dave b
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/10/05
Posts: 4501
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of course meade may not be around long enough to redesign the thing, BUT they could cast the next batch of plastic in safety orange or acid green.
how bout a hot pink one to get girls interested in astronomy?
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dave bonandrini
30" f/5.2 Dobsonian
President of GCAC
Astromart Moderator
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gillmj24
Post Laureate
Reged: 12/06/05
Posts: 4564
Loc: PA
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most of the comments are likely by people who have never used one.
so easy for an outsider to criticize.......
if you do ever try one, you will seehow light and ergonomic it is in your hand, and when you are looking at the screen and the sights on top you forget you are holding anything that looks like a gun. a gun is the furthest thing from your mind. which is scary in a way because to someone outside your astro world it might be mistaken for one which is unfortunate.
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MikeS
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/06/04
Posts: 1089
Loc: Quakertown Pennsylvania
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I've read that the color red is commonly applied to guns and gun look-alikes to indicate that they are nonfunctioning, such as training articles or toys. And there is already a practice in using the color red for this purpose.
Maybe it is a good idea to pick up some fluorescent red tape and stick it on visible parts of the device... just to play it safe.
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Mike Snisky
8" F5 Newtonian/Moonlite CR2
Orion Sirius EQ-G Mount
Astro-Tech AT6RC Ritchey-Chrétien astrograph
Orion 100mm F6
Orion 100mm ED on LXD55 Mount
Denkmeier Standards
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D_talley
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/07/05
Posts: 1750
Loc: Richmond VA
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I had been a police officer for several years in a very "busy" city. I understand the officers reaction and I don't fault them at all. I would have done the same and then found out what was going on in a polite and positive manner.
Astronomers don't understand that most people don't care that there are stars above their heads, let alone wanting to look at them. In addition, most people don't know the thought process that is needed to be an officer. So here how it would look to me if I drove up on the site.
I see a car in the distance with several people milling around it. As I approach the people start hiding their faces. I see one of them holding a gun like object. Were there reports of shots fired in this area last week? (common event for my city) Out come our guns and the guy with the "gun" is the primary threat. Once the threat is controlled, find out what is going on. Now I would have then asked about the club they belonged to, and things I could see with the device. Each cop is different and would act differently after things were cleared up. But all are trained to use minimum force to control the situation. I never had to shoot anyone in the 10 plus years I was in law enforcement.
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Dwight
Antares 105mm F/15
TEC 140 APO #74
Meade LX200 14 OTA
Meade LX200 12 OTA
Intes Mk-67
AT12IN
Orion 12.5 DOB
SBIG ST2000xm
Celestron C8+
Celestron 102AZ
Losmandy G11 Gemini
Losmandy G8 Gemini
Telescope Drive Master TDM
Canon 350D full spectrum mod,Canon T2i full spectrum mod
Hyperstar
QHY5 Guider, ST-4 Guider, STV Guider
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Kiwi Nick
sage
Reged: 09/17/05
Posts: 222
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This has been a real concern of mine since Meade first put out the Mysky.
The shape is just asking for trouble.
The skyscout might get you into trouble for looking like a possible peeping tom with a handcam but it won't get you shot.
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LX90 8"
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omahaastro
sage
Reged: 08/30/06
Posts: 358
Loc: Omaha, NE
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I always thought the My Sky was Mickey Mouse looking... I never thought about it possibly getting you shot!
If I get one of these (for my wife  )... I think I'll definitely go with the Celestron product.
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Jeff Huston
Obsession 30" f/5 (#102)
Obsession 18" f/4.5 (#264)
Celestron C9.25 f/10
Losmandy GM8
Cave 8" f/6 Newt
Orion 80 and 120mm f/5 achro
Coronado PST
Vixen Polaris
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cbwerner
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/27/05
Posts: 846
Loc: Maidens, VA
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Quote:
Has anyone ever reported similar police problems when trying to use an old-fashioned light meter for photography?
Not personally, but the guy I bought my Pentax Spotmeter from had a couple of incidents.
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Chris Werner
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Carl M
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/21/07
Posts: 923
Loc: Vermont, USA
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Quote:
I had been a police officer for several years in a very "busy" city. I understand the officers reaction and I don't fault them at all. I would have done the same and then found out what was going on in a polite and positive manner.
We all should be very fortunate there are folks like you around to help us all in time of need and to remind us to be 'safe'! When I ordered my first scope for this hobby and was traveling to get it - well, here's a link to the 'rest of the story....' It was the darnest thing that ever happened to me. The officer in question like you, was very understanding and I know how fast I'm going with my truck now..... 
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Carl
...a scope or two(or more) kickin around..
Lake Runnemede Observatory
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DwightX
member
Reged: 08/13/07
Posts: 60
Loc: Kentucky
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Awesome story Carl! 
Unfortunately I had just about the exact opposite experience when driving over to Virginia picking up a telescope a few months ago. My first ticket in over 20 years, and probably the rudest and most unfriendly officer I've ever encountered as well.
Then when I get back home, looking online wondering how much the ticket was going to cost, I saw this article in the USA Today. Turns out I'm just making my contribution as their road transportation funds are broke! 
USA Today Virginia Ticket Article
So everyone please be careful driving in Virginia! Since I was from out of state and only (supposedly) going 7 mph over, the ticket was not terribly costly. But definitely set your cruise control, especially if you are a resident. $1,000 - 3,000 for a speeding ticket.....holy cow.
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Dwight
Orion XT8
Meade LXD55 SC-8
Celestron C4R and 8SE
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cbwerner
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/27/05
Posts: 846
Loc: Maidens, VA
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Ah, yes, our "abusive drivers fees". Our legislators' way of passing a tax increase that they can avoid calling a tax increase. FWIW, it's been declared unconstitutional by several judges and there is intense pressure to repeal it.
Carl, That is an awesome story!
Dwight, I read your story so fast earlier I didn't notice it was you! And I agree - I expect courtesy and professionalism from police, but with everything they have to deal with daily, and given how unfortunately rare seeing harmless astronomers gathered at night is relative to other more problematic gatherings, it's hard to fault their caution.
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Chris Werner
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gillmj24
Post Laureate
Reged: 12/06/05
Posts: 4564
Loc: PA
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Thing is the MySky's ergonomics are very very good!
And the user forgets he or she is holding anything that looks like a gun!
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FoxK
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/07/07
Posts: 2930
Loc: Cape Cod, MA
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David Lettermans' top 5 things NOT to do when the police drive up to your Observation session....
5] Allow the guys taking photographs of the skies to yell out "Let's shoot at the police!"
4] Dare the police to prove, in this case, a 9mm is better than your 80mm
3] when asked what your doing there, answer "Just watching the Twins"
2] Align your scope's laser pointer via the "pretty blue lights" coming up the road...
...and the number 1 thing not to do when the police come to your observation session...
Forget to take off your light protection cloth on your head and walk to the police with your APO on your shoulder
Glad things worked out ok for you...kinda scary tho...I plan on giving my local police the heads up when I observe on public lands.
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Orion 80mm ED Apo Refractor
8" Classic Dob (used as Newtonian on CG5 mount)
Meade 70-AZ-A 70mm Guider using PHD
LS60TCaK/B600/C
CG-5 Advanced GT Mount
Nikon D40x with T-Adaptors
Philips SPC900NC(1/4"ccd)& Quickcam 9000(1/3"CMOS)
Imaging Source DMK 21AU04.AS
- click for cloud prediction for Plymouth, MA. area
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omahaastro
sage
Reged: 08/30/06
Posts: 358
Loc: Omaha, NE
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"OFFICER!? WHAT can I do for you tonight?"
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Jeff Huston
Obsession 30" f/5 (#102)
Obsession 18" f/4.5 (#264)
Celestron C9.25 f/10
Losmandy GM8
Cave 8" f/6 Newt
Orion 80 and 120mm f/5 achro
Coronado PST
Vixen Polaris
Edited by omahaastro (01/02/08 02:27 PM)
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Matildakt
member
Reged: 01/26/07
Posts: 27
Loc: Somewhere, North Carolina
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That was my whole worry about My Sky...that it looked like a gun!
Worry this...
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"It is what it is." --Lao Tzu
_______________________________
Naked Eye, well almost naked: eyeglasses! LOL
Orion Short Tube 80; Orion StarBlast Astro
Orion Mini Giant 8 x 56 Binocular
Celestron Skymasters 15 x 70
Celestron SkyScout
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Zooball
journeyman
Reged: 02/05/07
Posts: 9
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Best I put some reflective red/white tape on mine, as I do with all my other telescopes. The cops already know me but why take the chance?
I also took note on how much it looks like a pistol. Wondering if I should put a lanyard on it now.
What I'd really like is some kind of device to mount it onto my Starfinder.
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Paul_C
member
Reged: 01/19/08
Posts: 65
Loc: Ireland
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It really could be mistaken for a gun. I have a skyscout myself.
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http://profile.imageshack.us/user/pj30something/
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EXT64
sage
Reged: 12/15/07
Posts: 222
Loc: Virginia Tech, VA, USA
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A fix Meade may be able to do cheaply is add a little plastic panel between the pointing end and the handle (leaving room for fingers, of course). That way, from a distance, the My Sky looks more like a box than a gun. This would also preserve the light weight and ergonomics. Reflective tape and/or bright colors may help as well.
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Zhumell 10 inch Dob: Orion 5mm Stratus, Zhumell 9mm 1.25" Plossl, Zhumell 32mm 2.00" Wide Angle
Celestron C6 SCT on Orion SkyView Pro: Tele-Vue Everbrite 1.25" Diagonal, Astro-Tech 8mm Paradigm, Celestron 25mm Plossl
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sailor70623
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/12/08
Posts: 3087
Loc: Ok.
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Depends on the metal. Stainless steel and aluminum shouldn't affect it. Steel and iron will. I am thinking of trying mine as a finder (push to) on my new Mead Light Bridge. I have the Sky Scout. The ring (upper OTA)is aluminum, but the trusse are steel. If it's just a problem with some screws near it, I can swap the screws for Stainless ones. So I will have to see if the trusses are too close or not. May end up mounting quite far forward to keep them apart. Make sure if you make your own mount that nothing magnetic is near the Sky Scout. My Sky Scout works very well. I use it when I do my 2 star alignments. I can identify the first 2 objects with the sky scout before it is dark enough for me to know what they are. This lets me have my scope all aligned before the sun is down, and the skies are dark.
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Greg
Corornado PST
LB 16" 12" & 10"
Z 10"
LX50 8", 8" CPC
ETX127, 102 & 90mm MAKs
80mm APO, 102mm ED, ETX60, & 6" refractors
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sang33ta
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/08/08
Posts: 767
Loc: UK
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At least they asked quetions first before shooting you, in UK London, you can be shot, no questions asked, just for running for the train. Jean Charles de Menezes
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Hioptic 152mm f12.5 Maksutov, CG5-AGT, Meade Super Plossl Set, Casio QV-2900UX
Edited by sang33ta (09/20/08 09:20 AM)
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jrw11
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/09/07
Posts: 550
Loc: unknown
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"The skyscout might get you into trouble for looking like a possible peeping tom with a handcam but it won't get you shot. "
I mentioned in an earler post about this, that about a year ago. I was on the balcony with my skyscout. A white pickup pulled up to park. 2 great looking gals in their 20's saw me. And, wanted to me to film them! I do understand about the mysky being mistaken for a gun. But, people thinking that a scope might be one. Years ago, when someone saw a person with a telescope, they knew what it was. Times have sure changed!
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Celestron C6n -HD Reflector
dual axis drive motors added
Orion 80mm Short tube refractor
Skyscout
Early 70's Pentax 7x50
Garrett Optical 12x60
Garrett Optical 15x70
Oberwerk 20x80 Standards
Canon Rebel Ti (film)
6 Minolta Srt cameras
Mamiya RB67 Pro-s
Mamiya Universal Press
Mamiya Twin Lens
Mamiya M645 Pro
Cambo SCII 4x5 view camera
over 50 other film cameras
several eyepieces
too much stuff
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