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SBIG StarChaser SC-4 Off-Axis Guider Camera
SBIG StarChaser SC-4 Off-Axis Guider Camera

SBIG StarChaser SC-4 Off-Axis Guider Camera

by SBIG
SKU DL-SC-4
$1,319.00 - $1,319.00
$1,319.00
$1,319.00 - $1,319.00
$1,319.00
Price Match Policy!
  • All-in-one off-axis guider with integrated 1.3 MP CMOS camera
  • Ultra-slim design adds only 22.23 mm of optical length
  • Built-in 0.7x focal reducer for a wider guide star search field
  • Tool-free external adjustment of pick-off mirror and focus
  • Directly compatible with SBIG Aluma AC cameras and AFW filter wheels
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • SBIG StarChaser SC-4 Off Axis Guider Camera - STXL and Aluma AC series

    The SBIG StarChaser SC-4 integrates a complete 1.3 MP CMOS guide camera into an off-axis guider body that adds only 22.23 mm of optical length to your imaging train. This all-in-one design features a built-in 0.7x focal reducer to widen the field for easier guide star acquisition and uses a sensitive 1280 x 1024 sensor with 4.8 µm pixels to achieve precise tracking. The entire 400 g unit bolts directly into the SBIG ecosystem, eliminating flexure between the main camera and the guider.

    A 22.23 mm All-in-One Off-Axis Guider

    By placing the guide sensor within the same optical path as the main imaging camera, the StarChaser SC-4 eliminates differential flexure that can ruin long exposures. Unlike most off-axis guider assemblies, which are awkward to use and require precise positioning of a camera inside an eyepiece holder, its slim integrated design makes off-axis guiding simple. At just 22.23 mm thick, it consumes minimal back focus, preserving critical space for filter wheels and other accessories.

    1.3 MP CMOS Sensor with a 0.7x Reducer

    The SC-4's guiding performance is driven by its built-in 1.3 MP monochrome CMOS sensor, which features an electronic global shutter plus a mechanical dark frame shutter for convenient dark frames. The integrated 0.7x focal reducer widens the guider's field of view, making it significantly easier to locate a suitable guide star, especially in star-poor regions of the sky or when using long focal length instruments. The sensor's 4.8 µm pixels provide an ideal image scale for precise guiding on a wide range of telescopes.

    Tool-Free Mirror and Focus Control from 20.3 mm to 53.3 mm

    The StarChaser SC-4 features external knobs for both pick-off mirror position and focus. This allows you to fine-tune the system without removing it from the telescope. The guide focus adjustment range is extensive, accommodating back focus distances from 20.3 mm to 45.7 mm with the mirror retracted, and from 27.9 mm to 53.3 mm with the mirror fully extended into the light path.

    Direct-Bolt Compatibility for Aluma AC and AO-X

    Engineered for the SBIG ecosystem, the SC-4 features the large-format bolt pattern for direct, flex-free mounting. It connects securely to SBIG AFW large-format filter wheels, the FW7-STX, or directly to the front of Aluma AC series cameras. This tight integration extends to adaptive optics, as the SC-4 is designed to have the SBIG AO-X unit bolt directly to its front, with a single cable providing power and control.

    SC-4 vs. SC-4C: Choosing the Right StarChaser Format

    The primary difference between StarChaser models is their intended optical train format. The SC-4 is the large-format version designed for larger sensors and accessories that use the SBIG large-format bolt pattern and 3-inch focusers. The SC-4C is the compact version, designed for smaller cameras like the Aluma CCD series and accessories built for 2-inch focusers. Choosing the correct model ensures the pick-off mirror can reach the guide stars at the edge of the corrected field without vignetting the main imaging sensor.

  • How does the SBIG StarChaser SC-4 eliminate guide errors from flexure?

    The StarChaser SC-4 uses the same optical path as your main imaging camera by sampling light from the edge of the field. This completely eliminates tracking errors caused by a separate guidescope shifting or flexing relative to the main telescope. Any movement seen by the guider is the same movement seen by the main imager.

    What SBIG cameras and filter wheels is the StarChaser SC-4 compatible with?

    The SC-4 uses the SBIG large-format bolt pattern and is designed for direct, secure attachment to several products, including:

    • SBIG Aluma AC series cameras (bolted directly)
    • SBIG AFW large-format filter wheels
    • SBIG FW7-STX filter wheels
    • SBIG AO-X Adaptive Optics unit (bolts to the front of the SC-4)

    Do I need to remove the StarChaser SC-4 to adjust the pick-off mirror or focus?

    No. One of the key features of the SC-4 is that both the pick-off mirror position and the guider focus can be adjusted using external knobs. This allows for easy, tool-free adjustments without having to disassemble your imaging train.

    How does the 0.7x reducer on the StarChaser SC-4 help find guide stars with my f/10 SCT?

    With a long focal length telescope like an f/10 SCT, the field of view for an off-axis guider can be very small, making it difficult to find a suitable guide star. The built-in 0.7x focal reducer effectively widens this field of view, increasing the patch of sky the 1.3 MP sensor sees and making it much easier to locate a guide star.

    Can I use the SBIG StarChaser SC-4 with the AO-X adaptive optics unit?

    Yes. The StarChaser SC-4 is directly compatible with the SBIG AO-X. The AO-X bolts directly to the front of the SC-4, and a single 11066 adapter cable between them provides all power and control signals. Because the AO-X is controlled by the StarChaser, it is fully independent of the main camera.

    What software is included with the StarChaser SC-4?

    The SC-4 comes with a comprehensive software package on a USB flash drive. This includes MaxIm LT for camera control and image acquisition, along with all necessary DL Imaging drivers and an ASCOM driver for compatibility with third-party software.

  • Optical Length 22.23 mm
    Telescope Connection SBIG large-format bolt pattern front; 10018 3in x 24tpi adapter or ACC09 3in adapter recommended
    Camera Connection SBIG large-format bolt pattern; mounts to AFW large-format wheels, FW7-STX, or directly to Aluma AC
    Guide Camera Port Built-in 1.3 MP CMOS guide camera (1280 x 1024, 4.8 µm, global shutter, 0.7x focal reducer); ST-4 style guide port; USB 2.0 Mini
    Guide Focus Adjustment Range 20.3-45.7 mm (mirror retracted); 27.9-53.3 mm (mirror fully in)
    Weight 400 g

    • StarChaser SC-4 off-axis guide camera

      × 1

    • Universal AC power supply with choice of power cord (US/EU/AU)

      × 1

    • DC power extension cable

      × 1

    • Tracking Interface Cable ("ST-4" style)

      × 1

    • USB 2.0 A to Mini-B cable, 6 feet (2 meters)

      × 1

    • 7/64-inch hex key wrench

      × 1

    • Four 6-32 x 1-1/8in socket head cap screws

      × 1

    • USB flash drive with MaxIm LT software, DL Imaging drivers, and ASCOM driver

      × 1

  • Diffraction Limited 1-Year Warranty