Simple spooting scope system

[usedtoget.high]

You technical wizard!

[Triffid]

So far I have tried:
usbcamera (the one Allan has been using)
lumiocamera
simple camera
camerafi

None have worked with the usb camera.

Mouse works.

I've worked out what the issue is on mine . . . the tablet doesn't have enough power to run the camera. If I plug it in via a powered hub, all is fine.
Triffid

[dromia]

Well that has hammered the portability benefit of the system if it be the case.

How come a mobile phone has the power to run it? Is there that much difference?

[Triffid]

I'll pass on that one, I'm just glad I worked out what was happening. I guess it just depends on how the hardware is configured. My new Motorola E5 runs a webcam just fine. But a six-month old Fusion5 10" Tablet needs the powered hub. Perhaps the price of the unit is the determining factor!
Triffid

[fenix]

Spotting scopes tend to run a proprietary eyepiece system, lots of options. If you want to a standardised system look at astronomy telescopes, they all use 1.25" or 2" eyepieces, including zooms.
On the tablet front your better off looking for a cheap windows tablet rather than android, ideally with full sized usb.

The reason the mobile phone is more usable than a tablet is than mobile phones tend to cost a lot more than tablet, despite the tablet having a bigger screen.

If there is an appetite to push this to longer ranges I have quiet a selection of telescopes, camera and computer kit, more than happy to meet up. I am in Kent, mainly shoot at Bisley. Would be interested to see how far we could push this.

[Racalman]

If there is an appetite to push this to longer ranges I have quiet a selection of telescopes, camera and computer kit, more than happy to meet up. I am in Kent, mainly shoot at Bisley. Would be interested to see how far we could push this.

I'm interested in developing a setup to photograph spotting discs on Fig. 11 targets at 1,000 yards.

I have a 75mm Opticron Classic IF MKII with x27 1.25mm eyepiece but I'm thinking that adding a x2 Barlow lens might give enough magnification?

Bisley is just up the road from me so I'm happy to collaborate

[1066]

You will have no trouble seeing spotting discs at 1,000 yards.

These are both at 1k at Bisley: The scope is a Sightron at about 15x

[Racalman]

I hope you're all enjoying a great Christmas holiday.

Tired of turkey, I turned my hand to this project and here's my effort.

Inspired by dromia I used a 35mm film canister as it's a snug fit on the rubber eyepiece cup and a 1 inch hole in the end accommodates the camera lens.

The picture below was taken with a 27x eyepiece at 70 feet.

[Racalman]

And this one was taken at 100 yards (couldn't include it above as only allowed three attachments

[dromia]

Good job.

General question, how does one know which tablet device would work the camera before buying one?

The portability of this system that is the key, having found that cheap chinky tablets won't work the camera what are the options that won't break the bank?

I am loathe to spend a lot on a tablet as this would be the only use I would have for one.