Technical Innovations

I'm thinking of automating the HD-10 I have.  After many years [since 1993], your dome is still going strong.  No leaks, never a wind problem.  I'm redoing the mount and telescope this winter.

B.P., New Jersey

I purchased a PD10 from you in April of this year. I just thought you'd like to know it survived the worst of hurricane Katrina without any damage.

The eye of the storm passed directly over us (the official track was about 2 miles east of here) and so we went through the worst winds in the eye-wall, *twice*. Peak winds hit 130mph to 140mph here. That's surely the record for ProDome survival. I'm very pleased.

If you would like to use this information to promote the durability of your Dome products, I'd be more than happy to provide whatever you need.

FYI, We live on 150 heavily forested acres and lost about 60% of out trees and a few buildings. Poplarville, where we live, has the distinction of having the eye of Katrina, and Camille in 1969, the two most powerful hurricanes to hit North America, pass directly overhead. For that reason, Poplarville was the first city that President Bush personally visited after the storm.

N. B, Mississippi

We purchased a home dome 5 years ago and have incorporated it into our Montessori school. As you can see the school was build around the dome. It is a central feature to our school.

We will gladly off you any other information you may like.

G. B., Wisconsin

Here is a picture of my observatory in Franktown Colorado.  Franktown is about 25 miles SE of Denver at the junction of state highways 86 and 83.The WPO is a 10' ProDome mounted on a 10' x 10' wooden structure that I built myself.  There are construction pictures on my web site (see links page).  In the 3 years that I have owned the ProDome, it has operated flawlessly.  I am very pleased with this dome.

 T.S., Colorado

I have attached a couple pictures of our finished dome. It has served us well.  We are going on our 3rd year and it is a wonderful upgrade for us as we were using the old gable style slide off roof .  I'd recommend the home dome to anyone considering an observatory dome.  Jerry you were always available to answer questions as we installed this as well as afterwards for tech support. Please feel free to use any of what I said as a quote for your new endevor.  As a side note to you... please know the issues we did have in getting the shutter to slide properly had less to do with rigging and more to do with lubing.  After we "greased the hell" out of the cable and jackscrew (not recommended by Homedome) the shutter has been working well ever since.

S. L., Connecticut

 Dome works great,  suggestion ,  save the small pieces of the white guide strips left over and use them as guide shims on the inside edge of the back shutter if it favors one side more than the other by cutting and stacking two inch pieces as it rubs on the edge of dome lid, keeps it perfectly aligned during the whole transition. Also less twisting with turn buckles on the end of motor cables. Dome now is heated & air, houses a 14 inch meade,ED 80 & teleview scope, using SLR,S 2000XM & SBIG ST-10XME cameras.   Lots of photos  TOO.                          WAS WORTH THE INVESTMENT

B.T., Delaware

I would be very happy to send pictures of my observatory.  I built mine on top of my one story ranch home directly above my computer room.  This way I could have a very convenient way of setting up my targets in the telescope and sending images to my computer for processing. I’ve had my  6’ “home dome” which houses my 12” Meade LX200GPS telescope for about 4 years now without one hint of a problem.  It has been working for me just great.  I think it was the best solution for my needs.  I live in the upper peninsula of Michigan and the winters can get pretty fierce.  There are times when the temperature can get down to 20-30 degrees below zero.  Our snowfall may average between 200-300 inches per year.  Yet my telescope is protected from the elements.  The shutter operates just fine and there is complete 360 degrees rotation capability for the dome.  The room has also been completely water tight even with the snow and rain that we get up here.  I would not hesitate to recommend the “home dome” to anyone needing to create an observatory.  My complements to you and your entire staff for a job well done. 

 J.K., Michigan

I am including copies of some pictures I’ve taken of my Technical Innovations 10 ft diameter Home Pro Dome.  It is part of personal observatory that is 22 feet long by 14 feet wide, which was constructed at my home in Krakow Missouri.  The observatory includes an office on one side and a telescope room on the other side.  The rooms are separated by a wall with a picture window and a door.  During the design of the observatory I considered the slide off roof that many home observatories have; but I was concerned with obstructing the horizon with the roof and the increased space required to support it during observation times.  The Pro Dome solved these concerns for me so my observatory was designed around the 10 foot diameter Pro Dome foot print. The builder who built the observatory also installed the Pro Dome and there were some operating problems at the beginning; but your phone assistance along with the details in your construction manual helped us to iron out all the bugs.  The unit has worked superbly and as advertised for two years now. My ultimate goal is to control the telescope and perform astrophotography in the office section of the observatory; however, most observations at this time are performed at the telescope in the ambient air.  Under these conditions, the dome stabilizes the night air, limits fogging of the telescope, reduces moisture absorption of catalogs and is easy to operate.  And on cold nights the dome helps keep the observers protected from the wind. I realized how much I enjoyed the Pro Dome when I had to send my 12” SCT telescope, which is the scope under the dome, back to Meade for repair.  Since I didn’t want to remove the mount, I did all my observations during the time of repair, with my 10” SCT outside the observatory.  Every night I chose to observe the heavens, I had to build the scope, level it, do my observations and tear it back down.  All my charts would get wet from dew and once I had to tear down quickly due to a fast moving thunder storm.  The Pro Dome is just so convenient and I am so happy that I have one.  My fellow amateur astronomers envy my observatory and the Pro Dome that houses my telescope.

R.M., Missouri

My wife and I purchased our PD-10 in 2003 to house a CGE-1400. I have used it trouble free since and can say that the dome has allowed me to be much more efficient with my observing. On nights that are marginal, or where there is very little time, I can still observe! If I did not have the dome, these observing opportunities would be lost. Another pleasure is being able to leave my CCD camera and telescope up continually. This allows for much greater efficiency as well. I like being protected from the win, and even dewing is not as much a problem. The dome also acts as a great light shield as it blocks the neighbor’s porch lights! It even shielded me from a black bear one night! The dome has withstood 50mph winds, torrential downpours, and heavy snows without a single problem. I can honestly say it has been one of my greatest astronomy investments.

                                                                                                                                       M.W., Virginia       

Jerry - We have had many enjoyable evenings inside the Pro Dome.  All of are star parties were a huge success.  Many new friends were acquired through the sharing of the dome with others.  You have an excellent product.

R. M., Arizona

I'm glad to share some pictures of my 10' ProDome, which by the way is 10 years old this year! The HomeDome without a doubt has contributed more to my enjoyment of astronomy than any other equipment I own.

G.R., Missouri

I got your postcard about your new web page. I have my RoboDome on top of my garage addition and I have pictures on my current web page.  I am very pleased with the RoboDome and the (DDW)  software, it has functioned without a major hitch. I did get a broken spring metal slider on one of the sliding contacts which has been fixed and it is back to normal.  Stabilizing the scope in the roof of the garage was the only problem I could foresee when I had the RoboDome installed. However, when I open the garage door and the dome itself, I have a natural flow of air thru the dome, like a chimney, that easily cools and stabilizes the scope giving very good CCD pictures.

L.D., Michigan

My observatory consists of a Technical Innovations PD-10 dome mounted on three wall rings.  The observatory houses a 10-inch RC and 4-inch Televue refractor mounted on a Paramount ME, with a pair of SBIG STL-11000M cameras.  The observatory is also outfitted with Digital Dome Works, the observatory automation system sold by Technical Innovations.  An in-dome computer is controlled by a laptop in my home.  The observatory is connected to my house via an Ethernet cable directly into a wireless router, so I have the benefit of a high speed link to the observatory and the ability to control the observatory computer from my laptop operating wirelessly. As a result of the DDW automation package, I'm able to operate my observatory by remote control from the comfort of my living room.  This enables me to perform complex tasks by remote control, such as a 100+ star alignment running unattended for three hours under Automapper II, or taking multi-hour CCD exposures.  Digital Dome Works is extremely robust and reliable, and works perfectly with the Paramount ME.  I also enjoy occasional visual astronomy, and find the PD-10 to be very comfortable for myself joined by several guests.

R.C., Virginia

I hold the record for the most number of Home-Dome’s purchased and built (3) by one individual.  I have been an amateur astronomer for over 10 years and worked my way up through larger scopes until I needed a permanent home for my LX200-14”  While I try photography and enjoy the amazing views, I also enjoy working with the technology.  Somehow a roll-off roof just was not the experience of the professionals that I wanted.  But, due to changes in my work and the decision to relocate I found myself having to leave my observatory behind.  Determined and undaunted I persisted in building yet another and finally another.  I wouldn’t be without one – period.  The quality, flexibility and functionality of the Home-Dome is an amazing thing.  It provides the full experience provided to professionals on the mountains of Hawaii all in my own back yard.  In each case, my needs and challenges for building construction varied as all three were different designs.  Regardless of my needs, I was most impressed with the availability, cooperation and assistance from Technical Innovations.  Their professionalism and concern for a successful operation is unparalleled by any vender in any industry.  Their service doesn’t end when the product leaves the shop nor when you’ve completed your construction nor ever from what I can tell.  I know I could call tomorrow with even a casual discussion of some hair-brained scheme and count on Technical Innovations to help me work it out and turn it into something real.  I intend to have a Home-Dome for the rest of my life. 

Dr. J.G. Texas

Jerry, I build the Starcatcher Observatory specifically for the HD6S dome. I could not be more pleased with the quality of the fabrication and ease of assembly and installation. The dome has operated flawlessly, even during windy conditions.  The observatory is located at the Orange County Astronomers Anza, California Site.  Other observatories there also use Technical Innovations domes as well. The Observatory is equipped with an 11" SCT on a Large German Equatorial mount. The CCD image train with a Robo-Focus Crayford focuser extends well beyond the back of the Telescope. The dome accommodates this with room to spare. The dome has required minimal maintenance in eight years of operation - just resealing at the roof periodically. I have never had a leak anywhere on the dome. It's reassuring to know all is well during a storm. This dome has weathered high winds as well. Some higher than 60 mph.  Some well fitting light fixtures would be a nice option for doing maintenance on the telescope. Otherwise I am completely happy with my Home-Dome.

 P.S., California

This observatory is the culmination of a year of web searches and advice from other observatory owners and technical experts.  Part of the search for the best, of course, included the dome.  The dome partly determines the design of the observatory; and after thoroughly researching what others had to offer, it became clear that Technical Innovations could not be beat.  This observatory has a 10 ft Technical Innovations Home Dome mounted at one end; and the experience has been totally phenomenal! Photos taken with the centrally mounted 10" Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope are crystal clear.  There is no need to be concerned about wind gusts that would normally shake the telescope.  Neither is there a need to purchase a dew shield, because the dome even protects against most dew accumulation.  With the dome's clear 360 degree view, my wife and I have introduced many scouting organizations to the wonders of the night sky. There have been no disappointments ... ever.  Building the observatory was my hobby for a while; but now my hobby is pure, tremendously enjoyable, amateur astronomy ... and sharing what I have.  If anyone wants observatory plans and/or construction tips, I would be more than happy to share.

J.L. Virginia

My 6' HomeDome is the single most important aspect of my imaging routine. The ability to set-up for a night of imaging in mere minutes, or quickly close-up shop when the clouds appear, is priceless. I spent many days researching a fiberglass dome design that fit my budget and was appealing to the eye and was sold on Technical Innovations' product line immediately.

Dr. A.S., Florida

Attached are three photos of my dome, pier, and foundation. I ordered the concrete base from a local concrete company. It is a standard 8 foot manhole. I had them put the 2 foot diameter hole in the center to clear the pier which extends about 8 feet underground, has a lot of rebar welded to the pipe, and has about 5 yards of concrete surrounding it. The pipe, which was a scrap piece from a well drilling company, is filled with concrete and has three threaded supports welded to it so the top plate on the pier can be perfectly leveled. I installed a theodolite on the top of the pier and pushing and pulling didn’t seem to move the image at all. The concrete manhole is slightly smaller than the dome support ring and an “adapter ring” was epoxied together from plywood sections. This allowed the plywood ring to be anchored to the concrete and since it was perfectly round, it was easy to adjust the DSR to the required round shape. Then all that was needed was to drill through the DSR and plywood and bolt things together. The top of the cement flange on the concrete manhole is really flat and smooth which is hard to do yourself. The concrete company delivered the manhole and set it over the pier. Since it weighs something over 30,000 pounds, it isn’t a do it yourself job. When the days get shorter and this summer’s crop of mosquitoes goes away, I will start using the thing.A note or two on the dome: I think the “Preassembly” option was well worth the extra money, especially if you don’t have helpers available. The sliding cover needs a stop to limit its rearward travel or the latch mechanism and the inside handle hits the rear cover. It gets dug up and your fingers get smashed. I put a piece or rubber inner tube over the latch handle so that water won’t get in and freeze up.

B.G., New Hampshire