Some questions for Floyd

Hi Floyd,
You have some really beautiful equipment and I was wondering if you have a recent tally on total value? Do you update your insurance with each purchase and take pictures of each item? Do you take extraordinary security measures?
Also, I was wondering if you have tried your WO Binoviewer with your refractors and what do you think?
One last question; do you think you will eventually get a 20" or larger DOB?

Wow, I am glad I got out my 'twenty questions'!

Hi Charles,
Thank you!
No, I have not tried to tally up the cost or worth of all the gear. I stopped a while back, when I saw how much it was amounting too. There is no doubt that I have gotten good deals here, but it is still a bit of money.
I have just recently talked about a rider policy that would cover the gear when it is in the car or trailer. Have not followed through yet, but I will see how much it would cost. The same thing on the gear when stored in the house. I do have pictures of everything. I should have an inventory too, which I should work on soon.
I work at home, so I am almost always here. Security is pretty good, but nothing can keep out a thief if he wants in, but the way the houses are set together, the back is not as easily accessed. The front door has a metal security door that is dead bolted all the time.
I do not think about it too much. But I do keep an eye on things and my house is armed with loaded firearms at all times. I am a trained and excellent shot and I am not opposed to protecting my property and family with them. I know that some people do not believe this is a good thing, but when you realize how long it takes for the Police to arrive on location after a call, you understand that only you can provide real protection.
Yes, I have used the binoviewer with both refractors and I like the effect. There are a lot of objects that respond well to binoviewing and others that do not fair as well. But, the 127ED does a nice job with the binoviewer.

As an adjunct to Floyd's comments, I have riders on my equipment. With many thousands of dollars of equipment, it is all inventoried & digitally photographed. A disk with the photos & Excel Spreadsheet Inventory is kept in a Safety Deposit Box.
My concern isn't so much theft as destruction. I live in a rural area that's had Forest Fires in the last decade.
I also use Floyd's method of home protection: Former Deputy Sheriff & Mounted Patrol as well as current registered NRA Instructor in Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Home Defense, Personal Protection, and a few more.
As the saying goes, "We don't Dial 911" - I never could teach the dogs how to dial the phone and they're home 24x7.
Photos helps in more than one way. Recently I saw a For Sale advertisement for an eyepiece with a somewhat distinctive appearance which was exactly the same as a stolen eyepiece. When contacted, the local law enforcement in the sellers town did some investigation. After arresting the Seller they found over $50,000.00 worth of stolen optics in his possession. Had we not been able to provide an actual picture and point out the similarities to the photo of the item on sale, I doubt they would have taken the request seriously.
Photograph your equipment! Don't have a camera, buy a disposable camera at wherever. How much equipment do you have? Isn't it worth $25 to get lost/stolen/destroyed equipment back or replaced? Clear Skies, Bill