TheSkySearchers

Does anyone know if a portable light screen product exists? I've found these so far.

https://shelter-systems.com/astronomica ... tarbubble/

https://www.nexdome.com/

https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-n ... servatory/

https://telescopes.net/explore-scientif ... -tent.html

But I had in mind more of a portable wall rather than a tent.

There are a bunch of threads over on CN from people who have built their own walls. but I have yet to see any commercial product that is similar. I had a setup at one point, but it never really worked built from PVC pipes and black cloth. I do not have it anymore.

I've thought about tents before, but I do not think that a dob would work in one - unless it had very low walls, thus defeating the purpose of the tent.

Hi !
This one seems good : Enjoy !

Have you thought of PVC pipe from Home Depot and a tarp from Harbor Freight? You can permanently glue the PVC together or not if you need to dismantle it. You can use duct tape to hold the tarp in place. Simple, quick, easy, effective.

KingNothing13 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 28, 2021 12:50 pm There are a bunch of threads over on CN from people who have built their own walls. but I have yet to see any commercial product that is similar. I had a setup at one point, but it never really worked built from PVC pipes and black cloth. I do not have it anymore.

I've thought about tents before, but I do not think that a dob would work in one - unless it had very low walls, thus defeating the purpose of the tent.

Fair enough. It wouldn't be for the Dob though.

Arsene37 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 28, 2021 3:29 pm Hi !
This one seems good :

Enjoy !

I also have a shotgun.

JayTee wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 6:45 pm Have you thought of PVC pipe from Home Depot and a tarp from Harbor Freight? You can permanently glue the PVC together or not if you need to dismantle it. You can use duct tape to hold the tarp in place. Simple, quick, easy, effective.

The site in question is only going to be in use for less than a year, so portability is a plus. I think that as I get older I'm becoming less of a DIY person. Lazy bones.

Have you considered welding screens? Something like this,

.

I am looking for something as well, the flimsy tents don't look great to me. Maybe a small observatory disguised as a trailer on my driveway...

PS There are some that come on wheels,

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view ... ajaxserp=0

SkyHiker wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 6:53 pm Have you considered welding screens? Something like this,

.

I am looking for something as well, the flimsy tents don't look great to me. Maybe a small observatory disguised as a trailer on my driveway...

PS There are some that come on wheels,

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view ... ajaxserp=0

I had no idea such things existed. I think that this is the ticket.... Thanks.

I have not come across anyone selling a portable wall though they are quite easy to make.

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 6:57 pm

SkyHiker wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 6:53 pm Have you considered welding screens? Something like this,

.

I am looking for something as well, the flimsy tents don't look great to me. Maybe a small observatory disguised as a trailer on my driveway...

PS There are some that come on wheels,

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view ... ajaxserp=0

I had no idea such things existed. I think that this is the ticket.... Thanks.

I'm finding that they come in various colors and are somewhat transparent. I'm wondering if red would be better than green? How transparent are they? I plan on visiting a welding supply shop tomorrow to see what I can see before placing an order with Amazon. The local welding supply shop won't sell to non industrial customers it seems.

They are quite transparent when looking through them, they are really just designed to block UV/ IR/ some white light in a shop environment (Arc flash prevention). Putting a black tarp over the frame would work better.

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Thu Sep 23, 2021 4:41 am They are quite transparent when looking through them, they are really just designed to block UV/ IR/ some white light in a shop environment (Arc flash prevention). Putting a black tarp over the frame would work better.

That's what I feared.

The towel over the head trick works as well. Not as comfortable in terms of viewing as a tarp, but better than nothing.

helicon wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 5:49 pm The towel over the head trick works as well. Not as comfortable in terms of viewing as a tarp, but better than nothing.

I tried last night with my black observing hoodie with mixed results. I'm thinking that a tarp or hunting blind might help at least with inadvertent loss of night vision.

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 6:18 pmI'm thinking that a tarp or hunting blind might help at least with inadvertent loss of night vision.

That is always my problem with extraneous light sources. My brain, for some reason, directs my eyes to look right at the light source destroying my night vision.
Bad brain!

JayTee wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 7:27 pm

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 6:18 pmI'm thinking that a tarp or hunting blind might help at least with inadvertent loss of night vision.

That is always my problem with extraneous light sources. My brain, for some reason, directs my eyes to look right at the light source destroying my night vision.
Bad brain!

I resemble, on occasion, a deer caught in the headlights.

I'm not too keen on the ES version in your OP links.

Whenever they first built the prototype, I was invited down there to have a look at it and critique it. In my opinion, it is configured more for imaging than observing. One side for the scope and the other side for a table and a laptop. Not really enough room in there for moving about if visual observing.

I've graduated from towel (though I still keep the towel on hand, always have your towel) to an inverted black t-shirt. I look like a Sith lord while wearing it, but I'm ok with that.

I've always thought this looked intriguing: EDIT: VERSARE Economical Portable Partition Room (search for this on Amazon, the link I pasted didn't not quite work so well).

Of course, if a breeze got up, you might have yourself a rodeo on your hands.

bladekeeper wrote: ↑Tue Sep 28, 2021 12:01 am I'm not too keen on the ES version in your OP links.

Whenever they first built the prototype, I was invited down there to have a look at it and critique it. In my opinion, it is configured more for imaging than observing. One side for the scope and the other side for a table and a laptop. Not really enough room in there for moving about if visual observing.

Yes, thanks for the confirmation. That had me a tad concerned.

I've graduated from towel (though I still keep the towel on hand, always have your towel) to an inverted black t-shirt. I look like a Sith lord while wearing it, but I'm ok with that.

To completely fool the the neighbors into thinking you are the Dark Sith Lord Emperor Palpitine I recommend: https://r-sky.org/en/products/observing-hood

They're also useful for Hallowe'en and the vest pockets are great for flashlights (red), eyepatch, and swapping eyepieces.

I've always thought this looked intriguing: EDIT: VERSARE Economical Portable Partition Room (search for this on Amazon, the link I pasted didn't not quite work so well).

Of course, if a breeze got up, you might have yourself a rodeo on your hands.

It does look intriguing. When there's a wind I almost always never observe because the seeing gets very bad very quickly.... I've got the link. Thanks.

notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Tue Sep 28, 2021 12:19 amTo completely fool the the neighbors into thinking you are the Dark Sith Lord Emperor Palpitine I recommend: https://r-sky.org/en/products/observing-hood

They're also useful for Hallowe'en and the vest pockets are great for flashlights (red), eyepatch, and swapping eyepieces.

I like the hood!

Might need to add these for full effect: https://fxcontactlenses.org/dark-side-c ... enses.html