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Equipment Discussions >> Observatories
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kohudson
Vendor-Shareastronomy Webzine


Reged: 01/21/09

Loc: San Diego, CA
Pan, Tilt, Zoom Video Camera Recommendations new
      #4917118 - 11/15/11 12:02 PM
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Hi All,

My remote observatory is almost finished. One of my final tasks is to get a pan, tilt, zoom, internet video camera so that I can verify the dome is rotating, the slit is open/closed, etc. Does anyone have any recommendations for a video camera?

Thank you!

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Jeff in Austin
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 02/26/07

Loc: TEXAS
Re: Pan, Tilt, Zoom Video Camera Recommendations new [Re: kohudson]
      #4917876 - 11/15/11 08:43 PM
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If you can go without zoom, the Foscam cameras are an excellent value. Works with pc, iphone, etc.

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JAT Observatory
NOT a Wimp
*****

Reged: 02/20/05

Loc: In the Primordial Soup
Re: Pan, Tilt, Zoom Video Camera Recommendations new [Re: kohudson]
      #4918117 - 11/15/11 11:04 PM
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Instead of a pan/tilt system in the observatory I mounted a GStar-EX video camera with a 2.6 mm lens on the mount.

Because the camera moves with the mount it can see if the dome's slit is aligned correctly, or if the shutters are opened or closed. You can also use the mount to position the camera to view other things within the observatory. In my case I use it the view the charge state of the shutter battery.

Since the settings can be changed remotely via the PC the camera works well for day or night use.

The camera is collimated to point to the same spot in the sky the OTAs are. This allows it be used as a super wide-field finder. If your video software has a reticle function its even better.







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kohudson
Vendor-Shareastronomy Webzine


Reged: 01/21/09

Loc: San Diego, CA
Re: Pan, Tilt, Zoom Video Camera Recommendations new [Re: Jeff in Austin]
      #4918684 - 11/16/11 10:05 AM
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Quote:

If you can go without zoom, the Foscam cameras are an excellent value. Works with pc, iphone, etc.



Jeff,

Thanks for the recommendation. I did consider Foscam but it appears to me that all of their pan & tilt cameras have IR LEDs and I'm afraid all that IR light would mess up imaging and other data gathering. Have you had any issues?

Thanks,

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kohudson
Vendor-Shareastronomy Webzine


Reged: 01/21/09

Loc: San Diego, CA
Re: Pan, Tilt, Zoom Video Camera Recommendations new [Re: JAT Observatory]
      #4918690 - 11/16/11 10:08 AM
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Hi Marcus,

Thanks for the idea. It is definitely worth considering. Thanks also for the images - very helpful. I loved the Santa Claus!!

Thanks,

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Jeff in Austin
Pooh-Bah
*****

Reged: 02/26/07

Loc: TEXAS
Re: Pan, Tilt, Zoom Video Camera Recommendations new [Re: kohudson]
      #4919861 - 11/16/11 09:45 PM
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Ken, you can turn off the Foscam IR LED's with the software. But I just leave them on. Doesn't seem to have any impact.

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Mike Clemens
Frozen to Eyepiece
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Reged: 11/26/05

Loc: Alaska, USA
Re: Pan, Tilt, Zoom Video Camera Recommendations new [Re: Jeff in Austin]
      #4920953 - 11/17/11 02:15 PM
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i leave my IR lights on too. I am adding 2 more foscams to my obs

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kohudson
Vendor-Shareastronomy Webzine


Reged: 01/21/09

Loc: San Diego, CA
Re: Pan, Tilt, Zoom Video Camera Recommendations new [Re: Mike Clemens]
      #4921021 - 11/17/11 03:01 PM
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Jeff & Mike,

Thanks for the feedback on the IR LED's. I appreciate it.

Cheers,

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Lorence
professor emeritus


Reged: 09/15/08

Re: Pan, Tilt, Zoom Video Camera Recommendations [Re: kohudson]
      #4921049 - 11/17/11 03:20 PM
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I put a Phillips web cam and two twelve volt lights on an old iOptron cube. The iOptron and lights are remotely controlled.

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