Player One IMX432 Mono Global Shutter Sensor Camera
Product Features:
The Apollo-M MAX Pro camera is part of the DSO cooled camera line, Player One’s most advanced product line. Developed starting in 2021, this final version incorporates the newest technology and design elements. The camera boasts a 9um pixel size, allowing for exceptional image quality and deep cooling capabilities.
Technical Parameters:
- Sensor Diagonal: 17.5mm
- Total Pixels: 1.7MP
- Max Resolution: 1608*1104
- Pixel Size: 9um
- Frame Rate: Variable
- Shutter Exposure Range: Adjustable
- Readout Noise: Low
- Full Well Capacity: 100Ke
Product Description:
The Apollo-M MAX Pro camera features the Sony IMX432 sensor and Pregius Technology, offering exceptional image quality for solar imaging. The camera’s cutting-edge design includes a round body with a golden and black color scheme, carbon fiber construction for weight reduction, and integrated sensor tilter plate and anti-dew PCB board for functionality.
Product Usage Instructions
Setting up the Camera:
- Connect the camera to your telescope or imaging setup using the appropriate adapter.
- Ensure the protective window is clean and free from any obstructions.
Powering the Camera:
- Connect the cooler power source to the camera for optimal performance.
- Adjust the working temperature and humidity settings as needed.
Capturing Images:
- Set the desired exposure range and frame rate on the camera.
- Use the front and rear tilter plates to adjust the sensor tilt angle for optimal image quality.
Post-Capture:
- Transfer captured images to your computer using the data port adapter.
- Process and analyze the images using your preferred software.
FAQ:
- Q: How do I clean the protective window of the camera?
A: Use a soft, lint-free cloth and gentle cleaning solution to wipe the protective window carefully. - Q: Can I use this camera for deep sky imaging?
A: Yes, the Apollo-M MAX Pro camera is suitable for deep sky imaging with the appropriate settings and accessories.
Product Features
DSO cooled camera line is the most advanced product line in Player One history. We start the project from 2021, through a lot of modify and rebuild we made this final version. It brings our newest technology and design to everyone, we are very proud to introduce this camera line.
Technical parameters
| Sensor | New SONY IMX432 1.1″ CMOS (mono) |
| Diagonal | 17.5mm |
| Total Pixels | 1.7 Mega Pixels |
| Max Resolution | 1608×1104 |
| Pixel Size | 9μm |
| Chip Size | 14.5mm×9.9mm |
| Frame Rate | 126FPS（12bit） |
| Shutter | Global shutter |
| Exposure Range | 32μs-2000s |
| Readout Noise | 22.9e~2.6e |
| Full Well | 100k e |
| QE Peak | ≈79% |
| ADC | 12 bit |
| Cooling System | High quality 2 stage TEC cooling Component |
| Cooler Power Consumption | 12V – 3A Max |
| Delta T | 35°C-40°C (below ambient) |
| Working Temperature andHumidity | Working Temperature: -10°C—60°CWorking Relative Humidity: 0%—80% |
| Protective Window | D32*2MM High Quality AR Plus (Anti Reflection) Multi-Layer Coating |
| Data Port | USB3.0/USB2.0 |
| Adapter | 1.25″ / M42X0.75 |
| Back Focal Length | 17.5mm |
| Diameter | 78mm |
| Weight | 420g |
| Resolution and FPS | Under USB3.0 mode Resolution 12bit ADC 1608×1104 126FPSMore resolution options could be setup in capture software! |
Product Description
Apollo-M MAX Pro (IMX432) camera is developed by Player One Astronomy, a real cooled camera for solar imaging. Apollo-M MAX Pro camera, which adopts Sony IMX432 1.1” format monochrome sensor. The 9um pixel size accommodates a well depth of 100Ke with a total of 1.7MP (the resolution is 1608*1104), and the diagonal is 17.5mm.
Pregius Technology
Apollo-M MAX Pro (IMX432) based on Sony Pregius 3rd Gen technology, it is global shutter technology used in CMOS sensors.
Format
Apollo-M MAX Pro (IMX432) has 1.1″format, it is the biggest sensor in entire solar camera series currently, this size is quite big for imaging.
Pixel size
9um pixel size is 1.5 times bigger than IMX174 camera, which means it can works at longer focal ratio, such as SCT + Daystar filter (with 4.2X). 9um pixel size is 1.5 times bigger than IMX174 camera, which means it can works at longer focal ratio, such as SCT + Daystar filter (with 4.2X).
Cutting-edge Design
The Apollo-M MAX Pro cooled camera using same design as Ares cooled series, but a little difference! With a round body, a golden and black color scheme, and using carbon fiber to keep weight down and cutting-edge outlook. We also integrated the sensor tilter plate and anti-dew PCB board. This series of designs makes the camera not only light and cool, but also functional!
Cutting-edge Design
The Apollo-M MAX Pro cooled camera using same design as Ares cooled series, but a little difference! With a round body, a golden and black color scheme, and using carbon fiber to keep weight down and cutting-edge outlook. We also integrated the sensor tilter plate and anti-dew PCB board. This series of designs makes the camera not only light and cool, but also functional!
- Front 3P tilter plate is the default part on camera, we believe most users has experience with this before. it works well in a lot of basic scenarios.
- Rear 4P tilter plate is an alternate part for camera, when use filter wheel/filter drawer and OAG with fixed angel, it is necessary. And it is also convenient for RASA users to adjust the sensor tilt angel.
- The built-in high-density sponge shading pad can block the light from the side slits without any side leakage.
Carbon fiber and light weight
The Apollo-M MAX Pro uses a carbon fiber in camera housing and has been optimized for weight reduction in its structural design. The camera weighs only 420 grams, making it one of the lightest models on the market.
Deep Cooling
Player One cooled camera series use 2 Stage TEC Cooling unit, after improved the structure design to reject the heat back to camera chamber, Camera Delta-T can reach 35-40℃.
Anti-Dew heater
In the design of lightweight cooled cameras, Player One still pursuing the perfection, any necessary features must have, especially anti-dew system, is the problem that a lot of small cooled cameras ignored.
Full well
100Ke full well, is 3 times bigger than IMX174. This feature will bring some new possibility in imaging. What we can imagine is HDR the Sun and prominence, or maybe the bright and dark side of the Moon.
HCG and Noise
HCG mode will automatic open when Gain ≥145, readout noise will drop to 4.6e. And dynamic range will rise to 12 drops again. At 380 gain, readout noise of Apollo-M MAX (IMX432) camera is 2.6e, it is lower than IMX174. And full well will still bigger than IMX174.
Amp-Glow performance
Apollo-M MAX Pro is not a non-amp-glow camera, but it’s amp-glow is very smooth, we believe it will be easier to be calibrated. In solar imaging, it won’t be a problem at all. 300s@gain=0, offset=10, -10 degree, Dark frame of Apollo-M MAX Pro camera: DOWNLOAD 
Preview of Dark frame: Exposure=300s, gain=0, offset=10, temp=-10℃ STF auto-Stretch in Pixinsight 1.86
512MB DDR3 Cache
As an improvement, DDR3 cache in cooled cameras are increased to 512MB. It helps stabilize and secure data transmission, it effectively avoids frame dropping and greatly reduces readout noise. With the DDR3 cache, the camera does not have high demands on computing needs any longer, it will still have excellent performance even if it is connected to a USB 2.0 port.
Type-C Data port and Power port
Back piece of cooled camera has 2 Type-C data port and 12V DC 5.5×2.1mm power port.
Main data port support USB3.0 protocol, the camera can run 126fps under RAW8 mode. Type-C port is easier to plug in when assemble the imaging equipment in night. When recording images, since the actual writing speed will be affected by the writing speed of the hard disk itself, when the hard disk writing speed is slow, the recording may not reach the theoretical speed. It is recommended that you use a high-quality solid state drive to record data to give full play to the performance of the camera.
The camera has 12V DC5.5*2.1mm port to provide enough power to TEC cooling system. If you don’t need to power up cooling, only need to connect the main Type-C port, the camera will work as an uncooled camera.
Standard Cable Usage
Cooling System and Anti-Dew Heater
- In ASCOM window, we provide 3 adjustable parameters: Target temperature, Fan Speed and Anti-Dew power.
- Standard Delta-T : 35℃-40℃(Long exposure mode）, 30℃(Video mode）,
- when ambient temp 30℃, fan speed 100%, dew heater 1%.
- Recommend Delta-T settings: 30℃-35℃ below ambient, fan speed 50-70%, dew heater 10%, power consumption 40- 60%.
- The rotation speed of cooling fan is also adjustable; the default value is 50% speed.
- Dew problem is the biggest enemy in astro imaging, the camera integrated anti-dew heater in front of the camera. The heat power is adjustable.
Overvoltage and overcurrent protection mechanism
Player One cameras produced by the number one player ensures the safety of your camera and other equipment through overvoltage and overcurrent protection mechanisms.
Performance
HCG open at gain=145.
Readout Noise
Regarding readout noise, we solemnly promise that all values are obtained from actual tests. And for users, you could use Sharpcap 4 for testing. SC4 has a function called Sensor Analysis, provide a very simple way to test readout noise.
We wrote a tutorial on our website: https://player-one-astronomy.com/service/manuals/ If you are interested in readout noise testing, you may try it yourself, which is very simple.
Dark current
The dark current is 0.3e/s/pix at -20℃, and 0.39e/s/pix at 0℃.
Relative QE Curve
Mechanical Drawing
Mechanical Drawing
Following is some recommend 55mm BFL solution for this camera. If don’t consider about BFL, the connection way is various.
Notice: Some BFL solution is 56mm (Compensate light path differences which caused by filters)
Package List
Warranty & Shipping Policy
Payment method
We provide PayPal and PayPal checkout on our website.
Shipping and Delivery
Shipping Fee:
- Amount >= 299USD: free express shipping
- Amount < 299USD: 29.9USD for express shipping
Shipping Services:
- We usually use DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT for shipping.
- Make sure your email is correct, we maybe will contact with you through emails in case of emergency.
If customer wants to designate a shipping company or has special requirement, please send an email to support@player-one-astronomy.com and tell us your detailed requirement.
Shipping time:
- Usually 7-14 days.
- Tracking number will be updated in 3 days after paid.
For orders from areas where transportation is not easy, such as islands, town in mountainous regions, delivery time will be slightly longer.
Please send an email to support@player-one-astronomy.com immediately, if the following occurs:
- Shipping delayed or has some abnormal information.
- The packing is badly damaged on arrival, take pictures and do not sign.
Tax
- The price on our website without tax.
- Please note that buyers are liable to charge tax involved, such as Import tax, VAT, customs handling fee, etc.
- Those fees possibly will be collected at the time of delivery by courier.
For best experiences, we recommend customers to purchase our products form local dealers.
After-sales Service Warranty Policy
2-year free warranty (time start from delivered) for Player One products. If the product has any issue, please send the image or video and description to support@player-one-astronomy.com for further check to confirm.
- Purchase from Player One official online store, we will provide warranty service directly.
- Purchase form dealer, we will provide warranty service through dealer.
Repair in warranty, customer only pay the shipping fee of shipping back the product to us or dealer, and no other extra fees. Repair in warranty, customer only pay the shipping fee of shipping back the product to us or dealer, and no other extra fees.
Replacement Policy
You can request our Replacement Service:
- Within 30 calendar days of receiving the product if the product does not match the original description of the product in one or more significant respects.
- Within 30 calendar days of receiving the product if the product suffers performance failure.
Please contact our After-Sales team by email to support@player-one-astronomy.com within 30 calendar days of receiving the products. Player One shall be responsible for the two-way replacement freight for any products sent in for replacement due to performance faults.
Warranty and Replacement Policy Exceptions:
- Warranty service time or replacement service time expired.
- Legal proof-of-purchase, receipts, or invoices are not provided, or are reasonably believed to have been forged or tampered with.
- A product sent to Player One for replacement does not include all original accessories, attachments and packaging, or contains items damaged by user error.
- A product is found to have no defects after all appropriate tests are conducted by Player One.
- Any fault or damage of the product is caused by unauthorized use or modification of the product, including exposure to moisture, entry of foreign bodies (water, oil, sand, etc.) or improper installation or operation.
- Product labels or serial numbers show signs of tampering or alteration.
- Damage is caused by uncontrollable external factors, including falling down, fires, floods, or lightning strikes, etc.
- Proof of damage during transit issued by the carrier cannot be provided.
- Other circumstances stated in this policy.
In those situations, repair the product might have extra cost, we will estimate cost and email customer to know the information before send product back.
Documents / Resources
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Player One IMX432 Mono Global Shutter Sensor Camera [pdf] User Manual IMX432, IMX432 Mono Global Shutter Sensor Camera, Mono Global Shutter Sensor Camera, Global Shutter Sensor Camera, Shutter Sensor Camera, Camera |
