IYA2009 - Galileoscope

jermng · Post by **jermng** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 12:50 am

I think the scope looks nice!!

Now thinking maybe my office needs a scope ... haha ...

michaelang · Post by **michaelang** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 8:55 pm

Airconvent wrote:It looks cute to me. What do you mean the mount is fixed? You mean it can't be rotated in azimuth or do you mean the OTA cannot be removed from the forkarm? But fren, its only $149. That's a lot of scope for this price...

BTW, now we all know why there are rain clouds these past few days !

it can be rotated. but cannot be removed. Is this something i need to put in my drybox?

haven't had a chance to try it outdoor yet.. only try from my flat window.. can see ntg... been raining since... thus all the clouds.. brats!

u mean it is really cheap? hehehe
once i get used to it, maybe upgrade to a better one... i like the reflector type

Post by **Airconvent** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:27 pm

$149 cannot complain lah.
But in Singapore's humid weather if you leave it out, fungus may grow on the mirror. Best to put it in a drybox or a large tupperware container with some thirsty hippo. [smilie=admire.gif]

jermng · Post by **jermng** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 1:18 am

I'm confused .. .did u buy the refractor that's on Astrobargains also, or did u get the one thats in the link? I'm thinking of dropping by Sci Ctr to take a look tmr ...

michaelang · Post by **michaelang** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:18 am

jermng wrote:I'm confused .. .did u buy the refractor that's on Astrobargains also, or did u get the one thats in the link? I'm thinking of dropping by Sci Ctr to take a look tmr ...

i bought the one i put in the link from the Science Center shop...
brand is Celestron FirstScope.

Can i ask you guys who you keep your huge telescope humid free? It's certainly too big for most Drybox... and tupperware boxes...

And btw, thristy hippo won't work well...as water will collect in the hippo and in the long run work against the protection...

other than buying a huge electric drybox and use tonnes of silicon gel.. what are the other options?

Thinking if do get a bigger telescope, what is the best way i should store it.

Thanks

jermng · Post by **jermng** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:36 am

One way Weixing will tell u is - dun need to have dry box if you use it every day and let the air circulate.

You can put in air con room and in cupboard with thirsty hippo .... and then put silica gel in a film canister, poke holes and stuff it in your EP holder ...

It will help a lot, but of course, will not be better than a real dry box.

Zephyrus · Post by **Zephyrus** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 8:40 pm

michaelang wrote:Can i ask you guys who you keep your huge telescope humid free? It's certainly too big for most Drybox... and tupperware boxes...

And btw, thristy hippo won't work well...as water will collect in the hippo and in the long run work against the protection...

other than buying a huge electric drybox and use tonnes of silicon gel.. what are the other options?

Thinking if do get a bigger telescope, what is the best way i should store it.

Thanks

Hi Michael,

One way is to use it everyday like what weixing says, so no need for dryboxes. Or you can use my way. I got a big camera bag to keep my 5" mak in, then I threw in a big thirsty hippo. It's working rather well and I only change the thirsty hippo once every few months, and for my eyepieces and optics, I place it together with the drybox I got for my binoculars in the past. The drybox only costs like $20+ and for maximum dryness, throw in a big thirsty hippo.

The thirsty hippo I use is the one that can collect a lot of water, I think around 500ml. It takes up some space, but it's worth it since it can last really long inside a drybox. I threw one into my drybox about 6 months ago, and until now, it's not even 1/5 full, and my drybox is always at 30% humidity level.

Also, since you mentioned about water collecting in the hippo and ruining the protection... you're mistaken. The cloth-like material that the hippo has, is actually waterproof from the inside. You can put it upside down, and no water will come out. I tried it on a fully filled thirsty hippo, and no water leaks from it. It doesn't ruin the protection, so yup.

Regards,
Zane

Post by **Airconvent** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:05 am

Here's a nice video on the Celestron firstscope.
Just realised its a tiny 76mm aperture only but it does not very sturdy and the video makes a very good job of selling it!

http://www.celestron.com/c3/page.php?PageID=25

mandaragit · Post by **mandaragit** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 8:27 pm

Hi guys,

I just got my galileoscope (my very first telescope) from Joo Beng (thanks by the way) the other day! First time that I saw Jupiter and it's moons! Can't wait to look at Saturn! I am using a very lightweight camera tripod and I must say it's very shakey, any suggestions for a cheap mount/tripod for this scope (budget under s$100

)? Many thanks in advance!

Post by **Airconvent** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 12:07 am

Hi
I got mine yesterday too! I did a quick entry and exit from his house as I came from work and was reeking in perspiration...very paiseh. So tempted to stay and ogle as his wide range of stuff!

Anyway the scope's quality is pretty good. I managed to put it together without additional instructions but as per Joo beng's recommendation, I do agree for you to go to the website to download the more detailed instructions especially the orientation of the lenses.

Overall a very solid scope for the price (of course don't compare with Takahashi or Televue lah!) There is even a galileo mode where you can view the scope as what poor Galileo saw. it was such a tiny FOV it was amazing he could see anything but of course, his skies were much better than what we hve today too. I tried the scope on a car park sign plate. Wanted to try it on the moon just now but sky not that great....oh well...

Highly recommended if you want a cheap starter scope.