The camera head that contains the CCD chip weighs about two pounds and is 2.6 inches diameter by 3.2 inches overall length, less than some eyepieces. To convert signals from the camera for the computer, a small electronic interface box must be located within five feet of the camera head. Three cables and two coolant hoses connect the camera to the camera's power supply and the computer. Although the book suggests using 15-foot cables, builders report using cables over 40 feet in length. Circulating coolant removes the heat from the camera body and helps to maintain a highly stable chip temperature.
City lights affect all CCD cameras, but less than they affect visual observing and astrophotography.
Builders report having made images of the Horsehead Nebula from bright suburban skies and imaging the brighter Messier objects from urban downtown locations. Ease of imaging with the Cookbook camera is equal or superior to other CCDs, including widely promoted commercial units. In all CCD imaging, your telescope, your computer, and your CCD must work in coordination, regardless of the type of CCD camera you are using. Imaging is always easiest in a small observatory because the set-up is minimal, and most difficult in remote locations. Using an integration time of 1 second with an 8-inch telescope, the Cookbook users have been able to guide on stars of 14th magnitude.