25" barrel with filter thread
♦ CS mount adapter with protective glass
♦ Rubber dust cap
♦ Note: No software is included. However, you can download current drivers and software free of charge.