Daytime scope protection at star parties?

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Hi Morton. One thing that I like to do is polar align. It works better for photography. Once this is achieved I like to leave the scope and mount in situ. I cover mine with a silvered Telegizmos cover - been great for years although there are a couple of small holes in mine now - nothing a little square of duct tape wont fix.

Security? I've never heard of anyone attending a star party ripping off anyone else's scope or attached accessories. Not in Australia with our close-knit bunch anyway. As far as strangers coming on to the site - there are attendees everywhere - for practically the whole time, so if anyone came up to your gear and started poking around, it'd be a fairly quick "Oi!" response from someone else.

I pack my laptop and other loose stuff in the car or in my camper trailer during the day - but that's it.

[Octane (Humayun)]

+1 for a Telegizmos 365.

My normal one disintegrated after about two years use. The first bit of it to go was where the Takahashi finder screws on the FSQ kept rubbing against the material in the wind, and eventually made a hole.

Brian has the right idea about laying a towel or a liner over the gear first. The blue tarp particles are annoying. Nothing a quick wipe won't fix, though.

H

[Poita (Peter)]

Originally Posted by allan gould

My wife made a large cover out of the white curtain backing material that you can get from spotlight etc.
Absolutely brilliant as during the day the scope is actually cooler on the inside than outside and stays at about 25 degrees. Never had a problem. Cover it with a tarp over the curtain backing cover at night.
Perfect.

We sell this stuff at work, it is known as '3 Pass Lining', it actually has a silver, almost foil-like layer in between two white layers attached to the back of the fabric. Makes for great insulation. Also works well as a projection screen

[MortonH]

Thanks guys. I bought a used Telegizmos solar cover and I have lightweight tarp if rain looks likely.

Interesting the number of home-made solutions!

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

I have purchased a full custom made telegizmos cover for the 20", tried it out the other night worked really well, kept the scope cool and protected all day.

Malcolm

[Varangian (John)]

A towel followed by a Bunnings BBQ cover. Fits the 12" beautifully.

[multiweb (Marc)]

I wonder if you could hire Mike Sidonio as a body guard for your telescope? The blast radius would be approx. 2.5m (arm length) I reckon?

[Barrykgerdes]

Originally Posted by multiweb

I wonder if you could hire Mike Sidonio as a body guard for your telescope? The blast radius would be approx. 2.5m (arm length) I reckon?

You had better avoid him at the next SPSP or you may get a big hug for that!

Barry

[multiweb (Marc)]

Originally Posted by Barrykgerdes

You had better avoid him at the next SPSP or you may get a big hug for that! Barry

You can be my wingman and take one for the team.

[The Mekon (John Briggs)]

High cloud outside right now, the SDM is waiting. Today I purchased a car cover for a friends car that will be kept outside in my yard for a couple of months. It was a Kenco brand made from Tyvek which is a DuPont product. The cover is supposed to be waterproof but breathable. To me it looks like a great telescope cover (or covers) once it has finished its current job. The material is a soft white fabric that is lightweight, reflective and easily sewn. I reckon I could make 4 or 5 covers out of this single cover. It was not a cheap cover - $129 at supacheap. I may leave it as a single piece as then it will easily cover all my equipment at the next star party.

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

My new Telegizmos cover had it's first outing at a camp this weekend. High temps (mid 30s) and fiarly breezy but handled the conditions just fine. The only issue I have is that it came with a couple of straps to pull the cover tighter and use as tie downs to stop it blowing around, but the buckles are next to useless so a project this week is to replace those.

Malcolm