dew heaters

[icytailmark (Mark)]

im looking at buying a dew heater before the dew season hits us. I have a 12" skywatcher collapsible dob. I was looking at buying this

http://www.skiesunlimited.net/index.php?ProductID=492

how many bands would i need to buy? one for each mirror?

I just want the dew off the mirrors. I leave my eyepieces covered up if im not using them. I also plan on getting this shroud.

http://www.skiesunlimited.net/index.php?ProductID=5179

[Louwai (Bryan)]

Don't forget a heater strap for your finder.

+ I'd recomend getting an EP strap. The EP can quickly dew up when in place & being used.

On my side-by-side setup (ED80 + 8" SCT) I have heater straps on the 2 OTA's + 1 strap on each EP + 1 strap on the finder & 1 strap hanging down to the EP tray to wrap around another EP for change over.

Total 6 heater straps.

I use a Kendrick Premier Ctrlr. I like it because it's very easy to adjust all settings from the laptop without having to work through the unit menus in the dark.
http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?...-3586&kw=&st=0

[JethroB76 (Jeff)]

Your primary should be alright - especially if you use a shroud, but many have fitted astrosystems secondary dew heaters, which are fitted permanently on the back of the mirror in the secondary holder - not sure if this is possible on your scope.
http://www.astrosystems.biz/dewgrd.htm

That, a 2" EP strap and some homemade straps for the finderscope etc are what I use.

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

I have a full tube GSO dob and have never had a prob with dewing on the primary, so collapsible should be OK if shroud is used. Definately get straps for the finder both EP and objective and for any EPS you are using. on bad nights if you leave an EP in the focuser for 5 minutes it get dewey, so always use straps on these. I have the Kendrick Digifire 7 and the Firefly straps and find them excellent. The controller is very easy to use, the straps well made. Interestly some heaters are not available in Aust, couldn't get 0.965", or Telrad heaters or a heater for my eyepiece box, but got them direct from Kendrick in Canada. Theior service was excellent.