The £12 Question.

[Bazz]

OK got £12 left in my PayPal account, I was wondering between these options what would you pick as being the most useful I could spend it on:

Moon Filter

Light Pollution filter 

Newbie book of some description

Other...........

[Scott]

wait til you find something you actually want/need.

[Pete Presland]

Depends what equipment you already own really, type of scope ect...? Maybe a 2nd hand copy of Turn left at Orion.

[Garethr]

Baz

For £12 I would go for a book. Turn left at orion would be my target at about 15 quid on amazon

Can not see that any optical kit for £12 would be any good /use

Gareth.

[Alien 13]

Depends on what kit you have but I got a 12AH USB power bank for £8 that powers my EQ3-2 for days.

Alan

[Dom1961]

Sky and telescope pocket sky atlas from amazon

[Bazz]

Got Turn Left At Orion, still trying to figure it out LOL.

[brantuk]

Do you have a red head light? Places like Aldi or Liddl sometimes have them on sale at ridiculously cheap prices - or find them at fishing accessory outlets online. Or perhaps a pair of well insulated socks for those winter all nighters at the eyepiece. I use fingerless wollen gloves which  are dirt cheap, keep your hands warm, and leave finger tips free to use the focus knob, or attach dew bands, plug stuff in, loosen scope clutches etc.

Just a few ideas all related to astronomy but not specifically astronomy items within your budget range.

[Paul73]

If you have a smart phone or tablet, get SkySafari Pro. All the information you will ever need and invaluable in the field.

Paul

[cuivenion]

Depends on what kit you have but I got a 12AH USB power bank for £8 that powers my EQ3-2 for days.

Alan

Hi, do you have a link? Also what is it powering, goto, or dual axis drives?

[Alien 13]

Hi, do you have a link? Also what is it powering, goto, or dual axis drives?

I bought it from a local pound saver type store it has 2 outputs of 5V 1A and 5V 2A and is powering a single axis drive (6V one) but would probably be ok with the dual but not the goto.

If your mount runs ok on rechargable D cells (4.8V) it should work I did buy a second 4AH single output one and that works fine too.

Alan

[faulksy]

i wouldnt spend it on anything you mentioned. i would put it in the fuel tank and go somewhere dark, either that or a lamb vindaloo with mushroom pilau rice

[laudropb]

Save it for a rainy day.

[glowjet]

If you spend all your money, you will not have anything left for those little Astro emergencies

[Bazz]

Thanks for all the advice.

Decided put some money towards it and go with a Dew Shield from Flo. Some might say I would have been better making my own, but I think buying a purpose made shield for me looks better and as I spent all that money on equipment why not as it might save me from what could be a frustrating evening through Dew in my scope.

[Bazz]

This one:

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/dew-prevention/astrozap-flexible-dew-shield.html

[Charic]

Having a Dew shield on a 150P or my 200P is non-essential really, with the Primary mirror set so far down the tube, and if the mirrors do become too dewy,  surely it must be time to go inside?

I sense the  contrast is better ?  having a slightly longer tube, with my DIY dew shield, that is, when I remember to fit it?

For me, the importance is a dark site, so the dew shield and a blanket over my head helps keep my eyes from direct street light pollution. Sat inside the Dob-tent, achieving the same result. But best of all, leave the City for the darkest sites.

[Bazz]

Having a Dew shield on a 150P or my 200P is non-essential really, with the Primary mirror set so far down the tube, and if the mirrors do become too dewy,  surely it must be time to go inside?

I sense the  contrast is better ?  having a slightly longer tube, with my DIY dew shield, that is, when I remember to fit it?

For me, the importance is a dark site, so the dew shield and a blanket over my head helps keep my eyes from direct street light pollution. Sat inside the Dob-tent, achieving the same result. But best of all, leave the City for the darkest sites.

Looks like we are having a trip out to a dark sky site tonight.

[Bazz]

Having a Dew shield on a 150P or my 200P is non-essential really, with the Primary mirror set so far down the tube, and if the mirrors do become too dewy,  surely it must be time to go inside?

I sense the  contrast is better ?  having a slightly longer tube, with my DIY dew shield, that is, when I remember to fit it?

For me, the importance is a dark site, so the dew shield and a blanket over my head helps keep my eyes from direct street light pollution. Sat inside the Dob-tent, achieving the same result. But best of all, leave the City for the darkest sites.

Mate it's the wrong one anyway so cancelling.

[Bazz]

Are FLO open on Sundays?

[swag72]

They're internet based Bazz, so open 24/7, 365 days a year!!!

[Bazz]

Picking this up instead:

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-military-closed-cell-sleeping-mat-p143613

[cjdawson]

I'd recommend getting something like this.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zippo-Hand-Warmer-Non-Reflective-Black/dp/B005MIM8U0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441627259&sr=8-1&keywords=zippo+hand+warmer

I got a couple last year, made all the difference in the cold winter nights.  Actually, I used them for walking to work (I have raynauds phenomenon, which means really cold hands).  These hand warmers, last for ages and keep you warm (especially with one in each pocket).

Remember, it's all well and good having a lot of equipment, but if you don't look after yourself, you'll not want to use it!

[nicks90]

for £12 i'd buy some chocolate and maybe a couple of whisky miniatures!

makes a long observing evening much more enjoyable!

[Quacker64]

for £12 i'd buy some chocolate and maybe a couple of whisky miniatures!

makes a long observing evening much more enjoyable!

I'm partial to a single malt. No arguments from me.

Did you manage to find your dark site, Bazz?