7 replies to this topic

[benjaminm]

My question is just what the title states. Do any of you with Celestron SCT have an opinion on which dew heater is the best?

 

I was originally looking at the Celestron Dew Heater Ring. Somewhere I'd seen concerns that it could damage the corrector plate. Is this a valid concern? Also would I have to switch it out when using my solar filter? (I know I don't need it for solar, but the lead wires are my concern will they conflict with the solar filter when installed?)

 

I've also been looking at AstroZap's Dew Heater Straps. It looks like they are back in production and the model I was considering is finally in stock.

 

With either of these options, do I need to consider a dew shield as well?

 

Lastly I've seen the AstroZap Dew Shields.

 

Do you have any other suggestions? What has worked the best for you?

Edited by benjaminm, 03 December 2024 - 09:15 AM.

[daveco2]

I have the Edge HD8 with Celestron dew heater, power controller, and shield.

 

The often reported problem with the Celestron heater is that when set too high, it changes the corrector configuration such that spike artifacts are induced in the stars.  I run mine at half power which

seems to control dew without star artifacts in the light dew area of Los Angeles.  I use the Celestron heater controller to supply power, attached on an aluminum extension forward of the scope for balance.

 

I like to use the stock Celestron scope cover without the shield in place, which required cutting out a notch to fit with the dew heater leads.  I imagine the same would have to be done with a solar filter.  Not a big problem.

 

I also like the Celestron dew shield because of its custom fit with the cables, and it snaps easily into place.  It comes with its own cover.  

 

I suppose a standard dew strap may work, but I have no experience with that approach.  It seems there is a rather long thermal path from the outside surface of the scope to the corrector plate, which may require fairly

high levels of power to achieve the required plate temperature.

Edited by daveco2, 03 December 2024 - 10:21 AM.

[DirtyRod]

Astrozap dew straps plus a dew shield on mine. Dew shield is much more important IMO and is all I need most of the time plus it provides protection from stray light.

 

The Astrozap straps work OK but, if I was buying today, I’d get the Dew Not straps I run on my other rig. Although I don’t need a lot of heat where I live, if I was in snow and needed more protection, I don’t think the Astrozap straps would get hot enough to heat the corrector through my metal dew shield. The dew not straps get noticeably warmer when you crank up the power.

[Patrick]

My question is just what the title states. Do any of you with Celestron SCT have an opinion on which dew heater is the best?

 

I was originally looking at the Celestron Dew Heater Ring. Somewhere I'd seen concerns that it could damage the corrector plate. Is this a valid concern? Also would I have to switch it out when using my solar filter? (I know I don't need it for solar, but the lead wires are my concern will they conflict with the solar filter when installed?)

 

I've also been looking at AstroZap's Dew Heater Straps. It looks like they are back in production and the model I was considering is finally in stock.

 

With either of these options, do I need to consider a dew shield as well?

 

Lastly I've seen the AstroZap Dew Shields.

 

Do you have any other suggestions? What has worked the best for you?

I've used an Astrozap Dew Shield with heater element on both my C11 and my Edge 8.  When the dew is thick, a heater is a necessity.  I see some people who just use a dew band and no shield, but I really think a shield and band work best together.

 

Patrick

[Mike Q]

My anti dew system is the Orion Dew Zapper.  It works pretty well.  I also run a dew shield to help block stray light.  If i had to buy a new system Kendrick, 1000 Oaks, and R Sky would definitely be looked at 

[Charles Funk]

I went with Kendrick for the controller/heater strips. AstroZap for the dew shield. Depending on your location, you will definately need the dew shield. Every time I say a dew shield and active heating should come with a new SCT, someone pipes up and says they don't need them... In rare cases, you might not. The rest of us, it's mandatory for a SCT.

 

The hidden cost of buying the SCT. I only bought one.

[Mike Q]

I went with Kendrick for the controller/heater strips. AstroZap for the dew shield. Depending on your location, you will definately need the dew shield. Every time I say a dew shield and active heating should come with a new SCT, someone pipes up and says they don't need them... In rare cases, you might not. The rest of us, it's mandatory for a SCT.

 

The hidden cost of buying the SCT. I only bought one.

I concur.  Active heating and a dew shield is a must where i am

[rrpallechio]

I went with Kendrick for the controller/heater strips. AstroZap for the dew shield. Depending on your location, you will definately need the dew shield. Every time I say a dew shield and active heating should come with a new SCT, someone pipes up and says they don't need them... In rare cases, you might not. The rest of us, it's mandatory for a SCT.

 

The hidden cost of buying the SCT. I only bought one.

I bought my SCT in May 2022 and got along just fine with only a dew shield until Oct. 2024. Then I started getting dew on my corrector plate. So I bought the Celestron dew ring and controller.