Mount Covers

[kevy02]

Ok, so I was considering building a pier in back garden and looking for ways to protect the mount/telescope. I read Telegizmo 365 covers are the go, but can't get them in Australia.Can anyone recommend a similar cover or method.

[glend]

I just looked on Amazon.com.au and there are plenty of water proof telescope covers available. The Astromania brand has a big range. If your an Amazon Prime member you get priority delivery.

If you think you absolutely have to have Telegizmo then look at OPT in California they will ship direct to Australia. I bought a big DOB cover from them years ago. Be aware the Telegizmo 365 covers do not breathe, like many covers, and cannot really be left on all the time.

PS, any mount setup left out in the yard is likely to have condensation problems, especially if on bare ground. Better on a concrete pad, deck, patio, etc.

Note that Bintel locally sell the Orion brand scope covers.

[Rainmaker]

You can order directly from Telegizmos, I had them custom make covers for my scopes.

[Ryderscope]

I can definitely recommend the Telegizmo covers. I’ve been using one for at over ten years and whilst it might be showing it’s age some it still works fine. I have the 24/7 cover which are very robust. I agree with the point about condensation though so it is important to take the cover off regularly to let things breathe. I have a pier in my backyard with a Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro mount which I leave permanently set up with this cover though I do remove the camera/OTA between sessions. I take the cover off at least weekly for a half hour or so.

[Startrek]

I’ve used the Orion Scope Cloak ( Bintel ) for about 4 years now in Sydney as I decided to leave my rig outside for 6 to 9 months at a time rather than dismantle it after each session. I just bring my imaging camera inside after each session and of course the laptop.
I keep the mount well lubricated externally with silicon spray ( odourless) and it has not show any signs of rust which is remarkable for a Taiwanese product. Even my 6” newt hasn’t shown any signs of rust , just some surface mould which is easily cleaned.

The rig even survived the East Coast deluge and floods last year.

Photo attached during a downpour

[gaseous]

Can recommend Telegizmos too - they custom-made a cover for my 20" Skywatcher dob.

[Paul Haese]

Telegizmo also from me. Second cover in 18 years. They are worth the money.