A professional monochrome guide camera featuring Sony IMX249 global shutter CMOS sensor with exceptionally strong capability to capture faint signals, large sensor format, high full well capacity, high sensitivity, and low readout noise for outstanding performance in planetary, solar, and lunar photography.
The GPM174M camera possesses an exceptionally strong capability to capture faint signals with high QE values at 500nm. It features a large sensor format, high full well capacity, high sensitivity, and low readout noise among other advantages. The global shutter technology eliminates rolling shutter artifacts, making it ideal for fast-moving targets. This results in outstanding performance in planetary photography, as well as in solar and lunar photography.
The GPM174M features Sony's IMX249 monochrome sensor with global shutter technology, eliminating rolling shutter artifacts that can distort fast-moving objects. With read noise as low as 3.96e⁻, full well capacity of 33.4ke⁻, and dynamic range reaching 72.0dB, the GPM174M delivers exceptional performance for demanding astronomical applications. The larger 5.86μm pixels provide superior light-gathering capability compared to smaller pixel sensors.
The GPM174M sensor has a G sensitivity of 825mv at 1/30s. Its spectral response range covers 380-1100nm (with AR protect window), delivering excellent sensitivity across the visible spectrum and into the near-infrared range. The sensitivity is measured with an excitation LED light source with a color temperature of 3200K, with an IR cut filter CM500 (t=1.0mm) placed between the LED light source and the sensor receiving surface to irradiate substantially parallel light.
Unlike rolling shutter sensors that read pixels line by line, the GPM174M's global shutter captures all pixels simultaneously. This eliminates motion artifacts and geometric distortions when imaging fast-moving objects like satellites, the International Space Station, or during windy conditions. Global shutter technology ensures accurate star shapes and positions, critical for precision guiding applications.
The GPM174M camera has a built-in frame buffer, which helps maintain the stability of data transmission and effectively reduce the amp-glow caused because image data can be temporarily buffered without being sent hastily to the receiver.
Frame buffer is a dedicated high-speed memory component integrated directly into the camera hardware. When the camera sensor captures an image, the data is first written to the frame buffer memory at extremely high speeds. From there, it's transmitted to your computer at the rate supported by your USB connection.
In practical terms: The frame buffer ensures smooth, reliable image capture regardless of momentary system hiccups or resource constraints, which is particularly valuable during long imaging sessions where data integrity and consistency are paramount.
The GPM174M features native 12-bit ADC, providing 4096 gray levels for capturing subtle tonal gradations. The camera supports hardware ROI (Region of Interest) functionality - smaller ROI sizes achieve higher frame rates, which is particularly useful in guiding applications where only a small area containing the guide star needs high-speed acquisition.
| Resolution | Bit Depth Mode | |
|---|---|---|
| 12-bit ADC | 8-bit ADC | |
| 1920 × 1200 | 8.5 | 16.2 |
Unit: Frames per second (FPS) - USB 2.0 interface
The GPM174M supports software digital binning from 1×1 to 8×8 in either stacking or averaging method. Pixel binning technology can improve signal-to-noise ratio, particularly useful in faint guiding conditions by combining adjacent pixels to enhance guide star signals while reducing read noise impact.
The GPM174M features a built-in standard ST4 autoguider port for easy connection to the autoguider. This design simplifies guiding system configuration, reduces cable connections, and improves system reliability. Compatible with mainstream guiding software like PHD Guiding, MetaGuide, Nebulosity, MaxIm DL, and others for precise autoguiding control.
The GPM series cameras offer versatile connection options designed for seamless integration with various telescope setups and guiding systems. The diagram below illustrates the complete connection architecture, showing how the camera interfaces with your mount, computer, and other astronomical equipment for optimal guiding performance.
Connection Features:
The GPM174M supports multiple driver interfaces including Native, ASCOM, and WDM, compatible with mainstream astronomy software such as PHD Guiding, Nebulosity, MaxIm DL, SharpCap, MetaGuide, FireCapture, and AstroArt. Provides multi-platform SDK support for Windows, Linux, macOS, including development interfaces for Native C/C++, C#/VB.NET, Python, Java, DirectShow, and Twain.
The camera operates via USB 2.0 interface. Upon establishing a connection with the host system using the USB 2.0 cable, the device is primed for operation. This design is particularly suitable for field observations, reducing power cable complexity.
The GPM174M delivers consistent performance across various gain settings, optimized for different imaging requirements.
Camera Settings: Full resolution, RAW 12-bit mode
The GPM174M provides full well capacity of 33.43ke⁻ at unity gain, offering exceptional headroom for bright targets. The camera maintains excellent signal-to-noise ratio while providing wide dynamic range (72.0dB), preventing overexposure on bright targets. With read noise ranging from 6.48e⁻ at unity gain to 3.96e⁻ at high gain, the camera adapts well to various lighting conditions.
| Gain Value | 100 | 177 | 316 | 562 | 1000 | 1778 | 3162 | 4798 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rel Gain (dB) | 0.00 | 5.01 | 9.98 | 15.04 | 19.93 | 25.00 | 30.00 | 33.77 |
| e-/ADU | 8.16 | 4.58 | 2.59 | 1.44 | 0.82 | 0.46 | 0.26 | 0.17 |
| Read Noise (e⁻) | 6.48 | 5.33 | 4.79 | 4.36 | 4.25 | 4.03 | 4.02 | 3.96 |
| Full Well (ke⁻) | 33.43 | 18.77 | 10.59 | 5.92 | 3.37 | 1.88 | 1.06 | 0.68 |
| Dynamic Range (stop) | 12 | 11.78 | 11.11 | 10.41 | 9.63 | 8.86 | 8.04 | 7.44 |
| Maximum Frame Rate (USB 2.0) |
12-bit: 8.5 FPS @ 1920×1200 8-bit: 16.2 FPS @ 1920×1200 |
|---|---|
| Read Noise | 3.96-6.48e⁻ |
| Full Well Capacity | 33.4ke⁻ |
| Peak Quantum Efficiency | >89% |
| Dynamic Range | 72.0 dB |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 45 dB |
| Exposure Time Range | 0.42ms - 1000s |
| Gain Range | 1× - 480× |
| Sensor | Sony IMX249 Monochrome Back-illuminated CMOS |
|---|---|
| Image Resolution | 2.3 Megapixels (1920×1200) |
| Pixel Size | 5.86μm × 5.86μm |
| Sensor Size | 1/1.2-inch (diagonal 13.31mm) |
| Imaging Area | 11.3mm × 7.03mm |
| Shutter Type | Global Shutter |
| ADC Bit Depth | 12-bit |
| Frame Buffer | Built-in |
| Spectral Response Range | 380-1100nm (with AR protect window) |
| Data Interface | USB 2.0 Type-C |
|---|---|
| Guide Interface | Built-in ST4 autoguider port |
| Camera Adapter | Standard 1.25-inch for telescope connection Standard C adapter for industrial lens |
| Back Focal Distance | 8.5mm (17.5mm with C-mount, 12.5mm with CS-mount) |
| Protective Window | IR-cut filter/AR-window |
| External Dimensions | Diameter 37mm × Height 72.4mm |
| Weight | 70 grams |
| Cooling Method | Passive cooling |
| Supported Systems | Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 (32 & 64 bit) Mac OS X, Linux |
| SDK Support | Native C/C++, C#/VB.NET, Python Java, DirectShow, Twain, etc. |
Gift box dimensions: Length 15cm × Width 15cm × Height 10cm (each package weighs approximately 0.8-1.0 kilograms)
Carton dimensions: Length 50cm × Width 30cm × Height 30cm (20 pieces, 12-17kg per carton, 0.045m³)