What don't you Use!!

Sentinel · #1 16-03-2008, 12:16 PM

In your observing kit, What piece of equipment do you use the least, but need to have with you?

Rodstar (Rod) · #2 16-03-2008, 01:00 PM

I have a 12volt hair dryer that I used to need a lot with my SCT (corrector plate dew). I almost never use it now with the Mary Rose (although I was pleased to share it with Sue Lang at a recent IIS gathering on the Central Coast).

dannat (Daniel) · #3 16-03-2008, 01:05 PM

cleaning cloth

Starkler (Geoff) · #4 16-03-2008, 02:00 PM

Coloured filters, but I dont need to have them with me.

goober (Doug) · #5 16-03-2008, 05:19 PM

Vibration pads for the tripod mount - never needed to use them.

rmcpb (Rob) · #6 16-03-2008, 06:39 PM

The coloured filters I "had to have", pretty useless really.

RB (Andrew) · #7 16-03-2008, 07:26 PM

Allan key for the red dot finder on the LB because I'm replacing it with Telrad.

programmer · #8 16-03-2008, 07:32 PM

Telrad..

erick (Eric) · #9 17-03-2008, 12:07 AM

The finderscope. Normally don't use it but need it to balance the OTA!

If there are no imagers around, I use my laser to acquire targets! Imagers around and it's back to "bending the back" to look through the finder at high elevations - and I have to say that both GSO finders I have are pretty tragic, quality wise.

beren · #10 17-03-2008, 12:32 AM

Sky Atlas 2000 star charts, haven't used them for ages but they are the first things grabbed when getting all the gear out

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #11 17-03-2008, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by programmer

Telrad..

Ditto. Horrible thing.

Rodstar (Rod) · #12 17-03-2008, 09:42 AM

I love my Telrad! Use it every session to align the Argo Navis, and when I am navigating the Mary Rose without the Argo Navis, it is my main reference to finding objects of interest.

Geoff45 (Geoff) · #13 17-03-2008, 11:48 AM

I'd go with the colour filters as the things I always have but hardly ever use.
Geoff

goober (Doug) · #14 17-03-2008, 12:24 PM

This is quite interesting. What actually is your observing kit. My kit is an esky that I take into the field, and space is so tight if something doesn't get used, it gets moved into a couple of shoeboxes under the bed!

What's in the shoeboxes... that's a different story

Coloured filters, focus extension tube, cleaning fluid, hurricane blower, eyepiece racks, assorted nuts and bolts, collimation cap (what's that doing there!)....

programmer · #15 17-03-2008, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodstar

I love my Telrad! Use it every session to align the Argo Navis, and when I am navigating the Mary Rose without the Argo Navis, it is my main reference to finding objects of interest.

Just want to add that I don't think it's bad in principle, just that it's not very usable to me in my light polluted skies. How light polluted? Crank up Starry Night and turn Local Light Pollution up to max. Then add a bright city.

Having said that, I've been trying to use it lately.

My 4mm Bintel Plossl would have to be close for unused pieces of kit.

rogerg (Roger) · #16 17-03-2008, 02:55 PM

I have very little "waste" in my portable setup because space in the car is so critical. However the one thing that I must have, but rarely use now, is the multi-meter. I used to use it a lot in the early days, when I had more electrical problems. I still feel I need to have it "just in case" but rarely use it.

RB (Andrew) · #17 17-03-2008, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by programmer

Just want to add that I don't think it's bad in principle, just that it's not very usable to me in my light polluted skies.

Yes in light polluted skies it is hard to use.
Here where we are it's much more usable and only need to use it on dim setting.

Sentinel · #18 17-03-2008, 04:31 PM

Interesting responses.

I don't use my Uranometria v2s as much now that I have my Argo Navis, but I would not leave home with out them.

I take my Infinity XL Autocollimator and sight-tube, but tend to use my Glatter Collimator when setting up at dusk. If I was setting up in the early evening before sunset, I would definately throw the Autocollimator in for a quick check. It's a good tool.

Sentinel · #19 17-03-2008, 04:49 PM

Here is my Observing Kit.

A matching Formica Box, the round box is the Mirror portion of the telescope.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/...df08d0a6c2.jpg

Inside is some soft padded bags, a special compartment for the two volumes of Uranometria.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2021/...762fae975b.jpg

I'll post some more shots if people are interested in how I organise the Box inside.

Cheers.

Matty P (Matt) · #20 17-03-2008, 05:49 PM

Yep, colour filters for me. Always have them with me but never get the chance to use them. The only filter in that group that gets used is the Moon filter.