Mars 662M USB3.0 Mono Camera

Product Overview

The Mars 662M is a high-speed monochrome planetary camera from Player One Astronomy, built on Sony's 1/2.8" IMX662 CMOS sensor. Its 2.1-megapixel array (1936×1100, 2.9 µm pixels, 6.44 mm diagonal) reaches a peak quantum efficiency near 91% and streams up to 108 fps, so it can gather thousands of frames quickly to beat atmospheric seeing on the planets and Moon.

Who It's For

This is a good match if you do high-frame-rate monochrome planetary and lunar imaging — capturing large frame stacks of Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and the lunar surface — and want a sensitive small-format sensor. Its low minimum read noise (0.7 e−) and deep 54k e− full well also make it a capable mono camera for monochrome solar work through the appropriate filters.

Key Features & Design

• Sony IMX662 mono CMOS: back-illuminated sensitivity with peak QE around 91%.
• Deep 54k e− full well: strong signal handling for bright, high-contrast planetary detail.
• Low read noise: 6.7 e− down to 0.7 e− depending on gain.
• 108 fps readout: 10-bit at full resolution over USB3.0 for lucky imaging.
• Super AR Plus window: D21×1.1 mm multi-layer anti-reflection glass to suppress internal reflections.
• 256 MB DDR3 buffer: steadies the high-speed data stream.

Optical / Mechanical Design

The IMX662 is a 1/2.8" monochrome CMOS with 2.9 µm pixels across a 5.6 mm×3.2 mm active area, rolling shutter. Full-well capacity is 54k e−, read noise ranges 6.7 e− to 0.7 e−, digitised at 12-bit, with peak QE near 91%. Full-resolution readout reaches 108 fps (10-bit) over USB3.0. Sensor-to-flange backfocus is 12.5 mm behind the Super AR Plus D21×1.1 mm window. The 66 mm body ends in a 1.25" / M42×0.75 interface and runs from USB power alone.

Recommended Uses

• Planetary imaging: high-frame-rate lucky imaging of the planets, often with a Barlow for image scale.
• Lunar imaging: detailed monochrome mosaics of the lunar surface.
• Monochrome solar: Ha or white-light capture through the appropriate solar filtration.

Compatibility and Accessory Notes

The camera presents a 1.25" nosepiece and M42×0.75 rear, with 12.5 mm of backfocus in the train. It runs over USB3.0 (backward compatible with USB2.0), powered from the USB connection. The small 1/2.8" sensor suits planetary image scale; a Barlow or PowerMate is commonly used to reach an appropriate focal ratio. As a monochrome camera it images through filters for colour, narrowband or solar work.

Good to Know Before You Order

• It is a monochrome camera: colour planetary work through this sensor is built from filtered channels; solar use needs proper solar filtration.
• Small 1/2.8" sensor: ideal for planetary image scale rather than wide deep-sky fields.
• Non-cooled: optimised for high-frame-rate capture rather than long exposures.
• Published weight is 150 g: very light on the focuser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it difficult to set up?

No. It threads on through its 1.25" / M42 interface and runs on a single USB3.0 cable — no external power needed.

What is it best used for?

High-frame-rate monochrome planetary and lunar imaging, and monochrome solar with the right filters.

Do I need a Barlow?

For planets, usually yes — the small pixels and sensor pair with a Barlow or PowerMate to reach a suitable planetary image scale.

How does it differ from the color Mars cameras?

The 662M is monochrome, so colour is built from filtered channels; a colour sibling captures RGB in one exposure at some cost in resolution per channel.

Bottom Line

In short: a 2.1 MP IMX662 mono planetary camera with ~91% peak QE, a deep 54k e− well and 108 fps readout — a fast, single-cable camera for lucky imaging of the planets and Moon, and monochrome solar with the right filter.