Telegizmos 365 Telescope Cover - Review after two years!
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- Опубликовано: 2 авг 2024
- I use the Telegizmos 365 telescope cover to keep my equipment (OTA, telescope mount, astro camera, filter wheel, electronic focuser, guide-scope, guider, etc.) always fully setup on my roof balcony - and this in the very humid Tokyo weather! 2 years down the road, what are my feelings about this cover? Watch to find out!
Here is the Telegizmos website
www.telegizmos.com/365%20Cover...
And if you feel like supporting me, an affiliate link to Telegizmos covers on OPT:
bit.ly/2ZGZm0o
(Also I mention evaporation / dew at some point in the video - of course dew can and will happen without any rain, as long as the air is humid. It can just be exacerbated after rain.)
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I bought the same cover about 6 months ago ... I live in Scottsdale, AZ, USA which has a much different climate than Tokyo. We are in a desert with very low humidity, daytime temps above 100F, and nighttime temps below 50F. My rig has been set up in the backyard for the past 4 months, with only 1-2 tear downs when a very big rain storm blew through. So far, the cover has performed beautifully keeping the rig dry and most importantly, keeping it cooler during the hot afternoons. As we approach summer, I have started bringing the cameras inside during the day to protect the sensors.
Wow, that's quite a temperature delta there, must be hard on the equipment. But if it gets used more, it's worth it!
These covers are almost indestructible. I keep one cover on the scope and one almost permanently on the tripod. That lets me leave the power supply outside with no chance of getting wet. My covers have endured everything from 105F above to almost 0F. It has been snowed on, rained on, blown on, and backyard irrigated on. I like leaving the tripod skirt on it to not only to protect the tripod, but it also covers the various adjusting bolts and that prevents cable snags. I will admit that living in Idaho we almost don't know what humidity is.
It's raining, it's raining ! I need to cover my telescope.
Poor laptop lies on the table uncovered. :D
Hi! I’m going to buy this cover tomorrow and I have to thank you because you shared your experiences with this cover and saved me a lot of troubles, in autumn and winter is very humid and windy here in Gothenburg. Thanks again for a very informative video Cuiv!
Very happy this is being helpful! It is an excellent cover, but do be very, very vigilant about desiccant! You may also want to put a towel on top of your scope (where it comes into contact with the cover) at first, to see if that towel gets humid or not - if it does, keep it, if not, you can probably be fine with just the desiccant.
I agree, my Telegizmos covers have literally revolutionised my Astrophotography… also, after a long night it’s just great to put the cover on and not have to dismantle/move the rigs… I also bought a cheap pack of bungee cords (with hooks) to secure the cords to the tripod when it’s windy.
Hi Cuiv, hope all is well. So I went for a telegizmos cover. It’s a monster of a cover. Well made. No doubt. Thanks for the recommendation.
I've got the top cover for my scope, but I ordered a custom one for my tripod and it should be here next week. You need to protect the tripod too, especially here in Central England, where it rains a lot. Wlee worth the money. And as you say, Cuiv, it saves you a LOT of time in having to constantly set up and dismantle your rig when you want to do any imaging, so your productivity increases.
"super humid tokyo conditions" Such an understatement :P I was in Tokyo during Summer a few years back and it was BRUTAL. I'm very used to humidity/high temperatures but wow, Japan surprised me big time. I'm so impressed that the cover + desiccant can handle that much moisture.
haha, yes the summer is not a pleasant season!! I never look forward to it... spring and autumn are far too short too... But hey, it's all part of the experience!
Great, practical review, thank you.
I have been using them for over two years now on an 8” SCT, a 152mm refractor and an 80mm refractor. I live in Northern California and they work extremely well for heat, sun, dew and rain protection. I use them without a desiccant but I also use the extra bungee waist band (included with each cover) on the outside to keep it tighter for wind resistance. This keeps it from flapping too much and getting damaged from all of that movement. I didn’t see that bungee in the video. I live in a very dry climate so I only bring in my OTAs when the winter rains start.
Thanks for the feedback Scott! I will admit, I had forgotten about those bungee waist bands... But you're right, they would make these covers last longer. This cover is really a gift to lazy astronomers and astrophotographers!
Thanks for the info. I'm in Northern California as well and just ordered one for my 11'' SCT on a Wedge and am curious and nervous how it will perform.
Hey Scott, I was planning on getting this for my 11" SCT. I live in Northern CA too. What about covering the tripod legs? Wouldn't the steel legs of the tripod get affected in the sun and rain? this cover even with the bungee waist band goes only 75% down right?
Finally I'm tired of setting up and the back and forth! I'm so excited about getting this! Thanks Cuiv - desiccant bag a great idea! - anyway have a good break and see you later in 2022!
I’ve had my cover on my 10 inch SCT and love it. Good idea with the desiccant. I’m going to do that also.
Yes, I think it's quite important! Others apparently use stuff like heated blankets as well.
I have a TG365 custom made for my C14+CEM120. I am located in Singapore, the scope is permanently outside, under strong Sun followed by heavy rain almost every day, in particular during the monsoon season. After two years of usage it is still working perfectly!
Wow that is such a dream setup you have! How is the seeing in Singapore? Does it support the C14? That is really impressive. The CEM120 is kind of my dream mount :) Glad to see we've have the same experience with this cover! I have to say though that I take the scope inside when a typhoon is coming!
@@CuivTheLazyGeek Seeing in Singapoe is often pretty good, which somehow makes up for the very low transparency and constant passage of clouds on most nights. Of course light pollution is very bad, it is as well a large Asian metropolis like Tokyo which is not a dream destination for astro-photography :) I only do planetary imaging from here, you can see some of them here www.glitteringlights.com/Images/SolarSystem or videos here ruclips.net/video/8yWG_4MBCyA/видео.html. Here also a live feed of Jupiter ruclips.net/video/uZcE4tNCxI4/видео.html so you get a feeling about the seeing (and the luxury of having planets passing overhead :D) .
I would like to start some planetary nebula imaging as well, that is why I found your channel with the very interesting review of the ASI533MC :)
the same problem occurs when you grow plants in grow tents, humility and after dampness, to control that we use a circulating fan. Glad you pointed this out
I had never thought of that scenario, but yes that makes sense! I've heard of people using that cover in such a way that wind has to circulate through it (not sure how they accomplished that), but I'm always impressed by how much humidity there is in the air!
Good review, thanks !
Thank you, glad it is useful!
Wow dear, knowledge video 💖💖💖,🙏 thank you 😊❤️ for sharing 🎁🎁🎁🎁🎉🎉🎉
As far as rust is concerned, that can happen in any observatory that is not climate controlled as well. It is the formation of dew that will cause rusting issues rather than the absolute amount of water vapor in the air. Metal surfaces and other dense materials such as counterweights and water-bearing solids such as soil typically do not warm as fast as air will in the early morning, which allows water vapor to condense on anything exposed to air and can lead to the ground fog or low transparency so typical of early mornings on warm, humid days. The temperature difference between air and surfaces is why we see dew on telescope objective lenses and corrector plates or sky-facing metal surfaces (tops of cars, windshields) on humid nights. These sky-facing surfaces cool faster than the ambient air as they radiate their heat to space, allowing dew to form. Desiccant can remove water vapor from the air, effectively lowering the dew point. For those with access to electricity, gun safe/electronics dehumidifiers such as Golden Rod and Lockdown will keep the air around them always just above the dew point (as opposed to removing water vapor, as a desiccant will). Alternatively, a small fan inside the semi-enclosed space will help remove the very small boundary layer of comparatively cold air that surrounds dense metal objects in the early morning and help prevent dew formation as well.
Cuiv - you are totally right. I have one of these for my 6" frac and it means I use my scope WAY more often than I used to. Before I bought one, all the setting up, polar aligning and then taking down again every night was a real pain and it just meant I can't be bothered most of the time. But the telegizmos cover means you can just leave everything set up and aligned the whole time. I don't use dessicant, though. I just take the cover off for a few hours whenever it's a fine day so that everything can dry out again. I also use ACF-50 on the mount to resist moisture and corrosion. I never leave my ZWO camera on though (because of the electronics) - I always remove the camera after each session
It really makes a huge difference to have the setup always ready! I personally leave the electronics (computer and camera - and mount as well, there is a mainboard in there) outside, simply because I am really too lazy - and leaving the camera on lets me reuse flats :D
Top cover! Made in Texas and works well in Texas.
However, i don’t use at temperatures above 95F. Doesn’t like direct sun above 90F. Removal of cover sometimes messes little bit with Polar alignment.
I don’t leave camera, wheel, rotator, hand controller and computer there. Installation of these parts take 5 min. Another 5 min polar alignment (yes it needs alignment according to Sharpcap) and scope alignment (3 stars) and ready to go.
Takes more to set up NINA!😊
I get what your saying but I kind of like setting up, I like the gear. Great video as always, thank you sir.
Very good as always. I have a different problem. I live in Arizona. Little rain but a lot of dust. You ever look into tripod leg covers?
I've used a gun safe heater rod with these covers for many years w/o any rusting to my gear or damage to my PC which I keep under that cover year round as well
Good review, I always wondered what these looked like inside. Is that an f/4 or f/5 Newtonian? What I did was buy a 5ftx5ftx6ft changing room tent from Amazon .. and I put it in my dusty 2 car garage, then I bought some JMI Wheely bars and an iOptron Tri-Pier .. and put my EQ6-R Pro mount head on those, then it’s just a matter of opening the garage door .. unzipping the tent .. and wheeling the whole mount out to the driveway, then bring out from the house whatever OTA I’m in the mood for, disadvantage is polar aligning every time, advantage .. between the garage and tent in the garage the rig stays absolutely protected from the elements and dust. I recently bought the Telegizmos solar observing hood to drape over the mount head when in the tent to keep UV light from fading my beautiful deep forest green setting circles on the mount (it’s an older EQ6-R Pro when the green rings were a darker shade) If I was in a balcony situation I’d either get the 365 cover and do the same thing, or build a little solid structure that can be rolled away from the scope when using. Thanks for the channel .. enjoy it 👍
Hey Cuiv, I've also got a cover too wasn't able to get this one so went with an Orion one. I also found these reusable bags for moisture called Climate Sunsack, they're made in Taiwan not sure if available in Japan. You basically put them in the Microwave and then can reuse although I haven't fully tested yet. I agree better to make it easy and maxize use of your gear.
Thanks for the feedback Ollie! I didn't know Orion made those too - but it's good to know! Also, yeah I'd love to have those you can microwave, although my guess is they'd be lower capacity (mine have a reservoir for water, and it gets full shockingly quickly!)
dear Cuiv,
first of all I would like to once again congratulate you on your great videos. But I also have a question. I have a C11 on EQR6, and at the moment I assemble and disassemble the telescope to do my photography sessions. Here in Venezia, in winter, we always have a humidity of 75 to 100%, and in summer temperatures up to 30 degrees. The EQR6 always remains outside, covered by a Geoptik sheet, but clearly some parts have signs of rust. Now, you leave the telescope out all year round and you say that the cover you use allows it. You say that with this cover I could leave it out too, without damaging the telescope?
Thank you for your reply and I wish you clear skies always.
Hello from Venice
Karl-Heinz
you can use a safe heater in place of the dessicant, works like a dew heater
Hi, I have been using it for 4 years now. To fight the dew and humidity in general I cover my scope first with an electric blanket which is being powered via a thermostat and maintains a constant temperature of approx. 22°. The blanket itself is then covered with a very light 'alu' foil ( the kind that is being used in first aid). The whole thing is then covered by my Telegizmo. Seems to work. I gladly accept the electricity consumption for the comfort it gives.
Wow, that is a great idea! Excellent suggestion, I'll see whether I could try doing something like that!
@@CuivTheLazyGeek You're welcome. I learned so much from your videos, grateful to be able to do something back. To monitor the temperature and humidity I "stuck" a sensor which is called 'Sensorpush' on to my scope. It is absolutely great. Still works on the same battery after all these years and can be monitored remotely via bluetooth and even wifi (additional purchase of a wifi station). The thermostat is basically a power socket with a thermostat which switches power on/off when a programmed temperature has been reached. I do remove my camera's though. Greetz,
@@robairifly Some people use a small heater called a Dri-rod which I think was originally designed for use in a gun safe
@@tjeyko40 Good hint! Humidity is difficult to control. Dew point is difficult to predict. I'll look into it. Greetz.
Thanks for posting this, i found the video after looking at these as a cover for my 8" SCT. In the UK, temperatures/rain can vary and i wanted something to keep it outside so it doesnt clutter up inside. I have a covered area outside (like a USA style porch :) ) which it is going in so was looking for something substantial to cover and protect mainly from wind and temperature.
I'm not sure if it is relevent to your scope but maybe to other SCT users but i have seen these dessicant filled dust caps which look to clear moisture from inside the tube and the optics. Do you have any experience of these?
Huh, that's a great idea - I didn't know these dust caps existed, but it makes sense! No experience on them though - under the TG365 cover I'd still have a desiccant outside the scope cover as I don't want dew to form on the surfaces of the scope either...
I just use a quality grill-cover that is rated to be frost resistent down to -30 C, and a huge towel under it to cover the scope and mount. Have worked great for me.
Well that's a good solution as well! Instinctively I wanted to do something similar, but felt better psychologically getting something built specifically for that purpose :D
@@CuivTheLazyGeek my telescope is far more important than my BBQ...
Hello, I have a quick question. I do have a 200/1000 Telescope that I want to store outside, just as yours on your balcony. I have contacted a retailer and they are recommending instead the T3-NB as they are saying that the 365 will not cover the telescope on the tripod. They are also indicating in the product description that this is not for permanent storage outside, both for T3-NP and the 365 you have. Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Cuiv, if you were to put a pier on your tripod so as to raise the mount by 20 - 30 cm, you would probably be able to wrap the base of the Telegizmo cover tightly around the pier. Would that not give you much better humidity protection?
which model cover do you have?
Salut Cuiv j’ai un newton 200/800 sur eq6r pro tout comme toi je suppose.
Quelle est le modèle de bache utilise tu ( référence) ?
Par avance merci
At the end of a session, if you scope and mount are already wet with dew do you still put the cover on? Would the desiccant be enough to dry it in this case or do you take the cover back off the next day to dry everything? When I finish observing, everything is already super wet with dew. Otherwise, great video, you've convinced me to get one of those covers.
In that case, I typically just let it dry (usually the case already when I wake up, since sunrise is so early in Japan), before putting on the TG365 cover. Hope the cover will work great for you too!
Hi.... I have the same mount and scope (R200SS). You comment that the cover is for a SC 8". Please what model is your cover exactly? , Telegizmos T3G1 ?? Thanks
Have you tried using the Sensor push WiFi temperature, humidity and dew point sensor. Place it under the cover and set alerts for when temperature gets close to dew point. Might help with condensation risk. I also have a low wattage light bulb under the cover to help dry things out.
Do you run a cooling fan in the scope to keep the tube and mirror from fogging?
Yeah that's a great tip. I have pretty much nothing except the desiccant - BUT the wind on the roof balcony is always quite strong, and just streams in from the bottom in this case. So this probably helps...
Thanks for doing this review Cuiv I Live in Canada and just ordered the Telegizmos 365 cover from Woodland Hills in hopes I could leave my William Optics Z73 refractor outside for long periods of time during the harsh Canadian winters. Our temperatures can drop well below -20c . Do you think the outer material crack with the cold temperature? Do you have any other thoughts on how I might deal with extreme weather, possibly a heater under the cover? Thermal blanket? Snow blowing up from underneath?
Glad this review has been helpful Gary! I actually don't know the answer to your question, as my own telescope cover was never under such conditions... That being said, I'd be surprised if it did, as other samples have been used in the Northern US as well, where it does get cold in winter too :) I've heard of others using a heated electric blanket between the scope and the cover, but that was as additional protection against dew formation.
I live west of Toronto and use the 365 cover all year round on my CGX and ES 127ED. I bring the cameras in during the winter as temps drop below ZWO storage recommendations. The cover has no problems with cold. I use a waistband to get a snug fit around my 12" pier.
Like Cuiv, this set up gets me imaging much more. Tonight I just flipped the power off, put the lens caps on and dropped the cover over the whole thing. Three minutes and I am in bed :)
Thermal blanket, it’s a thermal blanket, you kill me 😂
I have my line voltage (to 12 volt) power pack strapped to my pier, (under the cover) and leave it on 24/7, and the heat it puts out seems to take care of the moisture problems.
Wow, so you keep the area under the cover heated, and stay above dew point? That's pretty cool, I'll have to think about that!
How about using some kind of lockable wheels on the tripod legs? I've seen Trevor from Astrobackyard using those, so that you can have all the equipment assembled but on the inside when not using it.
ScopeBuggies! Yeah, people love this kind of stuff, and I see no issue with it, it's a great solution! It doesn't work for me since there's no space inside, but absolutely!
With regards to the AC "rechargeable" desiccants like the 東洋リビング MD-3 & MD-6 [モバイルドライ 白 乾燥剤], be careful with those as tends to overheat and cracks the silica gel. I used them for my scopes, and when I first had them I was wondering why there was glass everywhere. Then I realised they were the cracked silica gels & slipped out of their metal cage. My wife called up Toyo Living and they said it's normal.
Wow, I was actually looking at those, so thank you so much for the heads up! Not considering them anymore... So I'll keep using my replaceable desiccant bought at the pharmacy!
How about a small dehumidifier on a timer? Like run for 30 minutes every 3hrs. You can run it through your power supply or directly from the wall with an outdoor rated extension cord.
I was thinking about that, and then another comment told me about some such dehumidifiers available in Japan actually breaking to pieces during use... so I don't really want to risk it. But I may try with some other brands! Thanks for the suggestion!
Nice! Looks just like my grill cover.
Maybe I should have bought a grill cover instead :D It is a great way to use the equipment more!
@@CuivTheLazyGeek Yes it does look like a great time saver. Thanks for sharing.
Hello Cuiv! I started watching all your videos from the start !!!! And I just saw this video - sorry for the question the other day, I hadn't found this video yet ;-) I received my Telegizmos 365, to protect my C9 in my garden! 😃And I was wondering about the desiccant. You answer it, I think: I wanted to put 1 or 2kg, but you put less... but you change it very often? Doesn't it last more than 2-3 days? So you have to order in a 50kg bag? ;-) I also saw that we could heat the desiccant in the oven to make it usable again...
Thanks for watching all the videos!!! Yeah there are multiple methods. They don't sell large amounts of desiccant here, so I make do with 500g and frequent replacement. Others have powered dehumidifier, there are tons of different ways to go about it!
For calling yourself the lazy geek you sure are on an upload streak😂 nice vid!
The Lazy Geek exposed as not lazy!!!! :D You make far too much sense here :)
Thank you...my next purchase to protect the investment!!!
When you said it was raining, I suddenly got worried about the precious mirror!
Yes, that was scary!! Fortunately the mount was not pointing to the zenith or something like that!
Cuiv, what about the legs of the tripod protection? Looks like this protects about 75% of the way down. Wouldn't the steel tripod legs get affected in the sun and rain and snow?
They'll get affected. There's rust traces. It hurts resale value... but I don't really care since I never extend the legs :) There is an additional tripod cover available though
I am thinking of installing a concrete or steel tube pier in my garden...
In your balcony, maybe you can have some bolted aluminum pier (from iOptron) installed?
You will have more space without the tripod...
In your case, if the balcony floor is concrete & tiled, you can get some granite or concrete block, 60 cm x 60 cm x 10 cm, "glue" it onto the floor using concrete bonding glue, and then the bolt will be placed on the block.
It will make your life very easy I think, just a thought.
Hello Cuiv, thanks for your interesting ideas.
I have seen this video and I have decided to do the same on my terrace, but I have doubts about the measurements of the cover, can you tell me the reference of your cover? since I think it looks a lot like the equipment that I want to protect in my house (6 "X 750mm, and Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro mount), thank you very much for everything and please do not stop making your magnificent videos.
Until forever
Thanks Marta! So I got the "TeleGizmos 365 Series Cover for 8"-10" SCT on Equatorial Mount" which works fine for me!
I'll try to keep doing those videos :)
Thank you very much Cuiv, now I only need to ask the USA, Goodbye and good heavens
1:16 Good call to leave the desiccant bag on to compensate for RA backlash.
I've actually forgotten it quite a few times! But the mount doesn't care :)
Has anyone tried a small electric heating element as used in a gun safe or closed storage container?
People keep recommending that to me, so I think yes they have
Summer in Tokyo it can rain at any time.
What about typhoon? Do you move it indoor?
Yes! That's the only time I move it indoors! And not because of the rain, but because of the wind - one of my setups got thrown to the ground once...
Cuiv, Lazy Geek in Japan Every summer time quite a few super typhoons are developed near the Philippines and blowed all the way up to japan！Anyway, great videos and channel, I’m going through all of them!
i use a Tesco (supermarket) hard bag and a bike cover... my lazy way !!! Salute amigo !!!
That works too :) It just makes me feel better that I use something dedicated to telescope equipment that has been tested by many people :)
I NEVER keep the telescope ota outside. Leave it in the bedroom. I use two waterproof covers for bicycle backpacks and cover my EQ6R mount inside the observatory. Its is important to have them loose and let the air circulate. You dont want your mount wringing with water so keep them loose. Buy a small Keter Shed and cover the mount CUIV
It's a calculated risk. I've had my current setup like that for over a year and for now it's not worse for the wear! I do get a lot of wind on the rooftop, so ventilation happens naturally.
I can't use a shed. It would be far too painful to deal with when typhoons come. And same about taking things inside.
I want to use my equipment, and having it always ready is the best way to overcome laziness!
@@CuivTheLazyGeek Im in Scotland Cuiv so I know all about wild weather. Love your channel buddy.
1 word:
Hail.
By the way, I can't believe you got rid of that magnificent telescope
Massive hail would be a problem - but then it is a problem for more important stuff, like my roof or my car :-)
@@CuivTheLazyGeek We just had a hail storm yesterday, which is why it came to mind. But like you said, a scope can just come in on bad storm days.
But combining this with a cheap pop-up would help protect against surprises
These are good, except not worth what they are sold for.