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I'd like to hear from people owning this Mallincam wireless controller pictured here on the Mallincam website:

http://mallincam.tripod.com/id54.html

and which is sold by Mallincam for $249.95 .

I'm curious to what extent is it identical to this $70 Wireless controller which has the same part number TW-282/E3 as the Mallincam , looks identical and I've seen it sold on A-mart and other places second hand as Mallincam wireless controller , even the box is the same with the part number printed on it :

http://www.amazon.com/TW-282-E3-Wireless-Control-Samsung/dp/B004DRIFSK/ref=pd...

The cable that connects the remote to the camera is included in the $70 price but a separate one can be bought for around $9 . The only modification I could see is the connector at the camera end was replaced with a standard DC controlled iris lens connector ( just a 4 pin connector ).
If this is the Mallincam remote , the savings would be substantial buying it for $60-70 instead of $250 .

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So is the correct cable available or the correct pinouts to cobble one?

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From Rock about using a different wireless device:

Hi No name, (please sign your name when posting)

Pixel has made our unit for the MallinCam based on our specification especially
in the receiver. They do not have any MallinCam cables on their website.

Why do you need a spare cable? They are very very durable. You will need 4 pin
configuration made for the MallinCam. Internals of the receiver is also been
adapted for our cameras hence why they are expensive. Do not attempt to use any
other receivers from Pixel otherwise damage will occur to the camera.

If you need a cable, contact us at:
mallincam@...

Rock M.

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This was from the mallincam yahoo group:

You did get your Pixel wireless shutter controller from Rock/Jack didn't
you? You can't use a stock Pixel on the MCX. Rock has Pixel modify the
receivers for the MCX. Even if you find and use the correct cable --
the stock receiver won't work. You have to buy it from Rock/Jack.

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I saw the internals of that Pixel receiver . There's no room insde it for a big enough gold nugget to justify the extra $180
Also, the transmitter is FCC approved as a single model, no variations , by Pixel . Whatever modification was done (if any) is some simple stuff in the receiver output or connector . This looks more and more like a good business opportunity , replacement remotes and cables . Not to mention those $100 fans that sell anywhere else for $4 or those $100 aluminum brackets .

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Looks can be deveiving. Rock had the units he sell produced especially for the MallinCam. The price is high as the volume produced was low. Here is what he said on the issue:

"The voltage pulse is not the same. They will damage the camera eventually. Pulse required is very low voltage and polarized. Standard PIXEL unit is not and use a universal type voltage for Canon, and other consumer type camera. It may work for a while but will eventually make the camera internal Hyper circuit fail."

Caveat emptor!

Jack Huerkamp

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Thanks for the reply.
So there might need to be a resistor divider placed in the $9 cable to lower the pulse amplitude or a diode to "polarize" the pulse

Real small production volume prices in the continental US, not China (where this Pixel unit seems to be hand crafted one at a time) are under $1 for such a modification .

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Lots of time and effort went into picking the right fans to provide the proper volume of air without introducing vibration to the camera. There are cheaper fan units available for cooling electronic components. The ones used by Rock cost significantly more than $4 each. In addition unless one has an equipped machine shop already, getting a shop to drill, route and tap aluminum plate in small quantities and then have the plates anodized is not cheap.

Jack Huerkamp

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Lots of time and effort went into picking the right fans to provide the proper volume of air without introducing vibration to the camera. There are cheaper fan units available for cooling electronic components. The ones used by Rock cost significantly more than $4 each. In addition unless one has an equipped machine shop already, getting a shop to drill, route and tap aluminum plate in small quantities and then have the plates anodized is not cheap.

Jack Huerkamp

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Good to hear that.
Then consider this:
Sunon Maglev fans in the 40-80mm sizes are the best in the world.
Vibration free due to brushless motors, magnetic levitation vapo-bearings and sell all day in the $4 range retail at all major electronics distributors, including Digikey , Mouser, Arrow etc.
Maglev 40mm series ME40101V , 50mm ME50101V , 80mm ME80251 all sell for less than $4.50 in single piece qty at Digikey.
If you need help sourcing the best vibration free fans for less than $60 please let me know.

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You may not agree with Mallincam's pricing policy but that's how the company makes enough revenue to be able to provide one of the best warranties and upgrade policies to be found anywhere. The revenue also pays for the research that pays for the development of new cameras and accessories.

Send your camera back to Digikey for repair or upgrade. Think they will do it cheaper than Rock will.

We support Rock and Rock supports us. You do what you have to do to hang on to every penny you can.

I'll gladly pay what ever it costs to keep Rock in business and happy. I've spent well over $7,000 on Mallincam equipment over the last few years and am looking forward to spending a lot more in the future. In the long run you get what you pay for and in the end, you get what you deserve.

I have yet to hear anyone crying about Mallincam's warranty. Until now I never expected to but I am really looking forward to hearing some now.

Lorence

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Lots of time and effort went into picking the right fans to provide the proper volume of air without introducing vibration to the camera. There are cheaper fan units available for cooling electronic components. The ones used by Rock cost significantly more than $4 each. In addition unless one has an equipped machine shop already, getting a shop to drill, route and tap aluminum plate in small quantities and then have the plates anodized is not cheap.

Jack Huerkamp

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Good to hear that.
Then consider this:
Sunon Maglev fans in the 40-80mm sizes are the best in the world.
Vibration free due to brushless motors, magnetic levitation vapo-bearings and sell all day in the $4 range retail at all major electronics distributors, including Digikey , Mouser, Arrow etc.
Maglev 40mm series ME40101V , 50mm ME50101V , 80mm ME80251 all sell for less than $4.50 in single piece qty at Digikey.
If you need help sourcing the best vibration free fans for less than $60 please let me know.

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You do what you have to do to hang on to every penny you can.
In the long run you get what you pay for and in the end, you get what you deserve.

Lorence

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Lorence, that's wise, "in the long run you get what you pay for and in the end , you get what you deserve ." Really! In that case I have a Brooklyn Bridge for you for only triple what it's worth !

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looks like you can build same quality camera for a lot less, you should go into buisness and produce your own line then

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I suspect that a Malincam or similar camera is lurking in the budget projection, so this thread is interesting to me.

When someone finds and shares an alternative for an accessory or parts, we should thank them. I for one do not blush to have a $12 DIY accessory on a $2800 scope.

However, I do not think that this should lead to criticism of any vendor's pricing. Nor is there a need for the vendor or manufacturer justify the retail price. There is no such thing as a fair price, Rock offers the item, and we buy it or not. The market sets the price.

A small business, particularly one that sells only small quantities, does not have much latitude in setting wholesale/retail prices. Rock has to recover his total costs and a profit to remain in business. How he allocates those costs is up to him. If Rock makes 1000 cameras and sells 1000 cables, he can reasonably just divide his total cost by 2000 to get a unit cost. Sure, he will take a loss on each camera and make an exorbitant profit on each cable, but the market will determine how that works.

Even large businesses sometimes want a disparate profit from accessories and optional items. Think ink jet refills.

In the instant case I think it would be challenge for someone to buy, market, ship, ensure compatibility, offer a warranty, etc. on something like these remotes as other than a hobby business.

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Are you talking about the Sunon KDE1205PFVX fan on the heat dissipater?

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There are many innovative and talented DIY'ers in this hobby. I don't have the time nor patience to worry about how to splice a cable or attach some $4.50 fan assembly. So I pay retail. It is what it is. Kudos to you if you can figure out how to save $200 that's nice. Astronomy is a fun hobby and there are certainly many zealous and passionate aficionados on CN. I sometimes buy used equipment and feel proud that I could get a functional product for half the cost of new. That's great as we can save some $ but there is a cost in not supporting those small businesses that are innovative and leading in their respective field. Ultimately if mallincam cannot make a profit he will cease innovating. In a mature and large industry there are many new entrants all,the time, but in a highly specialized field like this that is not true. So I support mallincam because first and foremost he has an excellent product. But I also respect the fact that he and his us distributor Jack need to make a profit to stay in business. So I pay full retail. I get a high quality product, it makes me very happy and I obtain emotional zeitgeist from knowing I am supporting a product that could be critical in getting so many other part time amateurs more hooked and dedicated to astronomy...

I can buy $50 tickets to sit up in the rafters to watch the Knicks play basketball or I can spend $500 to sit near the floor. Why pay anything at all as you can watch the games in HD at home. So many ways to save money... It's important. But heck we choose when to over pay and when to get a bargain. I don't shop at Costco, I don't care about coupons and I don't regret paying full price for my mallincam products. Sorry, but I don't care to crimp,cables or figure out wiring diagrams. And I prefer to sit near the floor when I see basketball games.

Al

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An ociliscope would show if the signals are the same. One would have to have both versions and a scope though

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I am actually more and more tempted to do this . It might be a compulsion due to the fact that I've been designing and producing electronics for a living since longer than I care to remember.

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Dear mattflastro and others,

I would like to correct a few issues with you statements if you don't mind. That way, no misinformation gets lost in cyber world.

- FCC Approval in the US had to be modified by Pixel due to change in digital pulse interference. Cost alone was 7500.00

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Dear mattflastro and others,

I would like to correct a few issues with you statements if you don't mind. That way, no misinformation gets lost in cyber world.


Our fan certainly don't cost 4.00 a piece. They cost us at the shop 17.00 each fan and are high flow with zero vibration.

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mattflastro,

If you claim to be a tech, why do you need to open a MallinCam to copy it? There are copy rights on the circuits design and patents as well in place.


Rock Mallin
MALLINCAM
Ottawa Canada

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I am actually more and more tempted to do this . It might be a compulsion due to the fact that I've been designing and producing electronics for a living since longer than I care to remember.

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If that's the case why didn't you just do it? If you are as competent as you would have us believe, you would have it done by now.

I haven't been designing and producing electronics for a living since longer than I care to remember but I managed to put together my observatory with less discussion than what has taken place in this thread. Walk the walk or talk the talk.

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Well, I hope you agree it's not too late to do it now, is it ?

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The man took His money, His time, His risks and built a company with a very loyal customer group who all seem to like quite and respect Him very much. People buy his product and they like it very well and come back for more, thats free market capitalism at work. Seeing how he took all the risk, produced a product that people like, and seems to be well liked and respected,, hey I hope he makes lots of money

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Dear Matt,

Let me reassure how misinformed your are.

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You have this all wrong, Matt

Your posts are sickening
Rock has personally supplied me free of charge with upgraded cameras...i was willing to pay hundreds of dollars but he refused...
He is the real, genuine deal and his cameras are used worldwide...the BBC recently used an Xtreme and a Signature to show live views over 3 nights of prime time television in their annual Star Gazing Live shows. The operator of these cameras was a famous BBC camera man who wrote a rave review about Mallincams in January's Sky At Night Magazine.....Europe's largest circulation astro mag.

A few hours spent on NSN viewing live broadcasts will show immediately the difference in quality between Rock's cameras and other astro video cameras....it's a Ferrari playing with a Ford.

I am pleased you are not buying a Mallincam.
If you did there would no doubt be more of your unnecessary poison on other related forums.

Your loss, mate

Have fun with your el cheapo Samsung

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I know not of the poison you are speaking about .
I only asked about a wireless remote, a fan part number and a patent number.
Mortal sins in the minds of some , perhaps.
Also don't see what holding a patent or not, or false advertising has to do with the usage of the cameras. They can be good or bad irrespective of the maker holding or not a patent or bragging or bullying people.
Last but not least, try to not show this elitist attitude that owning an Mcam might give you the right to despise people playing with lowly cheap Sammys (that would be almost like camera racial discrimination)
Those people might not even own or "have fun" with the dirty cheap Samsung , you actually have no way of knowing .
I'll live with my loss and thanks for your blessings .

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