Portable Observatories

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

After reading that Phil it sounds like you have made up your mind then..?

Good luck, as you say if you can avoid the bad conditions such a dome would be quite nice but then again if it is only for a few nights a blanket and heavy large plastic bag is quite effective too and much cheaper

Mike

[multiweb (Marc)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Somebody brought one of these portable domes to SPSP last year and it was damaged and collapsed in the strong winds over night. I wouldn't trust it as a semi permanent solution at all.

It's fair to say those were exceptional circumstances that year. The wind was so bad that night that it blew my stuff away too. That was the first and last time I had a problem. The only thing that held my tent was the G11 inside and two battery packs.

Having said that I got two rods from Ray's outdoors and I'm still using the same tent to date. I couldn't do without it. Made a huge difference for me. It's very convenient and keeps all my gear dry. I wouldn't go back to imaging in the open again.

[issdaol (Phil)]

Hi Mike,

Almost sounds like it ......

Actually am still considering the viability and practicality but I can see some definate potential advantages for my needs.

Some of the IIS users who have had real experience with these things have provided some great advice and input.

If it is as stable as what they have mentioned it seems like a relatively low cost and easy/quick to setup solution.

I am still to a degree considering the scope cover but then I would have no wind or light barriers if needed and I also may need covers for all the accesories etc etc ......

If I went ahead with this option I would probably not use it every single time as there are those quick home or local one evening setups that I would not necessarily need one for.

And yes on occasion I have been accused of over engineering

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

After reading that Phil it sounds like you have made up your mind then..?

Good luck, as you say if you can avoid the bad conditions such a dome would be quite nice but then again if it is only for a few nights a blanket and heavy large plastic bag is quite effective too and much cheaper

Mike

[michaellxv (Michael)]

Originally Posted by Hypnotist

I personally don't get why someone would want a portable observatory! I'd just take my scope out whenever needed. Why bother wasting money on an obseratory? Get yourself something else!

Regards
Bart

You can't choose the weather on a moonless night.
You can't control surrounding light sources.
You can't stop your own family from turning lights on in the house.
You can't drive 100Km to a dark site every night.

A portable obs helps make the most of available conditions and at 10% the cost of a permanant obs is well worth the effort.

[issdaol (Phil)]

Originally Posted by michaellxv

You can't choose the weather on a moonless night.
You can't control surrounding light sources.
You can't stop your own family from turning lights on in the house.
You can't drive 100Km to a dark site every night.

A portable obs helps make the most of available conditions and at 10% the cost of a permanant obs is well worth the effort.

Some more reasons there perhaps

[multiweb (Marc)]

Originally Posted by michaellxv

You can't choose the weather on a moonless night.
You can't control surrounding light sources.
You can't stop your own family from turning lights on in the house.
You can't drive 100Km to a dark site every night.

A portable obs helps make the most of available conditions and at 10% the cost of a permanant obs is well worth the effort.

... and my favorite from people walking around the scope tripod at night:
"oh! Sorry... is that your cable I tripped on?... You 're not imaging right now are you?" .... not anymore

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Originally Posted by multiweb

... and my favorite from people walking around the scope tripod at night:
"oh! Sorry... is that your cable I tripped on?... You 're not imaging right now are you?" .... not anymore

Worse when you do it yourself from losing night vision staring at the lappie screen

Mike

[multiweb (Marc)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Worse when you do it yourself from losing night vision staring at the lappie screen

That's why you red lightshield your laptop. That works a treat. After a little while no need for any light at all.

[TheFacelessMen (Rob)]

Hi All,

I have been thinking about one of these or similar myself. I have trolled the web and it lookes like all the sites/links with the measurements and plans are shut down.

Does anyone have a set (especially with the roof parts) they would be willing to share ?? It would save some mucking around and guesswork with sizes, joints etc so would be much appreciated.

[RobF (Rob)]

Originally Posted by issdaol

Also, I am primarily into visual observation and the Mewlon 300 gives me outstanding visuals but is not the smallest/easiest to transport scope. In my opinion, what I loose in quick portability with the Mewlon 300/EM400 rig I gain 100 fold in personal satisfaction from the superb high contrast/high resolution visuals. A second smaller perhaps lower quality system will not give me the same visual performance/reach.

Sounds likes an exquisite setup Phil. I can only imagine what sort of image such a quality setup would be putting up. Can see it would certainly be tough to come anywhere near that with a 2nd rig.

I'm not sure I could sleep knowing I'd left that many dollars worth of gear in the backyard though. I hope you've got a decent dog (or automatic laser defence system...! )

[issdaol (Phil)]

Hi Rob

I have been having trouble locating plans as well. Unless another IIS member has them it looks like I will just have to duck into bunnings and do a best fit purchase.

Cheers

Originally Posted by TheFacelessMen

Hi All,

I have been thinking about one of these or similar myself. I have trolled the web and it lookes like all the sites/links with the measurements and plans are shut down.

Does anyone have a set (especially with the roof parts) they would be willing to share ?? It would save some mucking around and guesswork with sizes, joints etc so would be much appreciated.

Thanks mate it is fantastic performer visually.

I have not done much astrophoto work as I only have a Canon D10 with prime focus adaptors.

My 2 x cavalier's have a nasty sounding growl !!

Cheers

Originally Posted by RobF

Sounds likes an exquisite setup Phil. I can only imagine what sort of image such a quality setup would be putting up. Can see it would certainly be tough to come anywhere near that with a 2nd rig.

I'm not sure I could sleep knowing I'd left that many dollars worth of gear in the backyard though. I hope you've got a decent dog (or automatic laser defence system...! )