Niki

@Frederic will you also be trying a few shots with the iphone? if so do i need to download any special software to allow me to play with the exposure time? @Mikhail Lukichev HUGE kudos to you for making this happen! the list is a great idea and only item i am missing is the red light headlamp so will pick one up before the trip! my camera gear for the trip: Nikon 3300 Kit Lens 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 Tripod (basic but sturdy) excited for this first astro drive!

Thank you @Frederic and @Chaitanya D .. the mean mother compressors are hopefully coming back in stock by the end of the month so will definitely consider that option. I do like the idea of having a tank (Dobinsons) even though it’s small, as I want to use it to clean out the engine bay and filter etc.. at the garages they do a good job when cleaning however having the option to do that at home is nice. great tips on extending the life/keeping the compressor in good health. I have a built in compressor which feels under powered (NSV unit fitted by Toyota hitting a whopping 50ish LT/sec) especially after the advice on the previous thread which highlighted the importance of the compressor for safety (pop outs etc). So this purchase is to be the regular use unit keeping the built in one for a backup. @Frederic I saw a little hack for the switch where they rolled up a small balloon and wrapped around the switch... kept all the dust/sand out like a dream!

@AlexPol this is the thread we spoke about during the drive and @Mikhail Lukichev kind offer to host a group of us to practice and take similar style Astro shots! Browse through the pages... we are in the company of so many superb photographers!

Thank you for such kind words and recognizing my efforts to improve and learn @Rahimdad. Indeed I was trying my best to mirror your driving style ... composed, controlled and you made it look effortless!... which it definitely wasn’t for me! I tried to copy @Pancho in his manual driving but the textbook late morning attention drop hit me and being distracted (family chasing me to come home) and being a little tired (those cross tracks are draining) I left myself in gear (I thought I was in drive but I wasn’t) and later in the drive had a few refusals as a result ... which made me realize I wasn’t focused and didn’t get to ride to the top of Faya (being in a rush to get home isn’t the right mindset for a beginner like me to do a climb so I opted out)... I cannot wait to get up there soon! @Frederic cannot wait to be on a drive led by you the resident DJ!! Though I must confess I cannot dance and hopeful no one has to experience me trying

Anyone with experience using the dobinsons compressor below? I liked the idea of a small tank built in and as a brand it’s welll respected (albeit for other products). http://offroadmiddleeast.com/product-category/compressors/ Sorry to hijack this thread about repairs ... hopefully still a useful redirection

@Pancho @Rahimdad @Hennie Schoeman and @Abdul Rahman Abdul Kader ... what a great drive you created for us! thank you 🙏🏽 this was my first experience to fossil rock and what a special drive this turned out to be! So much fun (and fear 😱) at the play areas and a LOT learnt for handling and controlling our cars in such a terrain! Superb route and support... @Abdul Rahman Abdul Kader pls don’t be hard on yourself ... you were great!! And every moment was either a chance to help, learn or enjoy the views! I have added a selection of pics to the album showing that every refusal/stuck/pop out was an opportunity for us all to appreciate the location and surroundings! @Abdul Rahman Abdul Kader how you described Rahimbahi is spot on ... inspired by his patience, passion and care to teach us .. thankyou 🙏🏽 see you all on the next drive!