Walking through Bunnings this morning I found a CraftRight Safe Case (padded) that looked like it could hold my NEQ6 mount head. It was only $65! The exterior dimensions are listed as 515L x 435D x 225H. I looked over the demo model they had unpacked, and it seemed strong enough to handle the weight of the mount head, and there are two layers of thick pluck foam plus the solid bottom foam layer and the top corrugated foam layer. I bought one. First impressions are that it is strong and can handle the weight
Here is a photo of my mount head inside the case. Yeah I had to remove the cap on the polar scope for it to fit but the polar scope does not hit the sides of the case (snugged up in the corner). Plenty of room on the upper right for the hand controller, cables, and Alt Az adjustment bolts (which had to be removed). The new double dovetail requires rotation to get clearance to close the lid easily.
I will need to cut the pluck foam to support around it, but honestly I don't know how much support that foam will provide given the weight of the mount head. I suppose I could cut up the original styrofoam shipping box packaging and put that in there and it might provide more support and prevent shifting. Better still might be to pour foam insitu (with the mount head wrapped in plastic). I will sort something out. Anyone with foam support ideas I'd appreciate advice.
It seems to be a solution for carrying the mount head out to the dark site. BTW this case should handle other mount heads, like the HEQ5.
The handle is strong enough, I can certainly walk around with the mount, but I would not want to carry it far that way, especially with my old back. The case doesn't deform in any way when picked up (the lid and bottom have interlocking flanges), and it has four solid over locking arms on the lid. The product info claims the case to be: water resistant, air tight, dust proof. Yes ideally a case hand trolley would be a good idea but if your just putting it in the car, or taking it out to set it up, the handle works (it doesn't have plastic hinge pins - it uses aluminium pins on both the handle and the lid). Normal OHS principles apply, lift it with two hands if possible and bent your knees etc.
The same case carries my (somewhat smaller) HEQ5Pro – including two counterweights and tripod spreader. One of the best value astro accessories I've yet bought.
I carry a few kilo's of eyepieces around in mine. Great case. Replacement foam is a ***** though. I had to get a custom piece cut for me at Clark rubber. Then cutting it for individual items. PITA. Sorted it out eventually.