How do people deal with dew?

[CJ (Chris)]

Hello everyone. I was out observing a while back and while my scope was ok my finderscope misted up on the outside. I'm interested to hear how you deal with dew?

Thanks

[dannat (Daniel)]

eyepiece end or objective end, im guessing you were observing for a while -a tube or piece of plastic wrapped around the front end should stop the dew, the eyepiece end you would prob need a dew heater

[CJ (Chris)]

Thanks Daniel. Objective end. I was tempted to wipe it but I thought that might not be the right thing to do.

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

On a finder scope, an old stubby holder with the bum ripped out of it works fine. Usually have to put a heavy duty elastic band around it to hold it in place but does the trick.
If dew is really heavy it will still need a dew heater though.

Malcolm

[Robh (Rob)]

Hi Chris,

I use a 12V Jumpstart battery pack (cost $60) and 12V hair-dryer (cost $25). You can use it on the finderscope and EPs.
I also use it on my secondary mirror as I have a truss Dob.

Works well for all but the heaviest dew.

Regards, Rob

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

I use a Kendrick dew heater and 50mm heater band.

So far (touch wood) the 50mm finder guider I use is the only thing that dews up, which is bad as I guide using this and the scope has a cow when it is covered in water.

I have the 2 channel dew heater controller with 2 outputs per channel, so I can add another 3 bands (for maybe DSLR, secondary mirror and main tube) if I want to or need to.

Luckily, the newt seems to be quite good with respect to dewing up. I have used a hair dryer once, when it got VERY cold and before I had the Kendrick. The Primary hasnt dewed up at all.

Cheers

Chris

[wasyoungonce (Brendan)]

Dew...what dew...6 independent channel PWM controller . That said IMHO PWM dew control is expedient but not the best method. This I have been pondering somewhat but am yet to find a better answer.

I also like the OEM dew heater thin film heater straps like Kendrick. dew not dew etc. They work nicely buy distributing heat evenly and last a long time. In the interim just use a hair dryer as required...if you have 240V present. You can get +12V hair dryers but all this is a temporary fix.

[CJ (Chris)]

Thanks fellers. Much obliged.

I'll start off with the collar (the free stuff!) and see how I get on.
That's quite a bit of gear Brendan! Good to see it in practice. A picture paints a thousand words!

Cheers