Quote:
Originally Posted by Derek Klepp
Anything under 17mm and I have to let the scope cool down I can see the heat shimmer.
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You are going to get that "heat shimmer" no matter what scope you use if the atmospheric conditions are poor. Typical conditions will allow a maximum of 150X before the image degrades, usually less. Good conditions will allow upto 250X. Get exceptional conditions, and the best you can do is around 400X.
The 2" to 1.25" scramble is something we all need to live with. You'll soon work out your own system to make it as seemless as possible. Keeping the adaptor in your pocket is a good one.
Shroud wise, if a dark site the only reason you'd need it is if there is a bit of dust in the air. In light polluted urban areas, that's another matter. I've made some light baffles for my 17.5" scope. They work well, but have their limitations. I too am on the look out for a suitable material for a shroud. The only stuff I've found is a light weight Ripstop material that is used in making sails. At around 70g per sq. metre, it is exceptionally light. But it has no stretch. So you need to think carefully about how you design a shroud with this stuff. But it is very water tight so dew won't seep through it and drop onto your optics.
I'm don't know what other shrouds are made of. I'll be able to tell a bit better next week after going to a dark site this week end with some other folks.