The ToupTek GPC290M is a passively cooled 1.25″ form monochrome guide camera incorporating the 2 megapixel Sony IMX290 CMOS sensor. The camera communicates via USB2 and is therefore suited for use as an inexpensive but sensitive autoguiding camera.

The GPC290M is an excellent addition to a guide scope and is compatible with some, but not all off-axis guiders. Please check compatibility.

The IMX290 sensor in the GPC290M is a 1/2.8″ (5.6 x 3.1mm) sensor with 2.9µm pixels. The sensor is back-side illuminated, meaning it is especially sensitive, and will have no trouble finding guide stars.

The camera communicates with the computer using a USB2 cable (included with the camera), and can achieve up to 18 frames per second. The camera has a native driver, and an ASCOM driver is also included. This means that PHD2 and similar programs will have no trouble connecting to and using the GPC290M. In addition to this, the camera comes with the advanced video and image processing application ToupSky.

Because the GPC290M is intended as an autoguiding camera, an ST-4 port and cable are provided, which allows ST-4 guiding.