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SkyShed  
            The same observatory featured on a CBC Venture television program

      POD wins Sky & Telescope magazine's "Hot Product" award for 2008!

               To Be Observing in Minutes  
                                       The dream of every astronomer

In the last few years we've added more and more technology to our backyard telescopes, turning many into powerful scientific instruments. Unfortunately we've found that with all the added technology it takes a lot more time to get set up and tear down all that equipment. You really have to be ready, willing and able to spend an hour (or more) setting up, with the hope of clear skies to prevail, for a few hours of observing or astrophotography, coupled with another hour or so of tear down. With life becoming more hectic than ever, many astronomers report doing LESS observing than they have in the past. All this fantastic technology, and sizeable investment, sits unused in the corner of a room, or buried in the garage. And eventually, someone else starts making comments about that very fact.

What's needed is a permanent and/or mobile solution to house and operate telescope equipment at a moments notice, whether in the backyard or in the field. In the back yard it, will be used to keep all your equipment out of the living/dining/spare bedroom, setup so that even when the rain or snow stops, you can be observing in 5 minutes. Ready to be used when you can't sleep and outside the sky is clear. No problems with setup or teardown. If the weather starts to turn bad (which has happened to me during setup), you want your equipment to be protected and secure. In the field the you want something that can be used in much the same way, after the initial setup.

                          
By using the same proven material that's been used globally, for decades in agricultural products and outdoor structures, combined with an evolutionary patent pending design, SkyShed POD is the permanent or temporary observatory solution to house and operate the latest visual and photographic astronomical equipment.

SkyShed POD's low cost and high quality, along with it's unique design, make it the perfect alternative to much higher priced observatory solutions.

SkyShed POD is going to set the astronomy hobby ablaze. There has already been pages written about it, before it even got to market. And now, as SkyShed POD is getting into the hands of customers, more and more good things are being heard across Canada, the USA and Europe. Hundreds of people will have a SkyShed POD of their own before years end. And hundreds more in the years to come.

I cannot stress strongly enough, how much having a SkyShed POD in one's backyard, will bring back all the good things about astronomy. Anyone with some sort of permanent setup will tell you so. Ease of use will bring back quantity and quality of use. A place for everything and everything in its place. More space for new stuff - just add a bay. Alignment - set it and forget it. Reasonably priced. The only downside might be that now, some people might grumble about you using your equipment to much.

And with SkyShed POD, there is no weekend needed to set things up. You can put it together in a few hours after you get it and then spend time at your leisure, filling it up and getting ready for - first light.

Choose from different colours and different configurations (of even the same model). Put it on a deck or a concrete platform, raise it up, leave it on the lawn, at a friends acreage (or get 2, 1 for the backyard and 1 for a better dark site - where ever) but do what you have to do to get one and start using it. You won't be disappointed. You might come to the realization that this just might be the best telescope accessory you ever purchased.

          Desert Tan, Discovery White, Lunar Gray, Midnight Gray, Forest Green, Neutron Blue, ION Green.

                                       Dome not available in Midnight Gray or Forest Green.

                                                                As a bonus you will receive:

                                        • A Free Full Download version of DeepSky
                                        • A Free 1 year subscription to SkyNews
                                        • Free SkyShed Pier plans and pier footing instructions
                                        • Over 40 Freeware and Trialware Astro programs
                                        • A Free SkyShed POD ball cap
                                        • An assembly manual on DVD (quick view here)

         (More assembly video Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 , Part 4 , Part 5 , Part 6 , Part 7 , Part 8 , Part 9 )

                          (After viewing each part, click on the X at the top right corner of the page)

                                     SkyShed POD comes with a 1 year factory warranty 

                     RCX 14"                                     LX200 10"                            C14 with ED100

                              TMB130SS with ZS66                                     FLT110

      SkyShed POD a winner in Cloudy Nights "Best Products of 2007" Poll
                                                                            Second only to the Ethos eyepiece

                      INTRODUCING

                     GPOD Worlds First "Green" Observatory

At SkyShed POD, their mission is to continually innovate, so they are proud to announce the worlds' first observatory made completely from Re-Cycled plastic (Re-HDPE).

The new SkyShed POD will be designated GPOD, G for Green.
It will have all the UV factors and longevity of our original POD made from "virgin" HDPE, and like the virgin HDPE POD, will a last for decades.

SkyShed GPOD will be available in Tan and Gray colors initially, and will be able to include all of the other new enhancements, including the new environmentally friendly Ecomate hardened insulation, and black lined POD Bays. GPOD will be available in all models including the standard sized POD, as well as the XL3 and XL5 versions.

For GPOD Bay lining, we will be using re-cycled HDPE, this way we'll be able to make a lined GPOD entirely from Re-HDPE.
GPOD is now available starting at only $1995

                            Doesn't really look all that different, does it? That's the beauty of it!

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. Though this new option is stated as being a "lined bay", that's not exactly how it comes about. It isn't really a "liner" in the truest sense. The black is melded with the outer shell, so it is actually part of the bay material 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

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.

Lined Bays can be added on their own or with Insulated Wall and Dome.

NEW Ecomate Insulated Wall and Dome Panels!

SkyShed POD has 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. And it 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.
                                                                                           

                              WALL                                                                                   DOME

The introductory price to insulate each panel is $60
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.

NEW Zenith Table! or PZT

For those who want easier zenith access with some scopes SkyShed POD is 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.

Shown are a couple CAD screen shots which show the PZT in it's most simplistic versions. 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. SkyShed POD will have plans you can download for free shortly. They'll add them to the POD software CD too. You can add PZT as an POD option shortly, for those who may not be carpentry inclined. The cost will be very affordable.

SkyShed POD welcomes CAD people and sketchers to come up with their versions. Stay tuned for PZT developments!

Check out the PZT video here

                                       PRICING

The chart below gives the current pricing shown in US FUNDS. Shipping is extra, and in some cases, a lot extra. Continuous efforts are being undertaken to find ways to keep the shipping as low as possible. Please contact Alberta Premium Optics for shipping rates.

Presently, shipping to Calgary is $750 CDN. It's that time and people are starting to plan their purchases again. There is always the start of 1-2 going out West again soon. Order now to save on freight costs for your SkyShed POD. Household delivery in Calgary will be arranged if needed and a delivery within a few hundred miles of Calgary can be worked out, if you can't come and get it.

                                                           And if you belong to an astronomy club
                                                            PLEASE NOTE
                                               A $25 discount will be applied to your order
                              Points will be awarded to your club towards a free or discounted POD
                                     So don't forget to mention what club you belong to!!