13 replies to this topic

[JayinUT]

Okay, I have headed out a few times and am finding as I am getting older, it is good for me to have a checklist. This link shows the one I updated tonight. It's a simple Google Doc.  I don't load everything up but it is still good to have one I think. Anyone else do this or is this just me making sure I'm not forgetful was I get older? 

 

This is what it looks like if you don't want to take a look.

 

[WISDOC]

Nice check list, Jay. Mind if I print it and use it if I ever leave my yard with my scope ? My ad10 stays home. My Orion Starblast 2 lives in our travel trailer with all of it's accessories so everything is right there. Was thinking of loaing the ad10 up and going up the oad a couple miles to a friends field. It may be a little darker but I doubt it. Be nice to view from a different location sometimes. That check list would be handy.

 

  Thanks for sharing.

 

 Clear skies and keep looking up. Doc

[Inkie]

I try to keep my scope-of-the-day kit to as few pieces as possible so that I don't forget.  I think I'll probably run into trouble some time in the future, and such a list will be helpful. Meanwhile, I keep on eyepiece case that also includes the diagonal for the scope in question, spare CR3202 batteries, my charged hand warmers, my headlamp, etc.  I also pack a table with drawer that contains all my plasticized maps.  And of course, some kind of a perch, and the powerpack for the scope drive.  I have yet to forget anything from that short list, including whichever scope I'm going to use.

 

On time, though.....it's gonna happen....and I'll be greatly miffed.

[TayM57]

I had to use a checklist a few weeks ago as I prepared for a star party. However, your list is interesting in that you separately list the cell and bearings.

[SoCalPaul]

Anyone else do this or is this just me making sure I'm not forgetful was I get older? 

I've been using checklists for every hobby and pursuit since... well, a long time now.

 

I have one similar to yours except it's in Google Sheets, not Google Docs.

 

Without checklists, I am quite certain I would forget at least one thing on every outing. Heck, I forget things even with them.

 

Clear skies,

Paul

[JimK]

. . .. Anyone else do this or is this just me making sure I'm not forgetful was I get older? 

. . .

I have used observing gear checklists for well over a decade. I have one for a long evening at a distant dark site, another for a week-long star party, another for outreach events (actually two, one for night and one for solar [projection] ). They have often ensured that I have what I need, or may need, for away-from-home observing.

 

You are definitely not alone in doing this.

[NiteGuy]

What, you only have 1 checklist??? I now lay claim to 3. If I add any more than that, I'll need a check list for my checklists.

[Astro-Master]

I pack my scope, eyepieces, books and charts, and all my camping gear if I get two or more clear nights in a row, and my list is quite a bit longer including what food I'm going to bring, cooking supplies, 5 gallon jug of water, a shovel, and a jump starter if my battery goes south. 

 

It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.  Some of the places I camp have no cell service and would be hard to find in the desert.

[jcj380]

AirBNB checklist
Tent camping checklist
Dark site Astro checklist

Used in whatever combination is needed. Binos always go, no matter where I’m heading.

[JayinUT]

I need to add my shovel to the list, thanks for that reminder. Binos are always in the car, stored safely for if I need them for star gazing or to look at animals or other stuff that can happen in the West Desert of Utah or the mountains here. 

[Bill Weir]

Binos are always in the car, 

Only one pair? At times I have up to five. Four are permanent, 10X40 birding (also for collimating), 10X50, 15X70 and small 10X25 fitted with solar filters. In my hiking/foraging tiny shoulder bag are a really nice pair of 8X20 folding Minolta, so most of the time that’s in the car too. 

 

There has been only once I’ve forgotten something and that was about a decade ago when I forgot the poles for my 20”. I was rushing to get to a star party fare getting home from work on a Friday afternoon. It was only about a 1.5hr round trip so not bad. Even managed to slip onto the property and get away without my wife noticing. Funny how a decade later still while packing the car, “don’t forget the poles” still goes through my head.

 

Bill

[JayinUT]

Note the word binos was plural. I have about 3 in my car. I forgot one pole once on my 17.5”. I was all ready and as I went to attach the Truss Poles I realized I was missing one. That is why I was glad I had 3 sets of binos in car.  That is why I also have a list. 

[areyoukiddingme]

I leave a checklist in my car for night I go out.

 

It has saved me a couple of times from doing something stupid, like leaving behind my Portaball poles, or my collimator.

[Jon Isaacs]

An interesting question...  I do not use a checklist when loading up to head out to dark skies..  This how it works for me.

 

At home in San Diego, I have most of room we call the "scope room."  I have two Dobs in San Diego, three in the high desert.  They rarely travel unless we are going somewhere in the motor home.  They are generally assembled but if they are disassembled, everything is together. I have two chairs in the high desert, one at home, they don't travel.

 

My refractors each have a case and are ready to go, complete with diagonal and their own finder.  I have a main eyepiece case, that has a complete set of eyepieces from the 28mm UWA to the 3.5 mm Nagler, the Paracorr 2, my deep sky filters, a Barlow.  I have a tool box with all my telescope tools, including my collimation tools, spare batteries for everything, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.  My additional eyepieces are organized as sets, they are always in their case when not in use.  I have bag with binoculars and miscellaneous stuff.  I have a leather camera bag, my SQM and SQM-L are here plus some overflow eyepieces.  I have a case with nuts and bolts, larger tools, extra Teflon, holes saws.. The cases are all on a large storage shelf.  

 

Some stuff always goes. Some stuff I decide on when I am ready to load.  Before I begin loading, I put everything on the floor in the middle of the room, the refractor(s) I am taking, the tripods, the eyepieces, the finder(s) etc etc.  Once it's there, I check it out, I look at the shelves to see if I have forgotten anything.  And then I begin loading the truck.

 

In the back of the truck is a large cardboard box, 24" x 36" and probably 18 inches tall. When not in use, it folds flat.  When I start loading, I begin the same way each time. First are the tripods. I wrap them individually in blankets.  Next I load the box starting with the main eyepiece case and the parts case. Between them go the tool box with the collimation tools.  It is always the same and always just like that.  If I have just that plus a finder, I am set. I have everything I really need. This is consistency is a check list of sorts.

 

Next come the binos bag, the leather camera bag, the finder(s), refractor(s) and additional eyepiece cases... 

 

When I am done loading, I look around the scope room to see if I have forgotten anything.  

 

 

Not having to move my Dobs and chairs back and forth simplifies things.  The organized loading of the truck means I will have what I need and anything I forget, it won't be something critical.

 

Jon