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Alvin Huey
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/18/05

Loc: NorCal

Re: Observing vest? new

new

[Re: nevy]
#5210060 - 05/07/12 10:52 AM

"tokamak85",

Thanks for viewing my website.

Like what others have echoed regarding the DSA hooded observing vest.

I use it 100% of the time as:
1. The hood provides complete coverage from ambient light, yes, including the "blazing" Milky Way up above the horizon. Notice that looking at the dark ground or around the inside of the hood is way darker than the sky, especially at mag 7.0+ skies.
2. The hood is very well designed that the extra 3-4 inches past the normal hood does not close in too tightly around my face so much such I fog up my eyepiece while breathing at the eyepiece. I keep mine loose.
3. I keep all of my most used eyepieces in my pockets. There are 8. Saves me many many trips to the eyepiece case. Also I keep my Zeiss ZAO-II's and Delos, etc in my pocket, walk around during a star party and sometimes say "Hey, try this eyepiece out."

Hope that helps.

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turtle86
Pooh-Bah Everywhere Else

Reged: 10/09/06

Re: Observing vest? *DELETED* *DELETED* new

new

[Re: Alvin Huey]
#5210123 - 05/07/12 11:44 AM

Post deleted by turtle86

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turtle86
Pooh-Bah Everywhere Else

Reged: 10/09/06

Re: Observing vest? new

new

[Re: turtle86]
#5210128 - 05/07/12 11:46 AM

Looks like an excellent product, designed by and for observers. I held off on ordering one until now because my wife had gotten me a nice photographer's vest a while back. But, that one doesn't have pockets big enough for my big Ethos eyepieces or star charts, and, most important, lacks the big monk hood. Just received a shipping notice that it's on its way. Look forward to using it next week for my next observing session.

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ebusinesstutor
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 07/01/09

Loc: Nanaimo, BC, Canada

Re: Observing vest? new

new

[Re: turtle86]
#5210470 - 05/07/12 03:28 PM

I have one of these observing vests as well and I really enjoy it.

I am a heavy fellow, but the size I got fits over my coat on colder viewing nights.

Great for outreach or dark sky observing on my own. I never have to go back to my eyepiece case - everything is at my fingertips.

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Doc Willie
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 03/31/10

Loc: Mid-Hudson Valley, NY, USA

Re: Observing vest? new

new

[Re: nevy]
#5210559 - 05/07/12 04:21 PM

The regular (?large) size is fine for all but the heftiest of persons. It will even fit over a winter coat and I think will serve you well. Unless you are an offensive lineman (American "football").

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nevy
sage

Reged: 02/07/12

Loc: UK

Re: Observing vest? new

new

[Re: Doc Willie]
#5210821 - 05/07/12 06:51 PM

Quote:

The regular (?large) size is fine for all but the heftiest of persons. It will even fit over a winter coat and I think will serve you well. Unless you are an offensive lineman (American "football").

Ok thankyou , I'm gonna get one

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nevy
sage

Reged: 02/07/12

Loc: UK

Re: Observing vest? new

new

[Re: nevy]
#5212603 - 05/08/12 06:24 PM

Just ordered one a about an hour and a half ago , I just got an email saying its been posted and on its way , whoooohooo :-/

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tokamak85
member

Reged: 01/21/12

Re: Observing vest? new

new

[Re: Alvin Huey]
#5212933 - 05/08/12 10:27 PM

Ah so that's your site. It's really great! I've been spending more time with a towel over my head looking at the more faint objects in the sky since browsing your site. Soon I'll have a monk hood to make it a better experience. Cheers!

Quote:

"tokamak85",

Thanks for viewing my website.

Like what others have echoed regarding the DSA hooded observing vest.

I use it 100% of the time as:
1. The hood provides complete coverage from ambient light, yes, including the "blazing" Milky Way up above the horizon. Notice that looking at the dark ground or around the inside of the hood is way darker than the sky, especially at mag 7.0+ skies.
2. The hood is very well designed that the extra 3-4 inches past the normal hood does not close in too tightly around my face so much such I fog up my eyepiece while breathing at the eyepiece. I keep mine loose.
3. I keep all of my most used eyepieces in my pockets. There are 8. Saves me many many trips to the eyepiece case. Also I keep my Zeiss ZAO-II's and Delos, etc in my pocket, walk around during a star party and sometimes say "Hey, try this eyepiece out."

Hope that helps.

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Goodchild
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/31/08

Re: Observing vest? new

new

[Re: tokamak85]
#5213275 - 05/09/12 07:33 AM

Do all of you posters work for the company?

Because all of your positive comments are tempting me to get one of these vests!

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tokamak85
member

Reged: 01/21/12

Re: Observing vest? new

new

[Re: Goodchild]
#5213551 - 05/09/12 11:13 AM

Haha seems that way huh

. When I created this thread I expected maybe 5 replies at max but apparently people really like this product.

Quote:

Do all of you posters work for the company? Because all of your positive comments are tempting me to get one of these vests!

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Alvin Huey
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/18/05

Loc: NorCal

Re: Observing vest? new

new

[Re: Goodchild]
#5213575 - 05/09/12 11:31 AM

Quote:

Do all of you posters work for the company? Because all of your positive comments are tempting me to get one of these vests!

Don't be tempted, just get it and you'll be glad that you did.

Made a huge difference for me.

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Gene7
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 06/10/10

Loc: Mid Ohio, USA

Re: Observing vest? new

new

[Re: Alvin Huey]
#5213632 - 05/09/12 12:02 PM

My goodness. Shoes, gloves and now vests have been discussed. Perhaps we are a little hard up for thread topics. Gene

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Goodchild
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/31/08

Re: Observing vest? new

new

[Re: Gene7]
#5213724 - 05/09/12 12:44 PM

Quote:

My goodness. Shoes, gloves and now vests have been discussed. Perhaps we are a little hard up for thread topics. Gene

Gene, I don't see it that way. Lately, I've been observing in the cool night air with my hooded sweatshirt with pockets. Between the pockets in my sweatshirt (two) and the ones in my pants (two) it's been a lot easier to pack items in them than haul out my eyepiece/accessory case and find somewhere to put it, other than on the ground. This has been an interesting thread to me.

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Goodchild
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/31/08

Re: Observing vest? new

new

[Re: Alvin Huey]
#5213826 - 05/09/12 01:38 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Do all of you posters work for the company? Because all of your positive comments are tempting me to get one of these vests!

Don't be tempted, just get it and you'll be glad that you did.

Made a huge difference for me.

Alvin, I probably will. Oh well. It's only money.

Edited by Goodchild (05/09/12 01:40 PM)

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Full Sun
super member

Reged: 11/19/06

Loc: Ontario

Re: Observing vest? new

new

[Re: Goodchild]
#5213854 - 05/09/12 01:50 PM

I am happy with my white vest. It's the color Mosquitos are least drawn to and makes a better accessory item for costume parties. ( It was the only one in stock in my size during temptation time.)

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tomchris
professor emeritus

Reged: 12/22/10

Loc: Connecticut, U.S.A.

Re: Observing vest? new

new

[Re: Full Sun]
#5214416 - 05/09/12 08:02 PM

Another plus from me as I bought one at the NEAF. Let me add that it was a pleasure meeting the company owner as well the the "inventor" of the hooded vest....his wife.

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davidpitre
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/10/05

Loc: Central Texas

Re: Observing vest? new

new

[Re: Full Sun]
#5214449 - 05/09/12 08:28 PM

Quote:

I am happy with my white vest... and makes a better accessory item for costume parties.

In Ontario it's probably cool. Down South, not so much.

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tokamak85
member

Reged: 01/21/12

Re: Observing vest? new

new

[Re: davidpitre]
#5217769 - 05/11/12 08:07 PM

My vest arrived today

.

Initial inspection looks really good. I figured the fabric would be pretty thin/flimsy but it was still worth the price since no one makes anything like this; but now looking at it the fabric is very nice! It isvery thick and sturdy, I will have no qualms putting my high-end eyepieces in this baby.

So far the skies look clear, I'll give a report if it stays that way but so far I'm very impressed.

:: update ::

Pretty terrible seeing tonight but I was still able to test out the vest. It was really nice to have all of my main eyepieces, flashlight and Ipod on my person.

The hood was just right, I looked at M3 and M5 earlier this week and did so again today with the hood and it makes for a much better experience. No stray light (2 street lights within 50ft of me) where I would usually have to cup my hands. I then turned the scope to Saturn, put on my Astronomy mix on my Ipod, cinched up the hood and got lost in a different word.

The vest definitely gets the seal of approval, I can't wait to try it out at a better site and on a better night.

Edited by tokamak85 (05/12/12 02:56 AM)

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TL2101
sage

Reged: 09/17/10

Loc: Concord, Ca

Re: Observing vest? new

new

[Re: tokamak85]
#5229961 - 05/19/12 04:34 PM

Well because of all the positive reviews I ordered and received my vest. I don't need it for eyepieces, I use my tripod tray for that. I have to add my voice to all the positive reviews. It was so nice not to have to get up from my observing chair and search in the dark for a note pad, pen, flashlight, camera remote, everything I use had its own pocket. When doing visual observing the hood works a lot better than a towel. I am glad to have it, thanks Dark Skies Apparel.

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Goodchild
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/31/08

Re: Observing vest? new

new

[Re: TL2101]
#5229968 - 05/19/12 04:42 PM

Joe,
In a few well-chosen words you said a boatful! Thanks for the positive mini-review.

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