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Post by allanuk on Dec 17, 2014 21:17:07 GMT
I received my new 910 from Bernard at Modern Astronomy today. Its a few days later than expected but for a good reason. Bernard had heard the reports of peoples dislike of the fiddly handset connector. I have to agree that if I had to repeatedly connect and disconnect the handset cable, I would have grown to dislike it too. There is a very good chance that this connector could be damaged over time. So Bernard took it on himself to have his latest batch of 910's modified at his own expense to try and resolve the problem. His solution was to make the handset cable permanently attached to the camera. Its a neat job and looks professional. I'm not entirely sure this permanent arrangement will suit everybody, but it should make strapping the cable to the coax lead unnecessary.
It won't effect me extending the handset cable as I have done to the others so I am ok with this mod.
I'll post some pics of the modification over the next couple days after I have tested the cam. |
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Post by BillW on Dec 21, 2014 0:18:04 GMT
Hi, Do you have any pictures or diagrams of the twisted pair wiring you use? I'd be interested to see how you implemented that modification. Yes, the connector is very fiddly. The old WATEC 120N had a much better design although it was quite a bit bigger. I've attached a comparison of a 902H2 and my 910HX on comprable fields (The 902was during the Leonids). It's a nice piece of kit once tweaked.  cheers, Bill. |
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Post by allanuk on Dec 21, 2014 9:25:17 GMT
A picture is worth a thousand words Bill, and they show the difference in sensitivity very well. Not having a 902H2 to hand it was impossible for me to do the same.
I'll be making the mods to the new cam shortly and will take some pics to show the procedure, and to show how the handset connector was modded by my supplier.
Allan
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Post by allanuk on Dec 21, 2014 16:49:39 GMT
Ok, firstly here is the modification that was done to the handset connector by Bernard at Modern Astronomy. The mod permanently fixes the connector to the camera. I would assume that if his mod is well received he will either do this to all his 910's or offer it as an optional extra. 
Now here is my own modification to the handset cable to extend it for remote use from indoors.
CAUTION!! this modification may invalidate your warranty.
Firstly, cut the cable about 125mm from the camera connector, and remove 10mm of outer sheath from both cut ends. Then add an RJ45 connector to each end. Be absolutely sure to keep the coloured wires in the same order on each RJ45. There are 6 wires, and should be inserted starting from the left as you look at the back of the RJ45. This will leave 2 empty slots at the right hand side of the RJ45. You can now use the handset normally by using a RJ45 extension plug as shown, or using another extension plug, add a cat5 data cable of desired length between the two camera and handset. You can now control the camera from inside your house or observatory. If you find after doing this that you have lost the function of any buttons on the handset, then recheck the wiring. Its easy to get these little wires mixed up.  
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Post by allanuk on Dec 21, 2014 16:53:52 GMT
This is how I use cat5 twisted pair cable for the handset extension and for carrying the video signal. This reduces the number of cables going to the camera. If you already have a good signal through your video feed, there is no need to do this. For this extension I used a 15mtr cat5 UTP data cable. Use any length you want. I split the outer sheath and peeled it back for about 180mm and expose the wires. I keep the brown and light brown twisted pair as is, but cut 160mm from the other 6 wires and outer sheath. Remove another 10mm from the outer sheath and add an RJ45 connector using the 6 wires only. This should leave you a normal looking data cable with 2 long wires hanging out. 
Install a video balun to these 2 wires as in photo. Repeat this process for the other end of the cable ensuring that the coloured wires follow the same sequence as in the first end. You can now use this cable for video signal and handset control. 
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Post by michaelmorris on Dec 22, 2014 13:45:01 GMT
Hi, Do you have any pictures or diagrams of the twisted pair wiring you use? I'd be interested to see how you implemented that modification. Yes, the connector is very fiddly. The old WATEC 120N had a much better design although it was quite a bit bigger. I've attached a comparison of a 902H2 and my 910HX on comprable fields (The 902was during the Leonids). It's a nice piece of kit once tweaked. View Attachmentcheers, Bill. On the face of it, the 910 seems to be much more sensitive. Are the two pictures taken using the same sky limiting magnitude, lens, exposure and exposure settings? |
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Post by BillW on Dec 22, 2014 20:33:09 GMT
Alan,
Thanks for the pictures, very informative.
Michael,
No, thats one of the issues. The observing conditions were similar and I set the gain to get a similar background noise count.
However the 910 was set to 2x frame integration. This will improve the mag limit but doesn't automatically infer a more sensitive chip.
More tests to do if the weather ever lets up. It's been pee-ing down here for days!
Cheers,
Bill.
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Post by jeancoliac on Feb 1, 2015 19:58:00 GMT
Dear All
I am new to the forum, I live in west europe and owned a 910HX + VTI.
I begin to use it. I would like to do meteor detection with small focal length, but not easy as I live in a town and appartment.
I imaged jupiter satellites foe the phemu.
But problems begin...
First, I made an avi file of one minute and looked at it in Limovie.
I saw that there was 14000 frames and I don't understand why as the speed is 25fps...
I would like to have about 25 fps so 150 frames per minute but I don't know how.
And moreover, I didn't see the bottom time line on the screen even with 7 satellites.
But I am happy to join you !
Jean
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Post by allanuk on Feb 2, 2015 7:14:37 GMT
Welcome Jean,
What software are you using to record your avi, and what shutter speed did you set in the camera.
I cannot explain yet why you had 14000 frames in 1 minute. That would not seem possible. With a little more information we may find the problem and offer advice.
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Post by BillW on Feb 2, 2015 10:07:08 GMT
Hi All,
On the subject of the 910, I had a decent couple of nights over the weekend.
It really is an exceptional camera. The Computar 12mm f0.8 is also a super lens but as soon as you put a grating in front of it the liming magnitude drops considerably. However last night (even with the moonlight) with a bit of tweaking I could get the magnitude down to as good as ~+3 stellar.
This is remarkable as it allows plenty of reference stars to be seen now rather than just a few.
cheers,
Bill.
PS. Now I'm not sure as to the internal fuctioning of the camera but after setting it I disconnected the hand controller to see what would happen.
With the older 120 it defaults to a basic configuration. I suspected that might be the case with the 910 but apparently not.
It seemed to hold the settings and ran fine with the tweaked performance.It switched off on Saturday morning as usual.(I was interested to see if it was an issue with it needing to be powered to hold the settings)
On the next power up, no change. It ran last night fine without the hand set attached. Has anyone else tried running their 910 camera without the hand set attached?
As has been noted, it's a fiddly thing! Running without it makes life so much easier!
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Post by allanuk on Feb 2, 2015 12:05:07 GMT
That's good to know Bill. As you know, I modified my handset cable so I could tweak settings remotely from indoors, but for those that choose not to, storing the handset inside the housing could be a pain. So its nice to know that once the camera is set, the handset could be removed and all the settings remain.
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Post by BillW on Feb 2, 2015 12:29:56 GMT
Hi,
I'm not sure how it's doing it though! there must be something holding the info.
Mmmm, we'll see if it lasts being powered down for a month during the next spell of bad weather!
cheers,
Bill.
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Post by allanuk on Feb 2, 2015 12:44:06 GMT
A month!!!! I hope not. I'll see if I can send you some clear weather.  |
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Post by allanuk on Feb 2, 2015 12:45:56 GMT
Ok, I've ordered some for you Tuesday night around 10pm.
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Post by BillW on Feb 2, 2015 21:17:53 GMT
Ta muchly ;-))
I will be ready!
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