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Sirius76
Vendor-Dark Skies Apparel

Reged: 05/11/07

Loc: Chicago, Il

Dark Skies Apparel and our Hooded Observing Vests
#3810323 - 05/17/10 10:46 AM

Hi all,

Let me introduce myself. My name is Dragan Nikin and recently my wife and I started a small online company called Dark Skies Apparel. www.darkskiesapparel.com Our main objective within the company is to supply cool, modern and useful apparel to astronomers. We're not talking plain old, run of the mill silk screened shirts but high quality reprints of today's finest and highest resolution images!

What I want to do here though is I'd like to give you a brief description of our signature item which we believe will be an answer to many astronomers problems. Our Hooded
Observing Vest was designed by astronomers for astronomers and has been beta tested for nearly a year now. Briefly, it has 8 EP pockets (4 of which are large enough to hold the largest oculars on the market) It has an oversized hood to help cut glare/improve contrast so that you see more detail in the objects you're looking at. No more towels slung over your head! 2 pencil/pen pockets as well as a reading glasses pocket. This isn't a photographer's/fishing vest converted to be used at the telescope. Nope. This is a real astronomers observing vest! No more climbing up and down ladders to change out an EP! Perfect for the seated observer as well who would rather keep their EP's handy and dew free! No zippers or snaps to risk scratching an ocular. 100 % cotton that's as soft as it is durable.

As an aside, if you were at this past weeks TSP near Ft. Davis, you may have seen one or two in use. We unveiled the vest and it was an immediate hit selling out twice! The feedback has been fantastic and we couldn't be more grateful! If you were down there and saw one/purchased one we'd love to hear your opinion. We have more products in the design phase as well as in production. The vests are available now but printed apparel isn't. Printed apparel will be available in another week or two.

I just wanted to send an introduction to all the CNer's and let you all know about us.

Finally, a small portion of all sales is donated to the International Dark Sky Association to help the fight against light pollution.

Thanks for reading!
Clear Dark Skies,
Dragan Nikin
www.darkskiesapparel.com

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Mike Foreman
sage

Reged: 04/06/07

Loc: Texas

Re: Dark Skies Apparel and our Hooded Observing Vests new

new

[Re: Sirius76]
#3813381 - 05/18/10 06:00 PM

Dragan,
I bought the last one at the TSP on Friday afternoon.
Unfortunately the clouds rolled in.
It looks great thought and I can't wait to use it.
Will let you know how it is working out.

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Sirius76
Vendor-Dark Skies Apparel

Reged: 05/11/07

Loc: Chicago, Il

Re: Dark Skies Apparel and our Hooded Observing Vests new

new

[Re: Mike Foreman]
#3814089 - 05/18/10 11:49 PM

Excellent! Thats great news Mike!
Thanks and we're sure you'll appreciate the vest even more once you use it!

Feel free to send me your opinions on it. I'd love to use your comments on our site.

Clear Dark Skies,
Dragan Nikin
Dark Skies Apparel
www.darkskiesapparel.com

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dvb
different Syndrome.

Reged: 06/18/05

Loc: Vancouver, Canada

Re: Dark Skies Apparel and our Hooded Observing Ve new

new

[Re: Sirius76]
#3816682 - 05/20/10 01:25 AM

I just ordered one - looks like a very useful product.

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Scott K
Non-standard Title

Reged: 09/13/07

Loc: Dallas, TX & Eufaula, OK

Re: Dark Skies Apparel and our Hooded Observing Ve new

new

[Re: dvb]
#3816692 - 05/20/10 01:31 AM

I'm thinking I'm going to put in a request to the kids for one of these as a father's day present. MmmHmmm...

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bsim
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/04/08

Loc: Miskatonic

Re: Dark Skies Apparel and our Hooded Observing Vests new

new

[Re: Sirius76]
#3819085 - 05/21/10 08:26 AM

Dragan,

I got mine yesterday. It looks fabulous. I'm looking forward to using it soon, but I can already tell it's going to be indispensable.

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rockethead26
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/21/09

Loc: Indiana, USA

Re: Dark Skies Apparel and our Hooded Observing Vests new

new

[Re: bsim]
#3819321 - 05/21/10 10:36 AM

Quote:

I got mine yesterday. It looks fabulous. I'm looking forward to using it soon, but I can already tell it's going to be indispensable.

Ben,
Let us know your thoughts on the vest after you get a real chance to use it. I'm interested in getting one of these as well.

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Sirius76
Vendor-Dark Skies Apparel

Reged: 05/11/07

Loc: Chicago, Il

Re: Dark Skies Apparel and our Hooded Observing Vests new

new

[Re: bsim]
#3819327 - 05/21/10 10:39 AM

Benjamin,

Great news and we're glad you like it! Send us a brief review when you get a chance to observe with it if you can. Feedback is extremely important to us!

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Sirius76
Vendor-Dark Skies Apparel

Reged: 05/11/07

Loc: Chicago, Il

Re: Dark Skies Apparel and our Hooded Observing Vests new

new

[Re: Sirius76]
#3819343 - 05/21/10 10:45 AM

***Hooded Bests are BACKORDERED***

Hi everyone,

Just so everyone knows, we are officially BACKORDERED! Though our Non-Hooded vests are still available, the Hooded vests are not. We're getting alot of emails regarding when we'll have more in stock. We will have more available to ship by the end of next week. (May 28th or so) Check the site often for updates or drop an email from our homepage and we'll put you on the list. As soon as we have them in hand we'll update the site and send out a mass email.

And yes. The introductory price of 60 bucks stands.

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coopman
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 04/23/06

Loc: South Louisiana

Re: Dark Skies Apparel and our Hooded Observing Vests new

new

[Re: Sirius76]
#3819593 - 05/21/10 12:57 PM

You mean $50?

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Sirius76
Vendor-Dark Skies Apparel

Reged: 05/11/07

Loc: Chicago, Il

Re: Dark Skies Apparel and our Hooded Observing Vests new

new

[Re: coopman]
#3819612 - 05/21/10 01:03 PM

Quote:

You mean $50?

The Hooded Vests have been introduced at $60. The Non Hooded are $50. These prices will remain.

Sorry for the confusion.

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Alvin Huey
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/18/05

Loc: NorCal

Re: Dark Skies Apparel and our Hooded Observing Vests new

new

[Re: Sirius76]
#3819801 - 05/21/10 02:19 PM

Hi Jim,
Did you see Darrell's? He had it during TSP.

Everyone else,
I have to say that it was an immediate hit during TSP. Jimi and I couldn't keep then in our hands as we sold them out twice during TSP. Once people saw them, they want it!

Some of the best observers from TSP got one, namely Larry Mitchell, Jim and Ana Chandler, Faith Jordan, Barbara Wilson, Steve and Amelia Goldberg, Jose Sancho, etc

Those who heard my talk during TSP, saw the hooded vest demo.

I've used it all week and it makes a HUGE difference in viewing dim and bright objects alike. Faith, Dennis and I used it extensively during our TSP AO Superthin galaxy survey. The pockets are very useful, especially going up the ladder of Jimi's 48" OMI reflector. Faith, Jimi and I had our eyepieces in our pockets before running up the ladder...so changing eyepieces was a cinch, while observing the super dim objects in the 48".

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rockethead26
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/21/09

Loc: Indiana, USA

Re: Dark Skies Apparel and our Hooded Observing Vests new

new

[Re: Alvin Huey]
#3820006 - 05/21/10 04:11 PM

Quote:

Hi Jim,
Did you see Darrell's? He had it during TSP.

Hi Alvin,

I never saw Darrell when he had his handy. I did see your talk, but from where I sat towards the back, I only thought it was a hood on a vest. I had no idea that it had all the useful pockets. I think you concentrated in the demo on the usefulness of the hood without mentioning the other features. Either that or I suffering from lack of sleep, which was more likely

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BajaPaco
sage

Reged: 10/30/09

Loc: Baja California, Mexico

Re: Dark Skies Apparel and our Hooded Observing Vests new

new

[Re: Sirius76]
#3821462 - 05/22/10 10:17 AM

Dragin, I am interested in purchasing your hooded observing vest when they are available and have sent you a PM and email.

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davidpitre
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/10/05

Loc: Central Texas

Re: Dark Skies Apparel and our Hooded Observing Vests new

new

[Re: BajaPaco]
#3824120 - 05/23/10 03:43 PM

Well if Alvin, Barbara Wilson and Larry Mitchel are wearing them, I gotta' sport one.
Any chance you might do a white one for solar.
For me the jacket would be more essential during the day. Many of use are less willing to haul out a bunch of gear during the day. A jacket to hold a couple of EPs and adapters, and a hood to replace the blanket would be the bomb. There ain't no way I going to cover myself in black during the summer Texas sun though.

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Sirius76
Vendor-Dark Skies Apparel

Reged: 05/11/07

Loc: Chicago, Il

Re: Dark Skies Apparel and our Hooded Observing Vests new

new

[Re: davidpitre]
#3825030 - 05/24/10 01:11 AM

David,

We completely understand. In fact, we actually produced a white vest w/hood prototype just for the solar crowd. But as soon as it was put on and we pulled the hood up, well.....lets just say that it too closely resembled the garb of a certain radical racist group we'd rather not have ANY affiliation with.

I suppose if the demand we're high enough we could try to come up with something though.

For an informal poll, how many people here would be interested in a white/light colored vest for solar observing?

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davidpitre
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/10/05

Loc: Central Texas

Re: Dark Skies Apparel and our Hooded Observing Vests new

new

[Re: Sirius76]
#3826040 - 05/24/10 03:21 PM

Yeah. That's scary.
Maybe you could modify the hood a bit to keep it from being pointed.

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Sirius76
Vendor-Dark Skies Apparel

Reged: 05/11/07

Loc: Chicago, Il

Re: Dark Skies Apparel and our Hooded Observing Vests new

new

[Re: davidpitre]
#3831942 - 05/27/10 03:17 PM

Hi all,

Just to keep you all informed.

We have a new batch of our Hooded Observing Vests in stock. They will remain at the introductory price of $60.00 until July 1st. We wanted the special pricing to last through the Father's Day Holiday.

For those who requested to be notified by email, you should have a message in your inbox.

Also. Two designs of our printed apparel SHOULD be available for purchase tomorrow night on the website. I'll keep you all informed of that.

Thanks again everyone!

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rockethead26
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/21/09

Loc: Indiana, USA

Re: Dark Skies Apparel and our Hooded Observing Vests new

new

[Re: Sirius76]
#3832030 - 05/27/10 04:23 PM

Thanks for the notice. I just grabbed one off your web site. Looking forward to giving it a try.

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dvb
different Syndrome.

Reged: 06/18/05

Loc: Vancouver, Canada

Re: Dark Skies Apparel and our Hooded Observing Ve new

new

[Re: rockethead26]
#3833590 - 05/28/10 12:42 PM

Mine arrived today. It definitely exceeds my expectations. The vest itself fits well - big enough to fit over outer-clothing in cold weather, but trim enough not to be sloppy.

The hood is huge, and will make an excellent light-shield from those pesky street lights.

An "observatory" you can wear, and hang in the closet when you've finished!

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