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stargazer6805
sage
Reged: 05/25/05
Posts: 365
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Currently I have a laptop and DSI as my imaging system...but I don't think the laptop is totally up to the task, so I'm looking at what alternatives there may be using one of my mid tower pcs.
I've seen some people post pics of their systems loaded on carts with power cables running back into the house. What kind of carts are being used? Although using an LCD monitor would probably be ideal, I don't think an LCD panel in Wisconsin winters would work too long...so are people using 15", 17" analog monitors?
Any ideas would be great,keep in mind it has to be portable (as in roll it out to the driveway..not a dark site) since I do not have a permanent setup and I cannot run cables inside the house to a workstation.
Thanks!
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LXD75 mount
Meade AR5 OTA
Orion 8" newt OTA
Orion Binocs
Dwindling bank account
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Gendo
Post Laureate
Reged: 12/12/05
Posts: 3231
Loc: Rexburg, ID
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I had that same worry last winter about taking my VAIO Picturebook laptop outside in 0 degree F temps, but I never had any problems with the LCD screen or anything else. As long as it is already running and warm it shouldn't be much of a problem to take it outside for half an hour at a time. I even had it outside for a whole hour one night.
I guess if you're worried about the LCD you could get a small heat pad (used for strained muscles) and attach it to the backside of the LCD monitor.
My laptop is only a 667MHz Crusoe (PIII roughly), 256MB Ram with a slow 4200rpm 15GB HD, and it does alright for capturing.
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bbbourb
super member
Reged: 05/12/06
Posts: 125
Loc: Pittsburg, KS, USA
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What are the specs on your laptop, Doctor? In most cases, just capturing images shouldn't prove too difficult a task for a reasonably-equipped laptop if you have adequate RAM...
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Zhumell Perigee 100 Mak-Cass
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stargazer6805
sage
Reged: 05/25/05
Posts: 365
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I think the hardware and RAM are good but not great (2.4ghz celeron, 512mb ram). My main problem may be an underpowered usb port which can be fixed by getting an externally powered usb hub.
Otherwise, I was just interested to see what hardware solutions people were using.
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LXD75 mount
Meade AR5 OTA
Orion 8" newt OTA
Orion Binocs
Dwindling bank account
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Chris_H
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/24/03
Posts: 2877
Loc: Norway
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Dell C600 P3 850mhz, 512mb ram, WIN2K and one(!) USB 1.1 port  Has worked like a charm so far from 35C to -17C. It came with a 4200rpm drive which gave me a lot of dropped frames when I imaged with the toucam but after I got a 5400 one, the problem disappeared.
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Chris
"Big Papa Smurf" (254mm f/4.7 Sky-Watcher Newt)
Custom Orion Optics 150mm f/8 reflektor "Planet Killer" (On its way!!!)
SPC900
Canon Powershot A610 (CHDK modded)
Canon 10D (modded)
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 USM L
My Website
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Alex^DJ^
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/02/05
Posts: 1200
Loc: Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
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For me I have a 1.8 AMD, 256 Ram (hopefully putting all ram later around to 1 gig) win xp, USB 2.0 and 40 Gig of HD. Using it only for imagening, nothing else and never have any problem at all, using it only with one DSI and never have any problem at all 
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My Telescopes and Equipment:
- WO 66SD scope
- ETX-125 (Soon to be sold) "My Big Fat Mak"
- C6-ASGT " The Mexican "
- Starshoot CCD Cam
- Nextimagen Planetary Cam
- Canon EOS Rebel XTi (400D Unmoded)
Eyepices and Accesories:
- Celestron E-Lux 25mm
- GSO Superview 20mm
- GSO Superview 15mm
- ADM dual saddle plate
- 100mm Guide rings
- Orion 2X Shorty barlow
- Garmin E-Trex GPS handheld
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TeamGS
Post Laureate
.gif)
Reged: 01/20/04
Posts: 3073
Loc: Elk Grove, CA
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I image with a PIII 700 laptop with 256MB RAM, 20GB HD, W2K. I use a PCMCIA USB2.0 adapter, as well as two USB to serial ports for my scope and filter wheel control. It sits on a weathered wood TV Tray next to my scope. When I was using the laptop's native USB1.0 and my ToUcam for planetary imaging, I didn't experieince many dropped frames. I experience even less, now that I use USB2.0.
While I leave my scope out under a soft cover, I set up and take down my cameras and PC each night and morning. Takes around 15 min. each time.
I process with a MUCH more powerful system, with a GB of RAM. The little laptop is for aquisition only.
Regards,
Gary
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Celestron 80ED
Losmandy G11
NexStar 80
Starlight Xpress SXV-H9
SXV guidehead, ToUcam 840
http://www.teamgs.org/astrophotography.htm
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Bob Moore
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/07/06
Posts: 547
Loc: New York
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I have a 2Gig Win XP Pro full size sys. Set up in the back of my SUV. Ii run some Cat5 cable out to in and down load the images to a sys in my office and then work on them there.
Bob
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R.A.C. Advisory Committee
NEAIC Co-Chairman
NEAF Advisory Committee
http://deer-pond-observatorie.wetpaint.com/
Warwick, New York
41.15984 -74.2541
Losmandy G11/Gemini
TAKAHASHI MT-160
10" F4.5 Newt
Vixen R200ss
Orion Starblast
Astro Tech 80 ED
Astro Tech 66 ED
Coronado PST H alpha
ToUcam pro,& DSI Pro II, SX MX716,SBIG ST-10ME
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