80 replies to this topic

[Matt0011]

For anyone going out to dark sites, here's my flashlight setup recommendation. It's red light only so you don't have to worry about accidentally hitting a white light button, and it's dimmable. You can use the headband to wear it when you need both hands, and you can easily take the headband/flashlight off your head to hold and point at the ground while walking around.

 

Flashlight

https://www.amazon.c...e?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Flashlight Headband

https://www.amazon.c...e?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Rechargeable Batteries

https://www.amazon.c...le?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

Battery Charger

https://www.amazon.c...le?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

 

If you use a bright, non-dimmable LED headlamp please understand that you are probably annoying like 99% of the people around you.

 

I also recommend using small pieces of black electrical tap to cover anything that emits light, on things like: power supplies, mounts, cables, power strips, etc. 

 

And use sheets of this, 2 or 3 layers if you need to, to cover screens:

https://www.amazon.c...e?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Just cut an oversized sheet and tape it down.

Edited by Matt0011, 12 September 2024 - 03:14 PM.

[Skywatchr]

Celestron also has a dimmable red light...

 

https://www.amazon.c.../dp/B0000665V5/

 

Cellophane is not dark enough so a red gel used for photography would be much better to cover LCD displays with.  Something similar to this should work fine.  But search for others too to find what you are most comfortable with.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ9C1MMF

[George N]

Just curious, does anyone think the lights are Cherry Springs are getting a bit out of control? The observation field looked like an airport runway, and I was blasted by extremely bright red headlamps multiple times.

 

It's all part of the "fun at star parties" *experience*......  

 

If you are referring to the recent BFSP 'period' - you have to expect some 'compromise' when you squish that many people into the area - at pretty much the "carry capacity" for astronomers (many of whom are newbies - and just don't know).

 

It seems that modern equipment setups of all types are really a mashed-together 'system' of separately purchased components - and each maker feels a need to add a 'red led' off/on light to their 'unit' - be it dew control box or hand control or DSC box or ..... - and maybe other "function lights" too. Many modern set ups include control with a cell phone or tablet too, meaning more lights for others to see in the dark - This even includes modern 'simple' Push-To visual scopes.

 

There are acceptable head lamps and good astro flashlights. We really need one of the major astro magazines to write a feature article covering the options - 'do this, not that' - sort of article -- and we need the vendors to do a better job of providing what is after all a relatively minor piece of gear. Is there a 'beginners' book' that covers this in a comprehensive way?

 

.....and then we can argue over which is better ~~  red light or amber light......   

Edited by George N, 13 September 2024 - 09:10 AM.

[Skywatchr]

It's all part of the "fun at star parties" *experience*......  

 

If you are referring to the recent BFSP 'period' - you have to expect some 'compromise' when you squish that many people into the area - at pretty much the "carry capacity" for astronomers (many of whom are newbies - and just don't know).

 

It seems that modern equipment setups of all types are really a mashed-together 'system' of separately purchased components - and each maker feels a need to add a 'red led' off/on light to their 'unit' - be it dew control box or hand control or DSC box or ..... - and maybe other "function lights" too. Many modern set ups include control with a cell phone or tablet too, meaning more lights for others to see in the dark - This even includes modern 'simple' Push-To visual scopes.

 

There are acceptable head lamps and good astro flashlights. We really need one of the major astro magazines to write a feature article covering the options - 'do this, not that' - sort of article -- and we need the vendors to do a better job of providing what is after all a relatively minor piece of gear. Is there a 'beginners' book' that covers this in a comprehensive way?

 

.....and then we can argue over which is better ~~  red light or amber light......   

You had to be there George to see what we mean.  Many people literally had super bright LED arrays, not just the normal one or two "extra bright" LEDs.  They would literally blind you from across the field! Way, way, WAY overkill.

 

Very similar to these, but not these in particular...

 

https://www.amazon.c...s/dp/B00OBTK4LQ

[impreza276]

Dob Alley further down Milky Way Blvd was quite dark. Astro Quarter, nearer the entrance, was full of bright red lights. Everyone seemed to be happy enough in their section.

[Skywatchr]

Dob Alley further down Milky Way Blvd was quite dark. Astro Quarter, nearer the entrance, was full of bright red lights. Everyone seemed to be happy enough in their section.

You must not have heard all the grumbling going on.