To cover or not to cover?

[eccentric]

Ok so i am hoping on getting a Flextube Dob in (maaaybe) the next few days and was wondering how do i protect it? I have found a site (Widescreen Centre) that sells covers for them. I am planning on keeping the actual scope in my room, and then mount in the garage. Tho what i am worried about is that with the scope in my room, my room is rather small and would be next to a heater, Is this ok? I dont want to damage the thing!! So basically just do i need to cover it, If so do i need to fork out as much as £70 for a cover or will something else suffice and will it be ok living infront of a heater!!!

[GazOC]

Can you keep the scope and mount in the garage?

[eccentric]

i indeed could, though stuff gets really damp in there so i would worry about it alot!! i assume in this case i would need a cover?

[GazOC]

I've had my Dob in a shed with just the plastic aperture cover on for a few years now with no ill effects, its nearer ambient temperate so it cools down quicker as well.

[eccentric]

plastic aperture cover? :shock:

[kniclander]

i think gaz just means the cap that goes on the end. i keep my scopes in shed. best place - no cooldown time

[FLO]

If you are going to leave your scope covered for a prolonged period take care that it has fully dried first. Scopes are often dripping with dew after an observing session.

I do like the look of those Telegizmos scope covers. I think the Widescreen Centre have a UK exclusive otherwise they'd be at FLO for sure!

[eccentric]

yeah those were the ones i was looking at, just a tad expensive at £70 ! Where can I get one of the caps? or do they come with the scope?

[FLO]

The scope comes with one cap.

[ZOG]

Whoa, I had been looking at one of these but for a fiver ????

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.202-7977.aspx

My order is going in now.

EDIT, I ordered 2, I'm sure theres the makings of a light shroud in one of these.

Oh, my 12" Flextube came with 2 caps

[acey]

I keep my Flextube in the garage and wouldn't want to bring it into a warm room after an observing session because of dewing. The primary should be protected by the pretty-much airtight base lid but the secondary is exposed to air via the gap between upper and lower cages. I have the Astrozap shroud which stays on when the scope is collapsed and would probably be sufficient to prevent secondary dewing when bringing the scope inside but I haven't had a chance to test this properly yet. A scope is best kept as close to outside temperature as possible.