Storing scopes.

Just curious. I know most people store their scopes indoors. Does the alternating heat (when heating is on) and cold (when heating is off) have any ill effects on the scope?

Would it be ok to store the scope in an external garage (no heating) if it was in its box,wrapped up or in a bag?

Would the constant "coldness" of the garage play havoc with the scope in terms of dew building up etc?

Paul as long as you allow it to cool when you take it outside, storing it in the house is fine. As long as the gargage is dry then there is no problem storing it there too. The garage is pretty much like an observatory so it will be fine. If you have mildew or other fungus in the gargage, then best keep it inside.

A cold garage is in fact better than storing indoors in the heat all the time, as it will mean less cooling down time when you set up the scope, as normally any time from 15 minutes to well over an hour is needed for a scope to cool down depending on its size. But if the garage ends up colder than outside then expect dew when it's taken out. So depends on the garage. Just remember that a cool scope is a good scope.

I'm actually looking for a good plastic/metal garden shed to buy for my scope. The thing is just too big to comfortably bring in and out all the time, at the moment it is sitting fully assembled in the kitchen blocking everyones path, been like that since Christmas. With the shed, the scope will already be cool when I take it out, and will be easy to get in and out quickly.
No room in the garage because of the car and the garage side door is too small.

The garage is solid concrete. The roof is also concrete. Its not cold by any means. Hell my nephew even lay carpet in it so his band could practice there.

at the moment it is sitting fully assembled in the kitchen blocking everyones path, been like that since Christmas.

LOL. Mine is the same. Even thought its a small scope 90mm refractor.........it has a way of getting in the way.

There are some great sheds out there for very little cost. I'm eyeing up one in the YardMaster range. Less then €300

Well if it's not cold then the constant coldness wont have any effect!
But it must be colder than the house, that's only a good thing:) Keep the dust cap on as if there's any old tools and sawdust lying about like my garage, it will get into the scope somehow.

Would the constant "coldness" of the garage play havoc with the scope in terms of dew building up etc?

Hi Mate,

As long as you have the dust cover on there will be no problem Scopes hate hot houses because they take so long to cool down. You get the best views through them when it's cooled down properly.So the garage is fine

Damien Peach has his Scope cemented to the ground in his back garden 24 x7 because he said that is where the Scope belongs outside in all weather with just a dust cover over the scope.