Logitech Pro 9000

[FatherGuse]

Well ... I got a crazy idea to try one out as it seems to have "more chip" than most of the expensive manufactured ones out there ... well ... that and I read up on it from someone else who is using one for astrophotography.

So, anyone here tried pulling one apart yet and using it??? Got the specs??

Currently waiting on mine to get here so I can destroy it and convert it over (though with my small scopes I won't really get to exploit it) ...

[admin]

great I was going to do this eventually. You be the guinea pig :P first... actually there are some guides out there I saw but if you can post pics here of how you do it that would be amazing!

Will post here a few good resources so we can do this eventually

[FatherGuse]

.. started working on it ... amazing "little" card ... pulled the whole thing apart and it is just an odd feeling to hold the card with no case and the daughter cards removed and still be getting great pictures ... strange man ... anyway ... got it pulled apart and ready for mounting into the hobby case ... need to pick up a tube of glue and some foam when I am at work next week and I'll have the astro-cam up and running ... great project and I am really looking forward to learning how to get some shots (though I am sure it will only feed my developing case of ap-feaver) ...

[FatherGuse]

.. oh yeah ... reinstalled the microphone through a button hole in the bas of the hobby case ... got the idea from the "Astronomy Hacks" (#62) ... since the software and hardware are already built in ... might be kewl to have a video/audio record of what I am doing (especially since memory is just so cheap these days) ...

... also "re-tasking" the red LED light by projecting the light through the case as a visual "off/on" ... using the foam for internal baffling ...

... and I also decided to install a small (actually tiny) 5vDC cooling fan that I can tap the USB power supply for ... not sure if it wil really add anything as far as picture quality, but I noticed some heat generated off of the chip when I was holding it in my hand and the 5v fan eliminates another 12v cord that "needs" to be run ...

... all for now ... back to reading "Hacks" (since the weather is not cooperating) ...

[JohnFourie]

I bought one and have successfully "modified it". to the details on "Instructions for Converting Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000 Webcam for Telescope Use -by Gary Honis"

and

Yes, it works fine, both with Maxim DL and the original software. You cannot record at 30fps with the full resolution.

I was reluctant to rip it apart as the autofocus features were appealing. I could not get focus though.

[FatherGuse]

... very kewl ... I have not really played around with mine much (sadly enough) since I built it and verified that it worked ... between work and family and the clouds I have only had a few hours to run outside with either the binocs or an old Orion I am rebuilding ...

... it is a neat way to build a slick astro-cam ... but I have not had the chance to "push" it to it limits (or my scopes limits) ... as you gather data please feel free to post your findings ...

Cheers ...