ToUcam Pro

[matt]

OK...

I've been reading of their abilities for months and have resisted so far, but in the end it's the same old story: curiosity gets the better of a man.

So, I'm just beginning to cast an eye around with a view to maybe buying a ToUcam.

I think it might be a good idea given there's so much info and advice readily available and centred around these little "marvels".

So, anyone got one for sale? maybe even the "Pro".

Or can someone tell me who sells these things? What's the going price on 'em?

What mods do you recommend or are they good to go "straight out of the box".

Thanks folks

[iceman]

Hey matt.

They're quite cheap, around $140 or so. You'll also need a threaded 1.25" adapter and an IR blocking filter.

All up, expect to pay around $220.

You can probably pick them up cheaper off astromart, or even consider the "NexImage" which has the threaded adapter and IR filter built in. I think they'er around the same total price.

[ving]

theres a toucam pro2 on ebay at the moment.... http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-Philips-Webcam-ToUcam-PRO-II-1-2MPixel-1-3-VGA-CCD_W0QQitemZ8736162781QQcategoryZ4 616QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZVie wItem
I dont know how much they go for usually tho. mike bought one from an australian astro shop i tihnk, he should have more info :)

lol, he got im before me

[iceman]

yeh I got mine from www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au

they have all the bits you need, and they even do the long-exposure mod if you plan to image DSO's with it.

[matt]

Thanks.

Mike, I already have the nexImage, but I'm not sure it's of the same capabilities as the toucam? I want to look into a comparison of their specs, unless someone can tell me what difference there is?

I don't seem to be able to get the same clarity and resolution from it as others get with the toucam, although I'm aware seeing and the skills of the user play a large part in this:P

Like I said, just looking around. But it would be nice to use the same cam on which so many others are comparing notes and offering advice.

Cheers

[iceman]

I've read 2 stories.. one that the neximage is exactly the same as the ToUcam, and the other that they're different.

I'm not sure which is true. In any case, they're not far different if they are different.

I've seen many good results with a neximage, and think you should stick with it rather than replace it when a very similar webcam. Once your capture and processing techniques improve, so will your results.

If you want to upgrade your camera, go the whole hog and get a firewire/usb2 camera (big bucks).

I'd stick with what you've got an wait for your skills to catch up. Post some of your images, we'll see how we can help.

[[1ponders]]

Check here Matt. I think you'll find they are pretty much the same camera.
http://www.celestron.com/neximage/specs.htm
http://www.pc-cameras.philips.com/manuals/english/win/pcvc720k40_730_740k/

That last post doesn't give the pixel size:- 5.6X5.6

[RB]

Matt I was under the impression they are the same camera.

I too was new to this and if I show you my early work compared to a little later on, on the same object, you would laugh.
It just takes a while and this is a great place to get advice.

Post some images like "ICEMAN-Planet-Muncher-Mike" said and you'll be able to get advice from the members.

:)

[[1ponders]]

Or check this post at Cloudy Nights
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/381084/Main/375241

[asimov]

I would suggest you stick with what you have. Your getting totally EXCELLENT images with the neximage dude! I can't see you getting much better with a toucam.

Only had my toUcam a short period....At the time I was going to go for the neximage, but the toucam was slightly cheaper so I went with my budget.

Same chip, different software...unless I'm completely wrong.

[matt]

OK lads...

Just had one of those "the grass is greener" moments, I think:lol:

I'll persist with it.

Mike, you're right. When the time comes to move on to another camera, it'll be to something considerably different and better. There's clearly no point moving from one $200 webcam to another.

[asimov]

Mate, I have those moments all the time! The day after I got the 2Ucam, I was thinking..ahh! I wonder if I should have gone the neximage!?......or an LPI????....Ahhh!

Now I want all 3!!

[Robert_T]

Matt, I had exactly the same "grass is greener moment" early on. :) It's amazing how difficult it is to find out if the Neximage is the same, but as far as I can tell after googling far and wide it is and uses exactly the same chip (by the way there is a yahoo group specifically for the neximage that you might want to join). All the same raw mode mods etc for the toucam work with the Neximage. In the end I've persisted with the Neximage and am now fairly confident that it's not the limiting factor in my imaging equation and that I wouldn't be getting anything better from a Toucam. My plan is to keep going with it until I feel it has become the weak link (rather than my skill) and then move up to a more sensitive monochrome webcam and filter wheel.


cheers,

[asimov]

If the neximage is the same as a toucam, you could always do what Dave P has just done & purchased the monochrome chip for the toucam.

[davidpretorius]

stick with it as the guys have said. you get down with everything, but then the seeing comes up a cracker and you produce a beauty.

[matt]

Thanks guys

I think one of the (many) things I really like about this forum is that apart from all the great technical and how-to information that's shared, it's also good that you can also share your thoughts and experiences, and express how you're feeling about this great hobby/passion.

And it's great when you get responses like these that show those feelings are shared.

I reckon it's alright :P

[Ambermile]

Really? He has two then? :)

Arthur

PS - incidentally, are you all aware that the mod details were made available with the proviso that any profits made on those mods would be donated to the MSF foundation? Just a thought for those looking to buy pre-modded webcams.

[bonox]

keep in mind that you can get caught with the old "they're the same, no they're not" debate when a manufacturer issues the same device with multiple innards.

I got one with the mod from the SA mob and it has been great!

[matt]

G'day bonox

Got one what? With what mod?

[bonox]

toucam from www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au (http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com.au/) with long exposure mod.

[ballaratdragons]

As far as I know the NexImage can't be modded to do DSO work. The Toucam can.


What is an IR blocking filter needed for, and what is it. I ain't got one.

[Robert_T]

Matt/all, have a look at this link below - takes you to a Celestron site that explains what you can do with a Neximage. It has a following link to someone's web-page who has done the Long Exposure mod on the neximage too so prsumably it is possible

http://www.celestron.com/neximage/advanced.htm

cheers,

[matt]

Thanks Rob ...