My new Steel Pier....Finally

Have any of you kept a mount outside for a long duration with this kind of protection? I'm wondering how well such a cover prevents moisture getting to the mount. Some of the bolts on my EQ6 have a very small amount of corrosion on them and it was kept in a roll-off shed by the previous owner.

I leave mine out 24/7 with the scope attached. I just take my cameras off and tie the cover with a couple of cheapo bungee cords. I leave the USB hub etc. outside under the cover too with no issues. The only other thing I do as a precaution is put one of these into the focuser www.farpointastro.com/desiccant/desiCap.php

I went for the Telegizmo 365 cover after reading this review;
www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1945

In terms of improving the amount of time I spend under the stars it's been the best thing I've bought in years. Now I just run a power cable out, a USB cable in and away I go.

Oh and just in case there are any opportunistic chancers lurking out there, this is Grizzly- he's Chief of Telescope security and takes his muzzle off before bedtime!!

Excellent! Thanks.

Have you ever found Grizzly attempting to face off against Sirius?

Hi Stang, is it true those dessicant pouches can be revitalised by heating in microwave?

And on the point about time under the stars... that's the crucial thing - time. I find that making your hobbies easy to access is a recipe for happiness. If that means the odd rusty bolt.... I'm not dissuaded.

They can be dried out in a conventional oven.

I don't think a microwave would be a good idea but if you've got a spare one and a video camera there's the possibility of a large number of views on youtube.