Re-organising kits

[Saturn488]

I grabbed all my telescope gear out of the cupboard on the weekend, laid it all out on the kitchen table and went through everything I have.

My current 3 setups as follows:

Primary Setup (home and astro camps)
- ES102 Triplet, HEQ5 Pro
- Cameras, adapters, accessories galore!
- All RDP to a computer on the telescope
- Powered all through mains, no batteries

Portable/Travel Setup (interstate, local)
- Z61, Star Adventurer, tripod
- DSLR
- Also have a mini guider
- Small portable battery if needed

Solar Setup (anywhere!)
- Lunt LS50Ha
- Can use any tripod
- Camera connected to a laptop

All are neatly packed away however the Portable/Travel setup is a little messy. I have them seperated into the following
- Bag/Case 1 (DSLR equipment)
- Bag/Case 2 (Star Adventurer mount)
- Bag/Case 3 (Z61 telescope and accessories)
- Bag/Case 4 (Guidescope and other bits and bobs)
- Bag/Case 5 (Tripod)

Now, I was pretty happy with my portable setup but when I had a think about it over the weekend I was like, yeahhhhhh thats way too many bags. I need to get them all into one or two maximum to ease transport (a third with a tripod bad is acceptable).

So I want to consolidate it into two. I want to keep my DSLR equipment on it's own as I will only be taking that kit on it's own sometimes.

I purchased a nice backpack for my DSLR equipment (includes a tripod holder on the side as well) so that is all sorted.

I need to find a case or a bag for the Star Adventurer, Z61 and all accessories. Can anyone recommend something decent (as I would like to protect my investment as there is over 1k worth of equipment) but is also portable enough to carry for travel? I have a spare case here but it doesn't seem too strong. It measures around 450 x 300 x 140 mm so something around that size or a little bigger would be perfect.

Contents for this bag/case
- Z61
- Flat61
- Adapters for the scope
- Star Adventurer Pro Pack
- Mini guidescope
- Guide camera
- Cables

Thanks.

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

What about a Bunnings tool box?
https://www.bunnings.com.au/tactix-5...tches_p5820717
or this, looks an even better fit?
https://www.bunnings.com.au/craftrig...-case_p5810252

[Saturn488]

Originally Posted by Merlin66

What about a Bunnings tool box?
https://www.bunnings.com.au/tactix-5...tches_p5820717
or this, looks an even better fit?
https://www.bunnings.com.au/craftrig...-case_p5810252

Those Craftright ones are pretty good, I have one that I use for my HEQ5 Pro. They are a little bulky though but do offer really good protection.

Something like that would be great but a bit more slim. Want the profile to be as small as possible but fit everything in in nicely.

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

I was basing it on your "" It measures around 450 x 300 x 140 mm so something around that size or a little bigger would be perfect.""
The Craftright case was 465 x 360 x 175mm

[Saturn488]

Originally Posted by Merlin66

I was basing it on your "" It measures around 450 x 300 x 140 mm so something around that size or a little bigger would be perfect.""
The Craftright case was 465 x 360 x 175mm

I pulled out the one I already got last night and had another look, it isn't as bulky as I remembered. Pretty good case for the money but I thought I could do one better.

Kept searching around and I found the solution! I picked up a Vanguard Supreme 40 case with has a second soft bag inside for dividers so if weight becomes an issue I can take the soft bag instead.

Vanguard is better quality than the Craftright ones and looks to be a really nice bit of kit.

Will let you know when it arrives how it goes. Now there will be a listing put up of all my spare cases I no longer require!