Which webcam

[Mr Jack Martin]

I want to install one in the observatory to remotely monitor a telescope and mount.

It needs to be able to see in the dark so, sensitive to very low light levels. I don’t mean an IR camera.

Any recommendations?

Regards,

Jack

[Grant Privett]

Lodestars are pretty good – 1st gen is probably good enough, as is the ZWO ASI120mm. I’m considering those for my camera to do a similar thing. Saw a second hand Lodestar today for £150 and the ASI is similarly priced. A significant part of the cost would be the lens on top… I will probably control mine via a Raspberry Pi.

I’m sure other have better ideas though.

[Alun Halsey]

I use a QHY5L-II with an all sky lens (type supplied with ASI120) this gives full coverage of my observatory when running remotely, I use Sharpcap to control the camera.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

[Callum Potter]

I have a Raspberry Pi zero with a Pi NoIR (sic) camera in my observatory, but it is not really sensitive enough to show anything. I bought an IR illuminator and the combination works well.

Of course you don’t really want to use an IR illuminator (as you already know) as the cameras might pick it up. 

I only use this if I want to film something, not for normal observing.

Callum

[Robin Leadbeater]

look out for a ASI120M, they came with a wide angle lens eg currently

https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=180950

but better in mono (and the price of this one is too high, they were only about that new)

Cheers

Robin

[Mr Jack Martin]

Many thanks for your replies.

Jack

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