magnilux - Astronomy Technology Today

ASTRO TIPS
tips, tricks and novel solutions
Is Your Observatory on
Video
By Wayne Parker
Image 1
IP Cameras
If your home WiFi extends to your
observatory, consider installing one or
more IP cameras. I’ve picked them up on
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eBay with Pan, Tilt, IR, and LED for $75,
and prices keep falling. The little wireless
devices allow you to easily add cameras to
your home network and to access and
control them from anywhere in the
world. Put one in your observatory
and watch what’s happening in
a storm. 67 degree plus of tilt and
pan let you check it all out from
your laptop or smart phone without
getting out from under your
bed – assuming your electrical service
hasn’t been knocked out. Your
main computer doesn’t even have
to be turned on; your router alone
is enough to provide remote
access via the web.
You can even set them up to
email photos or video if they
detect motion. I love IP cameras!
No wires. Stick ‘em anywhere.
No expensive security
system to buy.
Image 1 is the WangView 10 LED
Image 2
wireless IP camera with 1/4-inch
CMOS,640x480 VGA resolution, IR
night-vision mode to 26 feet, 270 degree
pan and 90 degree tilt found on eBay for
$66.50US.
USB Monitors
And I love USB monitors. Because
they use a USB connection instead of your
computer’s video-card, you can add multiple
7- or 10-inch USB monitors to your
system. I use mine for viewing IP cameras,
but I also use one in my POD plugged into
my laptop. The little monitors can display
IR cloud updates, planetarium software,
CCD control software, you name it, on the
second monitor while leaving your main
monitor free for other uses, making them
great for CCD astrophotography.
They’re low cost too and offer plenty
of options to choose from. Standard
models are available from $80US, with
touchscreen models starting
at $180US including
all necessary drivers.
Among my favorites
are those from
Mimo Monitors.
Pictured in
Image 2 is the
Mimo Imo Pivot
Touch monitor with
800x480 display and
USB 2.0 connectivity. The
monitor measures 7.5 by 5.25 by 0.5 inches,
weighs just 1.2 pounds with stand, and
lists for $180US. Check them out at:
www.mimomonitors.com.
Expect to see a lot of them in our
upcoming POD MAX promotion which
will include a monitor wall for one of the
POD MAX’s six huge bays.
72 Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY