Light trap material ?

AndrewC · Post by **AndrewC** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:44 pm

Anyone know of a UK /European source of Protostar Light Trap material, or something similar ?

Failing that, I might order some from the States in which case is anyone interested in a group purchase ? I'd order 3 sheets and only want one so I'd happily ratio the cost and post on to you at cost.

Andrew

lauriek · Post by **lauriek** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 4:15 pm

I've not come across anywhere over here but to be honest I have not spent that long looking so far. I'm definitely interested in a sheet or two if you fancy doing a group order!

AndrewC · Post by **AndrewC** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 1:00 am

Anyone else want a sheet ?

Andrew

JGVilla · Post by **JGVilla** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:02 am

Two weeks ago I was looking for this material in Europe and I found this address in the UK:
http://www.dobsonian-parts.co.uk/wwwroot/index1.html
However at the time they were out of stock.
Also if you calculate costs (including shipping) there is not much difference
between ordering directly from the manufacturer and ordering from the UK reseller.

So I ordered three sheets directly from the US and the sheets were delivered two days ago.
Good communication, efficient handling.
I figure I have need for all three sheets so for the time being I'm done,
but I would recommend a direct order here:
http://www.fpi-protostar.com/orderinfo.htm

But maybe ordering just one sheet in the UK is cheaper.
They should have stock again at the end of this month.

AndrewC · Post by **AndrewC** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:29 am

Thanks for that link Jan.

Myself, I probably only need a few square cm at a time so one sheet will last me a long time.

I don't know how it works in the Netherlands but in Belgium all US shipments that aren't "gifts under $50" automatically get a euro10 customs charge which really distorts the costs of small items.

Andrew

JGVilla · Post by **JGVilla** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:46 am

I haven't yet figured out where the limits are (seems to vary). Small packages (<US$70,00) normally come through without custom intervention.
Once it goes into customs I have to pay duties (and VAT) and on top of that a €15,00 handling charge for the shipping agent. So that is more or less the same as in Belgium.
That is for items from the US. Items from the Far East are handled much more lenient.
Anyway the three sheets came through without intervention.

How much FLT do you need? If it is only a small piece I can probably sent it to you in the mail.

You best send me a PM.

Stevie · Post by **Stevie** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:23 pm

Andrew how much do you need .
I may have some leftovers .

AndrewC · Post by **AndrewC** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:36 pm

Overwhelmed by offers

Thanks Stevie - Jan has already helped me out.

Andrew

augusthouse · Post by **augusthouse** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 11:16 pm

When I first attempted to locate a supply or supplier of this material in Australia, there was only one person I spoke to who knew about the ProtoStar product. He happened to have roll of it; but needed it for his telescopes.

He suggested I ask at one of the local hardware stores for "Contact or Fablon, it is a plastic self adhesive covering material, comes in small rolls in a variety of colours as well as the black Flock".

It may provide a suitable, short-term solution?

The ProtoStar Hi-tack Flocked Light Trap was made for use with/around optical gear; so I purchased some directly from the US.

Craig

Stevie · Post by **Stevie** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 5:22 am

I was in search of this flocking material a few years ago .
On another forum i was suggested to try out these two .
i had to dig deep on that other forum to find these links again .
http://www.hobby-photo.de/shop/pi4/pi1/index.html
http://www.mcmaster.com/#88015k2/=zeks1

Planapo · Post by **Planapo** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 1:16 pm

Thanks for the links, Stevie.

The made in Germany "d-c-fix" brand velour foil of which your first link states that it is proven and tested as light trap material for optical gear, is also available on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... %26otn%3D2

(I am not connected to the seller in any way.)

--Betty

edit: Fixed misspelling in brand name.

JGVilla · Post by **JGVilla** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 8:45 am

Also a big thanks from my side.
Turned out that a local DIY-store (Formido) is a d-c-fix dealer and they have the black velours in stock.
Got a roll (45cm x 100cm) for € 6.89.

The Protostar and D-C-Fix versions look very much alike.
Protostar however has a 'deeper' black.

Light trap material ?

Light trap material ?

Protostar Light Trapping