Skyshed Pod - any reports yet?

[Strawb (Dave)]

Yes I saw that - good fun but can't really see an inspector signing off on it. I guess I'll just front up and see what they have to say. Cheers

[mozzie (Peter)]

Originally Posted by Strawb

Yes I saw that - good fun but can't really see an inspector signing off on it. I guess I'll just front up and see what they have to say. Cheers

hi dave
al sumed the pods up perfectly. ive had some big winds through the mid north coast but no cyclones!!!! thank goodness our house here would probably blow away....
i didnt consult council with mine (bugger them) but that may be different for you as you in a cyclone area and structures in yards may become missiles.in saying that contact skyshed pod via email and ask the question they are very helpful,also skyshed pod on yahoo users group

[Strawb (Dave)]

Thanks Peter,

I'm thinking also that I have the option of making it 'temporary' because I understand it would be possible to pull it down and store in my spare garage should ole whirly approach. I'll contact skypod direct though anyway

Cheers

[lesbehrens (Les)]

hi. i am thinking of buying pod soon. i was after people opinions on if it worth going for the basic pod or to get one with a few bays. i was also looking at getting the visor too. did any one buy a pod cover? do u think its needed? just for fun did any one get the glow pods? how bright is the glow? is it too distracting for astro photography?
les

[sheeny (Al)]

G'Day Les,

I would suggest you think seriously about getting a POD with bays. Unless you have a very spartan setup, I reckon you need at least one bay to store gear in. I have a 3 bay POD, and of course I have all 3 bays full. (well utilised anyway).

I don't have a dome cover, but I have painted the inside of my POD with black Fusion to allegedly reduce IR penetration, and I have a solar ventilation fan. I'm in a cool climate and I reckon I just get away with it (POD temps get to around 40°C in summer). Mozzie has a dome cover, and I've heard they work well at keeping the max temps down, which I expect you'll need in Kilcoy.

I haven't seen a glow in the dark POD, but I don't see the point... its got to affect your night vision... maybe it would simplify taking flats???

Al.

[lesbehrens (Les)]

hi.i thought that about the glow. like i said just for fun. lol. i want the insulated walls so i thought i mite get away with the cover? the solar fan where do i get one? or make/put something else on to make it cool?
what it life span like?
Les

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

Has anyone ever thought of using a plastic water tank as an observatory"
5000 litres should do it

[sheeny (Al)]

Originally Posted by lesbehrens

hi.i thought that about the glow. like i said just for fun. lol. i want the insulated walls so i thought i mite get away with the cover? the solar fan where do i get one? or make/put something else on to make it cool?
what it life span like?
Les

http://www.whitworths.com.au/main_it...AbsolutePage=2

... but I think the dome cover would be more effective especially in a warmer climate. I notice the details on how to fit the solar fan are no longer shown on the POD website, so I suspect they no longer endorse them. I don't think the solar fan makes a lot of difference in summer unfortunately. I suggest the dome cover.

Originally Posted by jenchris

Has anyone ever thought of using a plastic water tank as an observatory"
5000 litres should do it

Yeah, I did. But by the time I bought a tank, modified it, and made it both watertight and secure... I reckoned the POD was a similar price and much better sorted out!

Al.

[lesbehrens (Les)]

did u get the insulation? was it out then? would it still be better than the paint?

[sheeny (Al)]

Originally Posted by lesbehrens

did u get the insulation? was it out then? would it still be better than the paint?

No, I didn't get the insulation. It was available at the time, but I'm not convinced insulation is what you want in an observatory. Yes, it slows down heating from the outside, but it also slows down cooling. If it really stops the IR it might be worth it, the advantage of the POD is you can open the dome for the cool down period and dump the heat pretty well.



Al.

[mozzie (Peter)]

hi les
ive a pod its not insulated and after getting a pod cover save your money getting it insulated and buy the cover as well.id take al's advise and get the xl3 you need the extra room for your accessories.ive had no problems with mine and its been a good investment