Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Astrophotography => Topic started by: Mike on Nov 28, 2007, 13:41:25

Title: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mike on Nov 28, 2007, 13:41:25
I was thinking of buying some Red Plexiglass Sheets to put over my laptop screen

http://www.edirectory.co.uk/pf/880/mia/d/3mm+transparent+red+perspex+plexiglass+acrylic+sheet+500x1000mm/pid/5934896

They are £21 inc. postage for a 500mm x 1000mm x 3mm sheet, which I reckon will easily do 3 laptops. Does anyone else want some of this? If I get a sheet it will work out at £7 per laptop so if anyone else does want some I will order as many sheets as necessary.

With more and more laptops being used at DSC it is essential that we keep the screen glare down to a minimum. The flexible red acrylic stuff is easily damaged and a pain to use in the field whereas a hard sheet can be velcroed on and easily removed and stored away.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Ian on Nov 28, 2007, 13:46:22
yup, I'm up for a piece...
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: JohnP on Nov 28, 2007, 14:11:21
Me too.. Cheers,  John
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mike on Nov 28, 2007, 14:21:04
OK that's one sheet at least - Anyone else?
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Rocket Pooch on Nov 28, 2007, 15:11:11
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3mm-RED-GENUINE-PERSPEX-Cast-Acrylic-A4-Sheet_W0QQitemZ190176073902QQihZ009QQcategoryZ26258QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

don't know if this is as good, its smaller and pre-cut.

remember  still have loads of the plastic red sheet laying about.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mike on Nov 28, 2007, 15:13:38
That's solid red, not transparent. Might make viewing the screen a bit difficult ;)
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Rocket Pooch on Nov 28, 2007, 15:14:57
good for night vision though
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Ian on Nov 28, 2007, 15:54:45
cheers Mike.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mike on Nov 28, 2007, 16:11:16
OOoh Ian you've gone over your 1000th post !

Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Fay on Nov 28, 2007, 18:43:13
Yes please Mike
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: MarkS on Nov 28, 2007, 20:28:52

And one for me as well - thanks.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Carole on Nov 28, 2007, 23:20:07
If there is any left I'll have some Mike.

Carole
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mike on Nov 28, 2007, 23:35:49
That's two sheets.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mac on Nov 29, 2007, 06:09:20
Add me to the growing list :lol:
Cheers
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Delphine on Nov 29, 2007, 07:19:47
I would like some as well please - hope I am not too late.

Cheers
Delphine
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mike on Nov 29, 2007, 07:26:17
No worries - 3 sheets so far and the price is now down to £5.28 per sheet.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Tony G on Nov 29, 2007, 08:54:23
I'll have a piece if theres any left.

Tony G
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mike on Nov 29, 2007, 09:30:08
Yep, that's 9 making exactly 3 sheets.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mike on Nov 30, 2007, 16:10:08
OK 3 sheets ordered that will make 9 night vision screens. Expected delivery 2-3 working days. As 9 people requested the final price came down to £5.27 per screen.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Ian on Nov 30, 2007, 16:21:34
I think I might try and set up some ducting so the cooling fan will blow between the plexiglass and the screen. Might stop some condensation...

Thanks for organising this mate.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mike on Dec 07, 2007, 13:18:57
OK these sheets have only just arrived today, literally as I was packing the car for DSC. I have therefore not had a chance to cut them all to size. I will therefore do it next weekend and bring them along to the Xmas Meeting.

If you give me the exact measurement that you want it cut to then I will do so, otherwise I will just cut 1/3 of the sheet for you which will be 500mm x 333mm.



Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Carole on Dec 07, 2007, 23:21:36
12" x 9.5" please.

Thanks
Carole
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mike on Dec 17, 2007, 14:05:45
OK Carole is the only one that gave me dimensions and therefore will get a custom cut sheet. The rest of you will get the default size. I am bringing them along to the Xmas meeting. Please bring along your £5.27 please and a mince pie for Rudolph.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mike on Dec 20, 2007, 11:42:11
Guys - apologies but i've had the lurgy so haven't had a chance to cut your sheets ready for the meeting. What I will do is drop them off at your home addresses on Saturday morning if you are in. If not, PM me a time over the weekend that is convenient and I will drop it off then.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Carole on Dec 20, 2007, 16:31:12
Mike, if you are happy to hang on to it until the next meeting, I am happy to wait.

Carole
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mike on Dec 20, 2007, 23:32:52
Whatever suits you Carole. I don't mind either way.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: JohnP on Dec 21, 2007, 11:32:00
Mike - Seems like you are going 'above & beyond the call of duty' hand delivering all these... To be honest I have no problems waiting till the next meeting - Obviously, I can post you the money (I should have given it last night thinking about it... sorry :-(  ) The reason I want the red plexi is for DSC - I don't tend to use in my garden as I'm not bothered with the visual stuff from Bromley - it's normally crap anyway...

Cheers,  John
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Ian on Dec 21, 2007, 12:03:50
Likewise Mike. If you (and I) are at the next Ctty meeting, I could take it then, otherwise next meeting would be fine.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Delphine on Dec 21, 2007, 13:16:32
I am happy to wait until the Committee meeting as well Mike.  It is very soon anyway. 

Cheers
Delphine
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mac on Dec 21, 2007, 14:21:23
The next meeting is fine with me also.

Cheers
Mac.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: MarkS on Dec 21, 2007, 16:38:31

Same for me - I'm in no hurry.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mike on Dec 22, 2007, 09:41:14
OK Thanks guys i'll leave it in the car and give it to you when I see you next.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mike on Jan 08, 2008, 07:26:14
I will be bringing this along to the Observing Session tonight. If you're going to be there don't forget your £5.27p's please. :)
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Tony G on Jan 08, 2008, 19:42:05
Mike,

If you are at the committee meeting tomorrow, I'll collect mine there and another calendar, if there is any left. If not I'll see you Friday.

Tony G
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Carole on Jan 08, 2008, 21:47:43
Collected mine tonight, thanks Mike for cutting and smoothing down the edges.
Now all I need is my laptop back from my daughter (who's borrowed it while my telescope is out of action), and my telescope repaired and I can resume trying to do imaging !!!!

I'll come to the imaging session on Friday with or without telescope, to watch and learn.

Carole
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mike on Jan 09, 2008, 09:23:38
Forecast for Friday is rain :(
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Carole on Jan 09, 2008, 22:14:29
Will there still be a talk on Astrophotography?
If so can the use of software be discussed.

I think my K3CCDtools version 1 has expired while I have been waiting to get my scope repaired.  I assume it won't work without.  Would you need me to bring my laptop and get it updated, or does some-one else have version 1 on theirs they could bring (i.e. Delphine or Miriam)? 

Otherwise I will have to get my laptop back from my daughter and update it before Friday.

Carole
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mike on Jan 10, 2008, 06:36:37
Yes there will be a talk on astrophotography. I haven't had time to make a presentation but I will demonstrate some stuff in photoshop.

I have no idea what you mean by the K3CCD thing.


Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Carole on Jan 11, 2008, 08:43:15
It's the imaging programme that Ian told me to download.  Don't worry then, you can hardly demonstrate it if you are not familiar with it. 

It has capture and stacking to the programme.  I'm OK with the stacking bit, just needed some help with the imaging bit as I couldn't get all the controls to work, but I'll ask some-one who uses it.

See you tonight.

Carole
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mike on Jan 11, 2008, 09:50:05
If you are referring to K3CCD I am sure we can figure out what you need.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mike on Jan 24, 2008, 06:24:12
John, Mac and Ian - You are the last 3 that I still have the plexiglass for. I will bring them along to the meeting tonight.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: JohnP on Jan 24, 2008, 10:28:08
Cheers Mike I'll make sure I bring the dosh.... :-)
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mac on Jan 24, 2008, 13:19:30
ok, see you there.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Ian on Jan 24, 2008, 17:41:51
can I have a discount seein' as you've only got one left?
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mike on Jan 24, 2008, 18:54:04
Bollocks! I should think not, old chap!
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Carole on Jan 25, 2008, 14:09:38
Who censors this page?
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mike on Jan 25, 2008, 14:13:33
Me :)
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Fay on Jan 25, 2008, 14:33:12
Oh dear, funny!
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Carole on Jan 25, 2008, 17:08:30
In case you're wondering I'm not a prude I've just not very good at making jokes.

Carole
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Carole on Jan 27, 2008, 15:05:45
If any-one hasn't fixed their plexiglass yet, I've just done mine and it was dead easy. 

I put a piece of the soft side of velcro on the 4 corners of the screen frame as Mike suggested and 4 pieces of the hooked side of the velcro on the corners of the plexiglass , but instead of using glue as Mike suggested I used self adhesive velcro as this could be peeled off at a later date if you didn't want permanent velcro on your laptop. 

This holds very securely and is simple to do and the lip closes OK.

Only problem is I can't see my mousepointer through the screen (in daylight) - lets hope it's visible  in the dark.

Carole

Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Carole on Jan 27, 2008, 15:07:59
Whoops (must check my postings before I "post"

and the lip LID closes OK.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Fay on Jan 27, 2008, 15:43:00
Have my Plexiglass set up on the laptop, works really well! Thanks Mike.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Mac on Jan 28, 2008, 15:38:25
mines in my car.

Havent had a lot of time at the moment.
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Ian on Jan 28, 2008, 15:54:29
I've put mine in my window at home. It's got a light behind it to remind me that I need to do something with it.

Keep getting strange men call at the door at funny times of the night though...
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Fay on Jan 28, 2008, 16:12:08
Watch your back, Ian!
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Tony G on Jan 28, 2008, 16:13:54

OOOPS!!!!!! :oops: :oops:

I didn't realise that was your house, anyway that dress didn't suit you,the pattern clashed with your lip stick.

DOH!!!!, this isn't helping my longest thread record!!!!

Tony G
Title: Re: Red Plexiglass
Post by: Ian on Jan 28, 2008, 18:20:57
Astronomy is an expensive hobby...  :o