Watec WAT-902H2 Supreme

5.0 A current standard for CCD video!

Rugged; Reliable; Very Sensitive

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For many years, low light level CCD monochrome surveillance video cameras have been the standard workhorse for astronomers doing video occultation timing and video meteor recording. The 902 series of cameras from Watec (Japan) and Watec America have long been the leaders and innovators in getting the emerging Sony CCD technologies out to the market. The 902 series was far ahead of most other manufactures in that it used Sony CCD's in 1/2" format.

A major advance was the introduction of the WAT-902H using the new Sony EXview HAD CCD detector. Sensitivity was far superior to the older Super HAD technology and the CCD chip was far more sensitive in the near infrared. However, many people complained of the lack of controls for such things as sensitivity and gain. Watec responded with the WAT-902H2 Supreme with a number of control switches and adjustments added.

This camera is rated at .0003 lux at f/1.4. In its early days, it was rated down to .00015 lux (like the LCL-902K), but at this level of sensitivity, noise is a major issue. So the sensitivity has been dropped back slightly for a considerable noise improvement. It (and its cousin the LCL-902K) are the current tools of choice in meteor work and for occultations. With a moderately fast 8" scope, it will routinely go down to 10th mag and can go down to 12th mag on K and M spectral type stars.

For a side by side comparison of performance testing results of these newer cameras go to: http://www.kolumbus.fi/oh5iy/astro/Ccd.html

I highly recommend this camera if you require a camera with true 'live' video at this sensitivity level.