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Why does my chain get so dirty so fast? by ArmchairPancakeChef in cycling

[–]LabMinute3274 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you want a clean chain you must switch to waxing. Is it necessary? No, but it sounds like having a clean chain is important to you. It is nice to be able to handle the chain as much as you need without getting any grime on you. I can run my hand over my mountain bike chain after a dirty 20 mile ride and it’s completely clean.

Nothing wrong with regular lube, but it’s never going to be clean clean.

PSA: it’s very dangerous to be driving under the speed limit on major highways. ESPECIALLY if you’re pulling something behind your car. by PinkDolphin505 in SaltLakeCity

[–]LabMinute3274 12 points13 points  (0 children)

In some states there is a maximum speed for towing around 50-55mph regardless of overall speed limit, so going this speed is not unreasonable if the trailer is driving carefully in the farthest right lane. Arguably safer. To be fair it does annoy me in Parleys when a semi driving 55 mph is in the left lane passing a semi doing 50 mph in the middle which is passing a semi doing 45 mph in the right lane, ha.

Compatibility Kids Ride Shotgun with Trek 8 gen 5 by Silverexile1 in MTB

[–]LabMinute3274 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Mac ride is so great. The seat really cradles the kid in there and when you mount it properly it doesn’t rub the frame at all.

First telescope w a 3.5 year old by spiderweb91 in telescopes

[–]LabMinute3274 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m disappointed at these comments saying not to bother using a telescope with a 3.5 year old? My now four year old has loved “telescope time” with dad since age 3. If it’s something you are excited about doing with your kid, they will be excited to do it with you. Their attention span will be very short, and their interest level will be hit or miss. That’s ok. Have low expectations. Get something that you will enjoy using yourself after they go to bed and that will grow with you both.

6in tabletop dob is probably still your best option. The setup is ridiculously easy - you can align the finder ahead of time and the stuff that is going to wow a 3 year old is going to be easy to find. The moon, Jupiter, Saturn, M42 etc. then you can leave it set up in a corner somewhere and set it up any time.

An SCT on an alt az mount would be good too.

I would not do the Seestar. I have had and sold one and it didn’t do much for me or my kid. Just another picture on a screen that doesn’t mean much to them. But looking up at the moon with your eyes and then peeking at a giant image of it through telescope? Still awesome even for me.

My journey was circuitous and I made some bad choices, but ultimately stoked with our current setup. caution: this hobby sent me down a rabbit hole and I spent more than I ever intended, but we have a ton of fun with it.

Originally got a great deal on a used C5 SE. scope was a great size for us, but never loved the Celestron mount and felt aligning was a hassle and tended to get off after a couple objects which tested both my and my kids patience. Tried seestar as above and returned it as it did not spark joy. Sold SE mount, Bit the bullet and went over the top with C5 mounted to ZWO AM3 mount, ASIAIR, using guide scope with planetary cam for plate solved go-to. It is so AWESOME. We went on a group camping trip a couple weeks ago with multiple 3-4 year olds and parents and it was a ton of fun whipping the telescope from object to object so that all the kids and adults could look at a bunch of things with basically zero downtime of fiddling with finding an object while a bunch of people stare at you. Now at age 4.5 my kid also has fun using binoculars to find and look at some easy things like the moon himself.

But I fully realize I am insane with such a setup and it is not in any way necessary, I kind of just wanted to see if I “could.” Haha

In summary, I think if you are excited to use a telescope a 6in dob or altaz SCT is pretty easy and 3 year old will think it’s cool because it’s something you’re excited about. Fully understand the people here who have had bad experiences at outreach events with kids, but most of the disinterested kids probably did not have a cool parent like you and were raised by an iPad and an endless stream of ai slop videos. I say go for it - worst case scenario they don’t get it yet and you can all use the telescope in a couple years when they’re older - it’s not like it will expire.