· 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 Equipment Discussions >> Observatories Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 Magellan Pooh-Bah Reged: 01/26/06 Loc: Enfield, NS Canada Meet "Belt of Orion" my second hand Skyshed POD       #5550383 - 12/02/12 01:54 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   This is my first Observatory and I am excited, winters get cold here and the worst part of imaging is setting up, aligning, drift aligning, polar alignment, it takes a lot of time, time I could be taking pictures. It takes about an hour to get everything setup. Now all I have to do it open the door and turn it on, I hope anyway I rented the largest Uhaul trailer I could haul on my jeep and glad I did, I only had inches of play left after loading everything. It really is large and I was worried I wouldn't have enough room to move in it as I am not a small guy but there is lots of room to breathe in it. The dome was the most difficult, I had help, thank god! but getting it to line up proved to be challenging, I mean I watched the install video so many times I figured it can't be that hard but it was something stupid, like it not sitting in the groove properly. There is a few things that were missing: 1.) One of the short bolts in the dome roofing was missing, no big deal I can easily get one at home hardware 2.) another bolt was missing in one of the track brackets, again easy to fix 3.) Bolt to slide to lock the dome. 4.) one I need to replace is, the door key, it was missing, was in the door when I got but lost it somewhere from the trailer to my backyard, visually can't see it, might ask to borrow my neighbors metal detector. Can the key be replaced? I can't wait to try it out and get my scope setup after I get a replacement key. Enjoy the pics everything and share in my excitement 20121202_132226 by AstroJeff, on Flickr Link to the entire set: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjD3Z5Lp When you all said a name would come to me you weren't lieing! I thought back when I was a child and the most prominent thing I could remember, just getting into the hobby, at age 9 or 10 I remember every winter the three stars always lined up. I couldn't think of a better name, it fits perfectly I think! Post Extras:       csa/montana Den Mama Reged: 05/14/05 Loc: montana Re: Meet "Belt of Orion" my second hand Skyshed POD [Re: Magellan]       #5550395 - 12/02/12 02:01 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Congratulations on your observatory! Really nice, and you will wonder what you did before it; as it's so convenient & time saving; not to mention protection from the elements! Post Extras:       Ed Wiley professor emeritus Reged: 05/18/05 Re: Meet "Belt of Orion" my second hand Skyshed POD [Re: csa/montana]       #5550544 - 12/02/12 03:30 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Congratulations on your new Pod. I love mine although with my setup I have to be careful moving around the observatory. (A G-11 and a F22.5 Dall Kirkham take up lots of space.) With my rig I found the PZT shelf to be a necessary addition. It is easy enough to move, even for a guy who is 67. I will be interested in your experience as it looks like you do not have the PZT. Ed Post Extras:       Magellan Pooh-Bah Reged: 01/26/06 Loc: Enfield, NS Canada Re: Meet "Belt of Orion" my second hand Skyshed POD [Re: Ed Wiley]       #5550567 - 12/02/12 03:42 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I am wondering that myself, a CGEM with Orion 8" Astrograph with Celestron 80mm guidescope is big too, might have to rotate the OTA a bit as I need to get up pretty high for alignment. Post Extras:       Starman27 Post Laureate Reged: 01/29/06 Loc: Illinois, Iowa Re: Meet "Belt of Orion" my second hand Skyshed POD [Re: Magellan]       #5551781 - 12/03/12 10:29 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Jeff, Good looking POD. Enjoy it. I have found mine to be a great asset. I don't have a PZT, I am considering it now. Post Extras:       Bob Griffiths Getting Grouchy Reged: 10/10/05 Loc: Frederick Maryland Re: Meet "Belt of Orion" my second hand Skyshed POD [Re: Starman27]       #5551932 - 12/03/12 12:17 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Pick up the phone and call Wayne... I'm betting that the keys are all identical but Wayne should be able tp help you out with either a new lock mechanism or just (a FEW if you are like me) the key.. Bob G Post Extras:       Glen A W sage Reged: 07/04/08 Loc: WEST VIRGINIA USA Re: Meet "Belt of Orion" my second hand Skyshed POD [Re: Bob Griffiths]       #5552347 - 12/03/12 04:13 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Looks great! It will take your astronomy to a new level. I can't wait until I have an observatory again. GW Post Extras:       SkyShed Vendor (Sky Shed) Reged: 05/23/05 Loc: Staffa , ON Re: Meet "Belt of Orion" my second hand Skyshed POD [Re: Magellan]       #5552908 - 12/03/12 09:41 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Congrats Jeff! Nice job. Excellent sky. I see your key question was answered in the POD Yahoo group. You're right about the rest of the hardware you need. As the second owner you probably wouldn't know that we tell new POD owners it is VERY important that they make backup copies of their keys. You should do that with your new ones. Let me know if you need help anything else. Have Fun! Wayne www.skyshedpod.com Post Extras:       YetAnotherHobby sage Reged: 09/02/09 Loc: Central CT Re: Meet "Belt of Orion" my second hand Skyshed POD [Re: Starman27]       #5562863 - 12/09/12 05:54 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   If you search this forum for 'homemade PZT' there is a clever design made solely from dimensional lumber. Not as slick as the Skyshed solution, but it works just fine. I copied it in one afternoon. I do recommend the quick release clamps from Skyshed - taking those 9 bolts out each time you open the dome would get old fast! Post Extras:       SkyShed Vendor (Sky Shed) Reged: 05/23/05 Loc: Staffa , ON Re: Meet "Belt of Orion" my second hand Skyshed POD [Re: YetAnotherHobby]       #5562873 - 12/09/12 06:02 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Plus if you make your own PZT you can still get the Quick Release Brackets (QRBs) from us to remove the dome in a jiffy. Have Fun! Wayne www.skyshedpod.com Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 10 registered and 10 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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