My first journey to a Dark Sky Site!!

[trickytree]

Hi all

I've had my Skywatcher Heritage Flextube about a year now, and tonight I'm finally getting to take it to a dark sky site in the Peak District.

It's already blumming freezing and I know it's only going to get colder!!

When I use my scope at home, I plonk it on top of a water filled barrel, but obviously I can't lug that to the Peak District - do people even take scopes like that out into the field or are they really for backyards??

Any tips from anyone would be greatly appreciated!!

Gary

[mcsheffield]

Hi Gary,

I have taken our sky watcher 150p out into the Peak District a few times, and I would recommend that you wrap up well, and then some, also take a flask of a hot drink, you will need it, it gets damn cold out there!

Andrew

[Catweazel]

Hi Gary, what scope do you have? Do you have a mount & tripod for it?

[trickytree]

Hi

I have the Skywatcher Heritage Flextube - this is a totally basic question, but can it be attached to a basic camera tripod??

First Light Optics - Skywatcher Heritage 130p Flextube

[JamesM]

Hi and welcome to the forum

Clear skies

James

[glowjet]

Hi Gary and welcome to SGL, I think you may find a standard camera tripod will be flimsy for your Flexitube, if you have some DIY skills I would look toward constructing some form of stout wooden three leg collapsible table to take the place of you barrel, at about the same height, or if you know someone with a surveyors tripod, that would suit very nicely with some adaption

John.

[saturn4me]

Hi Gary and welcome to SGL!

[Tinker1947]

Welcome to SGL, Gary

[gingergeek]

Hi and welcome to SGL

[Bizibilder]

Hello Gary and welcome to SGL!!

[todd8137]

lol you want to try getting a 300p and its base in a car,plenty of pillows and cushions i take the big mirror out to transport it

[ScubaMike]

Hi Gary,

Welcome to the forums.

PM me, I may want to join you if you are fairly local to me.

[nightfisher]

welcome to the forum, how cold did you get?

[trickytree]

Wasn't as bad as I thought, had plenty of layers on, and hat, scarf and gloves, only snag was I only had trainers on as I have no boots, and my toes started feeling it first, but by then cloud rolled so it worked out ok!!

My mate got some good pics, although he doesn't rate them so they may never see the light of day.

[Rusty Strings]

Hi and welcome to SGL

[trickytree]

Hi Rusty, just looking at your list of kit. Do you have a pic of your Dob mount?

[swamp thing]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

My tip would be, save driving to dark sites until nearer the new moon, else you're just swapping LP for moon shine.

Regards Steve

[Orion_the_Hunter]

Hi & welcome!

[telesto]

hi and welcome to sgl

[Mr Spock]

Hi Gary, welcome to SGL

[lc8neal]

Welcome, and good luck getting some warm boots.

[trickytree]

Thanks!! Just ordered some from amazon for £18 .... got to be better than the flimsy trainers I had on anyway!! Will spray em up with water resistant stuff and see how I get on next time.

[queeniejo]

Hi Gary and welcome

Jo

[DaveT]

Hi and welcome matey!!!

Get some cheap base layers from sports direct under your clothes -- they are cheap at the moment as they are making room for summer stock. I got mega quality gloves for £1.50 as well, and a quilt type jacket for £6