NEW Black Lined POD Bays!

A new Black Lined POD Bay is now available. The lining is 100% virgin black polyethylene, heavily UV/IR resistant. It adds 15 lbs weight to the Bay, making the new Bay even stronger than the POD Bay previously available. The black lining is melded with the outer color and will not scratch off or peel over time. It will prevent IR waves from penetrating into the Bay, reducing heat from IR in extreme high environments, and also prevent light from entering the Bay from the outside.

These elements, combined with the success we've had with applying Krylon Fusion paint to the dome interior, or insulating the dome and walls, will provide a passive high heat, high IR/UV solution for high temp environments. The introductory price to line each Bay is $60.00

Customers who do not choose the Bay lining option, or who currently own non-lined Bays, can apply Krylon Fusion paint for plastic to their POD Bays for a lower cost solution to lining. View the Krylon Fusion commercial Here
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Lined Bays can be added on their own or with Insulated Wall and Dome.
 

We've recently perfected a method of filling the POD walls and primary dome with hardened Ecomate foam insulation. Not only does this make the already strong walls and dome incredibly strong, it cuts out IR waves, UV waves, and light.

The thick insulation helps keep outside hot and cold temps on the outside in extreme environments. Only adds 8 pounds per wall panel and 11 per dome panel!

Only the primary semi-dome panels need to be insulated and turned toward the sun for maximum benefit. The secondary dome panels are left un-insulated.

The introductory price to insulate each panel is $60.00. Due to the added weight of the insulated dome, insulated walls and/or Lined Bays must be purchased with it as a package.

Note Spraying Krylon Fusion paint on the primary Dome interior, instead of adding insulating, will still give you the benefits of IR and UV blockage. Optional insulation adds strength and even greater thermal protection.

Click Here for a larger Wall Panel view   Click Here for a larger Dome Panel view.

NEW Portable Zenith Table!

For those who want easier zenith access with some scopes we are developing the new PZT. How about slewing through zenith from horizon to horizon, and not having to move the dome all night? The PZT needs no motors, no chains, no need to interface the dome and scope. No problems. Way more time for imaging. Longer duration images.

The PZT sits flush with the bottom of the primary dome flange and the outside Wall/Bays. Whenever you want, simply and easily slide the entire open dome onto the PZT. POD Meets Roll Off. The Best of Both Worlds!

Replacing the dome bracket screws with 3/8" butterfly screws means the brackets come off quickly by hand, no tools needed. We'll have a "quick release" dome bracket plate available shortly.

The PZT is 2' deep, meaning with or without any mount offset, you get a full and clear view of zenith. In any scope type. Plus the area around it. From Horizon to Horizon!

You can also move the dome around on the PZT, or secure it to the table. Polyethylene is almost "self lubricating". This means it slides great on finished plywood. The POD chamfered, double walled flange, makes it slide easier than trying to plane into the wood like a single wall dome might.

The PZT is strong and mobile, meaning you only need add it when you want to work at zenith. It's not always sitting up against your POD in the daytime if you don't want it to be. PZT is made from stackable pieces. Or you can hinge the supports, so the entire PZT folds up into smaller pieces for storage or travel.

It may sound radical to some, but those of us with roll offs are used to rolling off our roof. In that case, a long way, and a much greater weight. By easily sliding your POD dome back a couple of feet and locking it there, you have way past zenith and still get lots of wind protection with the done slid off in the direction of the prevailing wind. You may have to use your dew heater a little more, but your equipment will be fine in the Bays, or inside the wall. It's a small trade off for the views that are available.

Using the PZT you have all the advantages of the innovative POD dome design for regular observing and photographing, PLUS the ability to image for hours through zenith, with about 60 seconds of preparation and little effort. The table can be used from time to time when you want to focus on targets which slew through zenith, seasonally, rarely, or nightly.

Below are a few CAD screen shots which show the PZT in it's most simplistic versions. Some are textured in wood to easily show them against the POD color. The bright red door is used for easy orientation when viewing the drawings.

A version of the PZT can be made in a smaller elliptical shape PZT-L (Low profile), so that it's footprint is much smaller. It still allows you to slide the roof off, but not move it around after you slide it off.

The PZT is something you whip up at home with parts from Home Depot. We'll have plans you can download for free shortly. We'll add them to the POD software CD too. We'll also add PZT as an POD option shortly, for those who may not be carpentry inclined. The cost will be very affordable.

We welcome CAD people and sketchers to come up with their versions. Stay tuned for PZT developments!

CADIMAGE1    CADIMAGE2    CADIMAGE3
 

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