NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Mixter's P. of N. and syrup in an A.H.
From: Doug Royer
Date: 2005 Feb 22, 10:27 -0800
From: Doug Royer
Date: 2005 Feb 22, 10:27 -0800
Because a few listmembers suggested this book at the beginning of the month and I like to collect older editions of technical sea going books I purchaced a copy which was delivered last Saturday. This is a very well put together book. Lot's of good info that people starting out can understand. Lots of good illustrations and examples. I purchaced a 2nd edition in really great shape. It even has the origonal dust cover. $ 3.75 for the book and $ 3.00 S + H. $ 6.75 for a book of this calibre is very well worth it. I purchaced it off ebay. In the 2 weeks since I won the bid I've looked and every week there are a couple of these books offered and none so far have gone over $ 10.00. I tell this in case any one is interested in obtaining a copy. As for the artificial horizon discussion and syrup etc. I found that Karo syrup works great for me when using a "pan" type(Davis) A.H. My Davis has 2 plastic "A" frame covers. One clear and one with a darker cover. I like useing the dark colored Karo syrup because it's cheap,has a good viscocity and is readily available. I've used molassis in the past but like the Karo better. One problem I found in useing a Davis A. H. or any that has the cover attached directly to the pan is some amounts of wind will cause the liquid to ripple. Not because the wind is hitting the liquid surface but because the the wind is hitting the whole assembly. I now don't even use the Davis because of the mess I made a flat,triangular reflective A.H. out of dark plexiglass last year. It has 2 bubble levels( $ 3.50 each) and has 2 adjustment screws to level it. Reflections are really pretty good(brighter stars are reflected),it's easily transportable,it's rugged and fairly easy to level out. I took it and used it on numerous occasions for sights on the overland trip I made last Nov.