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DoctorD

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Posts posted by DoctorD

  1. Hi 

    Have a look at Caravan TV's - there's some with AV input that would work with the SCB2000 and some have rechargable battery packs which may also prove useful.

    Here's one on Amazon UK:

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Televisions-Television-Freeview-DVB-T-T2-Resolution-10inch/dp/B07GV9PJ8L/ref=sr_1_13?adgrpid=56937086761&gclid=Cj0KCQiAovfvBRCRARIsADEmbRJzpY6nPhokTBouZhqiB8uOaW5HIv2GkdnVIYtpdqTKm1B3OPgl358aAs2kEALw_wcB&hvadid=259003072743&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9046700&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t2&hvqmt=e&hvrand=7312745804674728086&hvtargid=kwd-91708884&hydadcr=5051_1827769&keywords=caravan+tv&qid=1576946693&refinements=p_n_size_browse-bin%3A9591876031%2Cp_n_feature_three_browse-bin%3A329378031&rnid=161069031&s=home-theater&sr=1-13

    The SCB2000 is standard definition PAL 1024x600 pixels is the best you can hope for.

    I used a 3.5" LCD monitor (rear view camera monitor)  with my SCB2000 and was happy with the results for personal viewing.

    HTH

     

    Paul

  2. Well....

    It's been nearly 2 years since I posted on SGL (or any other astronomy forum) - work, and family commitments have meant that I've not had much time for astronomy recently.

    It's good to see the changes that have been made to what I have always consider to be my "baby" - this group  was orginally created when there was a change to the forum software and the "Social Groups" were no longer supported - my Video Atronomy social group was turned into the Video Astronomy sub-forum, however the concept was always video and electronically assisted observing. 

    I was originally inspired by  Steve Chambers and his use of the SDC435 security camera for astronomy - I still have one as part of my travel set up.

    The work done by Nytecam using the Lodestar cameras encuraged me down this route and Paul Sears Lodestar/Starlight Live software was the turning point for me.

    For me this has always been about instant or near instant gratification - occasionally I'd save the session and post process to see if I could extract any more detail from the captures, however being able to "see" DSO from my light poluted garden was always what I wanted to do.

    I've posted it before, but perhaps it's been lost in all the past posts - here's what a nights EAA can offer (3 hours compressed into 12 minutes) :-

     

     

    I'll be back....

     

    Paul

     

    • Like 1
  3. Hi Dom

    I can only comment first hand on the Lodestar-C - which is the camera I have, my other comments are based on what I have seen from other users and HiLoDon's thread on the Ultrastar. Paper specs are all well and good, but real world results are what we are looking for.

    There's been plenty of discussion about the relative merits and sensitivity of these cameras on SGL and other boards - I'm no expert, just a simple Lodestar user who's happy with his results.

    CS

    Paul

    • Like 1
  4. Hi Memoryman

    I'm sure the Meade SN10 @ F4  will make a great EAA rig - just not with the Ultrastar - HiloDon works at F2.1 using the Hyperstar and even then from his "lo" light polluted location the Ultrastar struggles to perform in EAA mode - only in his "hi" clear skies location does he generate the stunning images with the Ultrastar.

    Drop a Lodestar X2 in your SN10 - mono or colour and you will get good results at 30s - or go with the Atik Infinity - both have good software and decent sensitivity.

    Hope this helps.

    Paul

     

    • Like 1
  5. Hi Memoryman

    Have a look at this thread on the Ultrastar - 

     

    I think that you'd be better off with the Lodestar to Atik Infinity as Don suggests that a Hyperstar reducer is needed to get the best from an Ultrastar with sub 60s exposures.

    If you are looking at guided exposures then the Ultrastar should be OK - but we're discussing this in the Video Astronomy Forum (and EAA).

    HTH

     

    Paul 

    • Like 1
  6. Hi Jorman

    Sorry the Ultrastar didn't work out for you.

    I think you may be being a little over critical or perhaps had too high expectations given your astrophotography background, although from Hilodon's "Ultrastar C Limitations" thread, I think that perhaps the Ultarstar was not really suitable for your needs.

    With my Lodestar C (not the latest X2) and C8 with the F3.3 reducer, I can get an image in 30s which, for dimmer objects exceeds anything I can see with my eyeball from my light polluted garden (no real chance of dark adaptation given the two 1kw Halogen "security" lights my neighbours insist on using!). The image improves with further exposures and stacking, much like  the detail in an object can be seen with extended viewing.

    I agree that this is not real time - it is electronically assisted astronomy (EAA) - perhaps in time we will see further camera developments that make true real time DSO observations possible and the video shared by  cuivenion shows a step towards this.

    However, for many of us, the cameras we use provide the only way to view many DSO's in a level of detail that is otherwise impossible given the equipment we have and the lack of access to dark skies.

    I hope that you do not totally give up on the Video/EEA aspect of our hobby - it is a great way to share what we do.

    Other cameras are available such as the well respected Mallincam range which can be used without a computer as well as USB cameras from ATIK and Starlight Express (Lodestar X2 in particular) which have been used with some level of success. These have lower resolution and relatively small chip sizes which will affect what you can fit into the image - a range of OTA's/focal lengths are necessary to get the best from these devices 

    I occasionally broadcast on VAL - 

    http://www.videoastronomylive.co.uk/#!doctor-d/c1j5j

    Please drop by and see what we can achieve.

    Clear Skies

     

    Paul

     

    • Like 8
  7. A bit like Demonperformer, I rarely do visual from my home location. I

    Live in suburban Bradford (red zone) and have a lot of local LP as well from street lights and security lights.

    I use my Samsung security camera with 10 second exposure and a Baader Moon and Sky Glow filter to do my viewing. Have a look at my gallery for examples of what I can see immediately on screen.

    Clear skies

    Paul

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