Centauri 7 in. Color Touchscreen High End Power Meters

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Overview

The Centauri is the most feature rich desktop laser power/energy meter on the market. Just plug in one of the many Ophir sensors and you have a whole measurement laboratory at your fingertips. The bright color display gives unparalleled legibility and ease of interpreting information.

Compatible with all standard Ophir Thermal, BeamTrack, Pyroelectric and Photodiode sensors
Large 7 inch full color touch display with advanced graphing and statistics
Single and dual channel versions available, with upgrade path from single to dual
Sophisticated power/energy logging including logging every pulse at up to 25kHz with Pyro sensors
Advanced math functions with ability to compare two measurements Functions can be mixed together, displayed graphically and can also be logged
USB flash drive for external storage and ability to field upgrade embedded software
USB and RS232 interfaces, LabView driver & COM object interface
Advanced graphical display options
Log every pulse at up to 25KHz per channel
Supports advanced Ophir measurement modes such as “Low Frequency Power” (for VCSEL measurements), “Pulsed Power”, etc.

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Products

		Compare	Model	Compatibility	sortOrder	rankScore	ranking	Drawings, CAD & Specs		Statistics	Analog Out	RS232	USB	GPIB	Availability	Featured Item	Price		Brand
		7Z01700 Centauri Single Channel Centauri Laser Power & Energy Meter, 1 Channel, 7 in. Color Touchscreen $2,046 In Stock	7Z01700 Centauri Single Channel Centauri Laser Power & Energy Meter, 1 Channel, 7 in. Color Touchscreen	UNIVERSAL	0.0	1.0	0.0		0.0	Yes	1, 2 ,5 ,10 V	Yes	Yes	No	In Stock		$2,046		Ophir
		7Z01701 Centauri Dual Channel Centauri Laser Power & Energy Meter, 2 Channel, 7 in. Color Touchscreen $2,544 In Stock	7Z01701 Centauri Dual Channel Centauri Laser Power & Energy Meter, 2 Channel, 7 in. Color Touchscreen	UNIVERSAL	0.0	1.0	0.0		0.0	Yes	1, 2 ,5 ,10 V	Yes	Yes	No	In Stock		$2,544		Ophir

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Software

PC Software & Drivers

This section describes various ways to interface the Ophir meter to your PC as well as the software options available. Check out the datasheet for more details.

StarLab

The StarLab application together with an Ophir meter turns your PC or laptop into a full-fledged laser power/energy meter. Supports most Ophir laser power/energy sensors. Up to 8 sensors can be displayed at once on one PC. By using the Ophir COM Object, you can control the device from your own application. Supports the Ariel, Centauri, StarBright, StarLite, Juno, Juno+, Juno-RS, Nova II, Vega, Pulsar-1/2/4, Quasar, EA-1 and IPM sensor devices.

LabVIEW

Library supplied for a complete measurement interface with most of our USB speaking devices (Centauri, StarBright, StarLite, Juno, Juno+, Nova-II, Pulsar, Vega). Makes use of our new COM object.

Simple Measurement.vi

Program for those who want to use Centauri connected to IS1.5-VIS-FPD-800 or IS1.5-IRG-FPD-800 integrating sphere with LabVIEW 2017.
Note: In order to work with the application example, it is necessary to install the LabVIEW runtime engine 2017, downloadable from the National Instruments website.

Firmware - Centauri (latest version 2.11)

Embedded s/w for Centauri Laser Power / Energy Meter
Note: Firmware update is performed by downloading the files into a USB Flash disk from Ophir website and connecting it to the Centauri (see link above).
The firmware can't be updated via StarLab.

Software

PC Software & Drivers

This section describes various ways to interface the Ophir meter to your PC as well as the software options available. Check out the datasheet for more details.

StarLab

LabVIEW

Library supplied for a complete measurement interface with most of our USB speaking devices (Centauri, StarBright, StarLite, Juno, Juno+, Nova-II, Pulsar, Vega). Makes use of our new COM object.

Simple Measurement.vi

Firmware - Centauri (latest version 2.11)

Specifications

Thermal Sensor Compatibility

Yes
Photodiode Sensor Compatibility

Yes
Pyroelectric Sensor Compatibility

Yes
BeamTrack Sensor Compatibility

Yes
Statistics

Yes
Analog Out

1, 2, 5, 10V
RS232

Yes

USB

Yes
Trigger Input/Output

Yes
On-Board Data Storage

As per USB Flash Drive used
CE Compliance

Yes
UKCA Compliance

Yes
China RoHS Compliance

Yes

Specifications

Thermal Sensor Compatibility

Yes
Photodiode Sensor Compatibility

Yes
Pyroelectric Sensor Compatibility

Yes
BeamTrack Sensor Compatibility

Yes
Statistics

Yes
Analog Out

1, 2, 5, 10V
RS232

Yes

USB

Yes
Trigger Input/Output

Yes
On-Board Data Storage

As per USB Flash Drive used
CE Compliance

Yes
UKCA Compliance

Yes
China RoHS Compliance

Yes

Features

Centauri: A New Experience in Laser Measurements

This video gives an overview of Ophir’s new high-end, 7" color touch-screen dual channel laser power/energy meter.

Introduction to the StarLab Laser Measurement Application

This video gives an overview of the StarLab application and its various functions. Part 1 of a series of video segments teaching you how to use StarLab.

Advanced 7 inch Graphical Display Capabilities

The bright color display gives unparalleled legibility and ease of interpreting information. Centauri has many on board features such as laser tuning, data logging, graphing, normalize, power or energy density, attenuation scaling, max and min limits.

Analog Needle Display

Line Graph Display

Pulse Chart Display

Statistics Display

Pass/Fail QA Display

BeamTrack Position/Size Display

Dual Channel Capabilities

The Centauri’s dual channel capabilities enable the user to simply plug in any of Ophir’s thermal, pyroelectric or photodiode sensors and measure the two channels independently, or a comparison between the two channels.

Two Independent Channels of Measurement

Two Channels Merging Into One Graph

Advanced Math Functions

Math functions include: Density, Scale Factor, Normalize against base line, and more. Functions can be mixed together, compared, displayed graphically, and can also be logged.

Features

Centauri: A New Experience in Laser Measurements

This video gives an overview of Ophir’s new high-end, 7" color touch-screen dual channel laser power/energy meter.

Introduction to the StarLab Laser Measurement Application

This video gives an overview of the StarLab application and its various functions. Part 1 of a series of video segments teaching you how to use StarLab.

Advanced 7 inch Graphical Display Capabilities

Analog Needle Display

Line Graph Display

Pulse Chart Display

Statistics Display

Pass/Fail QA Display

BeamTrack Position/Size Display

Dual Channel Capabilities

Two Independent Channels of Measurement

Two Channels Merging Into One Graph

Advanced Math Functions

Math functions include: Density, Scale Factor, Normalize against base line, and more. Functions can be mixed together, compared, displayed graphically, and can also be logged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the Centauri meter work with old pyroelectic sensors that are not the C style?
Answer
No. The pyroelectric sensors must be the PE-C type sensors to work with the Centauri meter.

Will the Centauri meter work with PD300RM and BC20 sensors?
Answer
No. Centauri meter will not work with PD300RM and BC20 sensors.

I can understand why a power meter sensor needs to be recalibrated, but why do I have to have my Power and Energy Meters recalibrated?
Answer
Think of it like a voltmeter or ammeter, these have to be recertified/recalibrated as well like most other pieces of test equipment. In general, our instruments are unlikely to drift or fail over time like a sensor might that is constantly exposed to laser energy. But the possibility exists. So the general practice in our industry is to have Power and Energy Meterss recalibrated and recertified as well. ISO standards and FDA, as well as other agencies, require both be recalibrated and recertified.

I don't see my exact wavelength in the wavelength option for my Ophir sensor. I only see several wavelength ranges. What should I do?
Answer
Select the range that contains your wavelength. The sensors have coatings on them that have been characterized and for any wavelength within that range the sensor will be within calibration tolderance including variations in sensitivity within that range. When there is a difference in sensitivity that exceeds the allowable tolerances, a new wavelength range is created and a calibrated for.

What is the Ophir meter zeroing and how often should I zero my power meter?
Answer
In all Ophir instruments, all adjustments, including zeroing internal circuits, are done from the software. This ensures simple and accurate realignment. The zeroing process helps eliminate internal biases in the unit which could affect accuracy and repeatablity of measurements. It is recommended to re-zero the instrument every month or two for best performance. Specific instructions for doing this can be found in the User Guide/Manual for each instrument.

I purchased a Single Channel Centauri, yet it has an additional sensor input socket labelled Channel B. How do I get this second input to work so that I can attach, measure and compare with two sensors simultaneously?
Answer
The Single Channel Centauri is actually a Dual Channel Centauri with the second Channel B disabled.
You can field upgrade a Single Channel Centauri to a Dual Channel Centauri by purchasing a Dual Channel Activation Code, ordering P/N 7Z11056.
The code number received is then entered by the user in the Instrument Settings to enable the second channel.

Do I need to recalibrate my instrument? How often must it be recalibrated?
Answer
Unless otherwise indicated, Ophir sensors and meters should be recalibrated within 18 months after initial purchase, and then once a year after that.

How do I use the Analog Output of a meter to get a reading of power? And how accurate is it?
Answer
The analog output of the meter - using the mating connector provided – gives a voltage signal proportional to the actual reading (it is in fact just a D/A translation of what is being displayed), so it represents a fully calibrated reading. The full scale value is a function of the meter being used and the power range it is on. With the StarBright, Vega and Nova II, for example, the user can select full scale analog output voltage ranges of 1, 2, 5 or 10 V, and the 100% level of the chosen power scale is scaled to the full scale voltage. For example: if you choose 5V full scale analog voltage range, and your sensor is set to a 50 W full scale power range, then you will have 5 V = 50 W or 0.1 V/W. It will vary according to the chosen power range and chosen full scale voltage range. The electrical accuracy is stated in the specification (see the User manual) as ±0.2% (of reading) ±0.3% of full scale volts (in addition to the calibration accuracy of the sensor’s reading itself).

My meter seems to be charging normally, but it lasts for less than an hour on battery power. Does the battery need to be replaced?
Answer
Yes, the battery needs to be replaced. A new battery should last 8 hours per charge. We recommend that you send the meter back for battery replacement and recalibration. User battery replacement is possible. For battery part numbers and ordering information, check out the Spare Parts.

Can I buy a universal power adapter/charger for my Ophir display?
Answer
Yes. We now offer a switchable universal power adapter/charger P/N 7E05029 for the Ophir displays.

I cannot have any type of battery operated units in my facility. Can I use my Centauri meter without the battery installed?
Answer
Yes. The meter will then come on automatically when the power supply is connected, without pressing the ON button. The idea is intended for when a meter is integrated into a larger machine, so that when the machine is powered up, the meter also comes on without having to have physical access to the buttons on the meter.

Which types of USB Flash Drives are suitable for use with the Centauri?
Answer
For firmware upgrade and logging purposes, use USB Flash Drives of up to 32GB storage capacity, formatted as a FAT32 file system only. (Not exFAT nor NTFS).
Larger capacities, or differently formatted USB Flash Drives will not work with the Centauri.

Why wasn’t the firmware upgraded to the latest version when the meter was sent in for recalibration?
Answer
Our recalibration process is to not automatically upgrade the firmware in meters when they are sent in for recalibration, unless specifically requested to upgrade it. The reason for this is that we support many companies, such as medical companies, that have equipment validation processes that don’t allow changing the firmware version from the currently validated version. If you do want the latest firmware version installed, we will do that at no additional charge (for meters which are upgraded electronically) if it is specifically requested on the RMA request checklist form. For older meters (such as the Nova) that are upgraded through changing the EEPROM, a nominal fee is added, if firmware upgrade is requested. Note that upgrading the firmware does not affect the calibration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the Centauri meter work with old pyroelectic sensors that are not the C style?
Answer
No. The pyroelectric sensors must be the PE-C type sensors to work with the Centauri meter.

Will the Centauri meter work with PD300RM and BC20 sensors?
Answer
No. Centauri meter will not work with PD300RM and BC20 sensors.

I can understand why a power meter sensor needs to be recalibrated, but why do I have to have my Power and Energy Meters recalibrated?
Answer
Think of it like a voltmeter or ammeter, these have to be recertified/recalibrated as well like most other pieces of test equipment. In general, our instruments are unlikely to drift or fail over time like a sensor might that is constantly exposed to laser energy. But the possibility exists. So the general practice in our industry is to have Power and Energy Meterss recalibrated and recertified as well. ISO standards and FDA, as well as other agencies, require both be recalibrated and recertified.

I don't see my exact wavelength in the wavelength option for my Ophir sensor. I only see several wavelength ranges. What should I do?
Answer
Select the range that contains your wavelength. The sensors have coatings on them that have been characterized and for any wavelength within that range the sensor will be within calibration tolderance including variations in sensitivity within that range. When there is a difference in sensitivity that exceeds the allowable tolerances, a new wavelength range is created and a calibrated for.

What is the Ophir meter zeroing and how often should I zero my power meter?
Answer
In all Ophir instruments, all adjustments, including zeroing internal circuits, are done from the software. This ensures simple and accurate realignment. The zeroing process helps eliminate internal biases in the unit which could affect accuracy and repeatablity of measurements. It is recommended to re-zero the instrument every month or two for best performance. Specific instructions for doing this can be found in the User Guide/Manual for each instrument.

I purchased a Single Channel Centauri, yet it has an additional sensor input socket labelled Channel B. How do I get this second input to work so that I can attach, measure and compare with two sensors simultaneously?
Answer
The Single Channel Centauri is actually a Dual Channel Centauri with the second Channel B disabled.
You can field upgrade a Single Channel Centauri to a Dual Channel Centauri by purchasing a Dual Channel Activation Code, ordering P/N 7Z11056.
The code number received is then entered by the user in the Instrument Settings to enable the second channel.

Do I need to recalibrate my instrument? How often must it be recalibrated?
Answer
Unless otherwise indicated, Ophir sensors and meters should be recalibrated within 18 months after initial purchase, and then once a year after that.

How do I use the Analog Output of a meter to get a reading of power? And how accurate is it?
Answer
The analog output of the meter - using the mating connector provided – gives a voltage signal proportional to the actual reading (it is in fact just a D/A translation of what is being displayed), so it represents a fully calibrated reading. The full scale value is a function of the meter being used and the power range it is on. With the StarBright, Vega and Nova II, for example, the user can select full scale analog output voltage ranges of 1, 2, 5 or 10 V, and the 100% level of the chosen power scale is scaled to the full scale voltage. For example: if you choose 5V full scale analog voltage range, and your sensor is set to a 50 W full scale power range, then you will have 5 V = 50 W or 0.1 V/W. It will vary according to the chosen power range and chosen full scale voltage range. The electrical accuracy is stated in the specification (see the User manual) as ±0.2% (of reading) ±0.3% of full scale volts (in addition to the calibration accuracy of the sensor’s reading itself).

My meter seems to be charging normally, but it lasts for less than an hour on battery power. Does the battery need to be replaced?
Answer
Yes, the battery needs to be replaced. A new battery should last 8 hours per charge. We recommend that you send the meter back for battery replacement and recalibration. User battery replacement is possible. For battery part numbers and ordering information, check out the Spare Parts.

Can I buy a universal power adapter/charger for my Ophir display?
Answer
Yes. We now offer a switchable universal power adapter/charger P/N 7E05029 for the Ophir displays.

I cannot have any type of battery operated units in my facility. Can I use my Centauri meter without the battery installed?
Answer
Yes. The meter will then come on automatically when the power supply is connected, without pressing the ON button. The idea is intended for when a meter is integrated into a larger machine, so that when the machine is powered up, the meter also comes on without having to have physical access to the buttons on the meter.

Which types of USB Flash Drives are suitable for use with the Centauri?
Answer
For firmware upgrade and logging purposes, use USB Flash Drives of up to 32GB storage capacity, formatted as a FAT32 file system only. (Not exFAT nor NTFS).
Larger capacities, or differently formatted USB Flash Drives will not work with the Centauri.

Why wasn’t the firmware upgraded to the latest version when the meter was sent in for recalibration?
Answer
Our recalibration process is to not automatically upgrade the firmware in meters when they are sent in for recalibration, unless specifically requested to upgrade it. The reason for this is that we support many companies, such as medical companies, that have equipment validation processes that don’t allow changing the firmware version from the currently validated version. If you do want the latest firmware version installed, we will do that at no additional charge (for meters which are upgraded electronically) if it is specifically requested on the RMA request checklist form. For older meters (such as the Nova) that are upgraded through changing the EEPROM, a nominal fee is added, if firmware upgrade is requested. Note that upgrading the firmware does not affect the calibration.

Accessories

Centauri Dual Channel Activation Code

Software activation code to field upgrade a Single Channel Centauri to Dual Channel capabilities.

	Compare	Description	Compatibility	Drawings, CAD & Specs	Avail.	Price
		7Z11056 Centauri Dual Channel Activation Code	UNIVERSAL		3 Weeks	$555

Cables

	Compare	Description	Compatibility	Drawings, CAD & Specs	Avail.	Price
		7E01279 StarBright/StarLite/Centauri USB Cable USB Cable, USB-A to MICRO-B, StarBright, StarLite, Centauri Power Meters	UNIVERSAL		In Stock	$51
		7E01213 StarBright/Centauri RS232 Cable RS232 Cable, DB9 to 3.5 mm Plug, StarBright and Centauri Power Meters	UNIVERSAL		In Stock	$68

N Polarity Power Supply/Charger

Power Supply/Charger for Centauri, Vega, Nova II, LaserStar, Nova, EA-1, Pulsar, Quasar, 6K-W, 120K-W and fan cooled sensors.

	Compare	Description	Compatibility	Drawings, CAD & Specs	Avail.	Price
		7E05029 N Polarity Power Supply/Charger DC Power Supply / Charger, N Polarity	UNIVERSAL		In Stock	$52

General Purpose I/O Connector

Used as analog output plug for Centauri, StarBright, StarLite, Vega, Nova II, Nova, and Juno+.

	Compare	Description	Compatibility	Drawings, CAD & Specs	Avail.	Price
		7E02008 General Purpose I/O Connector Analog Output Connector, Power and Energy Meter	UNIVERSAL		In Stock	$20

Extended Warranty for Sensor

Customers that purchase the above items also consider the following items. Ophir-Spiricon meters and sensors include a standard manufacturers warranty for one year. Add a one year Extended Warranty to your meter or sensor, which includes one recalibration.