BTW, like you, I don't like the idea of leaving my scope and electronics such as imaging cameras and mini PC under this cover for any length of time at all. This cover is a great solution for my very heavy mount, wherein it can be left outside, polar-aligned and ready to accept my various scopes in short order. It was a REAL pain to haul it out of my home.
There are some good recommendations here and I've found the Telegizmos cover very high quality compared to the others out there. It makes it possible to get up and running very quickly when a gap appears in the clouds! One small point the cover is very good but as you say get a slightly larger version for your scope. I noticed the cover fits well but is short on my EQ6r pro mount (it's like a mini skirt) so reaches down to about the assessories level leaving the balance weights exposed. Also your remarks re dew are well made - even the expensive mounts will show signs of rust if no measures are taken. I double cover with a cover that reaches to the ground if out for a few days - and if you're in for a week of rain or so you should bring the scope back in.
I don't understand the purpose of the silverized inner skin. It can't be for the purpose of blocking UV light because the opaque and substantial outer shell does that already. Dew build up is an inevitable consequence of using this cover as many have attested because the entire thing isn't breathable (like Gore-Tex for example). And even then it would be problematic. As you point out, a desiccant is absolutely essential - the rechargeable types in particular vide Cuiv's non-renewable solution. As is a regular airing in clement weather.
Agreed! Telegizmos has been a huge boon to me collecting data. I'm pretty much following the same recommendations. If I'm gone for a couple days or a couple days of poor weather I bring in the imaging train but leave the mount outside with a bunch of the jumbo size desiccant packs in a net hanging over the mount. They're fairly easy to come by in Japan and can be dried out in the sun and reused. Lots of camera guys store their equipment with them too.
At least in Fall/Winter that is. If bad weather for more than a few days, everything comes in. Summer is too humid here and few good nights to image anyway so everything is mostly inside.
Yes to the desiccant bags. I have desiccant you can reuse. Likewise , if it’s hot weather I tend to bring in the image train. Fortunately high humidity isn’t a big issue in Melbourne. But overall without an observatory TG covers are a must!
These de-humidifiers are marketed on. North America Amazon as “gun closet” de-humidifiers. The silica gel packs used by “the other” (lazy?) astrophotographer don’t have to be thrown out, they can be dried in a microwave oven. But, I ordered one. Thanks for the tip.
I would only trust my eq6rpro mount under a tarp year round. I would never leave 5000+ dollars in sensitive electronics via astronomy camera, guide camera, filter wheel with expense glass filters 2,000$ OTA ETC.. . PLUS THE CONDENSATION WILL RUIN OPTICS.
BTW, like you, I don't like the idea of leaving my scope and electronics such as imaging cameras and mini PC under this cover for any length of time at all. This cover is a great solution for my very heavy mount, wherein it can be left outside, polar-aligned and ready to accept my various scopes in short order. It was a REAL pain to haul it out of my home.
There are some good recommendations here and I've found the Telegizmos cover very high quality compared to the others out there. It makes it possible to get up and running very quickly when a gap appears in the clouds! One small point the cover is very good but as you say get a slightly larger version for your scope. I noticed the cover fits well but is short on my EQ6r pro mount (it's like a mini skirt) so reaches down to about the assessories level leaving the balance weights exposed. Also your remarks re dew are well made - even the expensive mounts will show signs of rust if no measures are taken. I double cover with a cover that reaches to the ground if out for a few days - and if you're in for a week of rain or so you should bring the scope back in.
I don't understand the purpose of the silverized inner skin. It can't be for the purpose of blocking UV light because the opaque and substantial outer shell does that already. Dew build up is an inevitable consequence of using this cover as many have attested because the entire thing isn't breathable (like Gore-Tex for example). And even then it would be problematic. As you point out, a desiccant is absolutely essential - the rechargeable types in particular vide Cuiv's non-renewable solution. As is a regular airing in clement weather.
Agreed! Telegizmos has been a huge boon to me collecting data. I'm pretty much following the same recommendations. If I'm gone for a couple days or a couple days of poor weather I bring in the imaging train but leave the mount outside with a bunch of the jumbo size desiccant packs in a net hanging over the mount. They're fairly easy to come by in Japan and can be dried out in the sun and reused. Lots of camera guys store their equipment with them too.
At least in Fall/Winter that is. If bad weather for more than a few days, everything comes in. Summer is too humid here and few good nights to image anyway so everything is mostly inside.
Yes to the desiccant bags. I have desiccant you can reuse. Likewise , if it’s hot weather I tend to bring in the image train. Fortunately high humidity isn’t a big issue in Melbourne. But overall without an observatory TG covers are a must!
These de-humidifiers are marketed on. North America Amazon as “gun closet” de-humidifiers. The silica gel packs used by “the other” (lazy?) astrophotographer don’t have to be thrown out, they can be dried in a microwave oven. But, I ordered one. Thanks for the tip.
Go Illinois !!! Oskee Wow Wow
I would only trust my eq6rpro mount under a tarp year round. I would never leave 5000+ dollars in sensitive electronics via astronomy camera, guide camera, filter wheel with expense glass filters 2,000$ OTA ETC.. . PLUS THE CONDENSATION WILL RUIN OPTICS.
Fully agree - a few days where the weather is mostly dry yes, but as soon as wet weather is forecasted, I take it inside.