Jump to content

Banner.jpg.b83b14cd4142fe10848741bb2a14c66b.jpg

My new Skyshed POD

Dave Smith

By Dave Smith
in The Astro Lounge

Recommended Posts

Earl

Earl

Posted
Posted

I think these look great!

How much room is there to move about inside?

Bu call me paranoid (cue Black Sabbath riffs) but when i get an obsevatory id prefer mine to be a shedd looking as possible...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 47
  • Created
  • Last Reply
Dave Smith

Dave Smith

Posted
  • Author
Posted

How much room is there to move about inside?

There is plenty of space and with the bays there is no need for any clutter. When the scope is nearly horizontal it is a bit tight with binoviewers but manageable. With a single eyepiece there is loads of room. On the Altair Astro website is a picture with 23 people inside a POD. Reminds me of the "how many people can you fit in a telephone box".

Last night I discovered when closing up that the outside of the dome was covered in dew. I hadn't detected that from the inside even though the scope can "see" nearly 50% of the sky.

Dave

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Si W

Si W

Posted
Posted

Great job Dave :D , it looks the business, i need to sort myself out with an observatory of sorts, with all my kit setup, which take's about 30 min's, and a total weight of just over 100 pounds, it's not doing my Glass back any good, i think it's going to be a slidding roof shed, i like the dome very much, but i dont want to attract any unwanted attention.

Simon :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ampleamp

ampleamp

Posted
Posted

Congratulations on your pod Dave, looks the business and good taste in decor/colouring. I may have to weigh cost vs time to self build. Interesting point re dew, what about security, how do these thing lock and would you consider it reliable?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Dave Smith

Dave Smith

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Congratulations on your pod Dave, looks the business and good taste in decor/colouring. I may have to weigh cost vs time to self build. Interesting point re dew, what about security, how do these thing lock and would you consider it reliable?

There are two big locking bolts on the inside to lock the dome and the door is also locked. After the concrete thowing incident, I don't think smashing in is an option. I will remove scope, eyepieces etc whenever we go away. Household insurance will cover break in as long as it is locked. I expect anyone really determined will get in, just as they would in a house, but, not wishing to tempt fate, I am happy with the security.

Dave

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 8 months later...
  • 2 weeks later...
Dangerous-Dave

Dangerous-Dave

Posted
Posted

Dave, I have just put up my Pod on a deck and found your write-up very helpful.

Regarding spaciousness, I would say the Pod is 'bijoux' for taller people like myself, and the door is a bit of a 'limbo'. However my plan is to control the telescope remotely from my nearby conservatory, for which the pod is ideal.

The fact it qualifies as a temporary structure has allowed me to get around suffocating planning restrictions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Dave Smith

Dave Smith

Posted
  • Author
Posted
PS what size pilot holes did you use for the 1/2" coach bolts? :)

I used two lengths of coach screw as the thickness of the bays and wall units are different. I don't remember which size drill I used for the pilot holes, I just used a drill that looked right.

Dave

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MissMessier

MissMessier

Posted
Posted

I think the Skyshed Pod looks interesting. The only thing I don't like are the embossed depictions of stars on the interior. I think it looks somewhat ELC. I prefer the Alexander Observatories personally. I think they look more professional and are definitely more spacious, especially for all the equipment. Just a preference :-)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
stick

stick

Posted
Posted
Ooops! Gravel

blimey...youd have to be hard core to erect a Obs on a grave !!!

Great work though Dave, pod looks wicked

All i have is a six foot garden fence to block out the street lights !!

Stick

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Dangerous-Dave

Dangerous-Dave

Posted
Posted
I think the Skyshed Pod looks interesting. The only thing I don't like are the embossed depictions of stars on the interior. I think it looks somewhat ELC. I prefer the Alexander Observatories personally. I think they look more professional and are definitely more spacious, especially for all the equipment. Just a preference :-)

They're a bit naff, but let's face it having an 8 foot dome or roll off shed in your garden pigeon-holes you as a geek, so what's with a few stars? They also help reduce the weight of the dome and my kids like them.

Roll-off sheds and domes have their own range of pros and cons, but the benefit of the Pod for me is being able to dismantle it and take it with me if/when I have to move with work. And, as mentioned above, I live in a conservation area so can't put up permanent structures and the Pod is technically a wendy house.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Dangerous-Dave

Dangerous-Dave

Posted
Posted
I used two lengths of coach screw as the thickness of the bays and wall units are different. I don't remember which size drill I used for the pilot holes, I just used a drill that looked right.

Dave

:icon_eek: Eeek, I have just bought a load of 1/2" - 4".

Some useful advice I received on the Pod yahoo group was to hold up drill bits in front of a coach screw and choose the bit than obscures the core of the screw but leaves the threads visible.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Dave Smith

Dave Smith

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I also think the stars are a bit naff, but believe they are an important part of the structure to give the dome strength. They are at least only visible when the dome is open and that is mostly at night so are hardly visible.

One feature of this POD that I really like is that I am usually sitting under the half dome and am protected to a large extent from the open sky.

Dave

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Dangerous-Dave

Dangerous-Dave

Posted
Posted

The dome design gives excellent protection from the wind, which is a no-brainer for me, living on a hilltop in the North Pennines. In the gales last week my daughter's playhouse, made of similar moulded plastic as the pod, was flung across the garden but the pod never budged an inch. Inside the Pod it was an oasis of tranquility compared to the conservatory, or the house for that matter.

By turning the primary dome to face the prevailing wind, you can operate in some reasonably breezy conditions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.