Indispensable Kit?

[Mak the Night]

My Pellor (Red Light Astronomy Stargazing Tactical Hunter Defender 5 Modes protecting Dark-Adapted Vision) torch's rechargeable battery died as I was observing M42 the other night.

Luckily, I had a Sky-Watcher dark-adapted red light thingy as back-up and the Moon was at a bright 80% gibbous. It was my own fault as I'd forgotten to recharge it. It's now fully recharged and back to its effulgent self. I had forgotten just how useful it was.

Before acquired this Orion RACI nearly every review I read about right angle image finders stated that when you get one you will wonder how you managed before without it. I tend to agree.

This got me thinking, apart from the obvious, such as telescopes and the like, what are your indispensable pieces of kit? 

[triton1]

I definitely would not be without my Telrad best investment I ever made.

[Owmuchonomy]

My fur lined Crocs to keep my feet warm.

[Mak the Night]

I definitely would not be without my Telrad best investment I ever made.

Yes,  they have a good reputation. If I could figure out how to put one into a standard Synta foot I'd get one!

[Mak the Night]

My fur lined Crocs to keep my feet warm.

Yeah, that's important, especially in this weather.

[Beulah]

MK1 eyeballs...and warm clobber.

Stuff-wise, my 16" photon bucket.

[MartinB]

North Face McMurdo Parka

[Mak the Night]

MK1 eyeballs...and warm clobber.

Stuff-wise, my 16" photon bucket.

I can see a 16" photon bucket being pretty indispensable lol. I'm guessing Dob?

[Mak the Night]

North Face McMurdo Parka

Oh, they look good. I'm so tempted.

[LukeSkywatcher]

Its been so long since ive observed that i cant remember. I honestly havent had a scope outside since maybe late Feb/early March apart from my solar setup. I think i'll have to say that my Hershel wedge and solar filters are indispensable.

Maybe my 10x50 bins though. 

[Mak the Night]

Its been so long since ive observed that i cant remember. I honestly havent had a scope outside since maybe late Feb/early March apart from my solar setup. I think i'll have to say that my Hershel wedge and solar filters are indispensable.

Maybe my 10x50 bins though. 

I get out when I can, my disability precludes effective blitzkrieg-like grab'n'go sessions, I do have some vintage Carl Zeiss wide angle bins, unfortunately they are not easy to hold steady with only one good arm lol!

[kendg]

Pipeliner winter overalls and good winter boots. Sorrel Glacier prefered.

Toasty warm in the winter

[Wardr77]

My Pellor (Red Light Astronomy Stargazing Tactical Hunter Defender 5 Modes protecting Dark-Adapted Vision) torch's rechargeable battery died as I was observing M42 the other night.

Luckily, I had a Sky-Watcher dark-adapted red light thingy as back-up and the Moon was at a bright 80% gibbous. It was my own fault as I'd forgotten to recharge it. It's now fully recharged and back to its effulgent self. I had forgotten just how useful it was.

Before acquired this Orion RACI nearly every review I read about right angle image finders stated that when you get one you will wonder how you managed before without it. I tend to agree.

This got me thinking, apart from the obvious, such as telescopes and the like, what are your indispensable pieces of kit?

I have one of those pellor red lights, the flippin' thing's like a light sabre on max beam, I have to put my hand over the light even when set low otherwise even my day vision will be affected! Anyway in answer to your question... My woolley hat!

[Mak the Night]

Pipeliner winter overalls and good winter boots. Sorrel Glacier prefered.

Toasty warm in the winter

They certainly sound indispensable in winter.

[Mak the Night]

I have one of those pellor red lights, the flippin' thing's like a light sabre on max beam, I have to put my hand over the light even when set low otherwise even my day vision will be affected! Anyway in answer to your question... My woolley hat!

lol! Yeah, I often leave it on a ground sheet while I am sorting eyepieces and stuff out and the light is still strong enough to read by. I've also got a woolly hat.

[Astro Imp]

For a real cheap accessory, my eye patch.

[L8-Nite]

Seriously, ask anyone who knows me. 

[Mak the Night]

For a real cheap accessory, my eye patch.

Well, it's cheaper than getting a bino lol. Seriously though, an eye patch is a good idea.

[Mak the Night]

Seriously, ask anyone who knows me. 

Nice mug. 

[L8-Nite]

Nice mug. 

Only three in existence, and I know who have the other two.      

[Mak the Night]

Only three in existence, and I know who have the other two.      

Sounds like motor drives for EQ2 mounts, well, there's more than three of them in existence, but only about three probably work properly lol.

[Moonshane]

Yes,  they have a good reputation. If I could figure out how to put one into a standard Synta foot I'd get one!

but they come with a stick on foot?

[Moonshane]

My most indispensable things for observing are (in approximate order of importance):

Red light torch (I use a converted mini Maglite)

Star map (sky and telescope pocket atlas)

Red dot finder (I use Telrad, Rigel quikfinder and Baader skysurfer 3 - all great)

RACI finders (I have a 6x30 and a 9x50)

If you cannot point the scope at things you won't see them!

Observing seat - home made Denver type

I like comfort

[John]

Shane has made my post really simple - what he said !

[Mak the Night]

My most indispensable things for observing are (in approximate order of importance):

Red light torch (I use a converted mini Maglite)

Star map (sky and telescope pocket atlas)

Red dot finder (I use Telrad, Rigel quikfinder and Baader skysurfer 3 - all great)

RACI finders (I have a 6x30 and a 9x50)

If you cannot point the scope at things you won't see them!

Observing seat - home made Denver type

I like comfort

Yeah, that says it all. I'd be lost without a seat as well. But if you can't find your gear in the dark or you can't find your target, you really are in trouble. I still can't believe how I managed without an RACI.