Monochrome Camera

[LDW47]

Just a simple question, can you use an iPad to operate / control a monochrome camera and refractor telescope rather than a laptop ? If so what do I need to make the connections and with what app ?

[Juno16]

Hi LDW,
I am not familiar with mac/ipad apps for AP, but several members here are and hopefully they will see this post.
I’m curious too.
I use my ipad to control my imaging laptop remotely using Teamviewer. Works great. I know that you are looking for ideas how an ipad can actually run the session.
I have a 9 year+ old Dell laptop that works great. There is so much more available for a Window machine as far as AP software.
You can find a used Windows laptop for a really good price. I bought my Dell E6430 about 4 years+ ago for $250 on Amazon.
Even as old as it is, it runs the session well. I run NINA, PHD2, Green Swamp Server, K stars (only for image preview), and Cartes du Ceil concurrently.
It has a early generation i5, 8G ram, and a cheap $25 512G ssd (I added).
I’ll bet that you could find something similar for $150 or less.
Just a thought instead of buying lightning to usb hub hardware and fussing with ipad apps that are probably inferior to windows based imaging apps.
But, then again, maybe someone here can offer some better suggestions.
Thanks and good luck!

[yobbo89]

i know raspberry pi software is taking of for astronomy ,unfortuantly i have no idea about mac os ..

a few words come up for google search on mac/astronomy, kstar,ekos and ascom alpaca

you can also do remote ascess, have a 12v windows / linux device connected to your gear and ascess it with your mac .

it might help others to awsner your question if you list your mount and camera .

[LDW47]

i know raspberry pi software is taking of for astronomy ,unfortuantly i have no idea about mac os ..

a few words come up for google search on mac/astronomy, kstar,ekos and ascom alpaca

you can also do remote ascess, have a 12v windows / linux device connected to your gear and ascess it with your mac .

it might help others to awsner your question if you list your mount and camera .

I will use the iOptron SkyHunter AZ GoTo mount / tripodwhich is the equivalent of the SW GT. I won't buy a camera until I know the answer to my iPad question, I intend this camera bit as a small aside to my visual work so I don't wish to buy used if I can help it ie I own 3 iPads, lol.

[LDW47]

i know raspberry pi software is taking of for astronomy ,unfortuantly i have no idea about mac os ..

a few words come up for google search on mac/astronomy, kstar,ekos and ascom alpaca

you can also do remote ascess, have a 12v windows / linux device connected to your gear and ascess it with your mac .

it might help others to awsner your question if you list your mount and camera .

I will also be doing solar using a HelioFind mount / tripod and my Lunt LS50 scope. As I mentioned it will be a monochrome camera of reasonable quality such as a higher end Svbony etc.

[JayTee]

can you use an iPad to operate / control a monochrome camera and refractor telescope

This is a little too generic. Could you be more specific about which camera and telescope you are referring to? Each manufacturer has a different piece of software to access either the camera or the mount. So being more specific would help.

[LDW47]

can you use an iPad to operate / control a monochrome camera and refractor telescope

This is a little too generic. Could you be more specific about which camera and telescope you are referring to? Each manufacturer has a different piece of software to access either the camera or the mount. So being more specific would help.

What I want to know is whether there are adapters, cables etc. that will allow me to use my iPad as the monitor for a camera, any brand of camera, I don't think at this point software for a specific brand / scope has become part of my concern. Its to make a physical connection between the two, as you know there is only the one port on the iPad, for one type of connector. The scope is a non issue. The question is, can I use my iPad as monitor and if so what hardware etc. do I need ?

[LDW47]

The question is do monochrome cameras, in general, come with a cable or can I buy a cable that connects the camera to an iPad ? My concern is more directed to anyone using the iPad as I want to ? If there is no experience then I will have to do more leg work and try and find out, use a different approach.

[LDW47]

can you use an iPad to operate / control a monochrome camera and refractor telescope

This is a little too generic. Could you be more specific about which camera and telescope you are referring to? Each manufacturer has a different piece of software to access either the camera or the mount. So being more specific would help.

Read my post above your first.

[chris_g]

Most cameras are USB connection, it's going to depend on the specific camera brand and if drivers are made for the Mac/Pad. Doesn't matter if it's monochrome or OSC

[LDW47]

Most cameras are USB connection, it's going to depend on the specific camera brand and if drivers are made for the Mac/Pad. Doesn't matter if it's monochrome or OSC

If most camera connections are USB, which I was thinking then I am looking for the adapter to convert it to an iPad connector, I was hoping others had already experience with it. I mention monochrome because that is what I am aiming for so it does matter and if I can't convert to an iPad monitor the drivers concern doesn't matter because I don't intend to buy a dedicated laptop with a different operating system. So you can see why I am focused in this thread because as usually happens they can expand all over the place way out beyond.

[JayTee]

I own 5 different Astro cameras, both mono, and OSC. ALL of them use USB cables to connect to a "control" device. Those cables have either a USB A or B (on the newest cameras - USB AB) on one end while the other is USB A. Is your solution something as simple as this?

[LDW47]

I own 5 different Astro cameras, both mono, and OSC. ALL of them use USB cables to connect to a "control" device. Those cables have either a USB A or B (on the newest cameras - USB AB) on one end while the other is USB A. Is your solution something as simple as this?

I have seen that unit, I think it is exactly what I am looking for, I was just hoping someone would confirm that through their own experience. It is in my Amazon cart. I might already have one kicking around, lol. Thanx !

[LDW47]

I would like some recommendations, based on personal use, for a decent, mid range priced mono cameras that I will try with my 60-100mm, f5.4-8.3 refractors (4) and my Lunt solar 50 and my SW solarquest mount. I have been looking at a Svbony model 305, 1.25" cam.

[LDW47]

From my end I have narrowed it down to a ZWO AS1290 MM mono cam. using Sky Safari and ASIAIR on my iPad. I will mount my scope on my iOptron SkyHunter mount. Sound OK so far ?

[JayTee]

That's a very good choice if you are looking for a "smallish" sensor size. Everything else sounds great. I'm interested to see how that mount works out for you.

Cheers,