Dew shields, extensions of your telescope’s optical tube, can slow the formation of dew. Dew heaters, low wattage 12 Volt DC electrical heater strips that wrap around the corrector lens at the front of the telescope, can warm your scope optics above the dew point to prevent the formation of dew.

These heated dew shields combine the best of both worlds. The dew heater strip built into the dew shield warms your scope’s optics to keep it above the dew point. The dew shield itself keeps the gently warmed air close to your scope’s corrector lens. This markedly reduces the amount of power needed to keep your scope dew free when compared to using a dew heater strip alone. And, the dew shield improves your telescope’s contrast much as a camera lens shade does, by shielding your scope from ambient light (a neighbor’s security light, a nearby streetlight, etc.)

A flexible plastic dew shield is rolled into a tube, held closed by Velcro strips, and slipped over your telescope’s optical tube. A thin foam rubber strip on the inside of the dew shield holds it on the scope. Under the foam strip are low wattage heating elements that gently warm the corrector lens of your scope to keep it above the dew point. A 6’ power cord with a standard male RCA jack connects the heated dew shield to an optional (but required) power controller and DC power supply. Flexible plastic dew shields take up less space during transport since they can be unrolled and stored flat when not in use. Heated dew shields generally cost less than the price of the same dew shield and the appropriate heater strip bought separately.