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Dew heater strip


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Hi. 

I have a sw 127mm maksutov telescope and have been getting up early mornings to view the planets however, the dew is problematic so purchased a dew sheild to good effect. My main worry is the colder winter nights and currently looking at purchasing a dew heater strip but cannot find any information in regards to switching the dew heater strip on before taking the scope outside and do you leave it switched on when bringing it back indoors. I would kindly appreciate any advice please. 

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It helps if it's on prior to dew forming as it'll allow the heat to conduct into the glass, but you can switch it on whilst outdoors and leave it for a bit to warm up. If you bring a cold scope into warmer indoors then by all means keep it on, I tend to leave the scope in cooler indoor settings without the dew straps on unless it's freezing temps outside and allow them to equalise naturally.

Edited by Elp
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I'd leave to off as any moisture might condense if covered, once dry you can then blow the front off with a manual air bulb blower if it's a glass objective then cover up.

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You might want to buy a heated dew shield as opposed to a dew band as your existing dew shield will cover the position of the front meniscus lens where the dew band needs to go. I don’t know if placing the band further back will have the same effect. On bringing the scope indoors I used to remove the heaters and cap and point the scope downwards until the morning. Then just blow the meniscus lens with an air blower and replace the cap.

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Hi Bosun21

Thank you for your reply 

I have been looking at the all in one heated dew sheild on FLO and will give it some thought as it makes a lot of sense and I noted good reviews from people using them. I have been religiously blowing front lens prior and after but will also try with scope pointing downwards. Thank you for the advice. 

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You point it downwards to ensure that any moisture doesn’t ingress into the optics. I used to use the heated dew shield and it kept the dew at bay even on the worst nights. It will also prevent the meniscus lens from freezing over in winter.

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