Here is the place to talk about all those equipment(Telescope, Mounts, Eyepieces, etc...) you have. Not sure which scope/eyepiece is best for you? Trash it out here!
During the recent Toa Payoh Library talk by Gary, I revisited this cute little scope which was compact and easy to use. It has been around some time but this is the first time I saw it in the flesh.
Image Courtesy of Weixing
But then I recall seeing something bigger and dug out this Skywatcher truss dob with a similar approach for around S$360 which is pretty affordable. Do check it out. It has a larger 130mm aperture which is important since aperture wins in astronomy.
"The importance of a telescope is not how big it is, how well made it is.
It is how many people, less fortunate than you, got to look through it."
-- John Dobson.
Looking at it, the tube seems to be pretty deep unlike the usual truss dob design where the mirror is easily seen from the exterior.
Unfortunately I believe Skywatcher does not sell shrouds for their dobs...
I think the shroud can be DIY using the disposable arm covers sometimes used by people who do not want to get their arms wet. Not sure if those neighbourhood medical supplies sell them or not. But this scope certainly looks interesting. It's like having close to a 6" dob but half the weight and size. Not so intimidating to bring out for sidewalk sessions. Definitely, there would be bigger, better scopes. But then, end of the day, this is the closest one can get having a portable "Light bridge" dob!!
If you want a shroud, you'll need to make a pair of bands to hold the shroud away from the light path: This is because with a 3 strut design, the shroud will form a triangle if applied tautly to the struts. This will intrude into the light path thus reducing your effective aperture. Shouldn't be difficult, just some plastic bands, or cut a correctly sized pipe/bucket or even just loop a suitable length of cane (and you kids will rejoice...) The cover with some black material/fabric.
One possible alternative is to get black artwork stiff board from Popular or other places sicne they hold their shape. Won't be pretty, but it will work
"The importance of a telescope is not how big it is, how well made it is.
It is how many people, less fortunate than you, got to look through it."
-- John Dobson.
Eh...bought liao The delivery fee from UK is very siong!! Expected delivery date is by 11 Jan 2013. Now cracking my head over where to store it in my flat..
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"The universe is composed mainly of hydrogen and ignorance." 
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The delivery fee from UK is very siong!! Expected delivery date is by 11 Jan 2013. Now cracking my head over where to store it in my flat.. ![[smilie=dead.gif]](./images/smilies/dead.gif "dead")
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