Glasses off - glasses on - Aaarrgghh!

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by chrisp9au

Found one on ebay, $17, 51mm x 104mm, just the right size for the Argo Navis.

I like the idea of not having to use glasses at all, so I'll also look around for that A4 magnifyer to use with my observing lists.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Thanks for the idea!

Cheers
Chris

Hi Chris , i would be interested in this also, I look forward to your report
Thanks also Adrian

[adman (Adam)]

Originally Posted by chrisp9au

I'm now on a pension so contacts are probably too expensive, and surgery seems a bit over the top!

Chris - you can get disposable contacts that you just wear for one day and then chuck in the bin. My wife wears them and they have really come down in price recently - especially buying them online.

You could by a pack of them - can't remember how many are in a pack - and just use them on the days you observe, and wear your glasses the rest of the time. I don't think they cost much more than a $1 a pair.

have a look at these

Adam

[chrisp9au (Chris)]

Originally Posted by adman

Chris - you can get disposable contacts that you just wear for one day and then chuck in the bin. My wife wears them and they have really come down in price recently - especially buying them online.

You could by a pack of them - can't remember how many are in a pack - and just use them on the days you observe, and wear your glasses the rest of the time. I don't think they cost much more than a $1 a pair.

have a look at these

Adam

Thanks Adam,

I'll check out the non-invasive options first, I would be a bit hesitant about buying products online that are going to be put in my eye.

Cheers
Chris

[adman (Adam)]

its an australian company that ships them from Canada. She's been wearing them for a number of years without any issues - they are genuine Bausch and Lomb - just bought more cheaply from overseas than from local optometrist.

Adam

[chrisp9au (Chris)]

Thanks Adam,

Love your signature, I have an EQ5, taking it to Snake Valley to see if any one is interested, otherwise we'll be comparing counter weights!

Cheers
Chris

[Satchmo]

I can vouch for the daily disposables - I wear them casually for occasions where I want the very best vision- eg -going to the theatre, flying , and astro-parties . No nead to worry about solutions- always factory fresh , . Have never had any problem in 15 years of wear. For whatever reason my view of the night sky is way clearer and sharper with contacts than my milk bottle specs

Cheers

Mark

Originally Posted by adman

Chris - you can get disposable contacts that you just wear for one day and then chuck in the bin. My wife wears them and they have really come down in price recently - especially buying them online.

You could by a pack of them - can't remember how many are in a pack - and just use them on the days you observe, and wear your glasses the rest of the time. I don't think they cost much more than a $1 a pair.

have a look at these

Adam

[chrisp9au (Chris)]

Thanks for the recommendation Mark, I guess a visit to the optometrist would be required to determine the specifications?
I note that there are a range of sizes and strengths.

Cheers
Chris

[adman (Adam)]

Originally Posted by chrisp9au

Thanks Adam,

Love your signature, I have an EQ5, taking it to Snake Valley to see if any one is interested, otherwise we'll be comparing counter weights!

Cheers
Chris

Yep - I have had enough of crap gear, and am going the quality route from now on - even it it takes longer! Last purchases were motorised moonlight focuser and catseye collimation gear. Next big one is a G11 - to hold the counterweight

Adam

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Hadn't considered dispo' contacts - thanks for the heads up as this has something that has been bugging me for some time now (as per the other posters!).
I have a pair of very expensive Titanium framed/ Transition lensed funky(!) specs which I dread are going to hit the concrete every time I have to remove them during an imaging session - the one-use contacts look the business.
Doug

[AdrianF (Adrian)]

Originally Posted by chrisp9au

Found one on ebay, $17, 51mm x 104mm, just the right size for the Argo Navis.

I like the idea of not having to use glasses at all, so I'll also look around for that A4 magnifyer to use with my observing lists.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Thanks for the idea!

Cheers
Chris

As far as I can remember they were only $9.50 from CIG and they come in 3 magnification 1X, 1.5X and 2X.

Adrian

[BlackWidow (Mardy)]

Hi Guys. I have been wearing specs for a while and find it difficult using the scope. I now use Dalies contacts for the times when glasses are a pain in the A---- . I got my trial pair from my optometrist (Free Trial) and that was enough to get the script and brand that was required for my eyes.. I now purchase them for about 2/3rds the price on the net through Contact Connections (Australian Site).. Same brand, same script, but better value.. Works out at Less than 80 cents a pair.. I now use them when working with my scope.. I can read my charts, and the handpiece, and viewing is better via the eyepiece.. End of the night I take them out and drop them into somones coffee cup .. I ment to say the bin! (sorry).

I don't look as intelligent as I do with Glasses, but you always have to make some sort of compromise in this game...



Seeing Stars
Mardy

[chrisp9au (Chris)]

Originally Posted by BlackWidow

I don't look as intelligent as I do with Glasses, but you always have to make some sort of compromise in this game... Seeing Stars Mardy

I've made an appointment for next Thursday to get my script.
I'm prepared to compromise!

Cheers
Chris

[Satchmo]

Originally Posted by chrisp9au

Thanks for the recommendation Mark, I guess a visit to the optometrist would be required to determine the specifications?
I note that there are a range of sizes and strengths.

Cheers
Chris

Absolutely -You need 1 maybe two visits to an optometrist- and they will give you a few trial pairs to make sure they got the measurement right.

The other factor to consider is getting them in. Some people aren't comfortable touching the side of their eyeball ( even with a lens in between) . You have to get used to touching your eye to get them out too. It comes with practise and after a time you don't even think about it.

[kinetic (Steve)]

Mark,
when you said you needed them for reliable vision flyingh etc
did you mean they correct for your deficiency when focusing
at infinity (the horizon) and also on close distance (ie the instruments)?
My age deficiency for distance and reading kicked in at age 40
simultaneously. It's like a lottery the optometrist said.
If you are lucky distance goes first then reading later.
If you are unlucky they both decline....well that's me.
Like Chris it REALLY frustrates me changing from glasses to non
glasses at the scope/keyboard/mnoitor/sky while doing astro.
At work the glasses are on all the time because I have a pair of
multifocals.
I suppose my point in a nutshell is, do they make multifocal contacts?

thanks in advance for any advice.

Steve

[BlackWidow (Mardy)]

Hi Steve.. the simple answer is yes you can get multifocal contacts. I have never used them as I my eye condition does not allow it (Astigmatism). However I do have multifocal glasses and just use single vision contacts for times like using the Telescope. I find that overall my vision is good using the scope and reading charts, However if I look up at the sky I find my long vision is OK but not as good as with my glasses. I also find my close vision is a compromise. It's Ok and I can read things, but is not anyway as clear as with my multifocal glasses. All that being said, it is alot better than dealing with glasses whilst using the scope. I have a magnifying Glass in my case for the times I need a little extra seeing to read small things on eyepieces etc


Seeing Stars
Mardy

[adman (Adam)]

Originally Posted by chrisp9au

I've made an appointment for next Thursday to get my script.
I'm prepared to compromise!

Cheers
Chris

Good on you chris - let us know how you get on!

Adam

[Suzy]

Originally Posted by kinetic

Mark,
when you said you needed them for reliable vision flyingh etc
did you mean they correct for your deficiency when focusing
at infinity (the horizon) and also on close distance (ie the instruments)?
My age deficiency for distance and reading kicked in at age 40
simultaneously. It's like a lottery the optometrist said.
If you are lucky distance goes first then reading later.
If you are unlucky they both decline....well that's me.
Like Chris it REALLY frustrates me changing from glasses to non
glasses at the scope/keyboard/mnoitor/sky while doing astro.
At work the glasses are on all the time because I have a pair of
multifocals.
I suppose my point in a nutshell is, do they make multifocal contacts?

thanks in advance for any advice.

Steve

I'm in the same boat as you Steve. I have used contacts in the past but can no longer do so, because some long sightedness has kicked in, so I can't read anything when I have contacts in.

I have a cheap pair of designer glasses that I use bought purely for scoping. They can be thrown around and abused if need be. I don't need glasses at the eye piece but I struggle constantly lining up the red dot finder and seeing the sky. I found putting them on a rope around my neck was annoying too, because everytime I moved, the glasses would do a dance in the air and annoy me and hit the scope. So Now I have my card table right next to me and they get put down there instead of flung on the grass and stood on constantly with my older pair. It took one too many hits that pair.

[Satchmo]

Steve
I'm just short sighted and still manage for close up stuff. My vision is clearer for middle and distance with them in-

Sounds like you need some varifocal lenses that will correct your distance and close up. They are getting pretty good at them these days - I will go that way for normal wear when the time comes.

Mark

Originally Posted by kinetic

Mark,
when you said you needed them for reliable vision flyingh etc
did you mean they correct for your deficiency when focusing
at infinity (the horizon) and also on close distance (ie the instruments)?
My age deficiency for distance and reading kicked in at age 40
simultaneously. It's like a lottery the optometrist said.
If you are lucky distance goes first then reading later.
If you are unlucky they both decline....well that's me.
Like Chris it REALLY frustrates me changing from glasses to non
glasses at the scope/keyboard/mnoitor/sky while doing astro.
At work the glasses are on all the time because I have a pair of
multifocals.
I suppose my point in a nutshell is, do they make multifocal contacts?

thanks in advance for any advice.

Steve

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by Satchmo

Steve
I'm just short sighted and still manage for close up stuff. My vision is clearer for middle and distance with them in-

Sounds like you need some varifocal lenses that will correct your distance and close up. They are getting pretty good at them these days - I will go that way for normal wear when the time comes.

Mark

I have a pair of those and they are useless for astronomy.

the sweet spots for various applications are in the wrong spots for Astronomy I have found. Especially noticeable when trying to use viewfinder and just looking up in general.

I use them for normal but got single lens glasses for observing and binocular use. (and separate reading glasses).

But you may be right, I may be strange.

[chrisp9au (Chris)]

First light with contact lens!

Success! I now have a single multi-focal contact lens for my non-dominant left eye.
This allows normal viewing through the eyepiece with my dominant right eye, and reading of my Argo Navis and observing lists etc. with my left eye.

I've found that I can wear the contact lens all day without too many problems. I've effectively gone 'mono-focal', left eye for reading, computer time etc. and right eye for distance stuff and the scope eyepiece.
I don't think I will be able to do this full time as, for everyday use, my vision is slightly compromised for both distance and reading.

Despite the moon, I've had a couple of short viewing sessions and I'm very happy with the result.

I would recommend anyone who has issues with continually taking glasses off and putting them back on again, to have a session with their optometrist.

A big thank you to those who suggested the contacts!

Cheers
Chris