Ok, a couple of you have suggested tent dunnies, and 2,3,4 man tents,
So how do you see Zenith?
OK, OK..... we're working on it
The Coleman dunny tent is a reasonably rigid unit when erected, so turning it around to suit a change in longitude isn't a problem. The idea of using it (for me anyway) is so that I have somewhere I can quickly retreat to if a super-heavy dew is imminent or if it's going to start to spit rain. If the angles are suitable to be able to leave it in there, it's also pretty good at keeping the wind off.
Depending what type of scope mount you have (i.e. tripod vs. dob) I guess that you just have to suck and see. I get about 75 degrees out of mine before I have to move it outside. Zenith positioning will have to wait until I can figure a way to build a dedicated unit like the one jjjnettie has pointed out. Couldn't be hard....
Ok, a couple of you have suggested tent dunnies, and 2,3,4 man tents,
So how do you see Zenith?
Well... to see zenith with dobson is a bit of a problem anyway ....
I have not really tried my tent yet but I will tonight, or over the next weekend....
But I feel it will be OK for me. Anyway, for $120 (father's day dicount applied) it is OK, even if appropriate for limited number of circumstances..
It will need a modification though... Anchoring the tent at the top-most point (and allowing it to rotate around this point) will be beneficial for slighly stronger winds. jjjnettie's link is very interesting This seem to be a much better option, but the portability is somewhat the issue here.... If a total portability is wanted.
B
It is cozy... but adequate, for a moment . Proper anchoring at the top is necessary to stabilize the whole structure. Fortunatelly, there is a provision for something like that on the top joint, what will be needed is a steel tubing with some threading to fasten it to the joint... around which the 3 or 4 ropes could be tied.
But, when I have my hands on a permanent site, the design similar to what jjjnettie is proposing will be much better solution.. or something similar to SkyTent dome.
Check this one out for simplicity speed and compact pack size http://www.popoutside.com/store/prod...products_id=63
If you are interest i can get a sample made in China
Below photo shows exactly same design for a Toilet/Shower tent i have had made for my work (camping equipment) it is only different in size this is 115x115x190cm with removable roof. Pretty similar to the Coleman size.
The frame is spring steel so it makes a circle when folded and same folding action as those twisty window shades
We have one of these too. 1150mm vs 1500 is quite a difference. The Coleman is substantially larger, but these just "flick out" into position and are ready to go.
Hello, no i am not suggesting you use the 115cm unit i am just pointing out the pop-up style and the link to the Model sold in the UK. That model is 200x200x200 high which would be much better
Terry, when shopping for Coleman unit, I had a look at this one.. it is not good because it is not rigid enough and can not be anchored, for a bit more windy condition. I would not recommend any of those pop-up designs.
Bojan
jjjnettie, i think we can make our own plan from what can be seen on the site.
Its a octogon shaped tent. 8 sides, the roof is 4 rectagles + 4 Triangles connected by forming a square at the Arc of the dome.
The base are 8 rectangles. A bit of canvas and stich on some nylon straps or tie downs and your done. Add some wheels.
I am sure someone here could draw up the plans for this in a cad program.
All you need are pipes like the ones used in the outdoor canvas pagola setups. And some joiners.
Perhaps a pagola setup from bunings could be retrofited into this solution.
The problem is going to be the odd angles that the joiners are going to be set at. Typically it's easy to get 180, 120 and 90 degree joiners in either 2,3 or 4-way versions.
Dummying up the structure in a cad program as a wireframe will let us know what the joiner angles must be. Does anyone have a cad package loaded and are able to run it?
