Me and my best mates.
My SWProED80 on an EQ5 mount and the dreaded iOptron Tower of Terror with the SW200 Black Diamond.
Cameras - Canon 20D and the Gstar-Ex Video camera.
Creating a new avatar I thought - what the heck, I'll post it.
My Galileoscope - US$15 all the way down to the draw tube, then about AU$140-150 hanging off the bottom to make it more functional. Plus free IIS sticker!
It seems to me that all the pictures over the past couple of months have been of refractors, so here's one of my 12" Dobsonian.
Some of you may remember a 12" OTA being offered on Ice Trades back in July for a very very low price.
'Alchemy' felt it was just taking up space in his observatory and wanted it gone!
I had the good fortune to be the first to respond, and that OTA came to live in Kyneton.
Picture shows how it looks now, after being fully flocked, a paint job, and a new mount.
It works beautifully, the optics are great, and I couldn't be happier!
Just 4 on the floor. no overdrive or cruise on this scope, and who needs speed for what we do! It'll never need to get out of first gear!
I needed a handle near the focuser for moving the scope, and this fits the bill, leather so it doesn't get too cold, and it has just the right shape and feel! Plus it's a conversation starter!
Hi Everyone.
Attached are pics of my secret mistress (miss Meade - my wife figures that she must be pretty good for me to spend long cold winters nights with her). When she's not undressed, she wears a Telegizmos 365 scope cover.
Hi there Adam,
I really can't speak highly enough of the scope cover. It has really removed much of the frustration of setting up / stripping down. I bring the scope inside if there is extreme heat or rain forecast (or when I go on holidays).
I was aprehensive at first about leaving the scope out in the elements but it's really fine. As long as it's well sealed at the base (I just use a tight bungy cord) it stays nice and dry inside. It also has a silver metalic lining inside which apparently keeps the temp down as well.
Hi Matthew,
That is a really nice looking solution for a semi-permanent set-up.
Is there any problems with condensation inside the cover?
Does the polar alignment need re-setting when you remove the scope off the pier?
Hi Ian,
I have encountered the odd problem with condensation on the primary after imaging without a heater or dew shield but opening the cover up the next morning will quickly dry things out. Apart from that, once the setup is covered and dry, it certainly stays dry.
I have heard of some people putting de-humidifiers or closet camels under the cover after am imaging session but I haven't really found this necessary.
Regarding Polar Alignment, yes, I do usually need to realign after removing the scope from the wedge but it's usually a fairly quick adjustment (I use WCS).
, she wears a Telegizmos 365 scope cover.
