Hi,

I am quite new here and therefore I think this is a critical post.

I am also in the ShedPod group in Yahoo and have been watching with interest what is going on there.

Well after collecting a lot of info about both domes I thing that quite some people who are at the moment more or less interested in the Shed-Pod will after thouroughly checking the availabe size or space inside the Shed-Pod come to the conclusion that the Shed-Pod is too small.

The size of 84" for the Shed-Pod inside and being a round base construction is not very big. For my equipment anyhow it is too small and that for a price about US $ 1,000.00 (at the moment)

The size of the Explora-Dome ~94" is by far better suited for I would say average equipment as I have. Price roughly US $ 600,00 ?

Please, my intention is by no means to start a flame war here against Shed-Pod.

I did analyse it with some drawings and that is how I came up with this conclusion.

I think that the Explora-Dome is more suited then Shed-Pod.

Slowly but steadily the Shed-Pod will be out grown by your equipment.

Welcome rsbfoto,
Sounds like a fair analysis to me!

Welcome....

First, no appologies are needed... They (POD and Exploradome) are 2 different animals from what I've seen.

Pod is attractive in that their price (still more than Explora-dome) is lower than all the other dome designs... Another thing that makes the pod a nice deal is their shutter design. It's not a standard shutter like most Observatories, but rather a "Half-Shell" design... Not sure if it rolls Up or to the side. Nice idea, but some people still prefer the standard shutter. And thats where the observa-dome comes in... Attractive price, standard options as other domes. We even have a member here working with someone to automate the rotation process...

Ooops... Gotta add this site to my htaccess file.. (Note my signature)

Excluding the gusseted skirt, does anyone out there know the actual maximum inside (useful) diameter of Explora-Dome? ...of SkyShed POD?

Teh inside dimention of the dome, if I remember correctly is 91 inches... (97 minus the 3 inch skirt width per side).

Or was it 4" making it 89"? I'll have to look it up...

Originally, it was supposed to be 8" + the skirt... Dan (Polydome) had to make it slightly smaller diameter to make them fit inside of the semi-trucks...

Hi Jeff,

The dome's lip is 2 7/8" in diameter, so......5 3/4" in total, subtracted from the 97" outside base diameter gives us 91 1/4" inside diameter where the dome slopes down and meets the lip. But if you want to get really technical, you'd add in the 1/4" wall thickness, leaves you 90 3/4" inside diameter at the same point where the dome slope meets the lip

I "think" this would be correct. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong

Hi,

According to the instructions (see the PDF's) for making the ring it is 84" interior diameter.

Why is this in the Off-topic forum? :?:

Andy, I was thinking the same thing. You wanna move it to the Observatories Forum? Here's your chance to throw some weight around :mrgreen:

My first guess would be ..... because neither Rick or Nio hasn't moved it yet. (Sorry ... I'm being a smart azz again :mrgreen: :mrgreen: )
I don't have access to move topics from this forum to the observatories fora. I guess it would be up to those two.

Ken, Maybe since it concerns the Explora-Dome too, maybe it should be moved to the Explora-Dome Forum?

Absolutely Rick ... you should have access to move it being you are a mod in all forum topics

Right O' Ken. It's been done :mrgreen:

I figured this is where it belongs.

I didn't move it because I didn't know exactly where the conversation would go... Waiting to see if it want the Explora or POD direction, or something else...

I wonder what the SkyPOD manufacturing status is now?
I wonder, too, what the upshot of the beta test has been...
Rich

Hi Richard,

Well I was a member in the Skyshep POD forum a few weeks ago and joined yesterday again to see what is happening there and left the group today.

I have to say that as far as I have read the POD is still not in production.

Worse is the case that it seems to be that the whole project is not taken very seriously by some members there. I just read a few postings yesterday and honestly it sounded for me like gossip.

A fact is that while the POD is not yet in production, as far as I saw, Explora-Dome is.

Here is an info page http://www.skyshedpod.com

I already have my Explora-dome sitting on the ground...BUT have been folllowng the "Pod" group thing for quite a while. I was just going to quit the group after I made my mind up and ordered the Explor-adome...

However this Beta test fiasco is kind of interesting... Dan should not feel too bad about how many guys who signed up later backed out.... seems the exact same thing is occuring over there also...

Seems every Tom Dick
and Harry plus Sally and Mary want a free Pod to Test..

Bob G.

It was a nice idea (making another affordable dome), but there are issues that I think will hurt them.

Their "Shutter" design is limited... You don't get a Zenith view... And if you're viewing high in the sky, you have to have so much of the dome open, that you lose the light blocking, and wind blocking ability inherent in a dome...

Second, they dome "Base" is modled after the Sirius dome... It leaves VERY LITTLE to NO room for anything but the scope... And adding those "Outrigger" cubbies just looks horrible (IMHO)...

Lastly (and I can be corrected if I am wrong here), I don't see a "Dome only" version that you could put on your own stick-built observatory...


All in all, I think Explora-Dome did this the right way... A TRUE observatory style dome, made as affordable as possible.

Hi Folks,
I'm back for those that remember me from Cloudy Nights. I've been involved with both domes and know their little secrets - both are great values. The Explora-dome appeals to those that need a slightly larger dome or want to build their own dream observatory suited to their needs. The Sky-Shed POD offers a pre-built package. It just depends on your own needs. Neither is expensive compared to what is out there and neither will fall apart. Both are the best value out there, period!
Oh, what do I own? An Explora-dome, but I will be teaming up with Wayne from Sky Sheds too - I think they serve similar but different markets. One is for building your own custom observatory, one is for people who want prebuilt walls etc. that are easy to set up. Neither will disappoint you.

quote="rsbfoto"]Hi,

I am quite new here and therefore I think this is a critical post.

I am also in the ShedPod group in Yahoo and have been watching with interest what is going on there.

Well after collecting a lot of info about both domes I thing that quite some people who are at the moment more or less interested in the Shed-Pod will after thouroughly checking the availabe size or space inside the Shed-Pod come to the conclusion that the Shed-Pod is too small.

The size of 84" for the Shed-Pod inside and being a round base construction is not very big. For my equipment anyhow it is too small and that for a price about US $ 1,000.00 (at the moment)

The size of the Explora-Dome ~94" is by far better suited for I would say average equipment as I have. Price roughly US $ 600,00 ?

Please, my intention is by no means to start a flame war here against Shed-Pod.

I did analyse it with some drawings and that is how I came up with this conclusion.

I think that the Explora-Dome is more suited then Shed-Pod.

Slowly but steadily the Shed-Pod will be out grown by your equipment.[/quote]

Hi Dave

Welcome to the forum.

Thanks for the info on both.

Have you had any recent contact from Dan on when more ED's will be shipped? I know the folks in the SW are awfully anxious and we haven't heard from Dan in quite a long time.

The last we knew is that the mold was repaired and being tested. Any news would be greatly appreciated.

Once again welcome and please continue to provide input on the dome itself and any available options.

I would even advise starting a new thread for any info which you receive from Dan.

THANKS!

Dave!
Long time no see! How'ya been?
Welcome to Xosmos! You'll find your old avatar works fine here too!
You can expand it to 100x100 if you want to.
Good to have your input, keep the info coming!
Rich

Thanks Rich!
I may post the pig soon - I have a rib contest to win tomorrow - a family / neighbor contest that I finished in second place last year! No more mister nice guy, my ribs will be smokin' tomorrow!

Mmmmmmm...... Ribs..............

The best ribs - I ordered them from a resturant quality dealer - I cooked up a Bourbon/Orange sauce with a kick to it... My traditional rub goes on it the night before and I smoke them over hickory for 4 hours then I do what I do until they fall off the bone into your mouth!
I was just in Machesney Park - Selling Aflac to Astro-Physics. I ordered some 15X Binos from them but I am still waiting for the 160mm (I signed up in very late 1999 or early 2000 for the 155mm) I figure the next run is the one they will contact me on!

David,

Welcome to the Forum. I am happy to finally see you here

Your input was missed and much needed..... :wink:

Welcome David I see the link I emailed you worked. Glad you made it here 8)

Thanks Rick,
I did have some advice... After lots of reading, mental twisting etc. There are many things to ponder out there but the fact that the Explora-Dome or POD is a great buy isn't one of them. Both will fill 99% of the folks needs. Just get an observatory and your life and hobby become simpler. No more set-up and storage problems, quick peeks are there every night! If you want to build your own or hire a local contractor to do so then get going. My eyepiece collection from either AP or Televue cost more than an observatory with the ED or POD.
Whatever you choose here are some things I learned from my own building of a suburban observatory:
1) I used DEK-Blocks as a foundation - a floating obsevatory with a portable pier. I haven't been through a winter yet but so far it has been stable, level and vibration free. According to the manufacturer, the observatory will ride up and down with the frost heave, but it will remain level.
2) Over analyzing things will drive you crazy and waste time - You can't make a mistake with the ED or POD.
3) Armchair observers with too much time will get you to worry about little things that don't matter - I spent enormous amounts of time looking for the perfect way of rotating the dome when 99% of the folks just move it by hand when needed. Remote observation is nice but only a few folks go to that extreme. It can be done (I'm using bluetooth and the internet) but it isn't common. Just get one and setup and observe some fun things!!!

Nice to see you are back. You were missed. I agree with you about dome rotation. It is something you can add later if you want. I am adding it as we speak. Not sure how easy it will be but here it goes. While you were away I have been actively promoting out here on the west coast. I have out some 400-500 fliers all up and down the coast and Canada. Have made a nice banner. And Spoon-size has made me a couple shirts. I even have a mini billboard that runs red leds for a name tag at night. (They tell me the geek factor runs high over that.) I've been to three star parties one convention fur astronomy clubs and gave extra fliers to everyone from anywhere that belonged to a club. Let me know if you here from any of my contacts please. I think our baby is on it's way. I haven't heard from Dan yet, I guess he is on vacation this week but it looks like I have lined up a dealer out here for him. I'll talk to him on Tuesday. That should bring you up to date on what I have been doing.

Again nice to see you are back!!!

The way I see it there are 3 main reasons to go with the ED.....
1: Size, I can't imagine trying to deal with my 102mmf/8 refractor in anything smaller than the ED. I've a good feeling I'll feel the same way when I attache the SCT. I also can't begin to think about having anything smaller to move around in than at least a 10' diameter or square base.
2: Slot vs Clam Shell.....The slot will allow for the use of the scope without all the dew heater paraphanlia, without being in a clamshell, I can't imagine it keeping the dew out.
3: Price, Price, Price......
There may be others I find as time goes by, but these are my main reasons.
Steve Durham

I like em' Steve and I totally agree with you 100% :smt023

My take on the "beta tester" thing is this ....... ExploraDome was hitting the market and the POD wasn't/isn't ready. So they tried to take a little wind out of Dan's sail, but they kinda fell on their faces because .... they still don't have a product available.

Looks like a play pen anyway.

Ken 8)

Yup, I'll bet Wayne (Hi, Wayne! We know you're reading this!) was lurking in the Observatories Forum back on CN (just like he's lurking here) and got the idea to do a PE observatory from us! Ya can't keep such a good idea down, and ya can't blame him for hopping on such a juicy bandwagon.

Party on, Wayne, party on, Dan!

I think there's plenty of room in the astronomical community for the ED and for the POD, really I do. There are a large number of guys out there who DON'T want a dome no matter how low its cost - they want to see the whole sky. They traditionally have gone with the roll roof structures, SkyShed among them. Now for those who like the dome look, but want the roll off's sky view there's the POD! It's just another solution to the problems we encounter when pursuing our hobby.

Here in the mid-atlantic we have dew as a consideration, which makes me lean toward the full enclosure of the ED. If I want to see the whole sky I can step over to the slit and have a look.

With PolyDome considering making walls for the ED, the appeal of a full "turnkey" solution is offered there as well, so there's no advantage or disadvantage on that issue gained by one side or the other, the playing field will be level.

Or should I say observing field?
Rich

To the POD people.

I applaud any effort that anybody or any company does to bring a solution to the amateur community.

I personally like your solution, although I must say that my current equipment has outgrown the current space requirements that the POD offers.

I am an optimist at heart and think that there is room for everybody in this neglected segment of the astronomy market. In a sense we are “in the same boat”….Being that, I can only wish you success.

I can see why you might be offended by the harsh criticism sometimes exposed in our forum. I can assure you it has no ill intent, freedom of thought and freedom of speech is a right in this forum. This freedom in my opinion has not been exercised irresponsibly, although harsh still its done based on facts.

I am sure we are mocked by larger Dome corporations, especially on our inability to communicate with our vendor…..That is very true. Also there are many quality issues unresolved….”We” (Pod & ED) are pioneers on this effort.

To put my word where my mouth is, I offer in the best will possible a space here in our forum where POD can be discussed freely. After all, no one here in profiting from either company….Its is just a group of independent enthusiasts discussing freely a product.

I hope you understand that this offer is in the best of wills. Again whatever is your decision I wish you the best to you and your fine product.

Sincerely,

Gustavo Pöhls
Site Administrator