iam1ru12
member
Reged: 02/25/06
Posts: 47
Loc: Raleigh/Durham, NC
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Quote:
Hi Clive,
Yup, Canada, AAAAH!
The whole thing happened so fast. When the officers thought the My Sky was a gun they through on the flashers, when they jumped out of the cruiser they were in panic mode. Yes we did try to communicate, but the main thing on there minds was safety of the situation they just found them selves in.
There really was no opportunity to reason with them. I really don’t blame the officers, they come to this site all the time and much of the time it is empty. However when ever they see cars and people milling around they have to be in a alert state of emotions. Add to that the shape of the My Sky and its aiming system; it is pretty easy to see how this whole thing escalated.
I did fib on one point, we offered our donuts, but the police declined. The officers were more muffin people! LOL…. 
Dark Sky’s: Cliff Dweller 
Cliff Dweller,
I applaud your understanding of the situation. My brother is a police officer and it scares me to death; he's had people try to run him over to evade a speeding ticket. Police officers are training to approach every situation with extreme caution. Failure to do may result in injury or death.
Just after 9/11 I was observing in a section of land that had been cleared for an upcoming auto dealership. After an hour or so a police cruiser stopped a few yards short of my location. The officer turn on his spot light and walked up to me with his hand on his weapon the entire way (back-up arrived within minutes as well). I must have looked very suspicious there with a laptop and the DOB I had barrowed, especially given the climate of those days. It actually took several minutes for the officers to relax and finally accept the fact that I was just stargazing. They did not take me up on my offer to look through the telescope.
Short story long.... for those of you who are critical of the police, just remember they have to assume every situation is life threatening until positively proved otherwise. The have to speak and act with stern authority in order to control the situation. I know I could not do that job day in and day out.
-Mike
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"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." - Galileo Galilei
Celestron CeleStar 8" SCT (w/ Advanced Astro Master DSCs)
Orion XT6 Dob (my kids' scope, my grab-n-go and my outreach scope)
My Astronomy Web Page
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Clive Gibbons
Mostly Harmless
Reged: 05/26/05
Posts: 16724
Loc: Oort Cloud
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Quote:
Short story long.... for those of you who are critical of the police, just remember they have to assume every situation is life threatening until positively proved otherwise. The have to speak and act with stern authority in order to control the situation. I know I could not do that job day in and day out.
-Mike
Understood and appreciated, Mike.
Hope your brother has a long and successful police career! 
There's a plot of land out in the country, that our local club uses to do some observing and house equipment. It's also a place where other folks go to "park" and hang out if there's no astronomers already using the property.
The local police show up there on a fairly regular basis. I think it's their presence which keeps non-astronomical activity to a minimal level.
Also, very fortunately, the police who do visit the property (which belongs to the region, not the astronomy club) don't react overly aggressively when they see a bunch of people milling around in the dark with objects that some folks might think look like rocket launchers and Bazookas.
I guess attitudes vary depending on location, amount of criminal activity in the area and job experience.
We're just happy that our police officers don't treat every encounter as a potential life or death situation... because we tend to bruise rather easily.  
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A few telescopes of dubious value.
Understanding wife and two curious cats.
"Semper ubi sub ubi"
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Tek465
super member
Reged: 06/18/07
Posts: 131
Loc: Show Low, Az
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If it was me, I'd get a copy of the police report and forward it to Meade ASAP.
Meade might want to look into a design change before someone gets killed. Aren't toy guns required to have those bright orange caps just because of incidents like this.
In the mean time you might want to put reflective tape on the MySky, wear a safety vest or make some A-frame reflective signs to put around when your observing. Anything that screams "Don't Shoot! When the lights come on."
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Z10 Dob w/ Telrad
Celestron 15x70 binoc
SkyScout
FirstScope
Meade ETX-60AT
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Cliff Dweller
super member
Reged: 05/11/07
Posts: 100
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Hi Guys,
Getting the police report and forwarding it to Meade, is that really going to do anything? They are in the middle of distribution I am sure. It would be nice to think that they would respond, but I think we are barking up the wrong tree. I am more worried about the retailers being stuck with these things if the word gets around. It is probably the retailers not us who could effect a change faster.
I wish the unit didn’t look the way it does! It has some good features. I am glad we found out now before we bought one! The reflective triangles is a good idea, it may stop the locals from running us over.
I truly do support the men and woman that watch out for us, and I don’t want there job either.
Maybe as we go about our astronomy activities, we can make mention to the law enforcement providers that this tool is out in the market and spread the word to stop someone from being heart.
Dark Sky’s: Cliff Dweller
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astrasouth
member
Reged: 07/11/07
Posts: 17
Loc: NC
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In my opinion, Meade needs to go back to the "drawing board" and redesign this product. Better yet a Recall. What were they thinking?...then again I felt the same way with their cheapo ETX's. (I'm NOT a Meade fan.)
If there is a death or an injury, who is legally responsible here?
Also there is no way that Police Officers will ever get this information consistently, so the risk is there and it could be major.
Edited by astrasouth (09/01/07 06:47 AM)
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Wes James
Postmaster
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 5477
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To me, I would think the police would be thinking more along the lines that someone was clocking them on radar, rather than pointing a gun at them. The MySky looks infinitely much more like a radar gun than a shooting bullets gun! My first thought when I saw one was that I could slow down traffic on the main road nearby just by standing out there pointing it at oncoming traffic!! 
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Wes
Atlantic Beach, FL
Bino’s- Tak's, Fuji's, Nikon's, Canon IS and Garrett 20x110 Signature's,
Some telescopes from Carton & Zeiss 60mm's up through a couple of 8” reflectors… Orion 3.6" O/A- and a wonderful 4.25" Delmarva Schiefspiegler!
Some good friends, made here on C/N.
Oh- several cats and a wonderful wife!
Anyone want a cat???? :-O
"When your work speaks for itself- Don't Interrupt" -Gamble Rogers
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ClownFish
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/26/05
Posts: 6254
Loc: Baghdad, Iraq
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The easy thing to do, as I always do when I am out at night away from my own yard, is to call the local police and notify them that you will be out with astronomy gear at such and such location at such and such time. Explain that lights will be off, but people will be moving around vehicles. This let's them know what's going on when someone else sees this odd behavior and calls it in. It also prevents accidents like this.
CF
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Learn all about Polar Alignment and Manual Guiding on my website at www.PetesAstrophotography.com! Or visit my Foreign Service Blog!
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RichardHK
sage
Reged: 11/25/06
Posts: 396
Loc: Hong Kong
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Quote:
Getting the police report and forwarding it to Meade, is that really going to do anything? They are in the middle of distribution I am sure. It would be nice to think that they would respond, but I think we are barking up the wrong tree. ...
Cliff,
If Mattel can recall millions of toys for different problems, I am sure Meade could recall a few MySkys!
They should fix a few other problems out there like the ETX125 drive gears (from Mattel??!) or they are going to be history before too long. Sad.
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Richard Entwistle, Hong Kong
ETX-125, SV90TBV, & PST scopes
Canon 15x50-IS & Fujinon 7x50 bins
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ccs_hello
Postmaster
Reged: 07/03/04
Posts: 5224
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Rather sorry to hear the story.
I would imagine the possibility hearing this happening to another MS user is low, but if I have this toy, I will not let my kid bring it to the outside 
Better safe than sorry.
Dear Mod, if this post is inappropriete, please delete.
ccs_hello
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Gary
sage
Reged: 06/12/05
Posts: 409
Loc: Southeast, Ga
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CF,
I agree with you. In fact, one of the first books I read on Astronomy suggested calling the local authority the first time you set up and whenever you relocate your site.
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Cliff Dweller
super member
Reged: 05/11/07
Posts: 100
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Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the support.
Good idea about calling the local police about going out and observing, I will defiantly start to do that.
Dark Sky’s: Cliff Dweller
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Paul Rix
Post Laureate
Reged: 11/06/04
Posts: 3421
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Scary story. I think someone at Meade should be informed of this incident. It is a situation that they probably didn't think about during the design of the product.
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Indefatigable
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/29/06
Posts: 579
Loc: Toronto
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Just to add another perspective... it doesn't look like any kind of real 'gun'. It looks like a toy zap gun or a surveyor's tool. Has anyone ever reported similar police problems when trying to use an old-fashioned light meter for photography?
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Brenda
Skywatcher Pro 80ED
Synscan NEQ3
Meade DSI Pro
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ClownFish
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/26/05
Posts: 6254
Loc: Baghdad, Iraq
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A toy zap gun can easily look like a real gun at night, when a police officer has a second to decide if you, the guy sneaking around in the dark, may end his life. No one uses a light meter at night.
CF
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Learn all about Polar Alignment and Manual Guiding on my website at www.PetesAstrophotography.com! Or visit my Foreign Service Blog!
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b1gred
Enginerd
Reged: 04/01/04
Posts: 16902
Loc: Castle Rock, CO 6677' MSL
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I was concerned when I first saw the design for the "My Sky". Having been involved in security and law enforcement for most of my adult live (mostly as a volunteer 'auxiliary officer') I know how "badge heavy" and just plain nervous cops can be in the field, especially at night. There is truly a 'shoot first' ask questions later attitude, and rightfully so. There are a LOT of "bad guys" out there who would like nothing better than to get the drop on a cop, thus the cops don't take kindly to ANYTHING that looks like, or even might look like a gun. I've heard of a guy being "drawn down on" while holding a cordless drill - the investigation (pretty much any time a cop pulls a weapon, there is an investigation) found that the cop was justified in pulling his weapon.
I agree with the others who have said that the people at Meade should be copied on the police report and also sent a letter from the individuals involved.
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"Dark Skies & Great Viewing"
RandyR / W0RDR
GPS 9.25 XLT/Sky Align /FeatherTouch
TV85 w/FeatherTouch
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bkushner
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/26/06
Posts: 1807
Loc: Audubon New Jersey
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Randy..As you know I use my SS on late night walks with the dog. I'd be concerned too walking the neighborhood with the MS in my hand. I can understand the design concept but designing something you use at night, in the dark to resemble a weapon is an OUCHER!
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Orion XT12i
Meade LX200 ACF
Ioptron Mini Tower
Orion EON80
Mallincam Hyper Plus
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blackjackdavey
journeyman
Reged: 08/02/07
Posts: 7
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the reason i passed mySky in favor of SkyScout was the looks. design was not taken into serious consideration. i just imagined the thoughts of my neighbours when they saw me walking on the backyard with that thing. maybe they wouldnt think it's a weapon right away, they might think i'm trying to bring planes down... or worse contact E.T. or USS Enterprise.
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Cliff Dweller
super member
Reged: 05/11/07
Posts: 100
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Hi Everyone,
I have taken a few photos over the years but I have never seen a light meter shaped like a gun, is there such a thing?
I read the story of how BKUSHNER rekindled his passion of astronomy when walking the dog with a Sky Scout, I want to here about someone trying it with a My Sky more then once or twice.
My friend has contacted the police and is waiting on a copy of the report, he said he is going to forward it to Meade.
The shape is quite an astronomy fopa! I would love to here the opinion of a Meade representative on this thread, I wonder if they have read our discussions? Also what do the retailers think, I would love to here there opinions as well.
Dark Sky’s: Cliff Dweller
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Jim Rosenstock
Postmaster
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 6543
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
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Wow.
When I first saw Meade's ads, I thought they had pulled off a coup on Celestron, because their product looked so "Star Trek" and Celestron's looked so "clock radio". 
And, frankly, I've considered both products to be "fluff"; money better spent on (several) good star charts, IMO. So I thought the "sexier" looking Meade product would easily outsell Celestron's, since IMO this product market is more about merchandising than performance...
But the fact that the Meade MySky could get you "ruffed and cuffed" never occurred to me! 
....I wonder if anybody has ever been taken down and cuffed for holding a volume of Uranometria?? "Drop the book, punk, and turn around slowly with your hands in the air!!" 
Clear skies (and low bail!),
Jim
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QUESTION AUTHORITY!
"errr....sez who??"
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astrasouth
member
Reged: 07/11/07
Posts: 17
Loc: NC
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Quote:
But the fact that the Meade MySky could get you "ruffed and cuffed" never occurred to me!
....I wonder if anybody has ever been taken down and cuffed for holding a volume of Uranometria?? "Drop the book, punk, and turn around slowly with your hands in the air!!"
Clear skies (and low bail!),
Jim
That is funny!!!!!
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15" Discovery Truss Dobsonian (f/5)
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Chapel Hill Astronomical & Observation Society
Raleigh Astronomy Club
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