· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar CN Feedback and Vendor Announcements >> Vendor and Group Announcements Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 Jim Chung Vendor - Icodome Reged: 12/07/05 Loc: Toronto Icodome - a revolutionary portable observing dome       #5173445 - 04/15/12 10:30 AM Attachment (84 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Icodome is an affordable and portable observing dome. Please visit our website for more details: http://www.icodome.com Post Extras:       Denimsky professor emeritus Reged: 01/21/07 Loc: BC, Canada Re: Icodome - a revolutionary portable observing dome [Re: Jim Chung]       #5173543 - 04/15/12 11:35 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Jim, that looks cool! How secure is the structure? Can it hold on to strong winds so that it can be used during star parties over the multiple nights? Is it intended for that type of purpose or is it better to be set up every night? Thank you. Post Extras:       Jim Chung Vendor - Icodome Reged: 12/07/05 Loc: Toronto Re: Icodome - a revolutionary portable observing dome [Re: Denimsky]       #5173722 - 04/15/12 01:25 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi DH, You can secure the PVC frame with tent stakes in which case it should stand up to some pretty strong winds. It is perfect for those multiple day star parties where you set it up once and then you can leave your gear inside zipped up with some degree of security during the day. Jim P.S. I used to live in Gibsons, on the Sunshine Coast! Post Extras:       Denimsky professor emeritus Reged: 01/21/07 Loc: BC, Canada Re: Icodome - a revolutionary portable observing dome [Re: Jim Chung]       #5173755 - 04/15/12 01:42 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Jim. I see you are a Canadian! That's cool (and saving on shipping ). Do you think that the floor is roomy enough with 5" refractor and EQ6 with a small folding desk for a laptop? I'm not sure what setup you tested the setup. And I assume you need to rotate the entire skin to image other half of the sky? Thank you. Edited by Denimsky (04/15/12 01:43 PM) Post Extras:       Jim Chung Vendor - Icodome Reged: 12/07/05 Loc: Toronto Re: Icodome - a revolutionary portable observing dome [Re: Denimsky]       #5173773 - 04/15/12 01:57 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi DH, I think it should all fit, although you would probably need to remove the scope to zip the flap back up without moving the tripod closer to the middle of the dome. I've tested it with a Vixen GPDX and a 72mm refractor. And you're right, no motorized rotation - you gotta pick up the dome and turn it in the direction of the sky you want to image! Shipping will be in a 3x2x1 foot box and weigh about 15 lbs. Jim Post Extras:       Denimsky professor emeritus Reged: 01/21/07 Loc: BC, Canada Re: Icodome - a revolutionary portable observing dome [Re: Jim Chung]       #5173953 - 04/15/12 03:54 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Jim. It is desirable to leave the scope otherwise I may need to do polar align and balance the set up etc etc.. Do you have any plan for a bit bigger version of this then? Do you usually rotate the skin part or the whole dome? Thank you. Edited by Denimsky (04/15/12 03:58 PM) Post Extras:       Jim Chung Vendor - Icodome Reged: 12/07/05 Loc: Toronto Re: Icodome - a revolutionary portable observing dome [Re: Denimsky]       #5173998 - 04/15/12 04:31 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks for your interest DH and answering your questions may answer the same ones other readers have in mind. I leave a pier outside my front doorsteps with an AP400GTO on it but I take the scopes off and cover the mount against rain. I never have to repolar align again nor rebalance when I put the scope back on as long as I know where the dovetail end is in relation to the saddle. So you should be ok with removing the scope and replacing it. There may be a bigger dome in the future but that would necessitate thicker struts & hubs and fabric and might impact on the affordability and portability of it. You could rotate just the skin but it's easier just to rotate the whole structure, it's light. regards, Jim Post Extras:       Ira Carpal Tunnel Reged: 08/22/10 Loc: Mitzpe Ramon, Israel Re: Icodome - a revolutionary portable observing dome [Re: Jim Chung]       #5174083 - 04/15/12 05:32 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   How much is it? Post Extras:       Jim Chung Vendor - Icodome Reged: 12/07/05 Loc: Toronto Re: Icodome - a revolutionary portable observing dome [Re: Ira]       #5174100 - 04/15/12 05:49 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi Ira, It's $250 plus S&H which will probably be much cheaper with surface mail to Israel rather than air. This info and more is also available at our website. We are hoping to be able to take online orders shortly. Thanks for your interest! regards, Jim Post Extras:       Jim Chung Vendor - Icodome Reged: 12/07/05 Loc: Toronto Re: Icodome - a revolutionary portable observing dome [Re: Jim Chung]       #5174505 - 04/15/12 11:09 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Happy to announce that our website is now able to take online orders. Jim Post Extras:       StuartM member Reged: 04/22/12 Re: Icodome - a revolutionary portable observing dome [Re: Jim Chung]       #5184617 - 04/22/12 11:56 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hmmm, interesting. If you made it in green I could use it as a hunting blind too. Post Extras:       Jim Chung Vendor - Icodome Reged: 12/07/05 Loc: Toronto Re: Icodome - a revolutionary portable observing dome [Re: StuartM]       #5185353 - 04/22/12 08:07 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Stuart, The images only show the prototype using materials at hand. The domes will most likely be made of heavy duty green polypropylene tarp. We could do custom colours but it would require some number of committed orders. Jim Edited by Jim Chung (04/22/12 08:08 PM) Post Extras:       ubii member Reged: 12/19/08 Loc: Lawson, MO Re: Icodome - a revolutionary portable observing dome [Re: Jim Chung]       #5190306 - 04/25/12 05:22 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Jim, Any idea when you might have photos of the final production version available on the website? Until then, do you have any photos which show more detail of the velcro and zippered flaps? Also, is the outer skin actually secured to the frame or does it simply hang on the frame? If it does secure to the frame, I would be interested in seeing photos of that, as well. Brian Post Extras:       Jim Chung Vendor - Icodome Reged: 12/07/05 Loc: Toronto Re: Icodome - a revolutionary portable observing dome [Re: ubii]       #5191142 - 04/26/12 07:24 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi Brian, Thanks for your interest! We are finalizing our suppliers and should have a commercial example with more detailed images on our website in a couple of weeks. The skin currently is not attached to the frame and at this price point we're leaving it up to the buyer to implement a restraining system if he/she chooses. Perhaps adherent velco straps? Post Extras:       GlennLeDrew Postmaster Reged: 06/18/08 Loc: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Re: Icodome - a revolutionary portable observing dome [Re: Jim Chung]       #5220581 - 05/13/12 04:56 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   A material I like for throwing over my sleeping tent while camping at Starfest is the tarp which is silver outside and black inside. It's more opaque than most other materials, facilitating sleep during a sunny morning as well providing the darkest possible night-time interior. It's probably a bit heavier than other materials. Will you consider making this available (if you haven't already?) Post Extras:       Jim Chung Vendor - Icodome Reged: 12/07/05 Loc: Toronto Re: Icodome - a revolutionary portable observing dome [Re: GlennLeDrew]       #5220708 - 05/13/12 06:24 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi Glenn, Its actually made from that type of heavy duty, UV shield rated tarp material that is silver on the outside and black on the inside. The first series of production Icodomes will be Green (and Black on the inside) but of the same heavy grade of tarp. Jim Post Extras:       GlennLeDrew Postmaster Reged: 06/18/08 Loc: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Re: Icodome - a revolutionary portable observing dome [Re: Jim Chung]       #5225489 - 05/16/12 04:54 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks, Jim. Do you plan on being at Starfest this summer, with some of your observatories on hand? Post Extras:       Jim Chung Vendor - Icodome Reged: 12/07/05 Loc: Toronto Re: Icodome - a revolutionary portable observing dome [Re: GlennLeDrew]       #5226298 - 05/17/12 06:40 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Glenn, We will be at the Canadian Astronomy Swap Meet on June 9th in Oakville and would like to be at Starfest as well. Post Extras:       Jim Chung Vendor - Icodome Reged: 12/07/05 Loc: Toronto Re: Icodome - a revolutionary portable observing dome [Re: Jim Chung]       #5497781 - 10/31/12 01:32 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Icodome - a complete portable observatory! Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 2 registered and 9 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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