First dew problems

[lhuchison]

I,m newish to astronomy and experienced my first case of heavy dew last night.

It was really good viewing so i was out there at 9.30 all set up. I haven't used my telescope dew shield since i got it last year.

then about 10pm couldnt see a thing through my telrad.

I wasnt sure how to clear it so i used the finder that came with the scope, which was clear of any dew.

Glad i didnt take the finder off when i bought the telrad. looks like i,m going to have to invest in a dew shield for the telrad, has anyone used one? are they effective?

[Mike73]

You can make one like this or if you have a power supply buy a Telrad heater like this.

I've tried the dew guards made by Telrad and they are probably the worst option.

[Daniel-K]

a small travel hair dryer also does the trick

[brucen]

I made a dew shield like the one in Mike's post and it seems fine. I got the neoprene from here: http://www.ebay.co.u...=item4606ff84b6 Cheap as chips!

[bobgunnis]

I thought because the Telrad doesn't magnify ofr anything, just a sight for aligning objects that the dew could just be wiped off with a dry sof tissue. Is this not the case and if I am wrong, I am sure this will soon be pointed out to me. I have made the telrad dew shiled as mentioned above but can still get some dew

[lhuchison]

Thanks for the useful replies.

I,ve downloaded the pattern for the homemade shield and used the link to the ebay supplier of 2mm foam.

What a great forum! problem solved, i hope!

[Lenny147]

I read about a person who just takes the glass off the Telrad and put it in his pocket until he uses it again

[brucen]

Thanks for the useful replies.

I,ve downloaded the pattern for the homemade shield and used the link to the ebay supplier of 2mm foam.

What a great forum! problem solved, i hope!

Don't forget you need some velcro pads to fix it to the Telrad.

[lhuchison]

Ordered small circular ones from ebay, sitting ready with my craft knife!

[Mike73]

I thought because the Telrad doesn't magnify ofr anything, just a sight for aligning objects that the dew could just be wiped off with a dry sof tissue. Is this not the case and if I am wrong, I am sure this will soon be pointed out to me. I have made the telrad dew shiled as mentioned above but can still get some dew

Yep I know some people just wipe the dew off with a tissue but I was never really happy that it cleared it enough.

The foam dew shield works until you get a heavy dew or you are out for a long night. I use my DIY foam shield if I'm just out for a couple hours.

If I'm planning a long night then I use a Telrad heater as I've found it's the only way to keep it completely clear. Only downside is you do need a power supply but you can see all the faint stars through the Telrad so less hunting around.