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Douglas
Vendor - Night Vision Astronomy
Reged: 05/21/07
Posts: 322
Loc: Pound Ridge, NY
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On Dec. 31st, heading into New Year's Eve, I decided I couldn't wait any longer and decided to pull the trigger on an AstroGazer Observatory. At about 3-4:00pm, when everyone was headed home for New Years, Jeff picked up, took my questions, and processed my order. I can't wait to get the Observatory up and running. Turn around time was estimated at 7-10 days!! I was blown away.
I love the interior space, it's like a mansion! The dome diameter will fit my 12.5" Obsession Dob with room for my family of 4 to gather around. The photo on the bottom of the CN review made me think, you can choose the full dome (like an ED), half the dome (like a POD), or no dome (like a roll off roof). If you put up the full dome, you can adjust the shutter size to open it up for a nice view or tighten it down to protect against the elements. There is a new option which allows you to button up the shutter from below. How awesome it that!
It is also perfect to sleep in out in the field for overnight sessions. There is plenty of room and protection.
I am going to setup the AG on a semi-permanent basis with 2 interior desks. I will take it with me to a handful of star parties during the year. I am setting it up on a slate/flagstone patio which is level. I want to lay down a floor which will somewhat seal the floor with the dome walls. I thought about laying down a tarp on the inside.
Jeff from AG mentioned that some folks use indoor/outdoor carpeting which also sounded like the best solution for the interior floor. It will keep my feet warmer during the cold months, that's for sure!
I am curious what folks would suggest for a floor that can be used on a semi-permanent and portable basis.
- Doug
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Night Vision Astronomy
Stepping Stone Observatory
BIPH Image Intensified Binoviewer
Obsession 12.5" AN/SC
Tak FSQ-106 EDX2 & EM-200 Temma II
QSI 532wsg CCD & SX Lodestar Guide Camera
MallinCam Hyper Plus Color
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csa/montana
Wild Spirit
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 40225
Loc: montana
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Doug, Congratulations on your Astro Gazer! We will be waiting for you "first light" report!
For the floor, possibly consider the "rubber tiles interlocking floor" sold at Lowes. Many with Observatories have used these, & love them, & they would be portable.
Carol
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Pentaxes; 5XW, 7XL, 10XW.
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
TV Panoptics; 22, 35
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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Douglas
Vendor - Night Vision Astronomy
Reged: 05/21/07
Posts: 322
Loc: Pound Ridge, NY
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Thanks Carol. I just checked the Lowes website and found the rubber tile interlocking floors under exercise floors. Looks like a great solution, thanks.
I setup delivery of the AG for the 16th since I won't be around to sign for the delivery during the day until then.
I will post photos and post a first light report for the AG.
Now I am looking into accessories for the OBS like red lighting inside, a weather station, cloud sensor, UT clock, etc.
I have already named the OBS the Stepping Stone Observatory and started to build a website at www.scopetrader.com/steppingstone
I just can't wait!
- Doug
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Night Vision Astronomy
Stepping Stone Observatory
BIPH Image Intensified Binoviewer
Obsession 12.5" AN/SC
Tak FSQ-106 EDX2 & EM-200 Temma II
QSI 532wsg CCD & SX Lodestar Guide Camera
MallinCam Hyper Plus Color
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Chris Schroeder
Postmaster
Reged: 12/11/04
Posts: 6557
Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow
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Congratulations Doug, you're going to be quite happy with it
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Chris
Mallincam Color Hyper Plus
10" DSH with SC DSC, CPC 800 XLT
M110 Doublet ED, AT 102Achro, ZS80FD 10th Anniv, ZS66SD, PST
CG5-AGT, EZ-Touch, Voyager
POD XL3 http://POD.SchroederCity.com
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Bob Griffiths
Postmaster
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 6582
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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Hurry up on the red rope lights etc... I know some of the local Lowes stores HAD some leftover supplies at the normal greatly reduced price...GET THEM NOW if possible while supplies last...
For the Floor:
I would lay down those interlocking rubber mats.. these are also hit and miss items...Sears just had them on sale..but Harbor Freight and other outfits stock them "sometimes"...I do not know if I would put down a plastic tarp under them or not...
All I can say is that once you have the OBS up and running you sure will wonder why you did not pull the triger 2 months ago...
Bob G.
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CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
Gerbring Heated Motorcycle clothing in the winter
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
The sky over my head....
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Douglas
Vendor - Night Vision Astronomy
Reged: 05/21/07
Posts: 322
Loc: Pound Ridge, NY
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Thanks Bob.
I couldn't find the rope lights on the Lowe's website. I did find this site http://www.cheapropelight.com/?page=category&id=3
They have the 3/8" red led light ropes for 12v or 110v listed for $2.30 a foot. the led lights are spaced apart every 1" and you can cut them to length with a scissor, cut points are every 4" for 12v lights.
Was it much cheaper at Lowes? If so, I will call around the local Lowes to look for them.
I'm going to get those rubber interlocking mats for the floor.
- Doug
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Night Vision Astronomy
Stepping Stone Observatory
BIPH Image Intensified Binoviewer
Obsession 12.5" AN/SC
Tak FSQ-106 EDX2 & EM-200 Temma II
QSI 532wsg CCD & SX Lodestar Guide Camera
MallinCam Hyper Plus Color
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Snaproll
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/20/04
Posts: 3824
Loc: Wisconsin
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Hi Douglas,
Chris and I did the AG review. The product is a good one, yes lots of room.
A couple of thoughs on first time setup. There are rosette screws used to hold the conduit together. These go thru a hole in the conduit and into a piece of round stock that is drilled and tapped. Sometimes due to the tension the conduit hole doesn't quite line up with the threaded hole. Rather than risking cross threading, have a drill and bit handy to widen the conduit hole out some.
You will need a ladder, a small step ladder will work, but a bigger ladder works better, gives you something to lean on. One person can set up the AG but plan on two for the first couple of times to make it easier.
Along the way you'll learn little tricks to speed things up and mistakes to avoid, like putting the stakes in before you get the bungies on that hold the side ends. We found that you can leave the "T" pieces for the dome ring in one side of the conduit. Also watch out for those rosette knobs. They are easy to drop or have them come loose in the bag during transport.
Overall though, the product is really good and I'm thinking of getting one in the spring.
If you have any questions that Chris and I may be able to answer, feel free to post them.
Congrads.
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-Jim-
Happiness is a clear sky and a Denk II
old AP images and some new C14 Hyperstar images
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Speedawg
super member
Reged: 10/09/07
Posts: 143
Loc: Coeur d Alene Id
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Very cool Doug! I read the CN review for the AG and also the thread from Trevor (I believe). I too am thinking about purchasing one. I do not want a permanent observatory just yet as we may be looking to sell when the market rebounds a little. Gotta get to darker skies! Keep us advised on how you are getting along with it! Enjoy
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Douglas
Vendor - Night Vision Astronomy
Reged: 05/21/07
Posts: 322
Loc: Pound Ridge, NY
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Thanks for the heads up Jim. Also, thanks to you and Chris for the highly detailed and fully comprehensive review of the ED, POD and AG. I wish all reviews were as well organized as yours. It was a tremendous benefit to me and I'm sure to all the other members of CN who are considering those products.
I will have a cordless drill handy if I need to widen the conduit hole.
I also have a StarMaster observing chair which is really more of a step ladder. I'm 6'2" and with a little more height from the step ladder I'm hoping it will work out. We'll see ...
Speedawg: That's a great reason to own an AG. It's amazing how large and strong the structure is, and can be fully packed away in a closet when necessary.
I will post photos when I put it up and give a first light report.
Bob is right, I don't know why I didn't pull the trigger sooner. This will greatly enhance my ability to view more often and more comfortably.
- Doug
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Night Vision Astronomy
Stepping Stone Observatory
BIPH Image Intensified Binoviewer
Obsession 12.5" AN/SC
Tak FSQ-106 EDX2 & EM-200 Temma II
QSI 532wsg CCD & SX Lodestar Guide Camera
MallinCam Hyper Plus Color
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Bowmoreman
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/11/06
Posts: 3993
Loc: Bolton, MA
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Nicely done, Doug! I wish I had the time (and motivation!) to setup a web page, etc...
But our MCHPs sure are nice, aren't they?
They are why I now sign-off with...
clear enough skies
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Dave
Imaging: MI-250+ADM/SBS/Optec Libra: C11Hyperstar,TMB80SS
Visual: XT10i RTP
TV: 31T5,22T4,17T4,12T4,13Ethos,8Ethos;2x Powermate,Paracorr, 1.6X Antares, Hyperion8-24Zoom
Cameras: Mallincam Color Hyper Plus, QHY8
Guider: SBIG STV eFinder
Key Add-ons: Gerbings Heated clothes, WilderSkiesObservatory(BYO#90), Speco 9"Monitor
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Douglas
Vendor - Night Vision Astronomy
Reged: 05/21/07
Posts: 322
Loc: Pound Ridge, NY
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Thanks Dave. You sure are right about the MCHP. Clear enough skies ... I love it!
I'm hoping that if I bring my AG to a star party, I will be able to use the MCHP inside the protection of the dome, to show people the fantastic views but without affecting other folks who prefer to be dark eye adapted.
- Doug
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Night Vision Astronomy
Stepping Stone Observatory
BIPH Image Intensified Binoviewer
Obsession 12.5" AN/SC
Tak FSQ-106 EDX2 & EM-200 Temma II
QSI 532wsg CCD & SX Lodestar Guide Camera
MallinCam Hyper Plus Color
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Snaproll
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/20/04
Posts: 3824
Loc: Wisconsin
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Having a dome at a star party is the ultimate in nice. I've got a trailerable Exploradome and it's great to go someplace, set up, get everything aligned and when you're done, lock up for the night and just leave everything as is... not have to worry about tearing down the equipment, worrying if it will get rained on the next day. The only real advantages with the portable Exploradome over the Astrogazer is that I can lock up and leave all the gear, the eyepieces, guider etc and not have to worry about theft. Setup time on the Exoloradome is easier, just 10 minutes literally. I just tip it off the trailer, remove the straps and it's ready to go. The advantages of the Astrogazer is its size, much more room, easier to level and of course much more portable and storable, plus no trailer if your vehicle is big enough to hold the scope and Astrogazer. Parts of the Astrogazer are light enough that it can be car topped as well. The only two downsides I can see are that it isn't really "lockable" and the setup time compared to the Exploradome. It takes two people around an hour to set it up, probably about the same as a POD I would guess, but then again you're pulling a trailer or taking up most of an entire vehicle.
So each has its tradeoffs. I like the lockability of the Exploradome and fast setup time, but the tradeoff for me is pulling that darned trailer. Possibly in the spring I may sell one of the Exploradomes and get an Astrogazer for my portable. If Jeff keeps his current price point, it makes a lot of sense.
Time will tell on that one, but the AG, although it looks like a tent and isn't as "cool looking" as an ED or POD, really works as well as a portable, storable observatory for about half the money of the other two.
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-Jim-
Happiness is a clear sky and a Denk II
old AP images and some new C14 Hyperstar images
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Douglas
Vendor - Night Vision Astronomy
Reged: 05/21/07
Posts: 322
Loc: Pound Ridge, NY
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You highlight some good points.
I looked at the ED and POD mostly until I saw the report on the AG. Here is how I broke it down in my head, given my situation of course:
The big realization came when I measured the length of my 12.5" F5 Dob and saw that I needed 50" just to clear the upper tube assembly with no room to spare, there wasn't enough dome diameter for it to fit in either an ED or POD. This would only pertain to a Dob of course but it immediately killed any hopes of an ED or POD.
I was relieved to see the report on the AG because it gave me the room I needed, and I will welcome the extra room as a luxury with two desks and room for more people.
Security:
When I take it to a star party it is a perfect place to sleep for the night. It's perfect because me being there is the ultimate security and I won't have to pack a sleeping tent which would be much more claustrophobic than the mansion dome. I won't have to worry about packing everything away for the night either.
At home, I am fortunate to live in a sparsely populated area. My backyard is blocked off by a gate on two sides and a steep cliff slope on the end. I doubt anyone would have an easy time lifting the Dob telescope out of there without access to the house. Even still, there is the occassional gardner or maintenance worker so I will probably take my laptop, camera and EP box in and out each time.
There are defininte trade offs and the fact that my Dob wouldn't fit in the ED or POD made decision making much easier. I considered a roll off roof but I hate being exposed to the elements during the winter months.
I am really looking forward to moving into my new OBS!
- Doug
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Night Vision Astronomy
Stepping Stone Observatory
BIPH Image Intensified Binoviewer
Obsession 12.5" AN/SC
Tak FSQ-106 EDX2 & EM-200 Temma II
QSI 532wsg CCD & SX Lodestar Guide Camera
MallinCam Hyper Plus Color
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Douglas
Vendor - Night Vision Astronomy
Reged: 05/21/07
Posts: 322
Loc: Pound Ridge, NY
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I traded emails with Jeff at AG and since the OBS is so portable, I am going to take delivery at work in my office and then take it home ... I have to sign for the delivery and won't be home during the day.
Who would ever believe that you could have your OBS delivered to work and take it home with you in a car!
- Doug
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Night Vision Astronomy
Stepping Stone Observatory
BIPH Image Intensified Binoviewer
Obsession 12.5" AN/SC
Tak FSQ-106 EDX2 & EM-200 Temma II
QSI 532wsg CCD & SX Lodestar Guide Camera
MallinCam Hyper Plus Color
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