LEDs to keep me from breaking my neck

Started by Tom Bourg, 04/13/2007 02:49AM
Posted 04/13/2007 02:49AM Opening Post
Hello,

I just did about a 9.5 as I tripped over my observing chair and landed one my rear end. As I muttered a few choice words, I remembered that I have meant to buy a few of those neat little led thingies that one can place around tripod legs and observing chairs.

I can't seem to locate a dealer for them, though.

Would someone please give me info on where I can purchase them?

Thanks.

Tom B.
Posted 04/13/2007 03:05AM #1
I've been using three of these for about two years.

http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_blnk.htm

Great at star parties for letting people know where your tripod legs are.

Jim in Texas
Posted 04/13/2007 03:21AM #2
You know, I don't want this to be a rant---but!

....I really hate flashing led lights that are there just to mark where the equipment is. They are distracting, and it seems to me unnecessary. If you don't know where your tripod leg is, it is time to slow down. If others don't know where your tripod legs are, it is time for them to slow down.

Obviously just my opinion, but I thought I would say it anyway.

Alex
Posted 04/13/2007 07:15AM #3
Here's another good looking product. Very compact!

http://homepages.accnorwalk.com/tddi/tech2000/page7.html
Posted 04/15/2007 06:29PM | Edited 04/16/2007 02:20PM #4
Tom,
If you're not dead set on having LED's, I'd take a serious look at the "Astro-Glow" material sold by http://www.astronomy-shoppe.com/

While they got started selling sets of illuminated numbers for labelling eyepieces, the store also sells strips of the material in a set called 'Tri-lineators' intended specifically to use on tripod legs. This stuff is *very* luminescent and glows all night long, in my experience.

The proprietor is an old observing buddy of mine, and gave me some samples at WSP. Take a look at how far I was able to make them stretch-- on ladder treads, Dob handles, knobs, eyepieces, and a name tag. Images can be found on my page at
http://www.jimrichberg.com/astronomy/User%20friendly%20mods.htm

The bottom image on that page -- of my name rendered in leftover bits of Astro-Glow-- shows you exactly how brightly this stuff is! http://www.jimrichberg.com/astronomy/ag%20Jim.jpg

Like Byrll Cream, "a little dab'll do ya" -- I think I did all of my applications using about as much of the material as you'd get in an $8 order of the Tri-lineators.

Worth checking out, in my opinion.

Jim