tuckstar Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 (edited) Apparently these have been around sometime, but first I've seen of them. http://www.backyard-astro.com/equipment/skywindow.html Seems like a good idea if you are suffering with a bad back or just for ease of use. Maybe even an outreach tool. Not thinking of buying one, and looks like the manufacturers website is down so don't know how much! Edited April 6, 2015 by tuckstar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 They have been around for years and years. I've never used one but there was a person on SGL who used one all the time, he saw loads of stuff through it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Ibbo Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 I made one years ago its great till it dews up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithysteve Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 Hi Andy, in Novembers edition of SkyatNight magazine, in the Skills, 'How to' section, it shows how to make one of these. Basically, it's a stand to mount bins at approx 45 degrees, looking down to a tiltable 'front surface mirror'. The stand is rotatable and tiltable and will take 15x70 bins. The stand is made from wood and plywood and the mirror can be sourced from Vacuum Coatings (www.scientificmirrors.co.uk) for approx £25.00 It looks ok and should work. It certainly does exactly the same as the item on your web link... I don't know if you can get this on line, etc, but I do have a copy of the article if you wanted to make it etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuckstar Posted April 7, 2015 Author Share Posted April 7, 2015 (edited) Thanks Steve, I'm happy to get neck ache and I don't think it would be very practical for me. Just thought it was interesting. Edited April 7, 2015 by tuckstar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 I've got one similar. It's certainly useful (I use it with my Pentax 20x60) for observing towards the zenith (you try getting a tripod that will accommodate that sort of angle when your'e 6ft 5in). However... What it does do is amplify any issue of trying to find something when you not only have a very narrow FOV but are also looking in totally the wrong direction when you move away from the eyepieces. I modified mine with a laser pointer which reflects off the mirror - it helps to get you in the right area but isn't totally accurate. I did put a post up about that a while ago. http://www.eastmidlandsstargazers.org.uk/topic/4019-blue-peter-moment/ Alan Smithysteve 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithysteve Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 I've got one similar. It's certainly useful (I use it with my Pentax 20x60) for observing towards the zenith (you try getting a tripod that will accommodate that sort of angle when your'e 6ft 5in). However... What it does do is amplify any issue of trying to find something when you not only have a very narrow FOV but are also looking in totally the wrong direction when you move away from the eyepieces. I modified mine with a laser pointer which reflects off the mirror - it helps to get you in the right area but isn't totally accurate. I did put a post up about that a while ago. http://www.eastmidlandsstargazers.org.uk/topic/4019-blue-peter-moment/ Alan Hi Alan, I had a look at your laser mod and think it was a brill mod. Can you provide the lasers details or spec? I am thinking of making one of these, and I know some lasers are not up to it, cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledee Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 (edited) It is a bit more difficult to navigate when the bins give an upside down image due to the mirror. I bought this laser a while back for about £19 for a 50mw. It is pretty good. Best used with lithium batteries which don't die in the cold so easily. Seems to be out of stock right now... http://gy3.co.uk/products/green-laser-pointer Dangerous things though, can't be too careful with your eyes. Edited April 7, 2015 by Tweedledee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuckstar Posted April 7, 2015 Author Share Posted April 7, 2015 That's were I got my 50mw laser from. Had it for a while now with no probs. Obviously it eats batteries and doesn't like getting cold but the quality is good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 Hi Alan, I had a look at your laser mod and think it was a brill mod. Can you provide the lasers details or spec? I am thinking of making one of these, and I know some lasers are not up to it, cheers! Can't find the original paperwork, but I'm pretty sure it was this one http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/085mw-3v-green-laser-module-n02kh The end had a brass threaded collar (doesn't appear on the Maplin photo) which made mounting it in the box quite easy. One thing I would do differently is not use the alloy box. It had a tapered side which makes the alignment harder. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithysteve Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 Can't find the original paperwork, but I'm pretty sure it was this onehttp://www.maplin.co.uk/p/085mw-3v-green-laser-module-n02khThe end had a brass threaded collar (doesn't appear on the Maplin photo) which made mounting it in the box quite easy. One thing I would do differently is not use the alloy box. It had a tapered side which makes the alignment harder. Alan Thanks Al, I have looked at the link, cheers! Also, thanks Pete, safety thing noted! Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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