Posts Made By: Bruce Inscoe

Jeff:
I would recommend a HomeDome 6' with the transition piece, placed on top of your own stick-built structure. My structure is 10' X 10' and I've had 5 adult visitors inside with no problem. My scope is an FS-128 (about the same length as an FCT-150) on a GEM. The standard domes with round walls (6') are OK for fork-mounted SCT's, but a refractor on a GEM requires considerably more room due to the "swing" involved while moving.

Andy:
I used a dark Navy blue instead of black...sort of matches the inside of the Home Dome. Of course, under the red lights, it appears black.

Dan:
I had a similar problem with my pier. John and Marge Menke of Technical Innovations (Homedome) suggested 2-part industrial expoxy like that used to mount large machinery to concrete. After using the adjustments nuts to ensure that the pier was straight, I mixed up the epoxy and troweled it between the base plate and the concrete. Now it's solid as a rock. I also filled the pier with fine dry sand and it's very "dead". I've been using it for three years now...no problem.

Bruce Inscoe

Mike:
I have an FS-128 with a piggy-backed Sky-90 inside my Home Dome, and I originally used a large plastic bag. Last year I purchased a gas grill cover that does the job better.
On another subject, I see where Home Dome (Technical Innovations) is getting bad reviews lately. I purchased mine back when John and Marge owned it, and I've had very good service out of it for 5 years now.

David:
Invite the well-illuminated neighbors over to look through the scope sometime. While they are viewing, demonstrate what the extra light does to the visual images. Then ask them to turn off the lights, and come back and look again. This worked on my neighbor.:-)