Product Review

The Orion StarShoot G3 Deep Space Color Imaging Camera has been designed with performance enhancing features and software that until now have been reserved for much more expensive CCD imagers. Built around the popular Sony interline ICX419AKL color CCD sensor chip, which boasts a 752 x 582 pixel array with sensitive, 8.6 micron by 8.3micron pixels, the StarShoot G3 is capable of detecting fine details in celestial objects. This bigger, 1/2" format CCD sensor usually isn't available in cameras priced as low as the StarShoot G3, and it provides a much larger imaging field of view than cameras equipped with 1/3" format chips. The StarShoot G3 Deep Space Color Imaging Camera is the only camera in its price range to feature regulated thermoelectric cooling (TEC). Regulated thermoelectric cooling significantly improves astrophotos quality and reduces noise by enabling accurate dark frame acquisition. The on-board TEC can cool the StarShoot G3 to a brisk 10-degC below ambient temperature so that noise is minimized in dark frames and exposures. The StarShoot G3 even features a small, vibration-free fan which assists the TEC to remove warm air and further optimize imaging results. These cooling features are usually only found on imaging cameras priced up to four times more expensive than the Orion StarShoot G3! The versatile Orion StarShoot G3 can also be used as a dedicated autoguider, with a direct ST-4 output conveniently built right into the camera body.