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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. 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. What's needed is both a permanent and mobile solution to house and operate telescopic equipment at a moment's notice, whether in the backyard or in the field.
POD's low cost and high quality, along with its innovative design, make it the perfect alternative to much higher priced observatory solutions.
New
Incredible U.S. Shipping Rates!
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 New
Incredible U.S. Shipping Rates!
This is the biggest news since POD first made history back in '07! After years of working with a major U.S. carrier to deliver many PODs throughout the U.S., we've been able to negotiate incredible new shipping rates. Now you get the same great door-to-door, personalized, courteous service, for up to 35% off our former shipping prices! How great are these new shipping prices? How about only $280.00 to home deliver a POD anywhere in OH? For a dome only it's only $195! That's no typo, it's $195 to OH. How about a POD to anywhere in New York or New Jersey for only $400. Only $218 for dome only. Finally all of California is an affordable $585 for a Std. POD. Every shipping price on every model has been dramatically reduced. You won't have to wait months and months until a truck is "in your neighborhood" to get these super rates. Your POD, tailored to your options, ships from our factory to your door. It's delivered in a lift gate truck by a professional driver, 4-8 weeks after order. Sometimes less. Depending on the time of year. Do you have special delivery instructions? Maybe you live up a mountain. Or you're going to be away certain dates. No problem. We've done it all. This is huge news for the many astronomers who've told us they'd love to own a POD, but the shipping costs were too high for their budget. Now it's easier than ever to own a POD. For all those were "so close", now is the time to act. Prices may never be this low again. Join the thousands of POD owners around the world who've experienced the joy of POD ownership, and a more active astronomical life. Join our Yahoo Discussion groups and get advice and tips from hundreds of POD owners around the world. Browse the POD Raw Gallery to view a sample of them. To date we have 13 Gallery pages with hundreds and hundreds of photos to browse. More photos arriving every day. We look forward to receiving yours soon. For complete to-your-door shipping prices see the State by State shipping chart on the Pricelist page or the POD Ecom site for ordering now!
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 Now
Accepting Visa and Mastercard
Directly through our Ecom System!
You no longer need to go though PayPal to use your Visa or Mastercard for payment. You can now use them directly though the POD ecom system. This is great news for those who prefer to not use Paypal.
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New
POD Visor Available Now!
Lightweight and low cost, the POD Visor is a great addition to your POD for those in urban settings. SkyShed POD: The most configurable observatory on the planet. Permanent or Mobile, Slotted Dome, Clam Shell Dome, Slide Off Dome, All In One. Choose the configuration that suits your location, your object, or your mood.
Click Here
for larger images. Price starting at $299.00.
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12.5'+ POD MAX
Now in Development.
We're very happy to announce that development has
begun on the 12.5'+ POD MAX observatory. The "12.5'+" designation is due to the fact that the standard model will measure 12.5' in diameter, while adding "POD MAX Bays" will increase the wall diameter, depending on the number of Bays, to almost 18' in diameter. The 12.5'+ sized POD MAX is designed primarily for serious astro photographers with large equipment, schools and public institutions, and for corporate research. In comparison to the popular SkyShed POD 8' model, POD MAX will have a higher, thicker wall, tall steel door with deadbolt, motorization and internet interfacing from the ground up, and since its primary job will be for astro photography and research the dome design will be more of a traditional dome opening. The mobility concept will be carried over from the 8' POD design and you won't need a crane to assemble POD MAX. Just a friend or two. Best of all it will cost much less than any comparably sized commercial ob now available. More Info... |
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 SkyShed
Obs Owner/Designer Travels to Afghanistan to
Entertain Coalition Forces
Wayne says "We were honored and thankful for the privilege to spend time with frontline troops, and hopefully bring a little bit of home and a momentary repose to their lives, if only for a short time. Our philosophy in the band is that no one who's sane supports war, but we have to support our men and women who are out there fighting for freedom." For the complete
press release and a link to a photo album of the
trip
Click Here |
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 Read
Max Corneau's Astronomy Technology Today Cover
Article from the Jan/Feb '09 IssueNASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, Max Corneau's great article about tearing down an old roll off observatory and replacing it with a POD XL5 at his club's dark sky site in Texas. Read the article in .pdf Here Visit Max's informative website Here Many thanks to Max
and the great folks at
ATT Mag! |
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.gif) POD
won Sky &
Telescope
magazine's Hot
Product Award.
SkyShed POD was included in
2008's S&T "Hot Product"
awards. The editors of S&T review dozens of new
astronomy products each year, then single out a few
for the prestigious honor of "Hot Product" .Thank you to POD owners! This award would not have happened without you. This is our second HP award. Our SkyShed Roll Off Plans were named for 2005. Since then we've worked hard to live up to the level of excellence that the award recognizes, and will continue to into the future.
Special thanks to the great people at S&T for
another show of support for SkyShed Observatories,
and our mission to make astronomy more accessible to
all. |
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 IBM
Research Unveils Breakthrough in Solar Farm
Technology. POD
at use in IBM project. IBM
researchers have achieved a breakthrough in
photovoltaics technology that could significantly
reduce the cost of harnessing the Sun's power for
electricity. Click Here
to see the IBM press release.
Click Here for a larger image. |
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 GPOD Worlds First "Green" Observatory In our mission to continually innovate, we're proud to announce the worlds' first observatory made completely from Re-Cycled plastic (Re-HDPE). The new POD is designated GPOD, G for Green. It has 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 is available in Tan and Gray/Blue colors, and is able to include all of our other new enhancements, including the new environmentally friendly Ecomate hardened insulation, and black lined POD Bays. GPOD is available in all models including the standard sized POD, as well as the XL3 and XL5 versions. For GPOD Bay lining, we use re-cycled HDPE, this way we're be able to make a lined GPOD entirely from Re-HDPE. GPOD is now available on our online checkout starting at only $1995.00! Click Here to order now. |
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 New
DIY
POD Zenith Table!
or
PZT
For those who
want easier zenith access with some scopes. How
about slewing through zenith from horizon to
horizon, and not having to move the dome all night? As without the PZT, you need no motors, no
chains, no need to interface the dome and scope. No
problems. Way more time for imaging. Longer duration
images. Now Available!
More...Competing products need motorized rotation systems which can cost over $3,000!
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 New
Ecomate
Insulated Walls
We've recently
perfected a method of filling the POD walls with hardened Ecomate foam insulation. Not only does this make the
already strong walls 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. Click Here for more info and larger views. Additional cost to insulate each panel $60.00 per panel, offered as an optional package. Ecomate® Awarded
The IBEX Environmental
Award!
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 New
Black Lined POD Bay
A new black lined
POD Bay is now available.
Additional cost to line POD Bay is
$60.00
per Bay.The lining is 100% virgin black polyethylene, heavily UV/IR resistant, and adds 15 lbs weight to the Bay. This makes the lined Bay even stronger than the unlined POD Bay. The black lining is melded with the outer color 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 temp environments, and also prevent more light from entering or leaving the Bay. These elements, combined
with the success we've had with applying black Krylon
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.
Customers who do not choose the Bay lining option,
or who currently own non-lined Bays, can apply black
Krylon
Fusion paint for
plastic to their POD Bays for a lower cost solution
to lining. View the Krylon
Fusion commercial
Here
(RealPlayer) May take a moment to load.
More... |
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 POD
Now Available in more Countries than Ever
We're very happy to announce that POD is now
available in more countries than ever. In addition
to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, POD is now
available in Great Britain, France, Spain,
Netherlands, Italy,
Australia and New Zealand, Japan,
Hong Kong,
Most of Asia, Scandinavia, Russia/CIS,
and India. Coming
soon to additional countries. Visit the
Retailer
page for a list of countries and links to
international retailer websites. |
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PODs
Are Popping Up All Over Don't delay. Each POD is custom made to your option choices. PODs ordered today will be delivered in 6-8 weeks in North America. |
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 NEW!
POD Owner Galleries!We receive many photos and we had to find a way to showcase them quickly and easily. We've chosen a non-linear, montage style, without captions or descriptions. This will allow us to update them easily and regularly. For
the most part the photos speak for themselves.
Thanks to POD owners for allowing us to share
hundreds of their
photos with you. A lot of the photos have to do with
assembling or equipping your POD, so new owners may
find them helpful. Check back often as the Galleries
grow. Send us your POD photos to include them! |
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 NEW! !
3D
Photo Gallery2D photos don't due justice to POD's shape. Being round, 2D photos tend to squash POD's depth. 3D photos help give you a better idea of POD's shape and size. In order to view the photos in 3D you'll need red/cyan glasses or red/cyan eyepiece filters. Number 23A and 80A filters work nicely. Red lens on the left. Have Fun!
Click Here
to view.
NEW Download a
3D
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 SkyShed
Tops Cloudy Nights PollsCloudy Nights is a popular article and discussion website for astronomers. In an observatory popularity poll, SkyShed garnered about as many votes as all other observatory companies combined! In the "Best Product of 2007" poll, SkyShed POD was second in votes only to the revolutionary "Ethos" 100 degree eyepiece from TeleVue. If we have to be second to something we're honored it's Ethos. Thanks to all the CN members who voted for SkyShed! |
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Click Here to read the story. Click Here to read an accompanying review by Dave Miller.
Thanks to the great people
at ATT for their support! |
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 Lorelei
Parker Power new writer for ATTDuring the writing of the POD cover article, Astronomy Technology Today editors learned that SkyShed Observatories co-owner Lorelei Parker Power is also a published writer. They asked Lorelei to be a regular contributing writer for the magazine, focusing on women in astronomy. Lorelei's first article debuted in the November issue to rave reviews. Her cover story with Farah Payan of Woodland Hills Telescopes is featured in the January issue. Click Here to read Lorelei's debut article. |
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Thanks to SkyNews for their great support! Click Here to read the article
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POD and Astronomy Day, or
"How many people can you put in a
POD?"
Twenty one people actually, PLUS a C 8i on a tripod! Glenn Mac Donald set up Rock Mallin's Beta POD in Ottawa for an Astronomy Day public viewing event. Members of OAOG setup over 50 'scopes, for the viewing pleasure of thousands of members of the public, in warm temps, under a clear sky. Twenty one of them jumped right into POD to show you how big it is in there. Click Here
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Built
like a tank. Made from high
density, nontoxic, Highly UV resistant, double walled, polyethylene.
Super strong, yet lightweight. Individual panels only weigh from 27-50 pounds.
Assemble POD from
10 fitted panels to allow for short term mobile, or long term
stationary installation. Bring POD with you to your dark sky
site and set it up in less than an hour. Or leave it setup in
your backyard for year round instant access to the sky. Ultimate flexibility!
Huge
viewing window! PODs Patented
360
Degree Rotation. View in any direction. Track objects for
hours with no need to move the dome! Need the ultimate in zenith
access? 
POD
is
just under 8'
in diameter by 8' in height and will accommodate the latest popular SCT
and GE telescopes, up to 14", including 14" CGE and 14"
RCX. Plus small to medium sized refractors, even Dobsonians.
Available
in your choice of 
No need to paint.
POD will retain its color for many years.
Install POD on the
ground, on a deck, or any flat surface.
Optional
POD BAYs provide additional space for laptops, equipment,
LCD screens, charts, storage, etc. The Bays extend to the
ground, meaning you can put much more weight in them than a
cubby that sticks out through the mid wall. 
Optional 
Flow
through ventilation. 
Operates
in Extreme Temps POD can operate in temperatures far above
and below the temps your equipment can operate in.
Stainless steel and rust resistant
hardware used throughout.
New!
Black Lined POD Bay Option
A new black lined POD
Bay is now available.
The lining is 100% virgin black polyethylene,
heavily UV/IR resistant, and adds 15 lbs weight to
the Bay. This makes the lined Bay even stronger than the unlined
POD Bay. 
New!
Excellent
Wind and Dew Protection POD
owners report much greater than expected wind and dew
protection, while still having access to a huge sky view.
POD's dome and Bays provide excellent protection for you and
your equipment.
"Redneck"
Wind tested To make sure POD can
withstand high wind speeds we conducted wind tests with POD
mounted on a flat bed trailer. We drove POD across the
country side with the dome in both open and closed
positions. POD passed the tests with flying colors.
Secure
your equipment with PODs locking door and dome. In addition
POD has 12 internal anchor points around the wall base to deter
theft and keep
POD anchored even in extreme conditions.
Assembly DVD
Price
Vs. Quality In price vs. quality
comparisons, POD outperforms competing products, even some much
higher priced ones, by a country
mile! Internet photos can not portray the huge difference in
quality between POD and competing plastic products. We use
only expensive poured aluminum molds to create POD. This means
we end up with a far more finished looking and refined product.
The differences in quality are easily visible upon close
inspection.
The
POD Team Difference! Before and
after delivery you have unprecedented access to the team who
developed POD, the people who make your POD, and direct contact
with the people who ship your POD. Questions or concerns are
normally responded to within minutes if not hours, often by
multiple members of the team. Unprecedented!
SkyShed POD Groups
Astronomy
Technology Today Editor Loves His
POD!
POD
Gets Thumbs Up from
POD
has created a monster!! I am finding myself trying to image
every night! The convenience of just walking into my backyard,
opening the dome, switching the equipment on and start imaging
has multiplied my time out under the stars 10-fold!!! ... I am a
beginner at narrow band imaging but the POD is allowing me to
really attack that learning curve by making it so convenient to
image nightly. 
SkyShed
Observatories Owner/Designer Wayne Parker traveled
to Afghanistan with his 1980's CDN rock band "Glass
Tiger", to meet with and entertain coalition troops.
Wayne carried a PST solar scope everywhere he went
and whenever possible set the scope up to show the
sun to troops. The reaction from the troops was
great, and it provided a few moments to take their
minds off the war going on around them. Many service
members were intrigued to see the desert sun for the
first time through a scope. 
POD
Review in SkyNews Magazine
SkyShed
POD is dedicated in memory of John Kidner, a first
class astronomy retailer and great friend, whose advice and
guidance helped make POD happen.