PLEASE READ - Sick kids want a scope

[coldspace]

Hi Trav,

Sorry I have not sent my gear down yet as I have just been too busy with my buisiness. I will get to the post office tommorow mate after Melbourne cup.

Regards Matt.

[DavidU (Dave)]

Fabulous !Well done mate

Originally Posted by Astro78

I haven't checked with Gy (Bear Cottage) today but Chris, Marc and Rob have dropped gear 'round to me here. So here at least is the goto mount, 70mm binos, one Galileo scope, red dot finder, small tripod, filters, 3xbarlow and 10mm WA ep, oh and a bino adapter. All virtually in brand new condition!

Has been great meeting you guys btw!

I'll touch base with Gy tomorrow arvo/Wednesday at the latest to confirm he’s got the gold The gear here I'll try to take up this Friday.

We also have 15 Galileo's on hold thanks to Rob (Enigma) and the guys at Sydney Uni physics department.

[PeterM]

Hi Trav,

Did the MYSky & eyepiece arrive ok?

PeterM.

[Astro78]

Originally Posted by PeterM

Hi Trav,

Did the MYSky & eyepiece arrive ok?

PeterM.

Hi Peter, just spoke to Gy a min. ago, it sure did They're going to Luurve that!

Also he's received the 3-4 EP's, the lightweight bino's and a CD. Will get a proper itinerary late in the week guys.

[coldspace]

Hi Trav,

Sorry about been late I was just so busy last week running my buisiness, that I only got a chance today to get to the post office to send down the gear to Gy. My days last week always finished after the post office had shut.
Make sure you let me know if it does not arrive.

My family hope the kids get some nice clear skies to use it .
Thanks again for organising something like this, and top work from all the IIS members who have contributed to this.

Regards Matt.

[Astro78]

Hi Guys,

I have to share the experience of one particular young fella last week at Bear Cottage. I cannot recall his name but the sheer level of excitement had to be seen to be believed talk about cool!

This amazing fellow cannot speak due to his cerebral palsy condition, at first I wasn't sure if he could see Jupiter ('twas patchy cloudy and also not easy for him to lean over from his wheelchair) but clearly he got a good view - I've seldom seen such a physical expression of sheer excitement and happiness Was amazing to see this let me tell you.

Gy at Bear Cottage has asked for a list of items for them to go ahead and purchase with the $1100 we have all raised. They have the money directly from Everydayhero and I'll help negotiate best prices and praise if required for the willing Astronomy shop. After essential purchases (including Galileo scopes) they hope to have half left over for other essential 'non astro' gear.

I roughly propose the following, but guys, please all who contributed, suggest and guide(?):

15 Galileo scopes ($375)
1 power pack for goto mount (est. $150)
1 aluminium case ($50)
Several durable planospheres (est. $60)
Plenty of batteries for meade mysky (est. $30)
Larger tripod for the 70mm binos (est. $100)

ps: apologies for any delays on expected updates. Have been hit for 6 in every direction these past weeks. Will be off-line around mid-Dec too.

[marki]

Hi Travis, looks good. One suggestion though, rechargable batteries would be best for the mysky. Not sure if you had that in mind .

Mark

[Astro78]

Originally Posted by marki

Hi Travis, looks good. One suggestion though, rechargable batteries would be best for the mysky. Not sure if you had that in mind .

Mark

Top idea Mark, I didn't think of that. It probably chews through batteries like nothing else and provides a more permanent solution. It's very possible it may not get used if batteries cannot be afforded.

Looks like we need 4AA's - PeterM is that right?

DSE have a Varta charger +4 AA's for $50 - any experience with these anyone?

[taminga16 (Greg)]

Hi,

I have been using Varta batteries in my Canon camera for over twelve months without a problem.

Greg.

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by Astro78

DSE have a Varta charger +4 AA's for $50 - any experience with these anyone?

Is that the "Charge & Go"? I have one and the 15 min charge time it claims is about right. Might be a good idea to get a second set of Varta batteries.

[coldspace]

Hi Trav,

Did my 3 Meade/Orion eyepieces my 6 year old daughter wanted to donate to the cause arrive in good condition?
She owned them with her ETX scope and after explaining to her what it is all about she wanted to give them.
She keeps asking me if the kids are liking them?
Post some feed back so I can show her they are been used.

Regards Matt.

[Astro78]

Originally Posted by coldspace

Hi Trav,

Did my 3 Meade/Orion eyepieces my 6 year old daughter wanted to donate to the cause arrive in good condition?
She owned them with her ETX scope and after explaining to her what it is all about she wanted to give them.
She keeps asking me if the kids are liking them?
Post some feed back so I can show her they are been used.

Regards Matt.

Hi Matt,
Mate I'm 90% sure I saw them but will call Gy in the morning to be sure. So sorry for missing your last post . Just saw the date and feel slack to both you and your daughter. I saw a heap of gear for 3mins last week then had to quickly get my scope sorted as we had a minor hitch with their new megrez mount not being compatible with their goto. Omoroo (Chris) is getting the dovetail machined/drilled to fit. We'll have their scope 'n mount up and running asap.
I believe Gy is keen to send your daughter (and all) a letter of gratitude (shhh ). He also took some photos on my last visit and I'm sure will take plenty of great shots of the gear in action down the road.

Originally Posted by Astro78

Will get a proper itinerary late in the week guys.

I completely dropped the ball on this - will get asap

[Astro78]

Originally Posted by mithrandir

Is that the "Charge & Go"? I have one and the 15 min charge time it claims is about right. Might be a good idea to get a second set of Varta batteries.

not sure but here's the link, surely it's the same? http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.st...uct/View/S4421

Agree a second set would be worthwhile.

Originally Posted by taminga16

Hi,
I have been using Varta batteries in my Canon camera for over twelve months without a problem.
Greg.

Great thanks Greg. Unless anyone has specific "no don't buy those", shall add these to the list.

[Gallifreyboy]

Hi Travis,
thanks for the feedback about the enjoyment the kids are getting, it made my day after a long day at work. Keep up the good work

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by Astro78

not sure but here's the link, surely it's the same? http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.st...uct/View/S4421

Part # S4421 looks like mine. I have no complaints with it.

[PeterM]

Hi Trav,
This is all great news, wonderful.
The MySky does require 4 AA batteries and yes rechargeable are the ones to use. The 2500mha will easily last for a full night, so 2 sets and a quick charger may cost around $70. You could try contact Eveready (or maybe someone here knows someone there) in Sydney to see if they can donate a charger and batteries. I had an issue with a charger a year ago and they had no hesitation in sending a replacement, no receipts, questions or returns asked for.
Anyways ya all dun good.

PeterM.

[Astro78]

Originally Posted by PeterM

Hi Trav,
You could try contact Eveready (or maybe someone here knows someone there) in Sydney to see if they can donate a charger and batteries.

Top idea Peter, seems they're owned by Energizer and sounded keen to assist. Awaiting management to call back shortly. The reps loved the idea.

PM sent to coldspace.

[coldspace]

Originally Posted by Astro78

Hi Matt,
Mate I'm 90% sure I saw them but will call Gy in the morning to be sure. So sorry for missing your last post . Just saw the date and feel slack to both you and your daughter. I saw a heap of gear for 3mins last week then had to quickly get my scope sorted as we had a minor hitch with their new megrez mount not being compatible with their goto. Omoroo (Chris) is getting the dovetail machined/drilled to fit. We'll have their scope 'n mount up and running asap.
I believe Gy is keen to send your daughter (and all) a letter of gratitude (shhh ). He also took some photos on my last visit and I'm sure will take plenty of great shots of the gear in action down the road.


I completely dropped the ball on this - will get asap

No need to feel slack about it at all mate, you have done more than any of us by spending time with the kids.

All we have done is send you down some items to help. These are just materialistic but what you do is way more for them .

My young daughter is just as keen in astronomy as I am so last year I gave her my old ETX scope and 7 eyepieces and we are keen for her to understand things in life by helping other people.

She was thrilled to know 3 of her eyepieces were going to some special kids, and as a kid she was asking me about the eyepieces and if they had seen the moon and Jupiter which are her favourites. So I thought I would just ask. Keep up the good work.

Matt.

[Astro78]

Guys, Big thank you to Andrews Communications at Greystanes (http://www.andrewscom.com.au/)

They have kindly donated a large tripod for Bear Cottages' 70mm binos

Andrews Communications has the best prices for telescope equipment that I am aware of. They were also the only store in Sydney that returned my calls re: Bear Cottage.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Good on you Lee!