Aldi Ensuite Tent

[furyz (Kristian)]

Anyone tried using one of these Aldi Ensuite Tents as a portable observatory tent. Have any tips if you have?

Was wanting to get something when I am camping to protect the scope during the day. Size looks about perfect for my AVX and C8. Hard to beat that price as well.

Getting it on and off might be a pain, but I might just cut the bottom out and just lift it over the mount. And use the existing corner peg holes to hold it in place.

https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-b...nsuite-tent-5/

[multiweb (Marc)]

Also known as the astrofest tent. I reckon everybody has one.

[furyz (Kristian)]

Originally Posted by multiweb

Also known as the astrofest tent. I reckon everybody has one.

Haha, fair enough. Great minds think alike, etc.

Anything I should know, or any recommendations about using it? Is my idea of making a hole in the bottom a smart decision or have others come up with better ideas?

[multiweb (Marc)]

Originally Posted by furyz

Haha, fair enough. Great minds think alike, etc.

Anything I should know, or any recommendations about using it? Is my idea of making a hole in the bottom a smart decision or have others come up with better ideas?

I don't have one but I think they're shower tents. The top comes off too. Somebody will comment. I've seen stacks of them in QLD.

[astroron (Ron)]

I have had one for over10 years,and as Marc says they are a staple at Qld AstroFest.
They are mainly used to put the computer gear in, but can store your scope in as well.
I cover my16" Dob in it.
I just lay the dob down and slide the complete thing over it rising the scope to the zenith at the same time.
My scope is 2 meters tall
The bottom on mine is removable, but different models may have it as a permanent fixture.
Yes at that price you cant go wrong.
Cheers

[The_bluester (Paul)]

I have one of the Aldi ones and another one, neither of mine have a floor so when the sky is going to be good more than one night in a row I pop one over my gear complete to save tearing it down and setting it up again.

[DPG77 (David)]

These look great, might have to get one.

At this price I guess I don't have much to lose.

[RobF (Rob)]

Just remember if a strong wind or storm appears you don't want to risk this acting like a big sail and tipping your rig over. Otherwise very helpful as a scope cover or "control room" set up.

Oh - and there's always the off chance you might actually use it as a shower tent when you're camping sometime!

[pmrid (Peter)]

Originally Posted by furyz

Haha, fair enough. Great minds think alike, etc.

Anything I should know, or any recommendations about using it? Is my idea of making a hole in the bottom a smart decision or have others come up with better ideas?

Instead of cutting a hole in the floor, if your scope is on a tripod, you might try cutting 3 cuts from the centre to the edges - 120 degrees apart so you can fold the floor back under the scope - or just holes for the tripod feet.

[Astronut07 (Ben)]

Gday

I just bought one on weekend. They were reduced down to $29.99.
Great build quality for cost.
The floor is removable with 4 clips, so you can take floor off & slip tent over scope
Definitely recommend