Cost Reductions for Project PANOPTES

I've been so focused on getting my scope (PAN006) installed, debugged and operating automatically that I've been remiss in providing written feedback on the build instructions. I've now taken care of doing so, and am engaged with developing a new parts list for the project, with some updates to the design (primarily simplifications). I'm really pleased that I've been able to drive down the price of the scope. It was nominally $5000, but the reality was that amount didn't include several hundred dollars of electronic parts and small hardware items. I'm not done with the list, but it looks like the cost will be under $4800 for the complete scope when I'm done ... as long as I don't add more than $250 more to the list. Among the options we're still considering are:

• Using a smaller backup battery; PAN006 ran for 2.5 hours on the current 12V 12AH battery in the Nor'easter storm on March 2nd, so a 5AH battery might be sufficient
• Reducing the size of the custom pier's top plate from 8" x 8" to 6" x 6", which requires using smaller extrusions, but helps be making a collision between the mount and the pier less likely, which helps with...
• Increasing the size of camera box: the previous box was just big enough for the Canon SL1, the smallest DSLR, and that camera is discontinued. Replacement cameras are all bigger.
• Reducing the size of the control electronics box (maybe). The Pelican case is pretty expensive (around $175), and we might be able to save $50 with a smaller case, though space in the case might be a bit tight.

All of those savings are pretty important because the Canon SL2, the obvious replacement for the SL1, is more expensive. We'd budgeted $399 for the SL1, but the SL2 is listed as $549 at major online retailers. So, we've got a $302 bump coming to the price.

Fortunately, there are plenty of lightly used SL1 cameras for sale in the used market, but those are not available to all builders: the schools working on the 1,2,3 STARS virtual robotics exchange can't buy from eBay, so need a "real" storefront (online or physical) to sell them the cameras they need. I was pleased to find KEH Camera yesterday, which has reasonable prices on SL1's in good condition; the only problem is that the 'grade' of the camera is based on cosmetics, not the shutter count. Sigh.