| HardBerm - Portable Observatory System |
ObservaTech - HardBerm Portable Observatory System
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HARD-SIDED - PORTABLE - 8' - ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY...
· Eliminates stray light – saves night adaptation of eyes and unwanted flare on telescope objective.
· Protects observer, equipment and reference materials from the wind.
· FlipUpper modules - allow adjustment to light/wind conditions.
· Full-circle shape includes door module – sturdy to resist wind, maintains wind and light protection/privacy.
· Durable, hard-sided, construction gives years of service – leave up year-around.
· Observatory even helps reduce surrounding noise.
· Plenty of elbow room for several observers and gear.
· All-Open top - makes skewing to next objective easy, helps maintain orientation to sky, simplified (nothing to break, stick, crank or blow away), good for claustrophobes.
· Finally! A whole new Universe for urban observers – doubles your good observing nights.
FEATURES
HardBerm - General: This is a 360-degree free-standing, open-top observatory with a door and adjustable height upper panels (pictured).
Modular Panels: Each side has two matching hinges on inside for attachment. Nylon webbing loops are attached at top and bottom hinges for hold-downs. They are attached to one another by bungee cords and screw eyes. Standard HardBerm Observatory size is 9 – 30” X 60” panels and one 30” Door unit (total 10) = circumference 300.” Base panels have nylon glides on bottom to protect from hard surfaces.
Door Module: The low-profile, custom door and frame help maintain the circular shape while fully enclosing the observatory. A conventional household door lock (with key) is used to secure the observatory.
FlipUpper: FlipUpper panels (24”) are hinged to top of base (60”) unit. Panels have nylon bumpers to protect base panel.
Material Options: Ply and tile board options are built up with pine and facing to match panel material. These doors built over yellow pine threshold. Door uses inside/outside ¼: ply or 1/8 tile board faces over pine frame. Aluminum door is built like panels. Aluminum doorframe is built in same pattern as wooden frames accept using bonded and riveted 1” square section tubing. Aluminum threshold provided. Optional color choices available - inside and out. Standard is gloss white outside and flat white inside.
Marine Ply Option: Pine-framed, ¼” plywood panels – base and FlipUpper panels are reinforced with gussets and cross-braces on back. Exterior wood glue is used on all wood-wood surfaces. Panels are primed and painted with durable oil-base (exterior) paint.
Tile board Option: Tile board panels are bonded to pine framing - gusseted, sealed and painted inside.
Aluminum Option: Sign panels (.040 - baked enamel, white both sides) are bonded to aluminum box (1” square X 1/16) tubing frame. Corners are mitered, bonded and reinforced with corner gussets. Panels are cross-braced with 1” tubing and a center gusset.
Entrance Door: Door module is cut to same height as other panels. No upper is attached. FlipUpper function is done by swinging hinged to panel on right. Door has standard household entrance lock.
Material Options: Ply and tile board options are built up with pine and facing to match panel material. These doors built over yellow pine threshold. Door uses inside/outside ¼: ply or 1/8 tile board faces over pine frame. Aluminum door is built like panels. Aluminum doorframe is built in same pattern as wooden frames accept using bonded and riveted 1” square section tubing. Aluminum threshold provided. Optional color choices available - inside and out. Standard is gloss white outside and flat white inside.
Marine Ply Option: Pine-framed, ¼” plywood panels – base and FlipUpper panels are reinforced with gussets and cross-braces on back. Exterior wood glue is used on all wood-wood surfaces. Panels are primed and painted with durable oil-base (exterior) paint.
Tile board Option: Tile board panels are bonded to pine framing - gusseted, sealed and painted inside.
Aluminum Option: Sign panels (.040 - baked enamel, white both sides) are bonded to aluminum box (1” square X 1/16) tubing frame. Corners are mitered, bonded and reinforced with corner gussets. Panels are cross-braced with 1” tubing and a center gusset.
Entrance Door: Door module is cut to same height as other panels. No upper is attached. FlipUpper function is done by swinging hinged to panel on right. Door has standard household entrance lock.
FlipUpper: Base-matching upper panel is hinged to the right side panel – attached side to side. When folded this panel lies on top of vertically attached panel. It clears top of door module and reaches panel on left side of door.
TRAVELS OR STORES EASILY
HardBerm is modular. The modules stack easily - requiring a minimum of space for storage or transportation. Easy to setup for a star party or take down for the winter. The whole observatory is held together with 22 steel pins! The rest is tie-down details and gravity.
NOT A KIT
Your HardBerm arrives fully assembled. You only need to follow the setup instructions for your location - 20-30 minutes.
SETUP
Five Easy Steps
· Select your site - level is good but not required.
· Slide pins into door and adjacent (right) panel hinges - unit now stands by itself. Anchor these now if windy.
· Hinge-pin the other 8 panels together.
· Anchor the whole works - inside to stakes or outside stakes & guys.
· Select your FlipUpper configuration to suit conditions, setup your scope, etc. and start observing.
Anchoring: Tie-downs are provide for six upper and six lower points around perimeter of observatory. Nylon straps may be flipped for inside anchoring around base to stakes or ground auger anchors. Installation mode may adjustable, as to permanence, in order to comply with zoning laws for "temporary" structures - minimizes troubles with neighbors and the "law."
SPECIFICATIONS
Base Panels: 60” high X 30” wide – FlipUpper: 24”
Door: 60” X 30”
Doorframe: 30 X 60”
Hardware: All stainless or plated. Painted to match as appropriate.
Finishes: Durable oil-based, primer and finish coats.
Weight (panel – base & flip) Ply- 12.5 lbs; Tileboard: 11 lbs.; Aluminum: 15 lbs.
QUALITY, CRAFTSMANSHIP AND DESIGN MATURITY
ObservaTech has been building portable observatories for the last three years. We have matured the product through user inputs, field experience and constant in-house development. We are proud of the craftsmanship that goes into each component and, finally, the observatory standing in your back yard. You'll be proud too. We back our observatories with a one-year guarantee against defects in workmanship or materials - repair or replacement at our option.
PRICING:
HardBerm: (60” & 30”) X 9 panels with matching FlipUppers and lockable Door module.
Tile Board: $795
Marine Ply: $895
Aluminum: $1,450
TERMS
FOB - Baltimore, MD. Crating, forwarding and shipping by quotation.
Observatories are built to order. First to order - first to ship.
INFORMATION OR QUOTATION
We are happy to have your questions either by phone or e-mail. We'll respond as fast as we can.
Portable Observatories Fit Neatly in A Van, Store Easily and Lasts Year-around
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