SBIG ST9XE CCD Camera Information
The New ST-XE and XM Line of Self-Guiding CCD Cameras from SBIG: Complete Systems with Faster Downloads, Better Cooling, Better Autoguiding, Greater Expansion Capability and a New Entry
FASTER DOWNLOADS: New high speed electronics and high speed USB interface are now standard on the SBIG ST9XE CCD camera with data transfer rates up to 421,000 pixels per second!
High Speed USB Download Rates for the SBIG ST9XE is 0.7 seconds (full frame), and ~ 0.5 seconds in Focus Mode.
Please note that USB download times are processor dependent and will vary from computer to computer. These download times were measured on a 933 MHz Pentium III. Focus Mode rates were the fastest achieved using a 20 x 20 pixel subframe in Focus/Planet mode.
BETTER COOLING: The standard single stage cooling design on the SBIG ST9XE camera has been improved to provide cooling performance previously available only with an optional second stage cooling booster. Preliminary specifications are as follows:
- Typical Cooling Performance (delta from ambient) with standard single stage with water assist is -45 degrees C (minimum temperature achieved was -40 degrees C).
- Typical Cooling Performance (delta from ambient) using standard single stage without water is -35 degrees C (minimum temperature achieved was -30 degrees).
- The standard cooling configuration is a single stage cooler with a newly designed heat exchanger that includes an inlet and outlet for water circulation should the user desire to maximize the cooling performance for hot climates. The new design on the ST9XE camera does not require an additional power supply and may be operated with our without water supplied by the user. A circulating water pump and tubing are available as optional accessories. In our experience, further cooling of Kodak CCDs beyond the performance above is unnecessary.
BETTER AUTOGUIDING: The TC-211 tracking CCD has been replaced with a larger TC-237 in the SBIG ST9XE camera. The TC-237 autoguiding CCD is the same CCD used in SBIG's $1300 ST-237A imaging camera and $2300 STV autoguider. The TC-237 (657 X 495 pixels) is 2.7X larger than the TC-211 CCD (192 X 164) which means there is a more than double the chance you will find suitable guide stars anywhere you happen to be looking without having to hunt.
In the tracking configuration, the TC-237 CCD will normally be binned 2x2 for increased sensitivity. When binned 2x2 the field of view remains 2.7X that of the TC-211, however, as the pixel size is increased to14.8 microns. The user may also image with the TC-237 CCD in high resolution (unbinned) mode if desired.
Previously, the camera had to be oriented so that the X and Y dimensions of the tracking CCD were aligned with the RA and DEC of the telescope, limiting the possible rotation of the camera to four possible positions around a target at 90 degree steps. With CCDSoftV5 (included with cameras at no extra charge) the autoguiding capability of the TC-211 (and TC-237) is improved so that the camera may be placed in any orientation relative to the telescope's RA and DEC, allowing a full 360 degrees of rotation around a target for easier guide star acquisition.
Of course, guiding with either the TC-211 or the TC237 tracking CCD means that the imaging CCD spends100% of its time and quantum efficiency gathering the image. You are not required to compromise for half the quantum efficiency or twice exposure time as you might with other self-guiding designs.
GREATER EXPANSION CAPABILITY: All new production USB cameras (and upgrades, see below) will include a bi-directional I2C accessory port and a Remote Guide Head port. The new I2C accessory port adds bi-directional communication capability for the development of a new family of "smart" accessories, and the Remote Guide Head port means this camera is ready to accept the same Remote Guide Head as the STL-series of cameras. The standard accessory port is also provided in order to maintain backwards compatibility with our existing accessories (CFW8, AO-7, Relay Adapter Box) and customer's existing telescope interface cables.
Please Note: SBIG drivers are compatible with 32 bit Vista, but they are not compatible with 64 bit Vista.
Save $400 on the CFW9 with Baader LRGB Filters when you buy a qualifying SBIG ST-series camera at the same time! See more info and instructions in the Sales tab to your left.
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