USED - Lodestar

USED GEAR INFORMATION

This lodestar is in good condition. The cables are slightly tacky in places due to the previous owner using tape to secure them. Comes in a foam lined plastic shell carrying case.

Description

•  CCD type: ICX429AL Sony Exview interline CCD with low dark current and vertical anti-blooming.

•  CCD Full resolution Pixel data: Pixel size: 8.2uM x 8.4uM, Image format: 752 x 580 pixels

•  CCD Image area: 6.4mm (Horizontal) x 4.75mm (Vertical).

•  CCD quality: Grade 1

•  Spectral Response: QE max at 620nM (~65%), 35% at 400nM and 770nM. 

•  Readout Noise: Less than 15 electrons RMS - typically only 10 electrons. 

•  Full-well capacity: Greater than 50,000 e- (unbinned)

•  Anti-blooming: Overload margin greater than 1000x.

•  Dark current: Dark frame saturation time greater than 1 hour. Less than 0.1 electrons/second @ + 10C ambient.

•  Data format: 16 bits.

•  System gain:  0.9 electrons per ADU

•  Computer Interface: Built-in USB 2.0 compatible interface. 

•  Image download time: Typically 0.2 seconds at full resolution using USB 2.0.

•  Power requirements: USB powered.

•  Cooling system: Ambient air cooling.

•  Size: 32 x 72mm black anodised aluminium barrel with 25 x 0.75mm 'C mount' thread at the CCD window end & input/output plugs at rear. 

•  Weight: approx. 50g.

Comparison table
Model	Lodestar 1	Lodestar X2
Chip	Sony ICX429 Exview interline	Sony ICX829 Exview2 interline
# pix X	752
# pix Y	580
Total pixels	436160
Dim pix X [um]	8.6
Dim pix Y [um]	8.3
Sensor dim X [mm]	6.47
Sensor dim Y [mm]	4.81
Area [mm^2]	31.1
Cooling	no
ADC bit	16
Download time [s]	<0.2
Readout	two independent readouts for even and odd lines
Quantum efficiency	See figure below
Weight of head [g]	70
Weight of power supply [g]	0
Needed cables	1 USB mini 1 ST4 (JST 5 way ZH)	1 USB mini 1 ST4 (RJ12)
Current [I]	0.5
Voltage [V]	5
Power [W]	2.5
Links to manufacturer	Lodestar 1	Lodestar X2

Comparison table from Lorenzo Comolli