Peter, the bedroll does the job really well, is light to pack, can double as bedding if you are camping, and at $12.95 from K-Mart, it makes far more financial sense that a $250 Meade dew shield......what are you image-conscious, or something??!!
The dew zapper does a great job, but it sucks the power from my battery pack, so I have found it works best to use the bedroll most of the time, and only employ the dew zapper, care of a second battery pack, if the dew is particularly heavy. I also carry a hair dryer, which does a great job when the corrector plate or eyepieces fog up. You might look at that as well in preference to an expensive dew shield.
Peter, I can vouch for the bedroll, it's a great idea.
It's much lighter than the standard dew shield and won't give you balancing problems, works extremely well.
I've seen Rod's old setup many times.
The bed roll is a good idea, but if you want a shield to match your scope check with Mick Pinner first as it won't cost anything like a Meade.
Another option for Dew Straps is to try John Marstiller at www.dew-not.com as they don't draw as much power as other brands. We use them on our eyepieces as well, both 2" and 1.25". Living among mountains we get pretty heavy dew and we have stayed out as late as 4am.
Mate, I built my own dew sheile that cost me $10 for materials. I reckon its more attractive than the genuine article!
Its just two pieces of attractive pattern black ripple cardboard. Ripple on one side, smooth on the other. You can decide which way you face the ripple to look how you want. Its just wood glued along the seams, and some black hundred-mile-an-hour tape to hold it all together and dress it off.
Finishing touches were logo's downloaded and printed from the net, glued on and a final coat of spray on lacquer from the shed.
