Dew Control

[groberts]

Thoughts on dew prevention for Willam Optics GT81 and WO 50mm guidescope - strips & controller?

[nicoscy]

Kendrick Astro Instruments have everything you need. They do ship to UK.

This for the scope.

This for the finder.

This for the controller.

They also sell power packs and batteries, but I assume this particular item (battery) you can source from the UK much cheaper (or maybe not - just browse the website).

[Tinker1947]

FLO sell various types of Dew Heaters, Controllers....

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/dew-prevention/astrozap-dew-heater-tapes.html

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/dew-prevention/hitecastro-four-channel-four-port-dew-controller.html

[oldpink]

I have very bad Dew issues I planned on a 4 way controller and 4 straps

two for the ED 80 and two for the ST 80, with the plan to have one around the lens area on each
and then another near the Flattener / camera's to stop them Dewing up
may be overkill but when I removed my flattener the other night it was soaking with drips of water running down it

[groberts]

OK thanks but how effective are they, particularly with the WO GT81?

[groberts]

I have very bad Dew issues I planned on a 4 way controller and 4 straps

two for the ED 80 and two for the ST 80, with the plan to have one around the lens area on each

and then another near the Flattener / camera's to stop them Dewing up

may be overkill but when I removed my flattener the other night it was soaking with drips of water running down it

Don't like the sound of that. Mine is a similar set-up + hadn't considered the field flattener.  What dew equipment have you got / are thing of getting?  

[oldpink]

any glass surface can and will dew up
I'll be getting the straps & controller from FLO linked above

[groberts]

Addendum: without hopefully detracting form my original query - is there an easy way to determine the onset of dew - I was thinking of a wet & dry thermometer? 

[oldpink]

some weather sites list dew point temps, I tend to start getting issues anywhere below 8 deg
esp if its damp (typical winter nights) and even had my 200 tube actually frost up all over
and both primary & secondary mirrors totally fogged out

[Tinker1947]

Addendum: without hopefully detracting form my original query - is there an easy way to determine the onset of dew - I was thinking of a wet & dry thermometer? 

Your Finger....