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A "portable" Dew Shield?


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It had always puzzled me WHY refractors seems to come complete with a comprehensive Dew Shield and Cats (especially Maks!) with none. On pursuing this, I found few reasons, aside from "tradition"! :D

But, in the spirit of "grab and go", I'm keen to avoid any "dead (death?) metal" weight and size. I'm wondering if anyone has any (fairly) novel ideas re. the "portative dew shield"? It occured to me e.g. that these might be "flat packed" - OR rather, gently "rolled up", around the scope, when in transit or stored away. Any thoughts on size, materials, (homebrew) construction methods etc. - Maybe even a commercial product? :D

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Portable/Flexible dew-shields are readily available, and in a variety of sizes, for around £25-£30.

These are usually made of thin flexible plastic and lined with black 'flok'.

They be stored as a flat sheet, and are usually secured with Velcro when 'rolled-up' for use.

I have seem DiY ones made from the thin sponge rubber mattresses, supplied by camping shops, for laying on the ground beneath a sleeping bag.

Hope this helps.

Dave

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That's the trouble with a lot of home-made dew shields; if they are long enough they can easily blow away or just fall off. My Orion Optics 140mm Mak has a very effective metal dew shield that screws into the tube. I've seen a very effective dew shield made out of a black plastic flower pot for a Chinese Mak.

I think it probably is "tradition" that explains why refractors usually have them while Cats and Maks usually don't. Cats and Maks have only been around for about 25 years while refractors have been made with sliding shields for more than 200 years. They were fitted to hand-held naval telescopes to keep the glare off the sun off the objective.

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