I am located about 13 miles due north of Baltimore, Maryland. We had our share of wind, downed trees and flooding. The shelter Dome has been up in my backyard for almost three years as a "temporary" observatory. I would probably not be able to observe in my heavily urbanized backyard without it. Its ability to survive severe weather has made it an old friend, ready to go to work when I am.

Bill G

Thursday was a different story... It was a clear sunny day, though a little breezy at times, till about 9:00 pm when it clouded over. With no chance of viewing I closed up the tent and went to bed around midnight. I was awaken around 3:00 am to the sound of a giant crack of thunder, lightning, and heavy winds. The winds kept increasing! I mean it was 70-80 MPH gale forced winds with heavy rains! My Observer tent was being pounded with winds so strong that the tent was almost completely flattened out from the force! I was terrified! Lightning was striking all around me and the rain so heavy you could hardly hear anything else.

The campers next to me started screaming as their camp was completely destroyed, shredding their tent to pieces. All I could do was cover my head with my sleeping bag and wait for my tent to come apart. But the Observer held together! Finally around 6:00 am the weather broke, cleared off and the sun started to shine. To my amazement the tent was still in one piece, and not one drop of water penetrated the interior. Everyone there was impressed with the way the Observer had handled the extreme weather conditions. In fact one couple from Arizona had asked me the night before how the tent did in the wind because they were thinking about getting one. After this demonstration I think they'll be ordering one!

Saturday night it rained all night long as well, but the wind was only moderate. I was worried that because of the severe beating the tent took on that early Friday morning, that the Observer might start to leak in this long drizzling night, but again not a drop entered the interior. I and all my equipment stayed dry. The next morning the sun came out and I packed up my equipment. As I disassembled the tent I noticed that the tent poles did indeed suffer some damage from the extreme wind conditions. The aluminum extension slots on the fiberglass poles elongated and bent slightly from the force. This is amazing this is all that happened due to the extreme conditions.

I am wondering if I can purchase a new set of poles? These are still usable but I'd like to have an extra set just incase I go through another Montana Hurricane!

One of the best things I like about this tent is, that you set your equipment up once. If the weather turns bad you can quickly and easily get it covered up and protected till it stops. Then just un-zip the top and you're ready to go. None of this set your scope up then hurry up and take it down before the rain comes then have to set it up again after it clears up. Yap! I really like my Observer and highly recommend the tent to anyone that is thinking about purchasing one.

Thanks for keeping me and my equipment safe and dry!

Sincerely,
John Horsley

Jim & Joe
I just want to let you know how totally pleased I am with your Shelter Dome, as well as your patience and the way your company does business.This astronomy tent is so easy to set up, a joy to use, and very easy to break down and store with the carrying case.I am the hit of my astronomy club. This product is perfect for blocking all that light pollution from those street lights, as well as blocking out all the wind. It is made of material that is suited for outer space. This tent can take a pounding. The privacy is also a plus when CCD Imaging. I really can't say enough about the quality and construction of this tent. Jim, a job well done. Rest assured I will be purchasing many more astronomy related items from your company in the near future.

Jim,I would be happy to discuss this product with any of your future customers,and tell them what a wonderful experience I've had with the Shelter Dome & the Kendrick Astro Instruments Co. :)

Sincerely
Jeff Rzepka...Cleveland,Ohio
jeff@transconbuilders.com

Hello Jim,
I just want to tell you how impressed I and other star party attenders are of the observer tent we used at the Northwoods Starfest Star party in Northern Wisconsin this past weekend. My son and I arrived late (after dark) in spite of our efforts to get an early start. Many were already observing with their scopes, so we set up the observer tent for the first time in total darkness. After realizing that the center pole was reasonably longer than the side poles, the tent went up quite easily, just by feel! The following day (saturday) in preparation for another crystal clear night of observing, I set up my 12" LX200 SCT in the observing section and opened the tent up. Enough room for the scope, the giant field tripod, a small equipment table, and 2 chairs with room to walk around. It didn't take minutes before most of the 131 in attendance from over 3 states and 2 continents) toured the tent and had lots of questions about where I got it and if I was selling them. I have no doubt that you are and will be getting orders for the observing tent as a result of positive response toward this fine observing tool. Its easy to tell that it was designed by someone who is an avid astronomer themselves.

The only thing I would suggest as an improvement is to make the door ways more rectangular than circular which would prevent those unfamiliar with the tent from tripping in the dark due to not stepping to the side when they enter. The zippered observing roof is pure genius . Just to mention, I bought it used on Astromart from a gentleman that says he never used it. I know if he did, he would never have sold it. Due to our setting up for the first time in the dark, I failed to notice that we set the tent up over the folded rain fly. When we were packing up Sunday A.M. I found it and had to inspect its design. Its as fine a piece of work as the tent! Zippered doors and windows!! And your logo is first class. I plan to buy your battery pack for my LX200 , your laser collimator, and dew removers. I know from what I've seen - quality is what Jim Kendrick Studio is about. Thanks for a great products!

Sincerely,
Michael and Jordan Dziak

Jim,
After using a number of your products over the past few months, I thought I'd drop you a note about their performance.

The "Observer" tent: What a luxurious way to observe the sky in remote locations (or a backyard)! I had the tent assembled in under 15 minutes and my LX200 12" with its attendant gear fit perfectly. I cannot say enough about the convenience of the two-room design. Placing my cases, charts, sleeping bag, etc., in one room and having an uncluttered environment in the 'scope room makes observing not only convenient but pleasant. The tent has been a godsend on windy nights or when the idiot next door turns on that annoying porch light. When I took it to Vermont a couple of months ago, it felt like the equivalent of staying at the Ritz. Well done! All it needs now is the Kendricks Inflatable Jacuzzi.

Dew Remover: Quick to install and quick to respond, the Dew Remover has made all-night observing possible here in humid New Jersey. My first experience with the system occurred on a very moist night. My LX200 12" was beginning to show signs of condensation so I attached the Dew Remover. After less than two minutes, I had the 12", 2", Telrad, and Keypad (which I used on the oculars not in use) heaters in place and the dew that had begun to collect was vanquished a minute later. The Dew Remover system saved the day (night)! I've also used the 2" heater to keep my coffee cup warm on chilly, dew-free nights. It works!

Kwik Focus: The Kwik Focus has become an integral part of my nightly observing. The simplicity of the design makes it easy to use. And, does it work? You bet! During the recent occultation of Aldebaran (9/12/98), I used the Kwik Focus on a fifth magnitude star to get what I thought would be a rough focus. I was observing with my LX200 and an Astrovid 2000 video camera. When I slewed back to the Moon, it was in perfect focus! I have never seen a video image of the lunar surface with such detail! I also use the Kwik Focus in conjunction with an SBIG ST-7 CCD camera. On several occasions, I was able to use the Kwik Focus without further adjustments to achieve tack-sharp images. I have also made a 10mm hole in one of the three plugs to use during planetary and lunar CCD work, to stop down the light. There are only two drawbacks to the Kwik Focus that I need to mention. First, it does not fit over the Meade dew shield (you must remove this to use the Kwik Focus). And, secondly, stray cats will find the three removable plugs a necessity to play with while you're observing on your front porch. Take precautions.

Off-axis solar filter: The 82mm off-axis solar filter is incredible! My first use involved videotaping sunspots and a couple of bright limb flares. The detail was phenomenal. Using the filter for visual observations was also incredible and I was pleased with the detail and color afforded by the filter, even at extremely high magnifications. Since it is affixed to the Kwik Focus and used during the daytime, the issue of the Kwik Focus not fitting over the Meade dew shield becomes mute. I have also removed the solar filter (quickly unscrews from the mount which is very convenient) and used it with my Swift 20x.80 wide-field binoculars, well, MONocular, in this case. All in all, a superb product for solar observations.

12v 33AH battery: I cannot say enough about this superior power source. When it first arrived, I thought I should field test it (essentially, beat it up). I had the LX200 12", all four of my dew heaters (on maximum), a laptop, a SCSI/parallel adapter, the Astrovid 2000 video camera, a Toshiba video monitor, an SBIG ST-7 CCD camera, and a CD player all connected to the battery and the 110v inverter. Even with all that current being pulled, I was able to observe for nearly three hours! On subsequent nights, I've been a tad more conservative and have had the 'scope and heaters last all week long before needing a recharge. The charge indicator is a great convenience, as well. I have not used the high output connections yet, however, I am considering using it to charge an electrical fence to keep those stray cats off the front porch.

All in all, Jim, I am very impressed with the quality of the workmanship and the functionality of all the products I've received from you. If they ever bestow a Nobel Prize for astronomical products, you would be a most worthy recipient.

If any of your potential customers would like to contact me regarding the abovementioned gear, please don't hesitate to give them my e-mail address, drcosmo@tw-zone.com, as I'd be happy to share what I've learned about the Jimi Kendricks Experience.

Cheers,
George E. Mahlberg....Princeton, NJ

Just wanted to let you know that the tent arrived in good shapeand we FINALLY got a chance to set it up tonight in the field across the street from our house.

IT WORKS GREAT and it only took us about 15 minutes to set it up! Wow, are we impressed. We took your advice, bought a stool and lowered our tripod. It was a new experience for us.

If anyone has any questions regarding this tent, tell them to e-mail me (kippylou@juno.com) - I'll be glad to recommend it. Also, will give people your 800 number if they are interested in buying one.

The thing is really big - great for all our gear and the two of us to get around in.

Thanks for getting it here so quick.
Carl & Kippy Lindsey, Livingston, TX

This is a very well made product. The ease of assembly is marvelous. I have a very bad back and the ease with which it went went up was great.

I found it to be spectacular in its roominess, very adequate space, with good radial viewing of the sky. There was lots of room for my 8" SCT and all my gear. It was great to be able to sleep in the tent too.

I love using the tent!

My only complaint is that the pegs need upgrading as they tend to break in hard soil.*
Hank Biegalski, Sicklerville, NJ

*We have heard this a number of times and we have replaced the pegs with 8" steel spikes (They do the job very nicely).

Take a look at a customers web site showing our tent in use by him:

http://www.corney.net/AstroCamping.htm

Allan White set up his tent (Observatory Tent) in Little Blair Valley in Anza Borreago desert region of Southern California.

Guys,
This is one of the best buys I have ever made! When I first got my Shelter-Dome, it was pretty cool outside for June (low fifties). It only took about 6 minutes to set up and get inside. It's big! My neighboutr came over to check it out. In his words "it was a damn good buy". And that is a quote. It felt 6 to 10 degrees warmer inside out of the wind. There was more than enough room for two overweight adults and my 13.1 inch Dob. I would recommend this product to anyone who observes in an urban neighbourhood or who wants protection from the wind. Also the added privacy would be helpful at busy star parties. If any of your custokers have questions have them contact me at hughe@frontiernet.net Thanks for a great product.
Hugh Semmler.....Upstate New York