Recent Developments at SBIG

• 21 June 1999: New Products: ST-7E and ST-8E Enhanced ABG CCD Imaging/Star Tracker Systems
  We are now accpting orders for the new ST-7E and ST-8E Enhanced Anti-Blooming Gate Enabled (ABG) CCD Imaging/Star Tracker Systems. The ordering information, please contact Company Seven.

  Company Seven is now accepting orders for the new SBIG Model ST-9E CCD system. The camera is available only in a non-ABG version only. This camera will include the Two Stage Cooling as a standard feature. Deliveries of the ST-9E should commence in September or October 1999. It will be possible to upgrade the ST-7 cameras to the ST-9E as they share the same housings. The cost to upgrade the ST-7 to the ST-9E is $1,400 (plus shipping). The price for the ST-9E is $3,950.00.

  Company Seven is now accepting orders for the new SBIG Model ST-237 CCD system. The camera is the same, FASTAR compatible camera which SBIG used to make for Celestron. Deliveries of the ST-237 should commence in October 1999. The price for the ST-237 is $1,195.00.

• 29 January 1999: New Products: ST-7E and ST-8E Enhanced CCD Imaging/Star Tracker Systems
  Another step in the evolution of CCD imaging technology - and again led by SBIG!

  Continuing their tradition of innovation, in October 1994 SBIG introduced the original ST-7 (and ST-8) cameras with an unique concept (Patented) for astronomical imaging: each head contains two CCD's in parallel; a Kodak KAF0400 (or KAF1600) for imaging, and a Texas Instruments TC211 for tracking. In February 1999 the ST-7E and ST-8E were introduced.

  The Model ST-7E and ST-8E are each a multi-purpose instrument which feature a unique two CCD arrangement in parallel. Based upon the original SBIG dual chip camera concept, the Enhanced models add a dramatic improvement in sensitivity while maintaining an extremely low dark current. These new enhanced Kodak CCD detectors have higher QE (Quantum Efficiency) not just in the blue where the original Kodak detectors were relatively weak, but across the entire visual spectrum - from the UV to the IR. These new ST-7E and ST-8E cameras have higher QE (Quantum Efficiency) in the blue and green than even the venerable SBIG Model ST-6 CCD system!

  As of February 1999 the ST-7E and ST-8E are only available without ABG (Antiblooming Gate) enabled; we do expect to have ABG detectors available some time in the future. As with prior chips, the ABG versions will suffer some loss of sensitivity due to the ABG structure.

  Keeping with their tradition of treating their customers with respect, SBIG and Company Seven are instituting generous upgrade programs: from the prior ST-7 to the new ST-7E, and from the ST-7 to ST-8 or to the ST-8E. Please read our price listing, or contact Company Seven for the current price and availability.

• 17 November 1998: New ST-7 and ST-8 Enhanced Cooling Package
  This revised announcement updates some information about the new Enhanced Cooling Package for the ST-7 and ST-8 cameras and our scheduling of modifications. We are now accepting orders for retro-fits to existing cameras.

• July 1996: The 1996 SBIG CCD Imaging Conference
  Review of the CCD imaging and technology conference sponsored by SBIG held at Santa Barbara, California on 11 and 12 July 1996.

• R&D Efforts by Kodak and SBIG Regarding Enhanced CCD Blue Sensitivity
  Engineering bulletin released by SBIG discussing the status of efforts at Eastman Kodak to enhance the blue spectral sensitivity of some of their CCD's, and how this may impact detectors employed by SBIG.

• SBIG Furnished Relay Cable wire color codes, and common PEC/TIC Telescope Connectors
  A 17K GIF drawing by Company Seven with tables describing the current SBIG relay cable and connector (Female DB-15) wire color codes, pin numbers, and their functions. Also described is the common PEC/TIC telescope connector (six conductor RJ-11/14) and wiring diagrams. This information is for those who will either attach an RJ connector to the SBIG furnished Relay Cable or, for those who will buy the RJ connector and cable assembly (prewired) from sources such as Radio Shack, and then attach a Female DB-15 connector to the other end.

• How to make a longer Parallel cable than the standard cable as furnished by SBIG:
  A text article with describing the Parallel cable and connectors (Female and Male DB-25 connector) with pin numbers, and their functions. This information is for those who wish to extend the distance between the controlling Personal Computer's Parallel Port and those SBIG CCD Camera systems which support a Parallel Port.