Omegon veLOX 178 C Color Camera

Omegon veLOX 178 C Color camera

If you are looking for a camera that can handle planetary imaging and automatic mount guiding at the same time, the Omegon veLOX 178 C Color is the answer. This compact yet powerful instrument is built around the proven Sony IMX178 sensor and offers a combination of high frame rate, sensitivity and versatile connectivity that will satisfy both beginner planetary photographers and experienced observers with demanding requirements. With the largest sensor and smallest pixels in the entire veLOX range, it is the ideal choice for those who want to get the most out of a single device.

High-speed capture for planetary imaging

High-speed cameras for planetary photography must be able to freeze atmospheric turbulence - known as seeing - by capturing a large number of short exposures from which software selects the sharpest frames. The Omegon veLOX 178 C Color achieves up to 59 frames per second at full resolution of 3096 x 2080 pixels, with data transfer handled by a USB 3.0 interface. In practice, this means that capturing the shadow of Jupiter's moons, the Cassini division in Saturn's rings, detailed mountain ridges on the Moon, or chromospheric prominences on the Sun are all entirely realistic tasks with this camera.

The Region of Interest (ROI) function in the included Omegon AstroPhotoCapture software allows only the portion of the sensor containing the target object to be read out, which further increases the frame rate - a crucial advantage when photographing small planetary discs.

Sensitivity and color accuracy

Thanks to the high quantum efficiency and low read noise of the Sony IMX178 sensor, the camera is also well suited for imaging nebulae and galaxies. Modern CMOS chips of this type outperform older technologies in sensitivity to faint objects, so even without active cooling, surprisingly good results can be achieved at reasonable exposure times.

The color version is fitted with an infrared-cut filter built directly into the camera body, which prevents color shift caused by the sensor's sensitivity in the IR range. The resulting color accuracy of the images is therefore preserved without the need for an additional filter.

Autoguiding with ST4 and broad software support

When it comes to autoguiding, the more sensitive the sensor, the fainter the star needed as a reference point. The built-in ST4 port provides a direct connection to the mount, and native compatibility with PHD2 means that setting up the guider takes no unnecessary time. The camera is also fully supported by N.I.N.A. software, and via ASCOM and INDI interfaces it works with a wide range of other astrophotography applications, including Linux and macOS.

Compact and versatile design

The camera body is machined from anodized aluminum in the shape of a 1.25″ eyepiece barrel, so it fits any standard focuser without adapters. At just 90 g, it does not strain even smaller mounts, and the dimensions of 71 mm in length and 41 mm in diameter make it extremely compact. The front of the camera features a C/CS-Mount thread and, via the included adapter, a standard 1.25″ filter thread, so miniature CCTV lenses or any astronomical filters can be connected directly. Power is supplied entirely through USB with no need for an external power source.

What is this camera suitable for?

The Omegon veLOX 178 C Color is designed for:

• Imaging planets, the Moon and the Sun using the lucky imaging method
• Deep-sky photography of nebulae and galaxies with longer exposures
• Autoguiding with direct ST4 connection

It is not intended for AllSky systems or meteor photography.

Package contents

Technical specifications

About Omegon veLOX cameras

Omegon is a brand backed by a team of astronomers with a deep understanding of the needs of both visual observers and astrophotographers. The veLOX range was created with a clear goal: to offer fast and precise cameras for astrophotography in an affordable and compact form that makes no compromises on key parameters. Sony IMX sensors are an industry standard for imaging applications, and their use in an astronomy camera with well-designed electronics and extensive software support delivers genuine value. Omegon continuously expands the compatibility of its cameras with popular open-source software and actively responds to feedback from the astrophotography community - an approach appreciated by anyone who does not want to be locked into a single manufacturer's closed ecosystem.