This new affordable single-shot color imaging camera boasts a bigger CCD chip, improved engineering, and state-of-the-art cooling technology, making the StarShoot Deep Space Color Imager II a more powerful tool for beginning and experienced astrophotographers alike. The StarShoot "DSCI II" enables anyone with a telescope and a computer to shoot dazzling, full color images of star clusters, nebulas, galaxies, and planets. Embedded in the newly designed machined-aluminum housing is an 8mm diagonal (Type 1/2) Sony CCD chip featuring a 752 x 582 pixel array and 8.6 x 8.3 micron pixels. The larger chip sees a wider chunk of sky and is more sensitive than its predecessor, needing less exposure time to produce gorgeous results. The camera's thermoelectric cooling (TEC) system has been improved to further reduce electronic noise in images. The TEC gives the StarShoot a big advantage over the competition's cam, which is uncooled. With TEC, you get better, smoother images.

The included MaxIm DL Essentials Edition software provides real-time focusing assistance, easy image capture, and powerful image combining and processing tools. It now includes more image-processing features as well as batch processing and multiple-camera support. The camera itself is powered through your computer's high-speed USB 2.0 port. The TEC system requires external 3VDC power. The included 3VDC power supply is a high-quality plastic enclosure with a 6' long cable. It requires two D-cell batteries (not included), which will run the TEC for about 20 hours. The 3VDC power supply is far more convenient than the typical 12VDC power source required by other models — it's lightweight and it's easy to carry a set of spares in your equipment case. The StarShoot DSCI II comes with a one-year limited warranty.

For a limited time, when you buy the StarShoot DSCI II, you'll receive a bonus accessory pack with a 0.5x focal reducer, large pluck-foam accessory case, Astrophotography for the Amateur (2nd Ed.) and a USB 2.0 high-speed extension cable. A $136.80 value! Please note: Some computers have USB ports that are known to not meet the USB specification for the output voltage. These computers may not be able to run the SSDSI-2 without the use of an external powered hub. The vast majority of computers, however, do meet the proper USB specification, and should have no problems running the SSDSI-2 off of regular USB power.

StarShoot Deep-Space Imager II Camera includs:

• Camera
• USB cable (6')
• CD-ROM

Bonus Accessory Pack includes:

• Large Pluck-Foam Accessory Case, Black
• 0.5x Focal Reducer for StarShoot Imager
• Astrophotography for the Amateur, 2nd Ed.
• USB 2.0 High-Speed Extension Cable, 10 ft