Lodestar X2 Autoguider

$450 ~~$625~~ In stock

Description

The Lodestar X2 is an upgraded version of the very popular Lodestar autoguider. The original Lodestar uses the ICX429 Exview chip from Sony and offers excellent sensitivity. However, Sony have now upgraded the ICX429 to the ICX829, with considerably improved QE and read noise. This new 'Exview 2' chip approximately doubles the Lodestar sensitivity and adds nearly a full star magnitude to the minimum guide star brightness. We have also redesigned the boards so that a standard RJ12 guide socket can be used. This will please many users who have found the small 'ZH' cable socket to be too delicate.

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Standard Shipping: Handling (business days) 0–1; Transit (business days) 7–15.

Express Shipping: Handling (business days) 0–1; Transit (business days) 7–15.

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Standard Shipping · United States: $0.00

Express Shipping · United States: $3.99

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United States · Return window (days after delivery): 30. Return method: By mail. Return postage: Seller pays.

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Customer Reviews (4.6 / 5 · 5 reviews)

Owen ★★★★★ Oct 20, 2026

The sensitivity on the ICX429 chip in this upgrade really pulls in faint guide stars even with my narrowband filter in place, which was a constant struggle before. Setup was quick too since it threaded right onto my off-axis guider without any adapters.

Madison L. ★★★★★ Oct 19, 2026

Switching from a guide camera with a smaller chip, the Lodestar X2’s improved sensitivity on the ICX429 Exview sensor locks onto faint guide stars that used to be invisible. It’s noticeably faster at acquiring and holding a lock, which saves me time during polar alignment. Really impressed with how

Charlotte ★★★★★ Oct 18, 2026

Having used the original Lodestar for years, the X2's sensitivity boost really shines on faint guide stars that were previously invisible. It locks onto targets much faster now, and the lower noise floor makes long exposures less of a headache. Simple upgrade, but the difference is immediately notic