Wmacky
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/24/07
Loc: Florida
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The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
#5709658 - 03/02/13 10:17 PM
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And it only took 1 year and 2 months.  I guess BYO won't be hiring me anytime soon. 
For those that remember, this started as a transport, and refurb of an old observatory that I built 25 years ago when I was just 20. The property had since been used as rental, and the OB was treated poorly by all those tenants.
The project rapidly escalated as I kept reading other builders Ideas on this forum! 
Here's the rehab thread started over a year ago:
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/5027475/page...
And here's the sad OB I started with just before is was transported 20 miles on a flatbed to my current home.
And here's the final pics
First some exterior shots.
Here's a shot of the warm room desk after installation. My wife picked out a sheet of birch plywood that had a wild looking figure to it. She thought it looked like a nebula!  I wasn't so sure, but I went with it, and I'm very pleased how it turned out.
Here's the only idea I didn't steal from you forum members. At least I haven't seen it before. I thought it would be handy to have a pull out monitor that could be positioned next to the scope for star chart viewing, and focus help when imaging.
Main room shots:
Here's a closer look at a deal a stumbled on. A co worker's wife works for a Stainless Steel fabricator. The had 20 medical carts left over from a custom order of 100. These extras were going for less than material cost, or $50. They looked like a science cart to me so.......
I installed a nice hardwood top (desk leftover), and it's now my eyepeice / camera case cart!
After seeing, and reading about the fantastic idea of using (Hidden rope) light that a few members were using, I had to add it. (Great Idea Carol!)
Please excuse the quality of these pics!
OK, who wants to see the warm room?
Well this is Florida you know!
Edited by Wmacky (03/02/13 11:01 PM)
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korborh
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/29/11
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Wmacky]
#5709718 - 03/02/13 11:06 PM
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Wow, a very nice observatory and control room.
Excellent job! Congratulations.
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csa/montana
Den Mama
Reged: 05/14/05
Loc: montana
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Wmacky]
#5709755 - 03/02/13 11:35 PM
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This transformation was well worth the year & 2 months! It's absolutely beautiful! The entire perks that you added are awesome! You will certainly spend a lot of quality time in this beautiful setup!
Thanks so much for sharing this rebuild with us!
Congratulations!! 
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Foehammer
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/29/06
Loc: Cyprus
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: csa/montana]
#5709852 - 03/03/13 01:46 AM
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wow, just wow! The hidden rope light is an excellent idea, I had installed the same thing in a 2.7m dome I had worked on and it was the best thing about it! put it on a dimmer so you can control the brightness and off you go! Im in the process of building my 2m split-top so I might just steal some ideas from your beautiful observatory! Great job, really! Hope it gives you endless nights under the stars!
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rockethead26
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/21/09
Loc: Indiana, USA
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Foehammer]
#5710048 - 03/03/13 07:35 AM
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Very nicely done! Someday ...
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bigstormgirl
super member
Reged: 01/02/12
Loc: NW Indiana
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Wmacky]
#5710137 - 03/03/13 08:44 AM
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That is so cool! Just showed my husband the pictures and told him "we need this!". Luckily, he agreed. 
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Jeff Smith
sage
Reged: 04/06/10
Loc: Chicago
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: bigstormgirl]
#5710147 - 03/03/13 08:53 AM
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Very nice! Comfy!
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Midnight Dan
Postmaster
Reged: 01/23/08
Loc: Hilton, NY, Yellow Zone (Bortl...
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Jeff Smith]
#5710261 - 03/03/13 10:03 AM
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Beautiful! Well done!
-Dan
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Starhawk
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/16/08
Loc: Tucson, Arizona
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Midnight Dan]
#5710294 - 03/03/13 10:23 AM
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That is one sharp looking observatory. The other thing it has is room for gear. Very well done!
-Rich
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Raginar
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/19/10
Loc: Rapid CIty, SD
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Starhawk]
#5710448 - 03/03/13 11:25 AM
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Beautiful job! I love the glass from the warm room to the observatory.
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Aquarist
sage
Reged: 08/27/12
Loc: Illinois
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Raginar]
#5710564 - 03/03/13 12:37 PM
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Excellent job! I just absolutely love the amenities as they make using it a real joy.
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MHamburg
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/21/06
Loc: Brooklyn, NY/Berkshires, MA
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Aquarist]
#5710612 - 03/03/13 01:00 PM
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Beautiful job!! What capacity electrical service did you run to the obs?
Michael
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Madratter
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/14/13
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: MHamburg]
#5710774 - 03/03/13 02:42 PM
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Absolutely gorgeous. I would call you a lucky man, but luck has little to do with it.
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Goodchild
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/31/08
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Madratter]
#5710792 - 03/03/13 02:51 PM
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You did a great job and it seems like it was worth the effort. Kudos to your wife for a good eye. And a great idea with the pullout monitor for star fields. That's one I'll have to copy. Thanks for sharing.
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JoeT6571
member
Reged: 03/11/12
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Goodchild]
#5711023 - 03/03/13 05:09 PM
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Great job on your rebuild. I really like the window and pull out monitor.
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Mary B
Vendor - Echo Astronomy and Electronics
Reged: 05/21/10
Loc: Minnesota
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: JoeT6571]
#5711265 - 03/03/13 07:14 PM
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Monitor out by the scope? Did it already...
Nice observatory, I still have trim to finish in mine.
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Starman27
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/29/06
Loc: Illinois, Iowa
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Mary B]
#5711466 - 03/03/13 08:56 PM
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That is an outstanding reconstruction job. How big is you warm room L X H X W ?
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tclehman1969
super member
Reged: 05/18/10
Loc: SF Bay Area, California
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Starman27]
#5711517 - 03/03/13 09:28 PM
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Very nice job! I have to agree with Raginar...window between warm room and observing room is an excellent idea! I am guessing it makes it feel a bit bigger, too! Very clean operation, well done!!
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Wmacky
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/24/07
Loc: Florida
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Starman27]
#5711618 - 03/03/13 10:14 PM
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Quote:
That is an outstanding reconstruction job. How big is you warm room L X H X W ?
Warm room is 8'x10' The ceiling is peaked in the center. A tight 6' at the side walls, and a comfortable 7'2" at the center peak.
The size turned out about perfect. Wouldn't change it if given the chance. I think it's right size for it's purpose, and it just feels right. Plenty of room for a couple guests, but not too much.
It was a lucky guess. Many of my other guesses were wrong!
Edited by Wmacky (03/05/13 01:36 PM)
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droid
rocketman
Reged: 08/29/04
Loc: Conneaut, Ohio
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Wmacky]
#5711645 - 03/03/13 10:28 PM
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Outstanding.....love it
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MRNUTTY
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/22/11
Loc: Mendon, MA
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: droid]
#5713155 - 03/04/13 07:18 PM
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Especially like:
1) big observation window. I stuck with a smaller one for the extra wall space inside and out.
2) extension arm for the scope room monitor. I'm thinking of iPad based intel.
3) lighting! I'm a big fan of those "deck lighting" lozenges, and the red floor illumination.
4) finally. The roll off; that was my first choice but I couldn't make it work up north with the snow we get.
In florida, isn't your "warm" room a bit of a misnomer? Maybe I missed the joke first time around :-) great job!
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Tim Gilliland
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/28/09
Loc: Sand Springs Okla.
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: MRNUTTY]
#5713250 - 03/04/13 08:07 PM
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Very nicely done!
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Dr Morbius
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/06/07
Loc: ManorvilleNY-but not for long
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Tim Gilliland]
#5713719 - 03/05/13 12:54 AM
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Positively super job!!!! 
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EdTheEdge
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/10/09
Loc: Lomita, CA
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Dr Morbius]
#5714023 - 03/05/13 09:16 AM
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Very nicely done!
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gastargazer01
super member
Reged: 12/21/12
Loc: Flowery Branch GA
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: EdTheEdge]
#5714698 - 03/05/13 03:28 PM
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Very nice job! Great to see people recycling.
I am in the process of designing and laying out my deck OBS.
I like the monitor by the scope, my warm room will be about 50 feet from the scope so tat would be nice.
http://bufordexchange.com/members/mikesastro/CameraOBSplacement.html
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RobertED
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/11/03
Loc: Johnston, RI
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: droid]
#5714730 - 03/05/13 03:47 PM
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Very Excellent setup!!....I LIKE!!!
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PWP
member
Reged: 07/24/11
Loc: Keller, Texas
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: droid]
#5716680 - 03/06/13 03:35 PM
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Very nice. Love the double roof design. Just wondering though why you chose the higher walled space for the scope instead of switching it with the warm room? Guess you wouldn't have been able to have the slick roof slide over the other if you did it that way I suppose. Seems it would have given you a little more horizon though. Guess you could always get one of those telescoping piers if needed so your scope can peek over the walls. Still, I love it. Good job!
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Wmacky
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/24/07
Loc: Florida
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: PWP]
#5716781 - 03/06/13 04:28 PM
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Quote:
Very nice. Love the double roof design. Just wondering though why you chose the higher walled space for the scope instead of switching it with the warm room? Guess you wouldn't have been able to have the slick roof slide over the other if you did it that way I suppose. Seems it would have given you a little more horizon though. Guess you could always get one of those telescoping piers if needed so your scope can peek over the walls. Still, I love it. Good job!
Good question:
Well, the original structure was built when I was a newly married 20 something that didn't know anything about observatories. No Internet back then! When evaluating the structure for use at my new home, I was concerned about the towering wall height.
As it turned out, the tall walls seemed not to be an issue due to very high tree lines surrounding the property, as well as unfortunate local light polution.
Also, when adding the warm room I needed every millimeter of the height to clear the warm room roof. There is just 1/4" clearance between the roofs! I feel the Main wall height was the absolute minimum required for the design. Any less and the warm room ceiling height would have been too low, any more height, and my views would be compromised.
It was a stoke of luck that I somehow got the height right for a warm room addition to be added 25 year into the future.
Edited by Wmacky (03/06/13 04:40 PM)
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Raginar
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/19/10
Loc: Rapid CIty, SD
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Wmacky]
#5717173 - 03/06/13 08:05 PM
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I love the double roof too. Beautiful job Wmacky 
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rigel123
Postmaster
Reged: 06/29/09
Loc: SW Ohio
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Wmacky]
#5724299 - 03/10/13 05:02 PM
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That is one awesome setup!
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Aeryck
member
Reged: 03/10/13
Loc: Jacksonville, FL
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: droid]
#5754380 - 03/24/13 04:17 PM
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Awesome work and perfect setup. Very envious.
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Glen A W
sage
Reged: 07/04/08
Loc: WEST VIRGINIA USA
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: droid]
#5758546 - 03/26/13 04:08 PM
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I know you just did this to make me jealous!
Really, though, it looks great. The good use of space with the warm room under the tracks is A-1. Also, I like the handy placement of Burnham's books. You can't have this right without them.
GW
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MHamburg
professor emeritus
Reged: 06/21/06
Loc: Brooklyn, NY/Berkshires, MA
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Wmacky]
#5758811 - 03/26/13 06:28 PM
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How do you control the mount from the warm room?
Michael
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Jaime Riviere
member
Reged: 05/07/09
Loc: Salamanca, Spain
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: MHamburg]
#5761797 - 03/28/13 06:50 AM
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Lots of ideas and beautiful result! Thanks for sharing
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stmguy
super member
Reged: 10/11/12
Loc: Western NH
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: droid]
#5762118 - 03/28/13 10:26 AM
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Very nice,clean looking OBS , great job !
Norm
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Wmacky
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 11/24/07
Loc: Florida
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: MHamburg]
#5764853 - 03/29/13 02:17 PM
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Quote:
How do you control the mount from the warm room?
Michael
Didn't see the thread active again!
Currently I'm using Stellarium for scope control, and diving into astro totilla. I have also found that a need a remote focuser. I'm thinking about a Rigel system as it works with a lot of different units.
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snowcrow
sage
Reged: 10/21/12
Loc: Vermont
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Re: The Black Creek Ob. is finally done! Take a Tour.
[Re: Wmacky]
#5786427 - 04/08/13 05:07 PM
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Great restoration, Love the warming room!!
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