Altair 60mm Guide Scope and Vixen Bar + 662M2 Mono Camera COMBO

Guide Scope Information

The Altair MiniGuider 60 or MG60 System is based on the very popular Altair 60mm Finder. This package includes a 60mm finder optical tube assembly, a special precision locking focuser for guide cameras, and a Vixen / Arca Swiss compatible dovetail.

The new "red trim" version has a variable length tube with heavy duty locking ring allowing more cameras to come to focus.

A good choice for autoguiding with scopes of 1.3m focal length, and more. The product is designed to provide you with a stable guiding optic to attach your guide camera such as Altair GPCAM or others, without having to use a separate heavy telescope. The package is ideal for astro-imagers who have a wide field portable imaging system. By keeping weight down, you're putting less demand on your mount, making it easier to balance, therefore tracking accuracy is improved. There are no plastic parts to warp, bend or flex.

The precision locking focuser* preserves the focal point, so you can remove your camera and re-insert it without losing focus. The result is quicker setup time. 3x Thumbscrews are spaced around the 1.25" barrel, so the camera body will not deflect during guiding. The barrel has a compression ring so that your camera will not be scratched or marred unlike cheaper guide scopes. The 60mm objective has a focal ratio of f3.75 and a focal length of 225mm. 

The included Vixen/ Arca Swiss compatible dovetail bar allows you to attach the guidescope to an inverted clamp, or bolt it directly to your scope tube rings. two 1/4" UNC photo-threaded holes are included between the 3x slots for more flexibility in mounting.
The adjustable tube rings are light, yet rigid to stay in perfect alignment for autoguiding up to 1.3m focal length. The rings cannot twist or rotate because the dovetail bar they sit upon has a slight channel profile. The screws have special tips to avoid scratching the durable high quality and moisture resistant powder coat on the 60mm aluminium optical tube. 

The objective lens is fully anti-reflection coated and the tube and dewshield are internally blackened to increase contrast. The high quality F3.75 achromat objective performs at the resolution limit.
 
* The precision locking focuser is available separately as an upgrade for customers who already have the Altair 60mm Finder, and who would like to use it for autoguiding with a webcam or autoguider head such as the Altair GPCAM, QHY5/Orion USA Starshoot, or in fact any other autoguiding camera with a 1.25" barrel. 

Camera Information

The Altair 662M MONO Guide camera has both very high sensitivity in visual and NIR wavelengths crucial for autoguiding. A USB2.0 interface frees up bandwidth for the main imaging camera. 

The camera has an extended 1.25" barrel, making it more versatile for use with both OAGs and guide scopes. A USB-C Mount keeps the camera extremely compact enabling it to fit between accessories like OAG's and filter wheels.

The sensor has no amp glow, is extremely sensitive, with high dynamic range of 75.2dB - making it ideal for autoguiding on faint stars.

The mono version is more sensitive than the colour version because it has no Bayer layer.

The latest Sony Back Illuminated (BSI) sensor features improved full well capacity, high dynamic range, high sensitivity, and low readout noise characteristic of the latest STARVIS2 CMOS technology.

Feature summary Altair 662M CMOS Camera:

• IMX662 MONO CMOS Sensor with on-chip HGC, LCG and HDR Support
• Resolution: 2.1 megapixels (1920 x 1080)
• 2.9mm ´ 2.9mm Square Pixels
• 1/2.8-inch Optical Format (5.57mm ´ 3.13mm image area)
• 12-bit ADC
• QE>91%
• Dynamic Range 77.5 dB (SNR 76 Db)
• Full Well 39ke-
• High Speed USB 3.0 interface
• 101fps Maximum 8bit mode (approx. 50% speed in 12bit mode).
• 512 Mbyte Memory
• G Sensitivity: 5612mv with 1/30s
• Low Read Noise: 0.4e to 5.9e- 
• Binning from 1x1 to 8x8 in either stacking or averaging modes.
• Exposure time: 0.1ms – 1000s
• 512MB (4Gb)
• Clear AR coated front lens with 350-1050nm transmission (with AR Coated Filter)
• CS-format thread for direct camera lens connection
• 1.25" Nosepiece with Astro filter thread included
• Backfocus / Sensor to flange distance = 12.5mm from CS mount.

Speed and reliability: USB2.0 format is not as fast as USB3.0 but more stable with longer USB leads. The cameras has a 512mb DDR3 Memory buffer for reliability and consistent frame rates.
 
Included software: The cameras is supported with an ASCOM driver, enabling use with any astronomy imaging and autoguiding software that supports the ASCOM protocol.

Furthermore, the popular PHD Guiding, SharpCap PRO, APT and NINA are also natively supported. ASCOM drivers are also available for download at www.altairastro.help where you can also get regular updates. The installation process is easy, and unlike with cheaper cameras, you don't need to be a computer expert to make your camera work. Just install the software on the CDROM, plug in the camera, and that's it.

The well featured, intuitive AltairCapture software is downloadable from www.altairastro.help. AltairCapture is a 64 bit Windows application for full control of the camera in high speed video or still mode. It includes extensive imaging stacking and automation features, with support for all the major file formats useful for astro imaging and professional scientific imaging, such as: .TIFF, .SER, .AVI, .MP4, .TIFF, .PNG, .JPG, and more.

Autoguiding: 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, including iOptron, Celestron and Skywatcher. The sensor is more than sensitive enough for autoguiding. 
 
Support & warranty: Altair delivers proper on-shore English-speaking UK & EU support with a 2 year manufacturer warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. New users should check out the Altair Astro Facebook Group where you can get answers to technical questions, as well as sharing tips and techniques. AltairCapture software interface supports most European languages including English, German, French, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Chinese, Spanish, Thai, and Turkish.
 
File formats: The camera can be fully controlled in AltairCapture and SharpCap to output uncompressed .AVI and .SER video files for solar system imaging, as well as all common still image formats such as .JPEG .PNG .TIFF .BMP, and .FITS (for deepsky imaging) to mention just a few. Common astronomy file format information here.
 

Included in the box:

• Camera body.
• 1.5m USB cable.
• 1.25 inch x nosepiece with female 1.25" Astronomy filter thread on the front.
• (Optional 2" OD Nosepiece with dual 2 and 1.25" filter threads is available, code GPCAM-2IN)
• CS-Mount insert (12.5mm back-focus) is pre-installed on camera. (Optional 5mm extension adapter is available for C-Mount lenses requiring 17.5mm back-focus.)
• UV-IR Blocking or Clear AR Coated Front optical glass filter with Anti-Reflection coatings. (Removable for sensor cleaning or swappable).
• Plastic dust cap 1.25".
• Silicon dust cap for sensor.
• Software and ASCOM driver downloadable online at www.altairastro.help 

Camera Back-focus & Adapter compatibility:

• Cover glass is removable for cleaning and can be swapped with a clear or UV/IR blocking glass as required. Choose Product code: OW-GP-UVIR or Product code: OW-GP-CLEAR.
• CS-mount lens compatibility: C-Mount male threaded lens with 12.5mm back-focus (or flange-distance) requirement.
• C-mount lens adapter 5mm extension: Optional
• C-mount lens compatibility: C-Mount male threaded lens with 17.5mm back-focus (or flange-distance) requirement.
• Astro filter thread adapter: Included, 1.25" OD and 2 OD (optional), Female thread
• Sensor surface distance from flat end of CS-mount adapter: 12.5 mm
• Sensor surface distance from flat end of 1.25" / M42 Astro adapter: 37 mm

Windows PC Hardware Requirements:

• Minimum PC: Equal to Intel i3 4GB+ RAM Windows 10 OS with separate graphics card.
• Recommended PC: ( 2013+ i5 4GB RAM Intel 1.0x USB Host Controller preferable with separate graphics)
• USB port compatibility: USB2.0 High-speed Port or USB3.0 High-speed Port
• (computers manufactured in 2013 or later give best USB speed).
• Monitor Display: 17" or Larger recommended.
• Software updates: Downloaded online at www.altairastro.help

Software & Operating System compatibility:

• Drivers & AltairCapture Windows software download: www.altairastro.help (opens new window). 
• Camera direct support: ASCOM, PHD2, AltairCapture, SharpCap, NINA, APT, Firecapture.
• AltairCapture OS support: Win 11, Win 10 
• NOTE: Windows 10 is recommended for best USB performance, with 2013 or later USB host controller v1.0 or later.
• SharpCap (a 3rd party application) is also fully supported and tested with native drivers.
• USB Port & Cable: 3.0 USB Cable, 1.5m cable (USB2.0 also supported at low frame rates).
• ST4 Port & Cable: Standard ST4 Opto-Isolated, 1.5m cable, iOptron, Celestron, Skywatcher SynScan GOTO.
• Camera Quick Start & AltairCapture instructions online at www.altairastro.help 

Optional Accessories:

• Optional 825nm Infrared pass filter is also available (choose option when ordering).
• 2 inch x 22mm nosepiece with dual 1.25" and 2 filter thread, code GPCAM-2IN. See associated products.
• C-Mount 5mm extension adapter for C-Mount lenses requiring 17.5mm back-focus.
• Spare Clear AR coated or UVIR coated optical windows available as spares.

Operating environment conditions:

• Max operating temp: 50 °C
• Lowest operating temp: -10 °C
• Max operating humidity: 80 % RH
• Power source in Volts: 5V DC (via USB cable)

Camera Quick Start & AltairCapture instructions online at www.altairastro.help 
 
Worldwide Warranty: 2 years manufacturer warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Return to point of purchase. Warranty is not transferable.
 
Availability: If out of stock, click the "Notify when in stock" button above to receive an email when product is ready to ship.
 
Note: Altair Astro and resellers reserve the right to change the product specification and/or price at any time without notice.