QHY163 Mono Camera + Medium Colour Filter Wheel
QHY
Couldn't load pickup availability
Share
QHY163 Mono Camera
Cooled USB 3.0 Planetary and Deep Sky COLDMOS Camera
The QHY163M camera is an incredible value. It uses a relatively large 4/3inch, 16 Megapixel monochrome CMOS sensor. The QHY163M has exceptionally low readout noise (as low as 1 electron!), low dark current and two-stage cooling capable of reducing the sensor temperature to -40C below ambient. The sensor chamber is sealed and the optical window is heated to prevent dew. The camera's interface is USB 3.0 and delivers 23FPS@16 megapixel full resolution output, 30FPS@4K HD video output.
The QHY163 has a built-in 128MB DDRII image buffer. The benefit of the image buffer is that the memory will cache the image and transfer it to the computer when the USB interface is not busy or being interrupted, and the frame will not be lost or corrupted. This buffer also allows a slower computer with USB 2.0 socket to capture every frame without loss even if the USB socket is occasionally busy with other peripherals. This buffer also helps multiple camera applications and avoids USB transfer problems. For example, it is possible to operate four QHY163M cameras on the same computer to create an LRGB imaging array.
Full Anti-Dew Solution - With more than a decade of experience designing cooled cameras, QHYCCD has applied this knowledge to the QHY163 camera. The full anti-dew technology includes a sealed CMOS chamber with silicon gel tube socket and a heated chamber optical window. This technology prevents dew from forming on the sensor itself, or on the chamber window, even in a high humidity environment.
Check the QHY Connection Combination Table for the various adapter options
http://qhyccd.com/QHY163.html
QHY cameras are arriving regularly. If the camera you want is not in stock, please let us know (using the Contact Us form) as we can usually get a specific camera within 2 to 4 weeks.
QHY Colour Filter Wheel - Medium
Improvement for Compatibility
Our new version of the QHYCFW3 Color Filter Wheel has been improved for compatibility. The original product can only be used to fix 1.25-inch mounted filters, while the updated version can be fixed with 31mm unmounted filters through the new-added screw holes.
No Backlash
Precision Positioning
Our 2nd generation filter wheels used a gear drive while this 3rd generation filter wheel uses a friction drive with zero backlash. It also positions and stops with high precision.
QHYCFW3M
Medium size. The QHYCFW3M supports supports a carousel holding five 2-inch mounted or 50mm unmounted filters.

QHY163 Mono and Filter Wheel Specifications
- Camera Specs
- Filter Specs
Camera Specifications
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 4/3 inch 16 Megapixel CMOS Mono Sensor |
| Illumination | Back Illuminated |
| Sensor Size | 17.7mm x 13.4mm |
| Pixel Size | 3.8μm x 3.8μm |
| Effective Pixels | 4656 x 3522, 16 Megapixels |
| Shutter | Electronic Rolling Shutter |
| Cooling | 2-stage TEC, -40℃ below Ambient, typical. Temperature Regulated |
| Computer Interface | USB3.0 |
| Weight | 450g |
Filter Specifications
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | QHYCFW3M-SR (standard) |
| Thickness | 20.5mm |
| Disk Supported | 5 position 2inch (50mm) round |
| Available Height Limitation | 10mm |
| Weight | 728g |
Let customers speak for us
from 212 reviewsI haven't had as much viewing opportunities as I would like but you can't do much when you have 2 weeks of constant overcast. I like the crayford focuser, and the finderscope is high quality with a good aperture, the views of Jupiter, the moon, Carina and Orion nebula and Omega centauri have been great with the 30mm super view and 9mm, thinking about getting a 6mm, Barlow lens and a neutral density filter to expand my arsenal, so far going from a 60mm refractor to a 8in Newtonian hasn't been too hard. Collimating for the first time was a challenge but i have it sorted out. Only few things to point out is I don't think I got a manual but the video was plenty helpful, perhaps you could sell dew shields for the finderscope and to protect the secondary mirror as well as telescope heaters for active protection, potentially some new videos starring Andrew about star hopping to find dim DSO's without a computerized mount. Overall very happy with my purchase, with the 8in dobsonian being known as a lifetime scope I know It will always have a place in my heart even if I do upgrade to bigger and better scopes. Thank you Andrew for your great customer support and service. I bid you clear skies from the deep south!
Very fast delivery
At first glance it seems quite light and the implication is that it can't really be all that powerful. However, light is what we want and it emits lots of lovely laser light! It's perfect for pointing out features to anyone else and bonus is that you can use a laser to align a scope or binos on the feature of your choosing by shining it through the scope finder or eyepiece (binos).
Just a note it to avoid shining the laser at anything reflective, as it can blind you very quickly. That includes road cones with their reflective tape. I can see how pilots are affected, it wouldn't take much.
Very helpful and knowledgeable team who offered ideas and suggestions without being too pushy. Very helpful.
As a stargazing newbie, I'm so glad I visited the showroom for advice! Andrew was super helpful and I'm very happy with my 8" Dobsonian :)
My comments are based on using it with a 102mm ED refractor, FL 714 mm. My home is in a Bortle 5 location in Christchurch.
This shorty Barlow is an apochromatic design, it uses a brass compression ring and is light at approx.100gms. I've used it several times in mostly poor viewing conditions, and once in above average conditions. In that time I viewed double stars, emission nebulae, open and globular star clusters, and Jupiter. I thought it provided excellent views and on the one occasion when seeing conditions and the city lights were less in the early morning, I was able to achieve 203 x magnification looking at a globular while still getting a reasonable view. Even at 238 x the view was tolerable, albeit quite soft.
I also have a Celestron X-Cel-LX 2X Barlow, so was able to compare the two Barlows. I found them pretty much identical in terms of colour, sharpness and contrast, though someone with better eyesight may notice differences that I can't.
I highly recommend the Astronz 2.5X Barlow, as it can provide substantially higher magnification options if you have, say 3 or 4 eyepieces. Personally, I prefer my 2 X Barlow as its more useful in less than average viewing conditions, which for me is most of the time. However, in above average to excellent viewing conditions, or at a dark sky site, the extra magnification of the 2.5 X Barlow would be very useful. If you are just starting out and wanting to get a Barlow, the Astronz one costs $48 cf. $249 for the Celestron. The choice is pretty much a no-brainer from that perspective.
I'll continue to use both, as different EP combinations and magnification steps will suit different viewing conditions.
The collimator arrived within 24 hours and was exactly what I needed. If didn't take long to realise the collimator itself needed to be collimated which was an easy process and added to learning how to use it. It was easy to use to collimate the Dobsonian Telescope. Thanks Astronz for helping me get underway with my new hobby.
I am so happy with the 8" Dobsonian. The fine focuser and the 2" superview lens where features which other beginner packages didn't have. I went to visit Andrew's store, he didn't confuse me or up sell, and he gave lots of time chatting and showing me the scopes, he gave advice for where to find dark skies and to come along to the societies meeting which introduced me to lots of great people and astronomy. I set the scope up within hours, within a week I had three amazing observing sessions, in dark skies not far from Auckland, the scope is simple and quick to set up and use and I am very impressed by how it has delivered beyond my expectations for power, useability and fun! Highly recommend Astronz
I am delighted to write a report for this product. It is extremely well made and combines a manual as well as electric function for focusing. This is important to me because with my other electric focuser, I was unable to use the telescope visually without having to dismount it. Now I am able to use it visually.
The focusing function allows very precise control. Unlike my previous focuser, there is now no problem from Schmidt Cassegrain mirror slop. I can now search for focus by adjusting in and out of focus and then when focus is found, set the counter to zero. I am a planetary imager and can now be very precise in searching for focus - even during a video capture. When experimenting beyond your "zero" point one can always return to that point precisely.
I have no hesitation in recommending it.
Cheers,
Paul Mallinson
Superbly easy to use and wonderful clear view while abl to clip on phone camera to other side made great photos
From what I’ve tried so far they seem amazing got a few more days to use them in Wellington NZ before we flight back to London so hopefully all good 👍 cheers Frank
I recently purchased the Celestron EdgeHD 8" Optical Tube Assembly from Astronz and had a very positive experience. The sales service was excellent, knowledgeable and provided helpful advice about the telescope and accessories before purchase. Astronz is run by experienced astronomers, which makes a big difference when discussing equipment and setup.
good quality and quick shipping. Andrew was great help.
Awesome definition, great contrast and sharpness.