Best accessory

[lhuchison]

Can anyone tell me their best ,non-optic, accessory for star gazing? Just wondering as i,m starting out in the hobby and have bought a fair few bits and pieces!

[Mike73]

I think that learning astronomy would have been a lot harder if I didn't have my Telrad, best money I have spent since I started.

[Pug]

+1 for the telrad

[Helen]

Another vote for a red dot finder. Dew prevention stuff would come high up for me too as there's not much worse than not being able to view because everything is covered in water.

Helen

[Skybrowser]

Telrad and Stellarium!

[Joy]

The book 'Turn left at Orion'.

[iwatkins]

Quality travel mug for tea and a pair of Thinsulate boots.

[onesmallstep]

Apart from a flask of hot chocolate and a pack of shortbread fingers? That would be TLAO and the S&T Pocket Sky Atlas.

[swamp thing]

My Van.

[AlBoning]

One you get a lot of use out of ... an adjustable height chair.

[gurneyfan67]

Down warmup vest with lots of pockets.

[lhuchison]

Rigel Quickfinder, and insulated mug for me.

[Islander]

Another vote for Telrad here

[Bart]

mmmmm Telrad, yes, plus RACI finder.

Bart

[Thirdway]

Rigel finder, down jacket, Starwalk on iPad.

[dav1d]

My Android phone with google Sky Map & ' The Night Sky' apps for identification / guidance. 'Astro Panel' app for seeing conditions/ cloud cover. Built in 8MP camera for occasional shaky & opportunistic afocal shots.

edit: Also - bottle of wine and a large glass.

[ggreene1]

Tool box power supply for my Celestron 8SE. Made with a 7.2 ah 12 volt alarm battery. Charges by plugging into my motorcycle battery conditioner. No more need for AA batteries. I think over the years it will save me some $

[Katen]

Battery operated heated insoles from Maplins for those chilly nights when the cold seeps upwards! Especially as I had a tip off and got them at half price

[Cjg]

A set of wheels to drive to my local astro society; to observe from a dark sky site and in the company of more knowledgeable stargazers.

[Nibor]

My suggestions are:-

Ironing board perch for an observing chair

Pocket Sky Atlas

Astronomical Wonders of the Universe

Red dot finder

Warm clothing - including fingerless mittens

Good screening - to cut out neighbour's lights and any streetlights (observing from home)

Hope this list helps!!

[Tinker1947]

Telrad for sure.....

[pel]

Telrad.

[JamesM]

Telrad absolutely and dew control - both essential in my opinion.

James

P.S Stargazing Lounge's own Beanie hat - so toasty and far better than an electric wig!!!

[kiffy]

great thread for newbies like me.. the telrad sounds popular!

as i said im a newbie but i have to say google sky has helped me a lot

[SFlowers]

A torch with a red sweet wrapper tied over the end