Toucam compared to other digital imagers

[Dennis G]

A Toucam compared to other digital imagers.

A day or so ago I submitted this article as a question. Not being able to find it published I resubmit it.

The 10 inch Light Bucket I recently built – see IIS Projects - proved to be a great success capturing the moon at Harrismith WA, from the 8th to the 13th June, using a Pro II Toucam and a 2x Barlow even though conditions were not as good as one had hoped for away from the south coast, - see attached pic.

Having read articles on IIS, re numerous brands of digital imagers (cameras), I’d appreciate comments from the knowledgeable who have actually compared the Toucam Pro II with other digital one shot colour of the same resolution.

No way will I be able to record deep sky objects with my set-up, nor in my opinion could I record three identical recordings using colour filters, which rules out a mono imager unless I accept B&W pictures. Most brands of digital imagers that are within my reach are the same resolution as the Toucam, which begs the question, are they any better? If so please name them.

One final Question: Has Philips produced a newer version of the Pro II Toucam?

[[1ponders]]

The ToUcam comes in three vintages, the 740 (forget it), the 840 (still one of , if not the best true webcams out there) and the 900 (a bit of an improvement on the 840 but most feel only marginally).

Since then there have been quite a few colour "astronomy webcams" become available that leave the standard webcams in their wakes. The DBK and DFK cameras from The Imaging Source and the Skynyx colour camera are just a couple. BUT you will pay considerably more for them than you will for a ToUcam. These webcams are dedicated astro cameras, so it is understandable that they surpass the ToUcam genera. However for standard webcams I don't think there are many that can rival a ToUcam.

[renormalised]

Here's your post....

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=33483

[AlexN]

yeah paul has hit it on the head.. for cost effectiveness and good results you cant pass up a ToUcam 840K/ ToUcam 900NC.

That being said... for $445 - $500 the Imaging Source DBK and DFK range are leaps and bounds ahead in terms of sensitivity and noise..

[kinetic]

Hi Dennis,

sorry I've just replied about this thread in your other thread,
not knowing about this one.
I'm still finding my way with IIS, and quite frankly find the navigating
of the forums pretty hard....but that's just me.

Anyway , I ranted a bit about the spc900...someone here has already
covered it here, so...I feel pretty silly....:whistle:

Steve B

[wmzaphod]

Off subject Dennis, but how do you include the thumbnail image link (as per this post) ?

[renormalised]

Hit the "Go Advanced" button at the bottom of the quick reply area, then hit the button with the paper clip....that's the attachments button. Then when the new window for attachments pops up, browse for your file then hit the upload button. That's it!!!!:)

[wmzaphod]

Cool thanks fer that - I assume the image is then uploaded to Ice in space...

Ta.