Home Page |
Complete product list |
Prices and delivery |
Order your sundial |
Press pictures |
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Home Page |
Complete product list |
Prices and delivery |
Order your sundial |
Press pictures |
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Welcome to the great world of contemporary scientifically accurate* sundials |
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The original brass Spot-On Sundial was designed by Piers Nicholson and introduced to the market in 2001. Since then, more than 900 customers all over the world have bought them as presents for big occasions or simply for their own pleasure. The brass horizontal Spot-On Sundials are made in 3 different sizes, either on square baseplates measuring 17, 27 or 34 cms., or on round baseplates measuring 15, 25 or 32 cm. diameter. And you can make your sundial completely personal by having your own message engraved on the side of the gnomon as shown here *The Spot-on sundial can be read to within a minute or two (it is marked in 5 minute intervals). Unlike many sundials, the Spot-on sundial is scientifically accurate and, if set up accurately, will display True Time with complete accuracy - see explanation below centre. |
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Horizontal brass sundial
Larger Horizontal brass sundialsPolar brass sundials
Order your sundial online |
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The big innovation with Spot-On Sundials is the slit in the gnomon (which casts the shadow) When the sun is at its highest, a shaft of sunlight shines through this slit and across the noon circle on the dialplate. This enables you, the customer, to set up the sundial with great accuracy so that you can read it to the nearest minute or two Please click on any of these pictures to get a much larger version! Please scroll down the page for our complete product list with prices |
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Custom-made stainless steel Spot-On Sundials
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Stainless steel Spot-On Sundials incorporate the
"line of light" feature shown in the picture (left); this enables them to
be set up with great accuracy. They also give interesting reflections of
trees, clouds and buildings. The surface is mirror-polished apart from the
shot-blasted matt circle which gives a strong shadow for the hour lines. The custom-made dials (24 cm. and larger) are individually designed for the exact latitude of their location, and the engraving can be simple or elaborate to suit the needs of the customer. |
(above) 30 cm. stainless sundial with a simple inscription, showing
the reflections(centre top) 42 cm. sundial in our Epsom show garden showing noontime "line of light" (centre) 42 cm. sundial in Horniman Museum garden mounted on a wooden post and with a more elaborate inscription |
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(above) The standard 15 cm. standard stainless sundial, designed for
small gardens and balconies, with a special engraving on the side of the
gnomon. This can be supplied with a stainless steel plinth. |
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The sundial which can travel the world with you! Our new Universal Polar Sundial is adjustable, and so can be set exactly for any latitude between the Equator and the Arctic Circle. And, if you move house, you can just reset it to your new latitude! The Universal Polar Sundial is available in two models, one with a large baseplate which can be engraved with a substantial message, and the other with a small baseplate. It will shortly be available in a Southern Hemisphere version with the hours increasing from right to left. The Universal Polar Sundials also feature the split gnomon, which gives the line of light shown in the right hand picture |
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The skywheelThe Skywheel is an innovative design of equatorial sundial. The gnomon points to celestial north, and the dialplate, in the form of a wheel with 24 spokes,is at right angles to it, and thus in the plane of the equator. The shadow travels across the dialplate at 15 degrees an hour, and thus the shadow falls precisely over one of the spokes every hour. Between times, there are 10-minute nicks and 5-minute cushions on the inner rim of the Skywheel
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Complete list of our sundial products
(1) plus £45 for up to 60 letters of special engraving if required, + 3-7 days (2) plus £65 for up to 60 letters of special engraving if required, + 3-7 days (3) typical - can be quicker for urgent orders (4) Can be made to larger sizes by special order (5) Can be supplied with a round baseplate of 15 cm. diameter - £5 extra (6) Can be supplied with a round baseplate of 32 cm. diameter - £15 extra (7) also available in a Southern Hemisphere version. www.spot-on-sundials.co.uk
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3 models of Spot-On Sundial to suit all situations from small urban gardens to large open spaces and public areas All models can have an engraved message on the side of the gnomon to give a unique gift for an anniversary, birthday, wedding, or special event. |
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Spot-On Sundial in brass
The Unique Line of Light |
Plinths |
Spot-on Sundial in Stainless SteelAn interesting dial which gives excellent reflections in the mirror-finished stainless steel, and, with the contrasting matt circle on which the hour lines are shown, gives the appearance of "floating on air" more... These stainless steel dials are individually designed for their precise location and incorporate engraving text, logos, or drawings agreed with the client. |
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When you have decided which sundial you want, |
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The Spot-On Sundial is easy to readThe shadow of the top slanting edge of the gnomon travels round the sundial in a clockwise direction (for our Northern Hemisphere models). This shows the shadow falling exactly on an hour line . The time is 8 am winter time (indicated by the VIII Roman numerals) or 9 am in Summer Time/Daylight Saving Time, more... |
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Note from the DesignerPeople often ask what is so special about the Spot-On Sundial and how it came to be designed. If you too are interested in this, here is the full story! Piers Nicholson |
Ordering a SundialIf you are ordering the original 17 cm. brass sundial, first choose the right model for your latitude. Then decide whether or not you want an engraving. Then go to our shop (if you want to pay by credit card on the Internet) or use our reservation form (if you are paying by cheque or by inter-bank transfer). For other sundials, please send us an Email saying where you live and which sundial model you are interested in. Setting upDetailed instructions are provided for brass and stainless steel sundials, advanced set up for super accuracy, indoor set up. |
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Choosing the correct model for your locationHorizontal sundials need to have the angle between the gnomon (which
casts the shadow) and the dialplate appropriate to the latitude where
they are to be used. The original 17 cm. square Spot-On Sundial is made
in seven models suitable for most of the Northern hemisphere, and there
is also one Southern hemisphere model - use this
page to help you decided which is the correct model for you. If you
want the gnomon angle to be exactly right for your latitude, you can use
our advanced setup, but this is not necessary
for most practical purposes unless you can be certain that the base is
accurately horizontal to better than a half of one degree. |
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| www.spot-on-sundials.co.uk designed and maintained by Internetworks Ltd of Epsom, England. Copyright © Spot-on Sundials 1999-2010 |
(24,30,42
or 55 cm.)
The
new Spot-On Sundial combines modern functional design with unrivalled
accuracy. 
The
main feature of the Spot-On Sundial is the divided gnomon* constructed
of two parallel plates with a small air gap. This permits a ray of sunshine
to pass through for a few minutes at solar noon, 
These
elegant and robust dials incorporate the split gnomon, so that every day
at solar noon a line of light will shine through the gnomon along the
noon line. 
