[rvandenbrink]

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I know hand warmers are often used to prevent dew on lenses during astro sessions, but do any use dedicated lens warmers? They seem handier because they use power banks (often the usb ones we already have), and are velcro-y to better match lens size and heat evenly.

A couple of reviews here:
https://www.space.com/lens-heaters-the-best-for-astrophotography
Amazon’s list:
Amazon.ca : lens heater

[ProfessorBuzz]

Kendrick makes the best, hands down. I've tried others, and I always go back.
Kendrick Astro Instruments - dew removal, imaging power, power packs, observer tent, solar filters, focus masks, USB hub,cord management solutions
The Kendricks are fairly efficient, well constructed, they transfer just the right amount of heat, and the velcro/elastic helps you adjust it to any lens.
Anything else is a knock off.

[rvandenbrink]

Kendrick makes the best, hands down. I've tried others, and I always go back.
Kendrick Astro Instruments - dew removal, imaging power, power packs, observer tent, solar filters, focus masks, USB hub,cord management solutions
The Kendricks are fairly efficient, well constructed, they transfer just the right amount of heat, and the velcro/elastic helps you adjust it to any lens.
Anything else is a knock off.

Thanks, those look impressive For me, I was hoping to keep it simple and under $100 though?
It sounds like I’m looking for the best of the knockoffs? Those seem to be mostly usb powered with hi/med/low settings
Since so many folks are using hand-warmers and velcro, even a knock-off would be a step up?

[MossyRocks]

Unfortunately I don't have much to add as I really should get some dew heaters for my lenses and until I do I just tie 2 to 4 of those air activated hand warmers to hood on my lenses. I don't specifically buy them for this purpose but every year get a couple of big packs of them for hunting and to keep in the car for the winter in case of emergency and then use the left overs the next year for astro. They only have a limited shelf life so at least they get used.

Since so many folks are using hand-warmers and velcro, even a knock-off would be a step up?

That would be me.

[ProfessorBuzz]

Thanks, those look impressive For me, I was hoping to keep it simple and under $100 though?
It sounds like I’m looking for the best of the knockoffs? Those seem to be mostly usb powered with hi/med/low settings
Since so many folks are using hand-warmers and velcro, even a knock-off would be a step up?

You need to decide what the value of your lens/camera equipment is, and decide if its worth it. eg if it's a $1000 lens, spending 10% is reasonable in my books.
The problem is some of the knock offs are badly made, and will short out, aren't actually waterproof, and have hot-spots instead of the even heating strips Kendrick uses.
The hotspots can melt the plastic parts of the lens body.

[rvandenbrink]

All of that is why I was asking for folks who might have a good experience with one of the “simple” products
I guess I’ll get to shopping

[MossyRocks]

I would also suggest asking over in the astrophotography group as a number of people there have proper dew heaters.

[rvandenbrink]

I would also suggest asking over in the astrophotography group as a number of people there have proper dew heaters.

Thanks, I wasn’t aware of the group feature on this site! “today I learned a thing”!

[MossyRocks]

Thanks, I wasn’t aware of the group feature on this site! “today I learned a thing”!

The group is here and we are a friendly lot.