Bigger Chip, Improved Features Deliver Even More Spectacular Images
Here’s the best affordable single-shot color CCD astro camera on the
market today. With its bigger CCD chip, improved engineering, and more
efficient active cooling, the StarShoot ”DSCI II” gives beginning and
experienced imagers alike a more powerful tool for capturing dramatic
celestial images.
It features an 8mm diagonal (Type 1/2) Sony CCD chip with 752 x 582
pixel array and 8.6 x 8.3 micron pixels. The larger chip sees a wider
chunk of sky and is more sensitive than its predecessor. The
thermoelectric cooling (TEC requires external 3V DC power) system has
been improved to further cut electronic ”noise” -- a big advantage
over the competition’s cam, which is uncooled.
The MaxIm DL Essentials software provides real-time focusing
assistance, easy image capture, and powerful processing tools. It now
includes batch processing and multiple-camera support. Power is
supplied by your computer’s USB 2.0 port.
Call it StarShoot: The Next Generation. Or just call it the best new
affordable single-shot color CCD imaging camera on the market today.
With its bigger CCD chip, improved engineering, and more efficient
active cooling, the StarShoot Deep Space Color Imager II gives
beginning and experienced astrophotographers alike a more powerful
tool for capturing dramatic celestial images.
The StarShoot ”DSCI II” enables anyone with a telescope and a computer
to shoot dazzling color pictures of star clusters, nebulas, galaxies,
and planets. Embedded in the newly designed machined-aluminum housing
is an 8mm diagonal (Type 1/2) Sony CCD chip featuring a 752 x 582
pixel array and 8.6 x 8.3 micron pixels. The larger chip sees a wider
chunk of sky and is more sensitive than its predecessor, needing less
exposure time to produce gorgeous results. The camera’s thermoelectric
cooling (TEC) system has been improved to further reduce electronic
“noise” in images. The TEC gives the StarShoot a big advantage over
the competition’s cam, which is uncooled. With TEC, you get better,
smoother images.
The included MaxIm DL Essentials Edition software provides real-time
focusing assistance, easy image capture, and powerful image combining
and processing tools. It now includes more image-processing features
as well as batch processing and multiple-camera support. The StarShoot
is powered through your computer’s high-speed USB 2.0 port via the
included 10’ USB 2.0 cable.
The camera itself is powered from the USB connection to the computer.
The TEC system requires external 3VDC power. The included 3VDC power
supply is a high-quality plastic enclosure with a 6’ long cable. It
requires two D-cell batteries (not included), which will run the TEC
for about 20 hours. The 3VDC power supply is far more convenient than
the typical 12VDC power source required by other models – it’s
lightweight and it’s easy to carry a set of spares in your equipment
case.
What are you waiting for” Imaging is the hottest trend in amateur
astronomy. Get the StarShoot DSCI II and take your shot! One-year
limited warranty.
StarShoot Deep Space CCD Color Imager II Specifications
CCD Sensor Sony® ExView HAD™ 429AKL Color
CCD Sensor size Diagonal 8mm (Type 1/2)
Pixel array 752 x 582 (437,664 total)
Pixel size 8.6 x 8.3 microns
Exposures for full-color image 1
Exposure range .001 sec to 100 min.
A/D conversion 16 bit
Thermoelectric cooling (TEC) Yes (to 36°F below ambient)
IR Filter Yes
Autoguider capability Yes
Mounting 1.25” nosepiece or T-thread
USB connection High-speed 2.0 and 1.1
MaxIm DL Essentials Compatibility Windows 2000/XP/Vista
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M20, the Trifid, captured with the StarShoot DSCI II and Orion 120ED refractor. Photo by Bryan Cogdell.
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M101, Pinwheel Galaxy, captured with the StarShoot DSCI II and Orion 120ED refractor. Photo by Bryan Cogdell.
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