Cstar CMOS Digital Color Eyepiece for Telescopes w/Photo and Video Capability

Other products by CStar Optics

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0007YY6MM
• Item model number: 51-803
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank

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  Camera & Photo > Accessories > Telescope Accessories > Eyepieces

• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 1, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
The sky truly is the limit with the CCD-1 digital color eyepiece for telescopes from Cstar. If you're looking for a way to capture and save your favorite images from the heavens, then you've found the right product. This eyepiece is easy to connect to most any telescope. Once attached, it automatically turns the normally up-side-down, reversed image into a regular image just like you would see with your own eyes, only magnified. The .3 megapixel CCD (charge-coupled device) digital eye-piece delivers high image quality and remarkable detail at an affordable price. Cstar does not stop there, the CCD-1 also allows you to see a video stream on your computer while using the high magnification of your telescope.

While you view the real-time video footage of your favorite celestial bodies, snap a still by pressing the shutter button. In order to minimize vibrations that could disturb the image while taking a photo, Cstar has placed the snap shot button on a cord coming out of the digital eye-piece. Once you've set up the eye-piece and your telescope, you can turn your attention to your computer monitor so you don't miss any of the heavenly attractions. No longer will you be bent over your telescope, squinting with one eye -- the CCD-1 will make you feel like more than just an amateur astronomer.

The eye-piece comes with an easy-to-install driver. Once your computer is set up and you've connected the CCD-1 to your computer by way of the included USB cable, you'll be ready to snap and store images on your hard drive. The eyepiece sends photo data from the CCD module to your computer. Once stored, you can use photo editing software to make changes or edit the photo. Digitally place aliens or spaceships for humorous images, or simply use the CCD-1 to capture and store your favorite shots of the great beyond. Regardless of your intent, this eyepiece is an excellent accessory for any stargazer.

What's in the Box
CCD-1 digital color eye-piece, USB cable, and CD-ROM driver.

Product Description
Take beautiful images of the moon, or capture nature on the ground with Cstar's new dual-size digital PICTURE TAKING eye-piece. It is simple to use by even the most novice astronomer. Just install the photo taking software on your computer (takes only a few minutes), put the eye-piece in the telescope eye-piece holder, focus your telescope, and snap a photo! This new picture taking eye-piece from Cstar delivers high image quality and detail at an affordable price. Cstar's digital picture taking eye-piece provides sharp high quality and clear images. Our 51-803 Image quality is comparable to high priced digital eyepieces with CCD technology. The 51-803 automatically turns the normally up-side-down reversed image into a normal image just like you would see with your own eyes but at a magnified view. It allows you to see video stream on your computer while using the high magnification of your telescope to bring objects up even closer to you. A photo can then be taken at any time simply by pressing the shutter button. The Snap shot (Shutter) button is located on a 5' (foot) long cable that comes out of the digital eye-piece in order to limit any vibrations which could disturb the image while taking a photo. Images are stored directly on your computer screen and can be saved to your files on your computer. Cstar's 51-803 comes with an easy to install driver. Power to the eye-piece is supplied via the USB cable which comes with the eye-piece. The digital Eye-Piece sends photo data from the camera to your computer which allows the user to make changes or edit the photo. The USB cable provides the connection between a computer and the 51-803 eyepiece and also supplies the power (No Batteries Needed). A CD ROM driver allows for operating a shutter release button (for photo taking).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars EQUIPMENT DOES NOT WORK, May 15, 2007

By	Alicia Beasley - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I AM UNABLE TO GET THE CAMERA TO TAKE ANY PICTURES OR TO EVEN POINT TO AN OBJECT TO TAKE A PICTURE. THIS WAS A BIRTHDAY PRESENT FOR MY HUSBAND AND I FEEL IT WAS A TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY. I ACTUALLY DON'T EVEN GIVE THIS PRODUCT A STAR

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Cstar CMOS Digital Color Eyepice for Telescopes, September 7, 2007

By	Richard L. Walker "rlwalker" (Pensacola, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My hopes were flying until I purchased this item. I noticed the resolution (0.3 megapixels - that's a "0." in front of the number) and started to worry. That worry was more than justified when I installed the software, hooked up the eye-piece and set up my laptop on a table outside. First I focused on Jupiter and its 4 largest moons using the optical eye-piece that came with my Meade Telestar NGC-60TC telescope. This particular telescope always gives good results with Jupiter and its largest moons as well as Saturn and its rings. Then I replaced the optical eyepiece with the digital eye-piece. Refocusing, very carefully, the best I could do was a blob of light for Jupiter and NO MOONS WHATEVER. I can imagine getting fair results looking at the moon, but for the price one expects a bit more than the moon when your interest is astronomy.