ToUCam - where to obtain

[JohnH]

I am interested in using a webcam with my ETX90, can the version of ToUCam best suited to astro work still be obtained in Sydney - if so from where?

What mods will I need to perform (make 1.25" adapter/remove/repace IR fileter/update BIOS etc) to make this useable (is there a good current list of instructions on the web somewhere?)

Thanks for your help.

Also need some advice - my ETX90/autostar mount and tripod is not good for long exposure prime focus shots (F13), I can get 15-30s without trailing only about 20% of the time, I believe this is about the limit of the mount. The image is a stack of my best M42 shots taken over a few nights - I struggling to do any better on DSOs and cannot get my camera to see some of the targets I would like to tackle that are in my limited rage (eg Eta Carina, Omega Centurai) due to the fork mount.

I would like to do more DSO photography so I am looking for reccomendations for a better mount (GE seems best) suitable for a small scope and camera, (is it worthwhile to keep the ETX OTA or should I start again) Of course I have budget limits...but I would like to be able to autoguide at some point...so I need suitable drives and ports or a least the ability to add them later....

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi John.

I can't answer the DSO question, but for ToUcam answers keep reading

Most of us got our ToUcams from Telescopes & Astronomy in South Australia. Matt is a good guy, but busy.. Send an email, but i'd also follow up with a phone call because sometimes it might take him a while to get to your email.
Last I checked, they were $145.

You'll need a 1.25" adapter, he has these too, for $45. They simply screw into the ToUcam housing after you unscrew the lens.

You can get an IR filter, I wouldn't bother for now. I haven't noticed any difference with or without, yet. It's a cost you can expend later if you feel the need.

That's it, that's all you need. $10 postage and you're ready to image the planets/moon.

Of course, it's USB 1.1 and you need a laptop with USB port.

Get K3CCDTools version 1 (free) to use as your capture software.
Get registax (free) to use as your registering/stacking software.

That's it!

You don't live far away, i'm happy to come to your house to show you how to use it if you wish.

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

if you want to image DSOs then the mod for long exposure is a must.

am not sure if the guy in South Australia sells modded TouCams

if not you will have to either do the mod yourself (shudder) or buy a commercially modded Toucam-for example the Atik 1c or higher, or SAC 7 or higher

While admittedly the ETX 90 is not the best for DSO imaging, still there are plenty of people from the "get the most out of your existing scope" school of thought who have imaged all sorts of exotic objects with the ETX 90.

The best example, if you are already not famiiar with his work, is Job Geheniau

http://www.samage.net/~geheniau/astronomy2.html

Nelson Viegas has done some impressive work with an even smaller scope , an ETX 70.( Nelson uses an out of the box ETX 70 with no mods.)
http://www.astrosurf.com/nviegas/

I myself have imaged over two dozen deep space objects with my ETX 70, and even though I have a CG5 Go To mount and 8 inch and 5 inch Newtonian OTAs, still intend to keep on going with my ETX 70-target is 100 DSOs-just for the sheer perverse fun of it. Unfortunately I have no website but I have posted some examples in the ETX section of Cloudy Nights forum

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea.../o/all/fpart/1

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea.../o/all/fpart/1

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea.../o/all/fpart/1

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea.../o/all/fpart/1

and here's my M42 with an ETX 70

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea.../o/all/fpart/1

So you dont HAVE to get a new scope and or mount, at least not just yet.


Remember for autoguiding you are going to need a modified for long exposure webcam or Meade DSI at the least, so why not make that investment in a long exposure webcam type device now, see what you can squeeze out of your existing scope and once you have got the hang of it, then look to upgrade?


Finally, if you do want to get a new mount and scope, I am sure there will be plenty of people who will have views but here's my 10c -suggest you consider getting a -a CG5 or equivalent and an Orion 80 ED as the first step. You could use the ETX optical tube and webcam when you get around to autoguiding


sorry for the long post , but just wanted to point out that the answer need not necessarily be an immediate equipment upgrade

[JohnH]

Thanks for the fullsome response, in fact you raise a good point - now that the Meade DSI is available perhaps the ToUCam is not the way to go. Any DSI users out there care to comment, seems like the cost difference is not so great now by the time you get a new ToUCam, adapter and do the mods and add in some software?

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

While I don't have a DSI, from the literature I've read and the comments I've heard, the DSI doesn't hold a candle to the ToUcam when it comes to planetary imaging. I know that Rumples Riot has both, I'm sure he can give you the run down on a comparison

[Argonavis (William)]

Of course, it's USB 1.1 and you need a laptop with USB port.

Everyone seems to think you need a laptop, but you really don't. As Rod Mollise has pointed out, a normal PC on a trolly with an extension lead is adequate. Better, as PC's often have a larger drive capacity than laptops.

[westsky]

Hi John , compering the DSI to the Toucam is tough, they are different camera's using different chips and different software
if DSO's are what you are after get the DSI, the whole package comes complete no mods to do nothing to buy except in your case with the ETX, a focal reducer as you won't fit too much on the chip at F13.
If 30 sec shots are all you can get from your mount, no problem with the DSI the Meade software will stack your image as the mount tracks.
Usb 2 is recommended, I tried the DSI with USB 1.1 and it runs slow.
You don't need a laptop as Argonavis pointed out you can extend the cables from the DSI to your comp by using Active USB extentions of 16' long and you can use up to 5 of these cables.It would be better if you bring the comp to the scope though :-))
The DSI is not designed to be a planetary camera, thats what Meade built the LPI for, and in my opinion the LPI is the better camera between the LPI and Toucam, there is also another Planetary camera option and that is the LPC or Lunar planetary Camera, similar in design to the LPI but shots are taken the same way as the Toucam using software such as K3CCD and then using Registax for processing these are about half the cost of the LPI.
I have seen some excellent planetary shots with the DSI, bit these where done by very experienced people, I myself can't get a good planetary image from the DSI.

The DSI will cost you abit more than the Toucam but it's worth the extra dollors.

Unless you can get a modded Toucam like the Sac 7 or 8 which by the way cost more than the DSI I wouldn't attempt the mod unless you have a good understanding of electronics.
I work with circuit boards and electronics everyday and I wouldn't try to do the mod, too many things to go wrong.

I have found the DSI to be a very handy tool, it can be used at prime focus or with 35mm camera lens to give you nice widefield shots.

hope this helps
David.

[davidpretorius]

Just talked to Matt and Renae at Telescopes and astronomy. What to people. Easy to deal with and was very patient with me on what was needed in terms of adapters. Was not pushy on getting more complicated gear for down the track, but explained it uses. Guess where I will be buying baader filters and more complicated adapters? He's got my business