Anonymous
Unregistered
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Hi, has anyone compared these two? I've a ToUCam on the way and a LPI included with a scope. I haven't the clear skies to try them out yet and won't probably do that until I return to my home country two months from now (shipping all the scope stuff with me).
If I had to choose just one out of the three options for planetary imaging, which would be it? I'm a complete beginner to this and will be imaging with a LX90. The two "packaged" products (LPI, Neximage) appeal to me because of the software, which I understand will autoguide the scope and process the images for me. I think that would ease the introduction to imaging. However, I also read that the CMOS chip of the LPI isn't too good and having read, from this site, the "shoot-out" review between the LPI and ToUCam, I must say that the latter looks better image-wise.
The Nextimage looks like it has the best of both hardware and software going. It has a CCD chip with the same resolution as the ToUCam and has bundled software, which is always refreshing to a newbie.
So, the question then: which of the 3, considering that I'm a beginner?
Thanks for any input!
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Rushwind
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/11/04
Posts: 2137
Loc: Newark, CA
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The NexImage is a repackaged Toucam. It's been a very good performer for me in the short time that I've had it.
Hope that helps.
Jimbo
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Order of the Unblinking Eye
NJP 300D SSAG 8"f/5 (Rig)
Guidescope? What guidescope?
I used to shoot Nikon DSLR.
Before that, I shot film.
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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 11575
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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I really love my LPI and I've gotten (IMHO) great results with it. I particularly liked the fact it was a turn-key system; I bought it, installed it, turned it on, and starting taking images. I was shocked with what I could see the first night out with it imaging Jupiter with my little 5.1" f/8. Having said that, you can't argue with the outstanding results people have been getting with the ToUCam (and other modified web cams) and if the NexImage is a close cousin (or a twin in disguise) it's reasonable to expect similar results.
-John
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-John
The best advice on imaging I've ever been given... don't forget to look! 
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zjc26138
Loved By All
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 6961
Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio
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I went with the NexImage. I bought mine the other day. It looks like it can take great pictures, plus I have seen some of the pictures taken with it. Being only $99 its a great deal.
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TMB130 SS (Currently out of service.  )
Celestron Edge 8"
iEQ45m
Meade 102ED
Stellarvue 80/9D
9/11- Never Forget.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll probably go with the Neximage... if I can find one for sale. Seems to be out everywhere. Zach, I would have privately messaged you if I knew how to but can you tell me where you got the Neximage from? Thanks!
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Ben Ritchie
Lost in Space
Reged: 01/31/05
Posts: 4389
Loc: Bosham, UK
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I have two LPIs (!), both free with Meade telescopes. It's pretty good, but I'm planning on switching to the ToUCam - people do seem to be getting better results with it. The NexImage is more expensive, but it's quite tempting, the out-of-the-box aspect of the LPI is really nice and it would be nice to have that with a better camera, best of both worlds.
edit: "Being only $99 its a great deal", of course, here it's £99... 
Ben.
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Observatory:- Astro-Physics 130EDT StarFire, Baader SkySurfer V, EQ6/pro
Outside:- TeleVue 76is/Vixen Porta II
Eyepieces:- 2-4mm Nagler zoom, 5mm & 6mm Radians, 9mm Nagler, 13mm Ethos, 24mm & 34mm Meade SWAs
Edited by Ben Ritchie (03/16/05 02:26 AM)
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Rushwind
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/11/04
Posts: 2137
Loc: Newark, CA
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I picked up my NexImage from Adorama; they had them in stock and thus to my door in 2 days. Seems like several other vendors are out-of-stock at the moment, though, so it's probably worth checking around for someone who can put their hands on one...
Jimbo
PS: Ben, *why* do the scope companies seem to always double all the prices when they sell stuff in the UK? it's just silly.
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Order of the Unblinking Eye
NJP 300D SSAG 8"f/5 (Rig)
Guidescope? What guidescope?
I used to shoot Nikon DSLR.
Before that, I shot film.
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Ben Ritchie
Lost in Space
Reged: 01/31/05
Posts: 4389
Loc: Bosham, UK
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I don't know - I can semi-understand a big lump of metal like a telescope costing more due to shipping, but the rest? I guess it's because they can...!
Ben.
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Observatory:- Astro-Physics 130EDT StarFire, Baader SkySurfer V, EQ6/pro
Outside:- TeleVue 76is/Vixen Porta II
Eyepieces:- 2-4mm Nagler zoom, 5mm & 6mm Radians, 9mm Nagler, 13mm Ethos, 24mm & 34mm Meade SWAs
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Corn
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/27/04
Posts: 2199
Loc: Sweden
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Some of the difference is that the US price don“t have VAT included (wich is about 7-9% extra on the price) while in the UK you have VAT included and it is 17% I belive (in sweden it is 25%). That won“t make up for the whole price difference but its a good start
Cheers
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Canon 300D (mod)
8" f/5 Skywatcher, EQ6 Pro, HEQ5 and Barn door mount.
http://web.telia.com/~u18524382/
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Ben Ritchie
Lost in Space
Reged: 01/31/05
Posts: 4389
Loc: Bosham, UK
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also prices haven't moved with the exchange rate - used to be about £1 = $1.50 a year ago, now it's nearly £1 = $2
Ben.
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Observatory:- Astro-Physics 130EDT StarFire, Baader SkySurfer V, EQ6/pro
Outside:- TeleVue 76is/Vixen Porta II
Eyepieces:- 2-4mm Nagler zoom, 5mm & 6mm Radians, 9mm Nagler, 13mm Ethos, 24mm & 34mm Meade SWAs
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zjc26138
Loved By All
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 6961
Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio
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Quote:
Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll probably go with the Neximage... if I can find one for sale. Seems to be out everywhere. Zach, I would have privately messaged you if I knew how to but can you tell me where you got the Neximage from? Thanks!
I got mine for anacortes (www.buytelescopes.com). They guy who emailed me said it would arrive in early april. So I only have to wait 3 or 4 weeks.
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TMB130 SS (Currently out of service. )
Celestron Edge 8"
iEQ45m
Meade 102ED
Stellarvue 80/9D
9/11- Never Forget.
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DarkSoul
journeyman
Reged: 03/15/05
Posts: 8
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Thanks for posting this. It answers my question too. I was going to go with the LPI but I think I will now go with the NexImage instead. Its £30 cheaper too
This raises a couple of questions though. Will the NexImage software control a Meade ETX 125 considering they are rival companies?
Also will the NexImage software run alongside Starry Night Pro 4 without any conflicts?
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Paul Rix
Post Laureate
Reged: 11/06/04
Posts: 3421
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Unless there has been a major software update, then I was under the impression that the NexImage software does not do any guiding... it just captures the avi's and is bundled with Registax 2 for processing the captured avi's.
I bought the NexImage just after Christmas as an introduction to imaging.. I have been very pleased with it so far.
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DarkSoul
journeyman
Reged: 03/15/05
Posts: 8
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ah ok. So the use of the NexImage is just for image capture and processing with the software and I would use Starry Night Pro for the scope control?
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Paul Rix
Post Laureate
Reged: 11/06/04
Posts: 3421
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I guess you could use Starry Night Pro. Personally I just use the GoTo handset.
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Ben Ritchie
Lost in Space
Reged: 01/31/05
Posts: 4389
Loc: Bosham, UK
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OK, I haven't used a NexImage yet, but having flicked through the instructions I'll say one thing for the LPI - it may lag behind the ToUCam/NexImage in ultimate image quality, but the quality is still pretty good and it makes it very easy for the beginner to get a pretty good image straight out of the box.
Anyone want to buy an unused, boxed one..? 
Ben.
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Observatory:- Astro-Physics 130EDT StarFire, Baader SkySurfer V, EQ6/pro
Outside:- TeleVue 76is/Vixen Porta II
Eyepieces:- 2-4mm Nagler zoom, 5mm & 6mm Radians, 9mm Nagler, 13mm Ethos, 24mm & 34mm Meade SWAs
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Ben Ritchie
Lost in Space
Reged: 01/31/05
Posts: 4389
Loc: Bosham, UK
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OK, i've found one area in which the NexImage does fall down a bit. I was looking at Castor prior to switching to Saturn, and while the two main stars were easily split with a LX200 at f/25 (both visually and with a webcam) the 9th magnitude companion didn't show up on the NexImage .avi while the LPI picked it up ok - faint, but well above the noise.
Still, the NexImage was pretty darn good on Saturn in marginal conditions.
Ben.
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Observatory:- Astro-Physics 130EDT StarFire, Baader SkySurfer V, EQ6/pro
Outside:- TeleVue 76is/Vixen Porta II
Eyepieces:- 2-4mm Nagler zoom, 5mm & 6mm Radians, 9mm Nagler, 13mm Ethos, 24mm & 34mm Meade SWAs
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I read somewhere that the Neximage comes with a built-in IR filter. Is this true? Can't seem to find this on Celestron's website. Online retailers in fact list a IR filter as an optional accessory to the Neximage.
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Rushwind
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/11/04
Posts: 2137
Loc: Newark, CA
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The NexImage has an IR-cut filter glued in front of the CCD (as do some webcams, notably the QC Pro cams). I'd say it's mostly there for dust protection. I'm in the market for one of those sharp-cutoff UV-IR cut filters (Astronomik and Baader make ones that everyone loves) just to make sure that whatever light I'm getting can all be focused.
I don't have one yet, though, and the camera... well, it's really quite good.
Jimbo
--------------------
Order of the Unblinking Eye
NJP 300D SSAG 8"f/5 (Rig)
Guidescope? What guidescope?
I used to shoot Nikon DSLR.
Before that, I shot film.
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