Altair 664C Colour USB3 Astronomy Camera

Product code: ALTAIR664C3
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£245.00 UK Price
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Product information

The Altair GPCAM3 664C Colour camera has both very high sensitivity in the green wavelengths crucial for planetary imaging and the near IR red regions. 

With a full well depth of 39 ke- the camera has very high dynamic range compared to most planetary cameras, meaning higher gain settings can be used to maintain high frame rates - even on dim targets like Saturn.

The sensor has no amp glow and therefore offers better performance for deep-sky imaging or video astronomy. Read noise of 5.35 – 0.46 e- depending on gain setting, is also extremely low.

increased full well capacity, high dynamic range, high sensitivity, and low readout noise are characteristic of the latest STARVIS 2  CMOS technology.

Feature summary Altair 664C CMOS Camera:

IMX664C Colour CMOS Sensor
On-chip HGC, LCG and HDR Support
Resolution: 2688 x 1520 (4.1mp)
2.9 um Square Pixels
Diagonal 9.02 mm (Type 1/1.8 Optical Format)
12-bit ADC
512 Mbyte Memory
Sensitivity: 2000 m V or more per 1 µm2
Low Noise: 6.2 – 0.69 e-
High Frame Rate 97 FPS @ 2688*1520 8bit mode
Binning from 1x1 to 8x8 in either stacking or averaging modes.

Speed and reliability: USB3.0 format is fast yet stable, and a 512mb DDR3 Memory buffer enables faster more consistent frame rates.
 
Included software: The well featured intuitive AltairCapture software is included in a CD ROM, and can also be downloaded from www.altairastro.help. AltairCapture is a stable 64 bit Windows application, which allows full control of the camera in high speed video or still mode. It includes extensive automation features, and supports all the major file formats useful for astro imaging and professional scientific imaging in 14bit or 8bit mode.

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.

Wide USB compatibility: Although this is a USB3.0 camera, it's also fully compatible with USB2.0 ports when a longer cable and less speed are required, for example in deep-sky or video astronomy using the live stacking features in AltairCapture or Sharpcap.
 
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.
 

Altair 664C Camera Technical Specification:

Sensor

Sony IMX664 back illuminated sensor

Diagonal

9.02 mm (Type 1/1.8)

Image Resolution

4.1 mega pixels (2688*1520)

Pixel Size

2.9mm ´ 2.9mm

Image Area

7.84mm ´ 4.45mm

Max FPS at Resolution (tested with USB 3.0, SSD, short cable).

For USB2.0 mode, estimate approx. 50% frame rate.

12bit

8bit

48 FPS @ 1920*1080

63 FPS @ 1920*1080

118 FPS @ 960*540

97 FPS @ 2688*1520

125 FPS @ 1920*1080

234 FPS @ 960*540

Shutter Type

Rolling shutter

Exposure Time

0.1ms – 1000s

Gain

1x – 150x brightness (LCG, HCG and HDR supported)

SNR

46 dB

Dynamic Range

76 dB

Read Noise

6.2 – 0.69 e-

QE Peak

>91%

Full Well Capacity

38ke-

ADC

12bit / 8bit options

DDR3 Buffer

512MB (4Gb)

Connection Port

USB3.0/USB2.0

Camera Adaptor

Standard 1.25’’ for telescope connection, and standard C adapter for industrial lens

Optical Window

Anti Reflection Coated (transmits NUV and NIR)

Spectral Range

350-1050nm with AR Coating (transmits NUV and NIR)

Capture/Control SDK

Windows/Linux/macOS/Android Multiple Platform SDK(Native C/C++, C#/VB.NET, Python, Java, DirectShow, Twain, etc.);

Recording System

Still picture and movie

Camera Dimensions

Diameter 37mm * height 72.4mm

Camera Weight

70 grams

Back Focus Distance

17.5mm with C adapter, 12.5 with CS adapter

Cooling:

Passive cooling

Supported OS

Microsoft® Windows® 8 /10 / 11 (32 & 64 bit)

OSx(Mac OS X)

Linux


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 CD (Instructions 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 effective optical distance
  • 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 Standard Opto-Isolated compatible with iOptron, Celestron, Skywatcher SynScan GOTO mounts for autoguiding.
  • Camera Quick Start & AltairCapture instructions online at www.altairastro.help 

Optional Accessories:

  • 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.
  • Altair Astro Premium 1.25" CLS-CCD Filter with UV/IR Block & AR Coating (Code: F125CLSCCD) for imaging emission nebulae in light polluted urban environments.
  • Altair Astro Premium 2" CLS-CCD Filter with UV/IR Block & AR Coating (Code: F200CLSCCD) for imaging emission nebulae in light polluted urban environments. 

Operating environment conditions:

  • Max operating temp: 50 °C
  • Lowest operating temp: -10 °C
  • Max operating humidity: 80 % RH
  • Power source in Volts: 5V DC (provided 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.

Product Info

MPN ALTAIR664C3
SKU ALTAIR664C3
GTIN 0797725137288
Brand Altair
Product Code ALTAIR664C3
Delivery Weight Package
0.5kg