Well here it is. The first report of my experience with my new to me 6HD-T Home Dome.

I picked this dome up used in May and have spent alot of time cleaning, repairing and replacing cables, pulleys and other maintenance. Lot's of defered maintenance!

I had the firmware updated by Technical Innovations to Ver.4 of Digital Dome Works and now have a great old Dell Computer running Digital Dome Works ver.5.2, Windows XP and The Sky 6 Professional.

Last but not least I bought an older C-8 and dovetail to mount on my CGE, since my 6" f/12 D&G will not fit in this dome.

Everything came together and I had my first chance last night to use the dome, scope and software.

As I reassembled the dome and leveled it on my concrete pad it became obvious that there wouldn't be much room in the dome. I had said from the first that I would be looking for a Stella Cam or the like and try to use this setup for some form of imaging. Once I put the CGE in there my thoughts were confirmed. There is not alot of room in here.

It was a very uncomfortable night due to lack of space but the dome performed well the mount is a proven performer and the C-8? Well it is a piece of junk. The optics seem good or better but the image shift is unbelievable! I got rooked on this purchase but I'll get it dialed in.

The final vote is that the Home Dome 6HD-T is a great observatory for imaging or remote operation but don't plan on any star parties for the public in there.