do you need to have a dew heater on a hyperstar?

[h0ughy (David)]

trying to make sure i have everything for Astrofest, but i do have a question, do you need to have a dew heater on a hyperstar?

[Star Hunter]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

trying to make sure i have everything for Astrofest, but i do have a question, do you need to have a dew heater on a hyperstar?

David,

I have a new Hyperstar on my C14 and you don't need a dew heater. What you do need is a Kendrick warmer wrap around for the scope and a lenshood. I went to Clarke Rubber and got some 3mm black compressed foam and cut a piece about 12" long wide and wrapped this around and over the heater. This setup will keep the corrector plate and the H/optics dry.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

trying to make sure i have everything for Astrofest, but i do have a question, do you need to have a dew heater on a hyperstar?

You'll need a dewshield to minimise dew on the corrector.

[h0ughy (David)]

ok i have a dewstrap and the dewshield specifically for the hyperstar so i should be ok then - thanks guys

[Poita (Peter)]

Oh, and do some sort of testing at home before you go, the Hyperstar is great, but quite fiddly the first few times out. Especially with collimation and cable management.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by Poita

Oh, and do some sort of testing at home before you go, the Hyperstar is great, but quite fiddly the first few times out. Especially with collimation and cable management.

umm well that may not happen until i get there but i am reading up on everything i can

[multiweb (Marc)]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

umm well that may not happen until i get there but i am reading up on everything i can

As discussed don't stress too much about the collimation bit. You'll find that the dewshield will probably be enough because the air generated by the TEC fan on the camera will circulate warm air in front of the corrector and should keep it dry.

[Poita (Peter)]

I find that the dewshield along with the fan on the back of the camera keep the front plate completely dry, even on very dewey nights.

I am using quite a long dewshield (home made) though.

Really, the cable management and layout is the thing that took me the longest to get right with the hyperstar, it is all hanging out there at the front of your scope, so you want to be comfortable with that. Easy enough to try in the loungeroom.