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ok Ken, no expert but here goes, an LPI is a lunar and planetry imager that uses a CCD chip to download images onto either a desk top or lap top computer, apparently can be used on some bright deep space objects but personally have had no real luck, it has the ability to do long exposures in the 15 min range and down to a few 1/10's of a second. When it comes to the world of CCD imaging they honestly are at the lower end although a cost effective entry point, the images l am getting are not great but getting better as l learn how to adjust the settings for different objects and conditions it has a provision to draw a tracking box around the object you are following to keep it in the centre of the CCD chip but unless you are as proficent as Iceman at nudging a dob you should have a mount with tracking. You also need your computer or lap top near the scope because the LPI downloads it's images via a USB cable and anything over a 5m cable will give you a dramatic loss of image. The NexStar is the same principal, the Toucam is basically a web cam camera modified to take astro photos and does a better job from the photos l have seen posted on the forum, the next step is a dedicated CCD camers from probably $800 up, secondhand, all the way to whatever you want to pay, hope this helps a little bit Ken.
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