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Hi folks:

Been lurking for a while, and figured I'd step in to say howdy and ask for help. I'm thinking of using an LCD monitor to view the output from my Canon Digital Rebel (which has video output). I've got a 15" LCD TV that uses 12v, but it's kind of big.

Does anybody have any experience with this monitor (or similar security cam monitors)?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/482528-REG/Swann_SW_A_LCD8_SW248_8LM_8_LCD_Security.html

Seems like a good size for a portable rig. I can use the 15" monitor, but it's awkward and heavy. It does look great with displaying astrophotos. I tried it indoors with a picture I had shot previously, and I really loved the ability to zoom in on the details.

Thanks for your input,

Michael

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Hey Michael, if I were you I would stear clear of this monitor! You need to make sure which ever monitor you go with, that it has a s video input. I would also suggest a small 500tvl CRT monitor if you can swing it. The Speco 9" color CRT is by far the best option for the money any of us has found. I'd say over 50% of us have it, and love it to death.

Neil

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Broadcasting live views of the night sky @
Sparkcast
C11 CGE / Hyperstar
MallinCam Hyper Plus Color
Orion 12" XTi f/4.9
MoonLite Focuser
Round Table Platform
12" Parralax rings

Cape Fear Astronomy Club

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Hi Neil:

I should have emphasized the portable nature of the setup. I don't think the CRT you indicated would be any more portable than my 15" LCD monitor. Given that my monitor is actually 720p HD with S-video, component and HDMI inputs, it may be more future proof.

But that still doesn't make it lighter, so I'm really only interested in smaller LCD monitors.

Thanks,

Michael

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Oh, OK, but just for the record the Speco is a 500tvl 9" color monitor, and weighs about 4 lbs. If you are going for a small LCD I'd suggest a Watec 3.5" monitor. It's the best out of the small light weight LCDs. The picture can't touch the Speco, but it's still very nice.

Neil

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Broadcasting live views of the night sky @
Sparkcast
C11 CGE / Hyperstar
MallinCam Hyper Plus Color
Orion 12" XTi f/4.9
MoonLite Focuser
Round Table Platform
12" Parralax rings

Cape Fear Astronomy Club

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I've been assembling a lightweight rig with a Celestron 102mm f/5 refractor on a Orion Teletrack with a Canon 300D. It has an Antares 0.5x reducer, so that should theoretically be an f/2.5. I've tested it and it seems pretty fast, and I can blow the histogram with 30 second exposures due to my light pollution.

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Jack,

My Speco weighs more than my C6 OTA (10 lbs) so yeah if Neil thinks his Speco is 4 lbs he's been eating his Wheaties, working out and not telling us. That or someone filled his CRT with Helium.



Great shots by the way Neil ... and one of these days I may yet be able to join you guys online.

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I guess it just feels light after throwing around that CGE to get setup every time?

Bring it on Mark. I'd love to see your rig in action!

Neil

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Broadcasting live views of the night sky @
Sparkcast
C11 CGE / Hyperstar
MallinCam Hyper Plus Color
Orion 12" XTi f/4.9
MoonLite Focuser
Round Table Platform
12" Parralax rings

Cape Fear Astronomy Club

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Neil,

I think the Speco is listed at being 13 pounds. If it is 4 pounds, I need to start working out as it feels a lot heavier than that.

Jack

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I found the Speco box today - the monitor nets at 7 kg. - a little over 15 lbs.

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ST8XE/CFW-8(LRGBHa)/AO-7/DF-2/STV Dlx/ST237a/350D (Unmodded)/Mallincam Color Hyper Plus/DSI III Color/DSI II Pro
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