Dew shields ..... Help!

[Ronseal]

Hi all, just had the scope out (skywatcher 150P) and after aligning & allowing to cool went out for some observing of the moon & to catch Jupiter.

After realising I'd taken the finder out the previous night it was no where near alignment - so just point at moon and Jupiter & find them no probs (well chuffed as saw jupiters bands).

After a while I started getting moisture on the eyepiece - removing it & wafting it around didn't change things so I swapped it until that went the same way.

I then thought I'd do a rough alignment of the finderscope on Betelguese but again couldn't see a thing as covered in moisture.

I allowed at least an hour to cool down, ep's aswell, so what can I do?

Are there dew shields for ep's or heated ones?

How should I store them? Currently with caps on the tripod tray.

Any suggestions would be most welcome

Chris

[Glider]

Yes, there are such things as dew tapes for EP's. Are you sure you are not accidently breathing heavily on the cold glass as you look through the EP.

A 12V hair drier is a noisier solution!

[oldfruit]

Hi Chris, to be honest you need to take the scope to cool down but not the eyepieces. Not in my experience anyway. I always take the eyepieces out with me when the scope is ready and have never found it to be an issue.

Hope this helps.

Mark.

[Bizibilder]

Keep 'em in your pockets (in a plastic bag to stop dust & stuff!) and you body warmth will keep the dew at bay. Or use a "flight case" - it will retain enough "warnth", if you keep the lid closed, to do the same.

[Ronseal]

Thanks guys, I'll try the ep's in the pockets as a starter, any ideas on the spotting scope? (although if i get to use setting circles correctly i shouldnt need it!?)

[Bizibilder]

You will probably need to reset the finder each time you set up the scope - find a bright star in the scope and then align the finder - it is thes "set" for that session. I wouldn't bother with the setting circles as they are next to useless!! Far too small and poorly mounted - they will probably "wobble" 5° when locked!!!