Explora domes. Others interested? Please come forward.

I quite fancy buying this dome. Although one part of me likes to see some user experieince in the US before I buy. Several domes have been delivered and are now being built onto support structures.
I have also looked at the the skyshed POD, a smaller construction. It's major drawback as far as I am concerned are its lesser protection to winds. And that is one of the prime reasons I want a dome!

Anybody else want to buy a dome at this point? I'd like to combine brainpower and pre-purchase exitement.
Dan of Explora dome sent this email:

We have a Dist for our farm products in Northern Ireland he will be getting a container in later this year and we have several Domes that will be on that trip. If you like we would be able to add one for you also. Shipping on this container will be about $450.00 to his location in Five Mile Town in Co Tyrone
Check the web site for more info www.explora-Dome.com



There will be more as we go.
The Dome Comes Complete with The sliding door w/rollers, the drop down door & the retainer ring for the bottom of the Dome and all the hardware for these parts. (The ring holds the Dome on the Frame Work so it can not be blown off in high wind.)

Rotation Kit 1 is 10-2" Wheels & Brackets 10-3" Guide Wheels & Hardware.
The wheels bolt to the bottom of the Dome and rotate on the wood frame the Dome mounts to.

Rotation Kit 2 is 8-2" Wheels & Brackets 10-3" Guide Wheels & Plastic Channel Rails & Hardware
The wheels mount to the frame work and roll against the inside of the plastic channel that is bolted to the bottom of the Dome.
Kit 2 is Slightly better than Kit one for several reasons, one it rolls smoother, and the plastic channel track will stiffen the bottom of the Dome up.

end of email

I like to hear from interested colegues.
Jouke

Hi Jouke,

I am on the list to receive one of these domes. I was contacted by Dan (email) a couple of weeks ago and he said I would be informed as soon as a truck was headed to my part of the country (southeast U.S.). I'll post to this forum as things progress. From what I've seen and read so far, it would appear that it is a good deal. We'll see.

Is this dome 7 or 8 feet wide, its not very clear from the link??

Hi Dave,

The outside diameter of the dome at the base is 97". However, if you go to their website (exploradome.com if I recall correctly) you can down load a PDF file that shows how to build a mounting ring to support the dome. According to this drawing, the actual inside diameter of the ring is 84", so I guess 7' would be the 'usable' diameter of the dome.

I currently house my 14" LX200 in a 66" square space (originally built for an 8" SCT), so if I stick the 14" in one of these Explora Domes I figure I can probably fit a putting green in there with it and knock some balls around while the scope is imaging.

I currently house my 14" LX200 in a 66" square space (originally built for an 8" SCT), so if I stick the 14" in one of these Explora Domes I figure I can probably fit a putting green in there with it and knock some balls around while the scope is imaging.

Pat - you'll probably need some red LEDs for the golf ball and the hole.

There is some discussion on the exploradome board
www.xosmos.com/foro/viewforum.php?f=1&am...4f1e7cf39f8b336af5fb
on the supporting construction. The curent recomendation (wood) is rather heavy and some people are eager to make a metal support construction.
The base space requires 3x3 meters. Which happens to be exactly the dimensions of a concrete slap I had made a few years back in anticipation of....

Jouke