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John Fitzgerald
In Focus
Reged: 01/04/04
Posts: 2167
Loc: AR
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Put the optics covers on, close and secure the roof and go to bed. Before I go back to town after a night or two, I pack everything in the vehicle and take it back to town. The only things left in the observatory full time are chairs, tables, ladder, lights, and a few other items. No optics are left. Frequent fogs roll in on the mountain that sometimes last for days.
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Bob Griffiths
Getting Grouchy
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 7279
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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The main advantage I have found after 3 years of using my Observatory is that it is always ready for me to walk into and be observing in a few minutes...
BUT my observatory is on my own property...and security is honestly not a major concern... although my insurance company requires that I use a $5.00 padlock (????)on the door to cover the contents of everything inside for replacement value.....
I do not know how long it would take me to grab a battery powered sawzall and get inside ANY observatory but 5 minutes or less would be my guess..so so much for locks...
Any chance you could put a phone inside and install a home type alarm that would call the local police etc..plus play the 1812 overture if someone tried to get inside...
You could also paste a decal on the OTA which dread...
IF THIS SCOPE IS NOT IN AN OBSERVATORY ...IT IS STOLEN !
you could do this after painting the OTA some gawd awful color that no thief would try to fence...
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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Scott K
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 1533
Loc: Dallas, TX & Eufaula, OK
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Quote:
You could also paste a decal on the OTA which dread...
IF THIS SCOPE IS NOT IN AN OBSERVATORY ...IT IS STOLEN !
you could do this after painting the OTA some gawd awful color that no thief would try to fence...
Sure would make it hard to sell the OTA to someone who didn't have an observatory, if you ever decided to upgrade... Just sayin'... 
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Luigi
Postmaster
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 5272
Loc: MA
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>>>From time to time I take a look remotely via my webcam and see if my equipment is still there<<<
Might be comforting check it's still there but doesn't do much to help insure it will be.
>>>grab a battery powered sawzall and get inside ANY observatory<<<
Also, a battery powered Dremel with a cutoff wheel will cut though the shackle of most locks in a minute or so. For molded plastic observatories, a good box knife will work great, and it's quiet too! I'm sure somebody will point out that you can't keep out a determined thief. The best you might do is deter casual thieves and delinquents. The good news with astro stuff is it's tough to get rid of so pros will look elsewhere.
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17.5" f/5 Dob. IM-715 MCT. 120ED. Lunt 60mm Ha.
Zeiss, Leica, Fujinon, Nikon, Pentax, Bushnell bins
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Galaxyhunter
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/02/06
Posts: 1535
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Quote:
Also, a battery powered Dremel with a cutoff wheel will cut though the shackle of most locks in a minute or so. ------The best you might do is deter casual thieves and delinquents.
Locks only keep honest people out. 
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Carl
Equipment List
My lousy skies at Hawkeye Observatory
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lineman_16735
Tak-o-holic
Reged: 12/04/04
Posts: 2758
Loc: Central PA
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Big scary looking dogs makes everyone pause 
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Chris
Takahashi 7x50 finder
8300 chip
Astro Physics 900 GTO CP3
Astrodon Filters & Takometer
www.thegeekshed.com
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CarolG
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/16/06
Posts: 963
Loc: Oklahoma
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I have found, from past experience unfortunately, that if someone wants to get in, they will. At our farm, we have found that by making it too hard to break in, the thieves just destroy more property getting in. Fortunately, as has been mentioned, there isn't much of a demand for astro equipment around here. The 'locals' are more interested in easily pawned stuff like guns, jewelry,lawn equipment,etc. and cash, than in telescopes. I worry more about vandalism. So I guess the best thing to do is get insurance. I have tallied up the value of my stuff and will talk to our insurance agent. This has given me the opportunity to inventory my equipment, and I can't believe how much I have spent over the years. It's downright scary!! Now for the hard part-getting the coverage without letting my hubby know what I've really spent!! 
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Carol
Cor Caroli Observatory
NS11 XLT w/ HyperStar
TV85 w/FeatherTouch/DM4/SC on a Scopebuggy
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csa/montana
Den Mother
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 44058
Loc: montana
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Carol, you are so right; if someone is determined to break in; they will. I would rather my equipment be stolen, & not have the Observatory destroyed in the process.
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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
Garrett 20x80 TWP setup
DreamCatcher Dobservatory
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John Fitzgerald
In Focus
Reged: 01/04/04
Posts: 2167
Loc: AR
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I only lock my buildings to keep out curious kids and people who might go into unlocked buildings, but would not be comfortable breaking a lock. If you leave buildings totally unlocked, then you expose yourself to liability if small children walk in and get injured. You should try for a minimum amount of security, but not so much that the building is damaged in a break-in.
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CarolG
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/16/06
Posts: 963
Loc: Oklahoma
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I agree, John. In the past when we had breakin's, one of the first questions by the insurance company was if the stolen items had been locked up. I do have a bolt lock on the door, and although I keep both windows open, they are extremely small (the open part is 12"x10"). If someone wants to get in, they will. We also have wonderful neighbors who keep a watchful eye on the place.
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Carol
Cor Caroli Observatory
NS11 XLT w/ HyperStar
TV85 w/FeatherTouch/DM4/SC on a Scopebuggy
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David Pavlich
Postmaster
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 9710
Loc: Mandeville, LA USA 30.22 X 90....
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For the cost of Lasershield, it's worth it. Mine is on a battery backup, so cutting wires won't work to stop it. It has its own battery backup, but it does't last long enough for my taste.
However, as stated, a determined thief doesn't care. It's for those that we have insurance.
David
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Proud Member; PAS NOLA,
"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research..."
A. Einstein
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