remote phil dyer camera not available

[beamer3.6m]

Having spoken to phil dyer he confirmed that the remote version of his camera is no longer available.

Question is what other camera does have remote control as my scope is some 8 feet off the ground.

[Carl Reade]

Samsung range are coaxitron controlled via the coax via a hand controller.

[HiloDon]

Having spoken to phil dyer he confirmed that the remote version of his camera is no longer available.

Question is what other camera does have remote control as my scope is some 8 feet off the ground.

Astro-Video Systems, SX Lodestar and Mallincam all have near real time viewing cameras that are remote control. Let me know if you need links, but you can google them.

Don

[beamer3.6m]

Thanks guys. Which are recommended for a reasonable price. Say colour cam for less than £200.00 all in kit?

[shirva]

Samsung scb2000. .

[beamer3.6m]

Thanks Shirva.

do you need anything else to make it work on a PC and to connect to a scope.

[HiloDon]

Thanks Shirva.

do you need anything else to make it work on a PC and to connect to a scope.

I have an SCB2000 and it needs some modification before using it for astro work. The IR filter should be removed and there are some tutorials available to show you how. It doesn't come with a "kit". You need to purchase a c mount to 1.25" adapter and if you want remote control (and believe me, you will) you need to purchase one. AVS may still sell them, or I hear eBay has some from China.

The other better (IMO) option is to buy a kit from AVS or Mallincam. They offer starter packages that meet your budget. They include a modified color camera that gives you longer integration times than the SCB2000 and probably lower noise. The kit includes the necessary wiring as well, another thing you'll have to purchase separately for the SCB2000. The AVS kit includes the remote. The only extra thing you need if you want to use a computer, is a video capture device. They sell those as well, but only for Windows, not Mac.

Let me know if you have trouble finding their sites, or have additional questions.

Don

[shirva]

what scope are you thinking of mounting it on,,thats the first question to be asked..on a refractor you require an extension tube to achieve focus.or what I would recommend as invaluable is a flip mirror and a 6mm eyepiece you can get away with a 6.5mm..if you don't use a flip an 80mm extension is req (ie for use on a sw ed80) and if that's what you are using I would get a c to 1.25 adapter,,if you go for flip mirror a barlow with lens removed infront of flip mirror and a c to t adapter at rear is more secure.reflectors depends on focal length of scope and inward travel on focusser..a cat/mak and you will need focal reducers to get a decent fov.davy

[beamer3.6m]

200p reflector. F5.

I can usually achieve focus with both a webcam (spc900) and a dslr.

[shirva]

it should be ok..inward focus is a prob on the newts..i cant get enough inward focus travel on mine but mine is a copy..fantastic optics but still a copy..what are you hoping to capture...fov going to be small..most video astronomers prefer the wider fov given by a short tube refractor (80mm) and even then will most likely use a focal reducer. what I would suggest is try a 6mm eyepiece and see what fov you get..its on comparison to a 1/3 rd cctv camera..before you buy any cam..even better get a loan of a camera ect to try it out..few of the guys on astro vid forum started with big scopes and are now down to cameras with wide angle lens in a all sky type set up .davy

[beamer3.6m]

Cheers guys. Note that avs is in the US. Any issues with delivery and postage etc.

[beamer3.6m]

Happy with the narrow fo at the mo. Planning on also attaching standard eos lenses for wide field and have a 90mm mak to use also.

Got to be worth a punt I reckon but only have £200 to play with so want to maximise my purchase if I can.

[shirva]

I would hold out for a cheap Samsung..more bang for the buck. also the baby mallincam.......could check out live astronomy sites such as nsn and others for ideas of what you will see and chat live for advice..davy

[HiloDon]

Cheers guys. Note that avs is in the US. Any issues with delivery and postage etc.

Not sure about the international shipment from AVS. Just email Matt there. He's very responsive and will answer any questions. His email is listed on the website.

Here's a link to AVS DOB cam that will help with inward focus issues on your reflector. It includes everything you need for $199. I don't think you can beat that. You may have some extra left to get a focal reducer.

http://www.astro-video.com/dso-s-entry-level-camera-system.html

[Dragon Man]

Mallincam send there cameras around the world regularly.

Their Micro-Ex is within your 200 pound budget. 

From thier website:

MALLINCAM MICRO-EX VIDEO CCD CAMERA DELUXE  body including 1.25" eyepiece adapter, AC power supply, 25 feet video/power cable and BNC to RCA adapter:

 

169.99 US Funds

Prices and kit inclusions further down the page here:  http://mallincam.tripod.com/id64.html

All you would need to complete the kit is a Video Grabber.

You will need this with any Analogue Video camera you buy if you intend on using a computer.

But not needed to view on a TV or monitor.

You have to order through Jacks Astro Accessories in USA: http://www.mallincamusa.com/Updates%20-%20July%202005/MallinCam%20MICRO-EX.htm

[DoctorD]

Hi Guys

I'm sure the Mallicam Micro-Ex is a great camera but does it have a remote control? - the OP specifically asked for this, if it does then at less than £200 it should fit the bill nicely.

CS

Paul 

[beamer3.6m]

No remote on the mallincam.

Avs kits appears best for dob cam (s) Kite at $199.99. Postage is $58 to uk but assume will be hit for import duty???

[Dragon Man]

Hi Guys

I'm sure the Mallicam Micro-Ex is a great camera but does it have a remote control? - the OP specifically asked for this, if it does then at less than £200 it should fit the bill nicely.

CS

Paul 

Ahhh, my apologies.

I remember a conversation about there being a remote cable to PC somewhere (Maybe on Mallincam Yahoo Group), and assumed it must be available. 

That'll teach me never to 'assume' 

Worth checking into though. I'll see if I can find out.

EDIT: OK, I did some snooping and discovered that there is a remote for the Mallincam Micro-Ex.

Here are links to some Posts mentioning it:

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mallincam/conversations/messages/56259

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mallincam/conversations/messages/56337

And from Mallincam and Jacks Astro websites: 

"- Now includes RS 485 ready rear socket camera control."

[beamer3.6m]

Thanks guys.

Am I right in thinking that you only need the remote if you want to use the camera with a monitor/tv.

I see the mallincam can be controlled via miloslick which controls the camera from a pc. I assume the avs camera can do the same (?) In which case the remote is not needed???

[shirva]

will come up on pc screen via a usb grabber..

..osd..menu only supported on Sammy with coax control..

[HiloDon]

Thanks guys.

Am I right in thinking that you only need the remote if you want to use the camera with a monitor/tv.

I see the mallincam can be controlled via miloslick which controls the camera from a pc. I assume the avs camera can do the same (?) In which case the remote is not needed???

Unless something has changed recently, I don't think that Miloslick will control the Mallincam Micro. It will control the image of any analog camera, but only controls the camera settings for the listed cameras:

http://www.miloslick.com/MallinCam.html

I believe that computer control can be rigged for the starter cams by using a dongle with a twisted pair, but only for windows. AVS indicates on their website that the dongle is included along with control s/w. I haven't ever used this so I can't say how well it works. Best if you contact the sellers and let them know what you want to do. I understand that they are both very responsive.

Don

[Dragon Man]

No Don, as far as I know, Miloslick doesn't 'control' the Micro-Ex.

I wouldn't be surprised if none of these small cheap cameras will have Totally Full functionality (Handset Remote Controller + Full Computer Control + Wireless control, etc).

We must remember that we are talking about a cheap starter camera. 

Every feature imaginable will not be included, or it defeats the purpose of making an easily accessible cheap camera.

One day someone will bother writing code and building devices that will allow almost any camera to have total remote control.

But those features will still require modification to the camera itself. Which in turn increases the price of the starter cameras, no longer making them a cheap start.

I can only answer using information I have read elsewhere, or have had first hand experience.

So someone understands that I am not against their product, and only Pro towards an another, I don't have a favourite.

If someone asks a question and no-one seems to know the answer, I go look for an answer for them. Regardless of brand.

[beamer3.6m]

Anyparticular video grabber recommended as I want to try and keep the cost down.

I think I prefer the AVS camera at the mo with the kit for $199.99 but with $58 for postage and the potential for custom duty I see the price climbing.

I like the Astrolive software which is $49 and the suggested grabber on the AVS site is another $49.

Also any thoughts on this kinda stuff being caught by customs and if so the charges applied. The postage will be sent via USPS according to AVS.

[shirva]

Its hard to pick out a particularly cheap camera..and say this is the best 200quid can buy..all cameras have merits and pitfalls..all you can do is the research. .look at the specs and look at posts in forums..basically I say two cameras are needed

dso spec cam and lunar/ planetary cam..

[Dragon Man]

Anyparticular video grabber recommended as I want to try and keep the cost down.

I think I prefer the AVS camera at the mo with the kit for $199.99 but with $58 for postage and the potential for custom duty I see the price climbing.

I like the Astrolive software which is $49 and the suggested grabber on the AVS site is another $49.

Also any thoughts on this kinda stuff being caught by customs and if so the charges applied. The postage will be sent via USPS according to AVS.

EasyCap (now called Ezcap) are highly recommended.

I used one until recently and found it very good. It ran faultless for the 2 years I used it.

I did recently purchase a better one at a higher cost, but Easycap is fine.

They are based in the UK: http://www.ezcap.tv/usb-video-capture/ezcap116-capture-card