Astrozap light shroud for Skywatcher FlexTube

[Mark at Beaufort]

I have a 10" FlexTube and I would like an opinion on the Astrozap light shroud. I understand that it helps contrast and dew forming on the secondary.

I am sure that a number of you have purchased this item so what is your opinion.

mark

[dark knight]

Make your own, it's much cheaper. We used neoprene, the stuff diving suits are made from, took about 20 mins to make...

[MikeP]

Hi Mark,

I have a home-made light shroud for my FlexTube. A fellow SGLer has a talented wife and while she was making one for him, she made one for me too.

However, it turned out that my FlexTube had slightly differently positioned knobs on the upper housing, which did not line up with the eyelet holes on the shroud.

The Astrozap shroud on FLO's website is fitted onto the FlexTube with a black tube. If yours has a white tube (like mine) the shroud may not fit.

A shroud is well worth having.

Mike

[Mark at Beaufort]

Thanks Mike

Yes mine is the original white tube so I am grateful for that information also the fact that it is worth having. If I decide to buy, rather than make, (thanks Dark Knight) then clearly I will chat with Steve first.

Mark

[John]

I purchased an Astrozap shroud from First Light Optics for my Lightbridge 12" dob - nicely made and did it's job very effectively.

John

[Doc]

I have one for my 16" dob Mark and it's well made and fits perfectly. It does help with contrast and stops light scatter as for stopping dew the jury is out on this one, as my secondary still dewed up badly until I installed a secondary heater.

[ZOG]

I use the Asrozap on my 12" flextube and it really does help with thee LP.

With a home made camping mat dew shield in place I haven,t had a dew problem.

[Saturnalia]

With a home made camping mat dew shield in place I haven't had a dew problem.

Are there any articles on how to do this - what glue to use or whatever...?

TIA

Clear skies

[dark knight]

We used Velcro to join the neoprene together to form a tube the same diameter as the telescope tube, to use just wrap it around the tube and the velcro along the 2 edges stick together to form a tube around the trusses..

HTH

Carl

[Saturnalia]

Thanks DK - was the velcro stitched to the foam mat...?

[dark knight]

The Velcro has a sticky backing, however to play safe we stitched it too..

[Saturnalia]

OK - thanks.

[brantuk]

I have the 300p flextube (12") and the astrozap shroud. It fits perfectly and very effective at blocking stray light from security and street lights. I like it but think it's overpriced for what it is - so maybe making one is a good alternative. It doesn't help as much as I'd like with dew - I intend to get dew heaters when budget allows.

[durr]

Please note that what you see in the photograph on FLO is not what you get. Astrozap now sell the 10" shroud with only one band in the middle and they are definitely not worth the money. Steve