Bill Fischer
super member
Reged: 11/13/08
Posts: 163
Loc: Magnolia, TX and South America
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I have never used or owned a dew control system. What dew control system works or fits on a Nexstar8GPS the best. Has anyone had used any that were found to better than others?
Thanks
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Nexstar 8 GPS w/Clestron FR/FF
Telrad
TV Pan 35mm
WO UWAN 16mm
TV 11mm, 8mm
Meade 2x Telenegative
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brianb11213
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/25/09
Posts: 2108
Loc: 55.215N 6.554W
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They're all much of a muchness, and a huge improvement on nothing ... if you have a dew problem.
BTW the dew heater straps mostly use a standard connection (RCA) and can be used on other manufacturer's controllers without any problem.
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rboe
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 45400
Loc: Phx, AZ
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Brian; what did you say? 
Bill; Have you tried the dew shield route? Should be good for a while in mid humidity levels. For longer stretches and very high humidity then you need to go active - get a heater.
I get to use the dew shield route and 99% of the time it's more for stray light, not dew. So I'm not real familiar with the active systems but there are a couple brands that keep popping to the top and their users should be on line shortly.
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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mclewis1
Thread Killer
Reged: 02/25/06
Posts: 3948
Loc: New Brunswick, Canada
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Dew-Not strips and the DewBuster controller are very popular ... and what Brian says (Ron, I understood him  ) ... they're all pretty much interchangeable.
For strips you want the ones made from a continuous film and not the homemade type with individual resistors or nichrome wire. Look for solid construction (good stitching and reinforced power connections), long power leads and nice generously sized elastic and velcro fasteners.
When it comes to controllers you're basically looking at manual vs automatic (temperature sensing), and the number of ports/connections that you need now or might need in the future. If you have really bad dew you may (in the worst case) end up needing a strip for the corrector, piggyback scope, finderscope(s), and eyepiece(s)(plural if you have a binoviewer and/or 2 inch eyepieces as well).
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Mark
C11, C6, APM/TMB115, and AT80ED - Tandem mount CGE and CG-5A, WO EZ-Touch and AT Voyager
25x100s and 8x56s, T-Mount Light, Mark 1 eyeballs - Modded 350D, DSI-P, SPC900, Mallincam
Just because you can doesn't necessarily mean that you should
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rmollise
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/06/07
Posts: 4575
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Quote:
They're all much of a muchness, and a huge improvement on nothing ... if you have a dew problem.
BTW the dew heater straps mostly use a standard connection (RCA) and can be used on other manufacturer's controllers without any problem.
Negative. Not in my opinion. Look for a system that uses temperature rather than time regulation. The DewBuster, for example. That's a HUGE improvement over something like the original Kendrick and similar. Batteries last longer and the heaters are more efficient.
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Uncle Rod
Rod's New Book:
Choosing and Using a New CAT
Available now!
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asteroid7
Post Laureate
Reged: 10/19/04
Posts: 4238
Loc: CT
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I found out through experience in-my-neck-of the woods, that you do not necessarily need a power dew system, just a long dewshield.
rich
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Clear Nights "Make My Day"
4.5" f/7 APM (TMB) APO Refractor CG5 GoTo with Orion extension tube
8" Celestron CPC (two)
Eyepieces:
40mm Pentax; 24mm Tele Vue Panoptic, 18mm Tele Vue Radian, 18mm HD Ortho, 15mm Celestron Omini,14mm Pentax,10mm Tele Vue Radian, 7mm,5mm & 3.5mm Nagler; 7.4mm Tele Vue Plossl.
2.5 Tele Vue Powermate
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antimorris
sage
Reged: 08/16/09
Posts: 245
Loc: San Antonio-ish, TX
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I just got a Dew Shield for my CPC800 and it was a huge improvement - no more having to turn on the hair dryer every 15 minutes . . . however I just got a counterweight set (Starizona's) and I guess I am going to have to cut a slot in the dew shield so the Dew Shield can slide on farther than just barely enough for the screws to catch cause right now it hits the counterweight bar--- anyone else have this problem?
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Anna
CPC 800 XLT w/FeatherTouch micro-focuser
Orion EON 80ED
unmodded Nikon D40
Meade DSI II Pro with ATIK Filter Wheel & Outback Razorback Cooler
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Morris Astronomy
My Astro Blog
"sic itur ad astra"
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Bob Griffiths
Postmaster
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 6583
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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Anna:
I see you got the CSC to work...
I had to cut out a section of my 8"Flexible dew shield to fit over Rays Brackets on my 8i, sure was not hard to do...and it fit just fine...
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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Bill Fischer
super member
Reged: 11/13/08
Posts: 163
Loc: Magnolia, TX and South America
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The Texas coast is pretty humid. Since the cool fronts have started moving through within about ten minutes of exposure the telrad is unusable. Ten more and the corrector is covered. I have never used a shield or heater strips. Will a shield be a 100% solution? I would rather go with the one that is easiest to use and works. Has anyone used both methods? Rod suggested Dew Buster for the heater strips what is a good brand of shield? I have a feelin that I live as close to the swamp as Rod and may need a heater.
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Nexstar 8 GPS w/Clestron FR/FF
Telrad
TV Pan 35mm
WO UWAN 16mm
TV 11mm, 8mm
Meade 2x Telenegative
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letimotif
No Complaints
Reged: 05/20/07
Posts: 2014
Loc: Far Flung Isles of Langerhans
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OK, it's all about the money.
1. Dewshield - Celestron makes one out of ABS plastic. It's cheap and it works. Downside is that if you need to roll it up to transport it you can find it'll tend end up with an eliptical shape when you mount it. Astrozap makes a better quality shield that holds its shape even it you roll it up. You pay for the quality. Astrozap also makes a fine aluminum dewshield. It's quite a bit more expensive, and if you have to transport your scope you have to worry about the shield getting dented.
And, on the cheap side, you can always use some duct tape and a closed cell foam camp sleeping pad from Wal-Mart to make your own.
2. Controller/Dewstrips come in a variet of flavors. I use a Thousand Oaks controller that has four outlets (in case you want a 2nd or more for finderscopes, etc). While the output power on each outlet can be adjusted individually, it does not have a temperature sensor, so you decide how much power to put into the strip. Dewbuster makes a fine controller that also has multiple outlets. It costs more, and it has the added advantage of a temp sensor that will adjust the heat output as needed. A bit more energy efficient, but you have to decide how much you want to spend for the savings, since it is a bit more money.
Dewstrips come in a variety of flavors. I have used Dew-Not strips and have yet to have one give out on me. Others may have other suggestions.
Kendrick also makes dew controllers, and you can do a search on their equipment. I have not used it, but I have seen a few posts lately that call into question the ongoing quality of new Kendrick components. Having not used them, I simply suggest you do a search here for some opinions on that score.
If power draw is not an issue at all for you, Agena Astro will sell you a connector that simply goes between your dewstrip and 12-volt power supply. No adjustment of temp is possible. You're always on high. As a cheap alternative it's worth considering if you're on a budget.
Best of luck.
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Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a Heaven for?
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lipman
member
Reged: 03/20/09
Posts: 59
Loc: San Carlos, CA
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Quote:
I just got a Dew Shield for my CPC800 and it was a huge improvement - no more having to turn on the hair dryer every 15 minutes . . . however I just got a counterweight set (Starizona's) and I guess I am going to have to cut a slot in the dew shield so the Dew Shield can slide on farther than just barely enough for the screws to catch cause right now it hits the counterweight bar--- anyone else have this problem?
I have a CPC1100 with the Starizona counterweights, and I use a flexible Celestron dew shield. I find that I don't have a problem as long as I secure the velcro tightly. I position the "padded" end of the shield snug up against the top weight and the bottom rail and haven't yet had any problems with the shield slipping.
Paul
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Celestron CPC 1100
Orion Q70 38mm
Stratus 21mm
Ethos 13mm
Orion 2x Shorty-Plus Barlow
Starizona counterweights
http://lipmanastronomy.blogspot.com
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davidpitre
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/10/05
Posts: 1824
Loc: Central Texas
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Bill,
If any place in the U.S. needs dew heaters, Magnolia does.
The dew shield will slow the dew forming on your corrector, but you really do need a heater. I like the separate dew strip/ dew shield combination, but Astrozap sells an all in one unit.
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David
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Bill Fischer
super member
Reged: 11/13/08
Posts: 163
Loc: Magnolia, TX and South America
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Thanks for the great info. I will get both, heater and shield. I will research the brands mentioned and then pick the one I think best for me.
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Nexstar 8 GPS w/Clestron FR/FF
Telrad
TV Pan 35mm
WO UWAN 16mm
TV 11mm, 8mm
Meade 2x Telenegative
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antimorris
sage
Reged: 08/16/09
Posts: 245
Loc: San Antonio-ish, TX
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Quote:
I have a CPC1100 with the Starizona counterweights, and I use a flexible Celestron dew shield. I find that I don't have a problem as long as I secure the velcro tightly. I position the "padded" end of the shield snug up against the top weight and the bottom rail and haven't yet had any problems with the shield slipping.
Paul
Paul - I got the aluminum dew shield so I guess I am just going to have to cut a slot for it - I dont imagine its that hard to do, just wanted to see if there was another option.
Quote:
Anna:
I see you got the CSC to work...
I had to cut out a section of my 8"Flexible dew shield to fit over Rays Brackets on my 8i, sure was not hard to do...and it fit just fine...
Bob G.
CSC? You mean CPC? It works fine - still has the occasional knocking, but I havent gotten it down to my local store that says it does minor warranty work yet to fix the internal clutches yet. But other than that it's doing well.
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Anna
CPC 800 XLT w/FeatherTouch micro-focuser
Orion EON 80ED
unmodded Nikon D40
Meade DSI II Pro with ATIK Filter Wheel & Outback Razorback Cooler
---------------
Morris Astronomy
My Astro Blog
"sic itur ad astra"
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mikiek
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/10/07
Posts: 1207
Loc: SE Texas
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Bill - I'm just up the road from you in Montgomery. I use my dew system - shield and heaters - every time I go out. Regardless of what the weather appears to look like. If you get out much and for long periods you will need heaters.
I use all Kendrick equipment and have no regrets. As for your Telrad, there are several flavors of heaters. The one I have goes right up against the glass rather than heating the box (that always seemed like a dumb idea).
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___________________________________________________________
May there always be starlight on the path - R.Burnham
___________________________________________________________
Celestron CPC 1100
TV NP-101(riding the CPC)
SV-80S
Radian 3mm,5mm,8mm,12mm
Panoptic 22mm,27mm,35mm,41mm
Nagler 3-6 zoom,T4 17mm,T5 31mm
Ethos 8mm,13mm
Clave 65mm plossl
Everbrite Diagonal 2", Powermate 2X
FeatherTouch Crayford, Microfocuser
Telrad Finder, SV 9x50 RACI
Kendrick Dew System
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antimorris
sage
Reged: 08/16/09
Posts: 245
Loc: San Antonio-ish, TX
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AHHHHHH - yes the Clear Sky ... I am bad with acronyms (kinda ironic for ex-military) .... I did get it to work!!!! I had some good help!
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Anna
CPC 800 XLT w/FeatherTouch micro-focuser
Orion EON 80ED
unmodded Nikon D40
Meade DSI II Pro with ATIK Filter Wheel & Outback Razorback Cooler
---------------
Morris Astronomy
My Astro Blog
"sic itur ad astra"
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Bill Fischer
super member
Reged: 11/13/08
Posts: 163
Loc: Magnolia, TX and South America
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Since I have not had time to order a shield and heaters I made shields. The Telrad shield is a half a letter size sheet of craft foam held on with double sided tape. The OTA shield is a Coleman stiff foam sleeping bag pad held together with duc tape. The interior is spray painted flat black. The home made shields held the dew off for a little less than an hour. A big improvement, but I see I need heaters.
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Nexstar 8 GPS w/Clestron FR/FF
Telrad
TV Pan 35mm
WO UWAN 16mm
TV 11mm, 8mm
Meade 2x Telenegative
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