Player One Apollo 428M MAX Pro Mono Cooled Solar Camera

Sony IMX428 Global Shutter: 7.1MP for High-Resolution Solar

The core of the Apollo 428M MAX Pro is its 1.1-inch Sony IMX428 monochrome sensor, which uses Pregius 3rd generation global shutter technology. This is critical for high-resolution solar and lunar imaging, as it reads out all 7.1 million pixels simultaneously, completely eliminating the distortion and warping that rolling shutters can introduce during moments of unsteady seeing. The 4.5μm pixels offer a significant increase in sampling resolution compared to older generation solar cameras, allowing you to capture incredibly fine detail in solar spicules, filaments, and granulation without needing an aggressive Barlow lens.

2-Stage TEC Cooling: A 35-40°C Delta-T System

Engineered for both high-speed planetary and deep-sky imaging, the Apollo 428M MAX Pro integrates a powerful 2-stage thermoelectric cooling system. Capable of reducing the sensor temperature by 35°C to 40°C below ambient, this system dramatically lowers thermal noise for clean, long-exposure captures of faint nebulae and galaxies. An integrated, controllable anti-dew heater on the D32*2MM protective window prevents condensation during humid nights, ensuring your imaging sessions are uninterrupted.

51 FPS Capture with 512MB DDR3 Cache

To ensure stable, drop-free video capture at its maximum speed of 51 FPS, the Apollo 428M MAX Pro is equipped with a 512MB DDR3 memory buffer. This cache secures data transmission from the sensor before it's sent over the USB 3.0 connection, preventing lost frames even on PCs with slower hard drives. This onboard memory greatly reduces readout noise and makes the camera's high-speed capabilities accessible without requiring a top-tier computer.

420g Carbon Fiber Body with Dual Tilter Plates

The camera's housing is constructed with carbon fiber, reducing its weight to just 420g and making it easier to balance on any setup. A key innovation is the dual sensor-tilting mechanism. It ships with a 3-point front tilter for general use, but also includes a 4-point rear tilter. The rear tilter is essential for imagers using rigid accessories like a filter wheel or OAG, allowing precise tilt adjustments without introducing flexure into the image train.

Apollo 428M MAX Pro vs. Apollo-M MAX (IMX432): 4.5μm vs. 9μm Pixels

The primary difference between the Apollo 428M MAX Pro (IMX428) and the classic Apollo-M MAX (IMX432) is pixel size and resolution. While both use a 1.1" format sensor, the choice depends on your telescope and imaging goals.

• Apollo 428M MAX Pro (IMX428): With 4.5μm pixels and a 7.1MP resolution, this camera is built for high-resolution imaging. It provides four times the pixel density, making it ideal for capturing fine details on the Sun and Moon with short to medium focal length refractors.
• Apollo-M MAX (IMX432): This camera uses larger 9μm pixels and has a 1.7MP resolution. Its larger pixels offer a greater full well capacity per pixel, making it extremely sensitive and well-suited for capturing full-disc solar images with longer focal length telescopes or for applications where light-gathering is prioritized over raw resolution.