Lidl Webcam better than LPI?

Hi all,
I wonder have any of you thought of using one of those webcams that are in Lidl this week in place of the Meade LPI? I've just picked one up (17euro) and I like the software that comes with! Its advertised as 1.3mp
but I'm not sure is it that resolution with moving video, still, it's a nice, well made little unit - metal clad!

Seamus.

Hi Dougal,

As far as I know the Lidl camera isn't a true CCD, so it's not really going to compete with the LPI. The Phillips Toucam Pro (must be the pro version) is relatively cheap from www.pixmania.ie and does an excellent job of imaging the planets (just take a look around the boards here) as it has a highly sensitive chip. You'll find lots of support for the Toucam too because it's widely used.

I tried a 3com webcam before with poor results. The software and the camera just weren't up to the task.

Having said that- at €17 why not give it a try and let the rest of us know how you get on?

Dave P

Hi Dave, Well I'm definately gonna try it, you can unscrew the lens on the front of this little thing and access the CCD directly. I already have the LPI for my 10" LX200GPS but to be honest, I'm never satisfied with it, and I don't want to spend the thousands that others so with the sbigs' and stuff. If 17euro makes me even a little happier, then it's well spent!!

Seamus

For 17 Euros it'll be a CMOS sensor, definitely not a CCD. Still you've nothing to lose at that price, so you don't need to worry about breaking it if you want to modify it.

Worth a try at that price, If you want a gauranteed good planetray camera, go for the toucam pro, from what I've seen its beats the LPI.

The Phillips Toucam Pro (must be the pro version) is relatively cheap from www.pixmania.ie

pixmania dont have them anymore The cheapest I could find was €53 from here;

www.thebigstore.ie/index.php?cPath=35_90...57d0cfbbd7d38e22377f