Review Of The Sky Quality Meter From Unihedron

This Post will be the "future site" of a full/detailed technical review of The Sky Quality Meter from Unihedron. As it stands now, it's more of a general review.
(As is my custom sometimes, when I review bat detectors)

The Sky Quality Meter from Unihedron also commonly referred to as an SQM, arrived here for review (from Canada) very neatly packaged:

 

 

 

The unit I've been loaned for this review, is The SQM-L At 3.6 x 2.6 x 1.1 inches, and 0.31 lb in weight, it's small & light enough to fit in a shirt pocket. It arrives (from Canada) very well packaged; neatly done with bubble wrap. And includes a lovely black velvet drawstring bag for storing the unit.
I also like the sticker on the front, which can serve to remind the user what the numbers represent (as far as lighter/darker skies). Excellent. 

 

 

Also, at $134.99 direct from Unihedron, it's quite affordable. The SQM-L features a built-in lens, which ensures that a proper amount of sky is sampled.

This unique instrument is very easy to use - However, one should really remember to allow the unit to acclimate to ambient temperature before taking readings. This will ensure the most accurate readings. In fact, another neat feature, is it's ability to display the actual temperature (with a certain button push sequence).

The SQM-L would be an ideal piece of equipment for someone who keeps observation logs, and/or sketches. Adding the actual sky darkness readings to observing logs. I feel as though both amateur and professional astronomers will find this unit indispensable. Frankly, I love it.

The SQM-L Meter, Sitting atop a book I'm very fond of.

You can disregard the reading of 11.44. I only pressed the button (indoors) for illustrative purposes.

Using it couldn't be simpler: Allow the unit to achieve equilibrium with the surrounding night air; then press the button while the lens is pointed towards your dark sky. Dark, as in, devoid of nearby artificial lights. As is the case with all things Astronomy: The further away you are from buildings & artificial lighting, the better.

Pros:

• Small size.
• Accurate.

Cons:

•  None.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but astronomers are prone to getting obsessive over things like: Dark skies, seeing conditions, and let's not forget equipment! The Sky Quality Meter from Unihedron fits right in!

The first time I tried this unit, I made the mistake of not allowing it to acclimate to the outside temperature (I didn't wait long enough). However the readings I got, were:

• 19.02
• 19.28
• 19.24

And on another occasion: 

10/18/18:

• 19.42
• 19.58

The SQM-L is an amazing little device, which will enable astronomers from all walks of life to measure the quality of their observing location(s). What could be better?

I'll be adding a lot more detailed information here soon - Much more to follow... 
I'll take this opportunity, to sincerely thank the kind folks at Unihedron, for the loan of the equipment.

Clear & dark skies!

Book Review - Discover the Night Sky through Binoculars

'Discover The Night Sky Through Binoculars' This is a new book, written by Stephen Tonkin.

I ordered my copy from Amazon (Here) and it arrived well-packaged, in their usual stiff, brown cardboard packaging (I order lots of books from Amazon).
It's a small book (6" x 0.4" x 9") which makes it that much easier to carry around.
The current price (at Amazon) is $13.15 for the paperback; and it's also available in Kindle format - However, I tend to like (real) paper books, and especially when it comes to books on Astronomy/observing.
 
After the Introduction, and a chapter on 'How to use this book', there is Chapter 1, which does a great job of explaining why 'Two Eyes are Better than One'. I never tire of reading about the advantages of using binoculars for astronomical observing, so I was pleased to learn some additional bits of information regarding the subject. 
Chapter 2 'Binoculars and BSOs' explains the ins and outs of binoculars themselves, and has helpful tips to ensure that beginners don't end up (unknowingly) purchasing truly awful "optics".
Chapter 3 'Effective Deployment' contains tips on the best way to hold binoculars - If you're interested in all of the different methods with which one can hold binoculars for astronomical observing - Check out another book by Stephen Tonkin titled 'Binocular Astronomy' (man, I love that book!). It's currently in it's 2nd Edition.

The table of contents features chapters for each month of observing. Using a unique method, of having 2 parts for each month. For example, there is a:

Chapter 4.1 January: The Skies of the Hunter   -and a-
Chapter 4.2 January: Starfish and Minnows
As I stated in an earlier post, about this new book on binocular astronomy, it is unique!

This book would be ideal for anyone who enjoys (or has an interest in) binocular astronomy.
I must say, that I thoroughly enjoyed the star maps / finder charts which accompany the chapters. Very nice! I don't know about you, but I really enjoy new star charts! Owners of the book are also treated to an online resource, where you may print-out your own convenient copies of the charts - Love it!

In summary, there isn't too much more to add. It's an excellent book; I also appreciate it's easily portable size more and more. I carry it around with me, as if it were practically a new teddy bear! Seriously enjoyable to read. 

Clear skies!

Sketch Of M1 Using Garrett 100mm Binocs at 41x

An old pencil sketch I found. This is among one of my very first attempts.

Pencil sketch of M1 The Crab Nebula, Garrett 100mm binoculars, at 41x. Under the Bortle 8 skies of Bronx, NY.

M1 Using 100mm Binocular Telescope, from Garrett Optical, @41x

I'm looking forward to making pencil sketches of DSO's as regularly as possible (as soon as the weather starts cooperating). 

Clear skies!

Bought A New Scope - An Apertura 10" Dobsonian - Read All About The Experience...

Customer Service...Yes, It Still Exists Folks! ;)

Honestly, over all the years I've been into (and sometimes temporarily out of) this wonderful hobby of Astronomy, I have had the good fortune to purchase many optical instruments.
And frankly, the experience hasn't always been pleasant.

I know that we can all relate. I've purchased high-end (sometimes referred to "Alpha") optical instruments from several of the big camera stores... Hint: NYC
I would choose these places because of their low prices; and sometimes, because I happened to be working in the vicinity.  

Now I just happen to not be in the mood to rant or "bash" any of these places of business, so I'll just say that buying experiences there were..."cold".
However, to save my fellow hobbyists from truly awful experiences - I will flat out tell you to avoid "discount camera shops" located in Brooklyn, NY. Specifically:

Focus Camera
Abe's Of Maine

If you order anything from either of those places, chances are the experience will all but twist your guts. Trust me.
And just for any readers who are new to buying optics in general - Here's a list I stumbled upon, where the author has made an effort to warn the public of scam artists.

Okay, enough of that! I was beginning to feel like a needed a shower or something.

On to the good news - "Yes, Virginia, there is a great place to order telescopes from!"
(paraphrasing a Christmas movie here)
And it is High Point Scientific

I have no affiliation with High Point Scientific; I'm just a satisfied customer who happened to recently order a scope from them, and their customer service was both refreshing, and impressive. And I just thought I'd share my recent experience, so that my fellow hobbyists can know - That they are one of the good guys. 

I usually try to keep my posts brief, but allow me to start from the beginning...
Don't worry! I believe that many will find this story interesting!

Well, I'd decided to sell all of my astrophotography stuff, and buy a telescope. These dark (Bortle 4) skies warrant the acquisition of a good telescope just on sheer principle. Coincidentally, my fascination with planetary nebula has been increasing as of late.
Now, I realize, that (probably about 99.5% of the time) people go in the opposite direction - typically, selling a visual observing instrument in order to fund their foray into astrophotography. And many times, a hobbyist will all but completely leave one hobby for the other. 
 I ordered a new Apertura 10" Dobsonian telescope, along with an additional eyepiece. 
Just click the links above, if you're interested in seeing additional details about them.

I went for The Apertura, because the last Dobsonian telescope I owned was an Apertura 8" "Tweaker's Special" - It was awesome. It had factory-installed flocking - Unfortunately, those special packages are no longer available, but I digress...

Unfortunately, while assembling the base, I was unable to complete Step 7 -

The Bottom Base Plate was damaged. The nut which the Axle Sleeve goes around was not installed correctly (at the factory).

It prevented me from inserting the Axle Sleeve. I made some minor attempts to repair/correct - But all was in vain.

The damaged part remained unaffected, and I didn't want to risk actually damaging it.
I should reiterate - This was just a minor mishap on Apertura, and had nothing to do with High Point Scientific or UPS.

So, I informed High Point Scientific via e-mail, and later sent a couple of pics I took, illustrating the specific problem.
However, even before receiving the photos (of the off centered bolt) they were on it! They promptly set the ball in motion, to get a replacement Base Unit out to me - It arrived the very next day.
In fact, I had the damaged one packed-up and ready to swap for the new one when the UPS Driver arrived. Could it possibly have gone any smoother than that?
And that night, I was back up / scope assembled - and completely operational. It's just been a really long time, since I've had the pleasure of experiencing such swift, and competent customer service. 

Everyone I spoke to over the phone there, was helpful, polite, and accommodating. All-in-all, they went above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction. And you just don't see that very often these days.

In fact, I have some additional examples to share, demonstrating their great customer service; so I may be adding some more stuff to this post soon.

So, I was the owner of their 10" Dobsonian, and it was pretty impressive, for the short time I owned it. As some readers of this blog (or my Bat Detector Review blog) may recall, I happen to be disabled. Among the issues I cope with, are 8 damaged spinal discs (inoperable). So, unfortunately, I quickly discovered my mistake of choosing such a large/heavy scope as my primary observing instrument...

I listed the 10" Apertura Dob on CraigsList, and eventually had a serious buyer. The scope has now changed hands, and it's found a good home. It will also be used by Cub Scouts, etc. 

This allowed me to purchase a pair of high performance ED Apo binoculars, which will be my main observing instrument going forward. I'm looking forward to writing about them here, in an upcoming post. 
As of this writing, they still haven't has first light - Because the weather refuses to cooperate. 

Clear skies!