DIY Night Vision Monocular using a Runcam Night Eagle 3 (RNE3). A bit of night sky: 05-06 june 2024.

[@AdmiralSym]

I am interested in the RNE3 for a DIY analog NV astronomy setup. I read somewhere that the model sold by the IOTA provides frame integration. Does the unit you have do the same?

[@thenightvisionlab]

Hi, unfortunately the RNE3 currently used in my system does not provide integration frame. IOTA was in the past selling indeed a system with integration, based on a modified RNE2 pro. Now, they are also using a RNE3 but without integration (Runcam company did not want to produce a version with integration, i heard about that). perhaps on a second hand market (take a look on CN forum for instance) you may find something. Cheers.

[@AdmiralSym]

@@thenightvisionlab Thank you for the info! Do you think the increased sensitivity of the RNE3 would be worth the loss of integration from the IOTA RNE2? This would be paired with an F/4 telescope and a 0.5x focal reducer.

[@thenightvisionlab]

@@AdmiralSym , i had the RNE2 (without integration) and now currently the RNE3. Sensitivity are quite comparable i would say. From that, i think the RNE2 (with integration: at least x2, x4) would be quite superior to the one provided by the RNE3 or RNE2. i had also in the past a WATEC120n+, and integrating only x2 was already a great improvement compared to the image provided by the WATEC120n+ without integration. With your project (scope with F/2 equivalent), a RNE2 (IOATA version: with integration) would be great.

[@AdmiralSym]

@@thenightvisionlab Great thanks for the info. I’m very new to analog systems like these since I typically do cooled astrophotography. I’ve been looking for a potential lesser alternative to IIT NV and found these cams. I see RunCam also sells the Night Camera Prototype but it appears to be digital only. I don’t believe it’s possible to view the image unless connected to a computer. Too bad since it has a nice 1/1.8 sensor!

[@thenightvisionlab]

@@AdmiralSym , my pleasure. IIT are expensive, for sure, this is pity. But modern small analog camera like RNE or Caddx brand, and so on are more and more performing... And like you, despite i am used to play also with astro camera from ZWO like the 290MM, i appreciate more and more the simplicity and "ready to use" aspect of the analog cameras like RNE and equivalent... Perhaps try to investigate the model "infra" from Caddx. it still usable with a simple composite signal video viewer/screen (if i do not mistake myself), and it may comprise a kind of frame integration function.