nightfisher

Hi all sorry to be a PITA on this subject, but this thread is VERY long I haven't managed to read it all (skimmed over) We are just getting into astronomy and would love a webcam capable of not only showing us all what the scope is seeing but taking pics and movies and this cam seems to fit the bill. My question is, this cam (SPC900NC) is on ebay at a price of £22.95 +PnP or as a bundle of cam, adapter, IR filter for £49.95.....is that a good deal?

Thanks

NO...not a good deal, in this thread there is a link to morgans they have the spc880 that they can flash to 900 spec plus the filter and adaptor and they are great to deal with

What about running it in explorer with the lens off? Did that work?

Try Craterlet instead if your PC is having issues with Sharpcap.

looks like i might have sorted it, have deleted and reinstalled drivers and installed craterlet and now getting previews:)

thanks to all that offered help:)

huh, just tried and sharpcap wont load now, will try again tomorrow, thanks for the help

OK, what program did you use to view the cam image with when you have the original lens fitted?

If i use cam with original lens fitted and go to my computer/double click on the webcam it runs fine

I see that you ordered a pre-flashed 880 from Morgan's. It has to be working for the firmware to be flashed, so did you install the 900NC drivers on your PC.

Did you check the cam was working before stripping the lens off?

Have you tried it with the original lens screwed back on.

When it is plugged in and runing what do you see when you have some capture software running?

Does the image in the capture software change when you cover the camera over or shine a light at it.

If the images change then the camera should be fine and you just need to fine the focus point.

Screw you focuser right in without any EP's in and then just slowly move the camera back keeping it inline with the focuser until the image clears, it might require quite a long distance to focus.

Worse case senerio just speak to Morgans to complain and ask for a swap or refund. Your money is not wasted.

Yes i installed the drivers for the 900nc, and the cam works with the lens fitted, i sort of get an image if i open the programe for the webcam, but if i run sharpcap all i get is a solid black square, no variation, have unistalled and reinstalled sharpcap but same result

the cam works with the proper lens in place, maybe its the scope`s focal length,

120mm f8? the scope focus`s fine with eye piece

really starting to think i got a dud 880 (flashed 900) just cannot get an image when mounted on the scope, only pointed it at house across road (sounds bad!! )

looks like i have wasted £30 ! any idea where i can get a driver for the standard 880 as i got a spare (non flashed)

Don't worry it's easy once you figure it out. Start with the Moon and once you work it out move onto a planet.

The first time you run Registax you'll get the same feeling, but really that can be simple too. Just a case of clicking through each stage with the default options until the end, move some sliders and save.

sort of got my head round registax, had some grief with sharpcap, just hope my 120mm evostar is up to it, just need weather and freetime to coincide:icon_confused:

only planning to do lunar image work any way

yep, just tried it through the scope, really feel im out of my depth with this, gonna be a right learning curve

Morgans will sell them pre-flashed for an additional fee (think it was £5 or so).

Morgans do the flash service, just under a fiver, i went down that route as i just know i would have killed the webcam or worse my thinkpad:eek:

i have set mine up, all drivers and removed lens fitted adaptor, but all i seem to be getting is a variable colour square instead of an image, is this correct:icon_confused:

i have ordered a "flashed" 880 to 900spc cam i guess i just install the driver soft ware from the website and hey presto a working spc900?

wow, some one else in huddersfield hi revs:glasses1: