NexImage or Compact Camera?

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Hello.

I just joined here (well have been lurking in the background for some time now peeking on images. So creeper warning I guess).

I am in a bit of confused state right now.

I have a Nexstar 102SLT and want to start taking some pictures. For starters of planets. I need to upgrade my setup for DSOs so that's way in the future.

Now I have 2 choices and I can't decide. Perhaps you can give some input on this "First World problem".

My 2 choices:

1. NexImage.

2. Compact Camera mount (Eye-piece projection). I have a cheap compact camera that works OK.

Now I am currently leaning towards the NexImage. I got a feeling I can get better pictures with that, and it´s easier.

Cheers boys & girls!

//Peter

[malc-c]

Peter,

If you can get hold of one, the Phillips spc880 (flashed to 900) will set you back a quarter of the price of the NexImage. However when used with Sharpcap the NexImage performs really well. Web cams work well for luna and planetary imaging

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I have looked like crazy after a Philips webcam. Even called Philips customer service. No luck on that front.

[Stephen]

The Philips and the Neximage are the same internals, I really would advise you not to buy one unless someone has a good reason to

The Philips are a no longer produced item. Some retailers manage to locate some every so often (usually OEM batches) but these are getting rarer and longer between now.

You could consider a Quickcam or Lifecam : you will have to do a search to see which specific ones are recommended

[dph1nm]

You can do DSOs with the Nexstar 102SLT (on it's normal alt-az mount) by the way. Here is a 5min shot of the Triffid taken with a Canon 1000D on the end ...

NigelM

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Wow. That was amazing.

Have you modifed the 102slt mount or dovetail (I think it´s called dovetail atleast)?

Mine is very wobbly so I didn't think the mount could handle the weight of the camera.

I am thinking of upgrading the prism to a 2" but was worried it wouldn´t work.

[dph1nm]

Have you modifed the 102slt mount or dovetail

Yes - I have fastened a longer Skywatcher dovetail (which I had going spare) (plus tube rings) on top of the existing one. This is just to enable the camera to balance , but I guess you could just strap some weights off the top end instead. I also put a Skywatcher electric focuser on, which stops the wobbles when focusing!

The mount will take more weight than you think - I have used a 2" diagonal and eyepiece quite happily. I power it with a 7Ah battery pack which I leave on the tripod accessory tray to add a bit of weight.

I use 30sec subs with the 1000D - you can't do much more on an alt-az mount anyway, due to field rotation. The tracking is not perfect (don't look at the individual images too closely is my advice!) - but if you stack a load together the tracking defects seem to average out and the stars tend to come out round.

Here's 15mins on the Pleiades, taken from my very light polluted garden:

NigelM