Kendrick Dew Controller Digifire 10

Awaiting a Megrez 90 Package from the US to replace the Ranger and even with VAT it works out about 400 quid cheaper to get it shipped from the US. Madness!

The Kendrick stuff seems to be particularly overpriced in Europe though. Cheapest Observer tents are £400 without shipping, whereas they are $369 in the US. Half the price!

Trevor,

I am in serious trouble with the three local vendors of astronomy equipment by virtue of the fact that I constantly remind fellow local amateurs of the dramatic difference in pricing between the US and Greece. If you think you have it bad in Ireland, you should see the monopoly in Greece at its best! :oops: :evil:

If you think you have it bad in Ireland, you should see the monopoly in Greece at its best!

At least I've got the Irish Sea between me and the European WO dealers, whereas you will have to be on the lookout for some pretty agitated hoplites Anthony.

Hope you've polished your bronze shield :lol:

Tested the dew controller over the last couple of nights. Works a treat. No dew whatsoever. I'm using it in conjunction with a dew shield. For a dew shield, I'm using a camping mattress / layer of foam. Cost: €8.99 - best value astro accessory ever! Works a charm! Just in from a few hours observing and the corrector plate is completely dew free even though ice had started to form on the dew shield.

Used WCS Polar Align this evening. Lovely little program. I didn't realise how far off my polar alignment was until I tried this gem. I've significantly improved my polar alignment in the space of 30mins, which includes learning how to use the program. If you haven't used it before, here's a link:
wcs.ruthner.at/index-en.htm
Thanks to Dave Grennan for bringing this program to my attention.

Regards,

Kendrick Digifire 10 Dew Controller

Hi Michael
Thanks for the updates regarding your Kendrick Digifire 10 Dew Controller. I have recently purchased this unit and one heater element strap from Kendrick, they too were much cheaper than European dealers even when shipping/insurance and duty (+54 Euro) is taken into account, it worked out I saved approximately 135 Euro. It only took a few days for the unit to get here and I was e-mailed a tracking number by Kendrick.
Haven’t got it set-up yet to test it in the field as our weather has been rather unsatisfactory for astronomical work lately :roll: . Michael, would you have any hints and tips on installing and using this unit from experience, did you have any problems with this unit?

Dewshields
I needed to think next about purchasing a Dewshield soon; while confusion was plentiful I decided to e-mail Eamonn A in Roscommon for some clarity on the matter. He has an interesting and very functional Dewshield for his Meade 16” SCT sitting on a Paramount GT which was a special project. The name of the company that manufactured Eamonn’s Dewshield is; www.dewshields.com/ . I am presently negotiating a design with this company for my own telescope in a similar fashion to Eamonn’s Meade 16” SCT. They have been helpful in providing advice and their prices are excellent, shipping rates from 20 US Dollars to Ireland, well worth a look at if you are in the market for a top quality Dewshield that has low mass, strong and every Dew Shield is handcrafted individually (nice).

Clear skies
Mike

Hi Mike,

I have no problems with my dew heater at all. Very easy to set up. If you do have any difficulties, feel free to contact me and I'll try and help. Not much to it though.

Those dew shields look pretty good I have to say. As I have two apos now (traded my 12" SCT), they both come with dew shields so no worries there anymore.

Hi Michael
Thanks for the offer of technical help with the Kendrick Dew control system; I may just take you up on your offer some day while wondering where does this part plug into?
I had a 3” refractor before I purchased a SCT recently and the dewing on the refractor lens was not really a problem for me either, it had quite a long black plastic shield that also doubled in protecting the front lens. It’s just a matter now of learning the intricacies of using an SCT which is new to me.

Clear skies
Mike