star party help/guidance

[EclipseDF]

1. What outdoor/indoor carpet is best to use for star gazing at star parties in the desert? I saw some online at lowes and home depot, any thughts or recommendations?

2. I was looking at purchasing these anti vibration pads, any good or others recommednations?

http://www.optcorp.com/meade-895-vibration-isolation-pads.html

3. I was looking at getting a scope cover for star parties, these are 2 i found, thughts, good/bad? Other ones youve used?

http://www.optcorp.com/telegizmos-365-series-cover-for-8inch-9inch-sct-s.html

http://www.optcorp.com/telegizmos-solar-cover-for-8-sct-s-on-alt-azimuth-mounts.html

Thanks, im using a celestron 8se scope.

dave

[damnut]

Hi Dave,

Thats a nice setup to be taking into the desert!

1. Any matting that is going to protect a dropped eyepiece! I use a cut up gym mat.

2. I do not use anti vibration pads, but there are other options that have been used such as washing machine isolators.

3. Good covers the Tele gizmo ones, either of those would be an excellent choice.

The only other thing I could think of is to keep the dustcaps on all open tubes, if the fine desert dust gets into your kit it will be a big cleanup!! At least you should not have to worry too much about dew as we do here in the uk!. Enjoy the trip, the desert skies should be amazing.

[EclipseDF]

Thank you damnut for the reply, much appreciated

Dave