Its a ToUcam with a different shell Ken. And yes mick apparently the program they use captures and processes similarly to the LPI but you can still use it with K3ccdtools if you just want to capture the avi. You can use almost any avi capture program if you want and then use Registax. You'll notice that they include registax 2 in the collection of image processing programs on the disc.
What difference would there be between the LPI, Toucam and the Astro Imager? All I know is that it is easier to do imaging with a dob which has tracking.
OK Guys. Call me dumb but I've gotta ask. (probably the only one game enough to)
What is a Meade LPI?
What is a TouCam?
What are K3ccdtools?
What is an avi?
Mick, if they are almost identical in the capturing of astro photos as the Meade LPI, what's the Meade LPI like? Coz I don't know what one is, I can't compare it.
I know these things are mentioned in here daily, but no-one ever says what they are, you all just say that you use them.
Sorry for my Dumbness, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants to know.
From what I remember Ed the ToUcam has a smaller chip for the same number of pixels. The LPI is about 1.25 times as large in each dimension. After having both and using both as Avi capture devices the ToUcam gave much better resolution. Mind you I never used the LPI as it was meant to be used, found it too frustrating though the results others here show what great shots can be taken with it
Ken the LPI is an imaging camera something like the Astro Imager. The Toucam is a web cam that is modified for astrophotography.
K3ccdtools is a software program to see the and sort out the avi's
And the AVI's are the images of the planets moon ext.. that the camera takes.
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.
this is an image downloaded with the LPI as l said l've only started but this is a single image with no stacking or processing so it will give you some idea of what to expect. With processing software they will only get better.
Thanks Ed, so which one is better for around that price (or less)? LPI, NexImage or TouCam?
I am planning on getting the Toucam soon because from what Iv'e heard it's the best.
This is the quote I got from telescopes-astronomy in SA,
Toucam $145.00
1.25" Eyepiece Adapter $45.00
IR Filter $80.00
Postage $12.00
There is one advantage of the Neximage over the ToUcam. It already comes with the 1.25" adapter, whereas you have to buy that extra with for the ToUcam. Mind you you I'm not sure you get the IR filter with the Neximage. And if you do its probably that horrible blue one that I never use.
I'm glad of that for all the other purchasers. Mike and I bought ours around the same time and we both bought the $40 IR filter. I used it once and never again. And I think Mike swapped his for the $80 one. Don't know if he uses it though? Mine puts a horrid blue cast to the image. ...though....now that I know how to remove casts like that using PS maybe its time to give it another go before Jupiter disappears.
Download K3ccdtools Ken. Its free, you just have to download a new key every 45 -50 days. Unless you decide you want to by it, in that case buy K3ccdtoos V2. (For when you finally EQ mount your dob. .) It can capture and process with the same program or you can just capture with it.
Or you can use the image capture program that comes with the ToUcam and then do your processing in registax which is free.
NexImage Astro Imager
![[1ponders]'s Avatar](../vbiis/customavatars/avatar45_9.gif){kind=avatar}
.) It can capture and process with the same program or you can just capture with it. 
