I have just made a light shroud which I think is quite a simple yet effective design.
It is worn during observation at the eyepiece and is meant to keep out surrounding stray light.
Here are two photos, one showing the light shroud, and the other demonstrating how it is worn during observation:
http://www.singastro.org/album_showpage.php?pic_id=1004
http://www.singastro.org/album_showpage.php?pic_id=1005
How it was made:
1. I cut out a rectangular segment from an old black disused T-shirt. Basically, I cut out the bottom half of the T-shirt. The rectangular-shaped cloth being used measures about 12 inches by 30 inches.
2. Next, I sewed it (needle and thread) onto the baseball cap, leaving a 4-5 inch gap at the cap's front end (at the flap).
3. That's it.
I had at first bought a simple round-rimmed hat but found out that the rim got in the way of the telescope's tube and finder. I therefore cut-out the cloth and re-sewed it onto a baseball cap.
Basically, the baseball cap is worn back to front, so that the entire eyepiece area is surrounded by the cloth. The 5 inch gap over the cap's flap area allows for it to be worn easily and gives some amount of ventilation, and the baseball cap is worn front to front when using a binoculars during the day without obstructing the binoculars' view and allows one to see where one is walking.
This design allows it to be packed easy and put on quickly, without having to adjust the cloth.
Neat huh?!
Home-made light shroud for observation
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Well, ventilation seems pretty ok, though I have not used it for extended periods of time.
Perhaps I might make some small holes for more air circulation, but would try to do so in a way that minimises light entry. I think the advantage of the tailored shroud over a T-shirt alone is the ease of putting it on without having to make adjustments and the greater light cut-out.
Anyway, one almost looks like wearing some Afgan/Saudi burka with the shroud on! Now, isn't Acc's tagline "We do it in the dark"? This really darkens the surroundings.
Perhaps I might make some small holes for more air circulation, but would try to do so in a way that minimises light entry. I think the advantage of the tailored shroud over a T-shirt alone is the ease of putting it on without having to make adjustments and the greater light cut-out.
Anyway, one almost looks like wearing some Afgan/Saudi burka with the shroud on! Now, isn't Acc's tagline "We do it in the dark"? This really darkens the surroundings.