Water Proof Gear

[xelasnave]

When "they" come out with a curved sensor F2 the next thing I want is all water proof gear.

Like some nights the dew is like someone has hosed your gear with a garden hose..just that should have manufactures producing water proof gear...and like last night it was clear but earlier in the day it seemed like we would get a storm..how can you leave your auto set up going and go to bed with the worry of rain...now if water proof who would care...
Like precision stuff ...like watches..water proof why not scopes, mounts, cameras and stuff.

Alex

[mura_gadi (Steve)]

Can I ask why a light weight modified cover of suitable width and a custom handle fitted to a 3rd OTA ring or similar is not used?

Any low profile cover with an edge that doesn't come into FOV would do , the brim covers the mount, camera's other bits with a brim wide enough to let the dew run away and fall harmlessly.

Using the 3rd OTA ring gets you your tent pole, the sail cloth design would be fairly easy if you have the parts to measure straight from. Seems to be an easy option with little expense, less cables, no power requirements and probably lighter.


Ps.
I had thought of hydrophobic paints, below is a sample of Neverwet(one of the best) on aluminium under dew conditions.

[xelasnave]

I see what you mean but I want the rig built such that you could throw it in the dam and it would survive...why not?
I imagine a situation where I am imagining and set Asiair plus on plan mode to finish about 4 am and go to bed and when the storm hits at 2 am everything survives and continues imaging when it clears at 3 am.
I like the idea of plan but like last night I nodded off and when I woke the dew may as well been rain it was so wet...on the bright side I used the mop as my walking stick and gave the observatory floor a quick go over while moving about closing up.
Alex

[xelasnave]

I see what you mean ..I want something that can manage a sudden down pour.
It was so wet last night ..I fell asleep and the heavy fog hit..it was so wet when I went down to close up I had to use the mop as my walking stick cause it was so slippery..on the bright side I gave the floor a go over while moving about closing up. It worries me the negative effect on the gear when it is nkt built with water proofing in mind.
Alex

[glend (Glen)]

My experience with several water proofing concepts, out at the Bretti Dark Site over a number of years, suggests it is pretty much futile. I have used pop up shelters, awnings, beach towels covered by big plastic bags down to the ground, etc.
Other attendees pretty much agreed that a ground plastic tarp was essential for stopping rising damp, but they can become skating rinks once they are wet.
Some scopes can be put into cars or campers, but you cannot escape the moisture laden air and the condensation that is drawn to cool metal and glass surfaces.
Sure heaters can work on mirrors and objectives, but you cannot heat everything.
This has been the battle Every one fights.