Is it a bad idea to store a scope with mirrors, say a reflector at a holiday house long term which happens to be 4kms from back beach and 1 km from front beach. I visit my parents holiday house maybe 2 to 4 times a year and it would be handy just to have a 2nd hand scope down there so i dont have to lug one each time. Limited use, caps on when not in use and stored upstairs in 2nd story which seems to be more drier than downstairs.
Should be fine inside. I would it stick a dessicant cap on the focuser and cvlose off the back just to be sure.
I live on Lake Macquarie and store my scopes in a dry room, which is kept that way by a couple of those Hippo dessicant canisters that you can buy at Bunnings. And never put a wet scope away, let it dry out before you cap it.
Thanks for the fast response. I should probably check the bedroom mirror that has been up there for 20+ years. I was thinking it should be okay as well with desiccant. I think downstairs might be a little damp but upstairs is fine. See if I can bump into a good deal next.
If you don't want to shell out for the Farpoint dessicant caps, have a look at your local $2 shop for some 2" cylindrical glitter containers.
Get yourself some rechargeable dessicant (ebay), some small ziplock bags & a pin... make your own.. drill some holes in the bottom of the container, lots of pin holes in the ziplock bag, add your dessicant...
Another alternative if you want 1.25" is to canvas your local camera shop & see if they have some spare 35mm film containers
That's what I use here in Cairns, saltwater not necessarily being the enemy but, certainly humidity...
My 8" f5 imaging Newt and 12" f5 visual goto dob have been stored in the garage of my weekender South Coast NSW for years just with an Orion scope cloak over them and I'm only 250m from the beach ( can hear the waves at night when I go to bed )
No issue with mold, salt etc.. I just give them a clean once a year
I think humidity is more of an issue with mirrors ( from my experience )
Down at the weekender on the South Coast we don't get the sort of humidity that we get at my permanent place of residence in Sydney during the summer months
