transporting dobs

[DJDD]

Hello!

I am interested in an 8", 10" or 12" dob (bintel or GS).
My question, though, is how do people transport the tube?
Do most people simply wrap them up snuggly and put them in the back of the car? Or do people have a dedicated carry-case/box for the tube?

With the back seats down my car would be big enough for either option.

thanks for any comments.

DJDD

[iceman]

Hi DJDD.
What is the size of your car?
The 12" is significantly bigger than an 8", and the transport requirements therefore change a bit. The 8" and 10" can probably fit across the back seat of most cars, but the 12" is too big.

I own the 12", and in a station wagon, lay the back seat down and transport the tube longways, in the semi-circle foam cutouts that the scope originally comes in. It keeps it nice and snug and doesn't move around.

I did the same with my 10".

A dedicate box would be overkill, it's really not necessary and the foam cutouts are perfect.

[DJDD]

Hi,

thanks for the reply.

my car is a subaru outback so plenty of space - i can fit a pair of 169cm skis in the back.

the foam cutouts sound perfect.

thanks,
DJDD

[wavelandscott]

Another option, although more expensive, is to get a padded telescope bag for your dob. Orion has a number of them made to fit different size scopes. They are quite nice but likely expensive with shipping from the US (unless a retailer locally can source one). I got mine when they were on sale and I happened to be visiting family in the US at the time...

The foam cutouts from the box will also work fine...I did that until I bought the padded bag...

Cheers!

[DJDD]

thanks for the info. i assumed there would be some sort of bag.
I also have family in the US and one day may even visit! if so, then perhaps that will be something to look into.

cheers,
DJDD

[astronut]

The other way around the size problem is to buy a Meade Lightbridge, Sizes are 8", 10", 12" or 16"
They are a little dearer than their fixed tube cousins, but the amount of space needed drops dramatically.:D

[DJDD]

hi,

thanks for your post.

I did like the truss design for transportability but at this stage discounted it on expense and because I would need to collimate it every night.

from what I understand, i may only have to collimate the bintel/GS every few times i go out with it not every time. of course, even if true, at some stage i would probably do that every night.

hey, i like your user title. :)

cheers
DJDD

[astronut]

DJDD,
To get the best out of any reflector, you should always give the collimation a tweek, especially after it's been trasported.
The Lightbridge only takes me approx 45secs to collimate.
Even after being pulled down, transported and set up again, the collimation is usually off by only a small amount. Sometimes the error is so small that you can't even see it in the cheshire e/p.
Thanks about the name, it suits my character.:lol:

[DJDD]

thanks for the reply.
i have never collimated a telescope so am unsure how long it takes.
i guess with practice it gets quicker and 45 seconds seems pretty quick. if that is all it takes for the lightbridge then it becomes another option. still, the expense is still up there. anyway...more food for thought...

your custom title: "2'sCompany3's a StarParty" <-- great :D

cheers,
DJDD

[erick]

Hi DJDD

Welcome! I have an 8" Bintel dob. The OTA travels in the boot of my Lancer along with lots of other stuff. I put it on a blanket and toss a sheet over it - nothing special. Chairs and things go on top and it survives well - I just check that the focusser and finderscope aren't being damaged by anything. The base goes on the back seat. Then I travel up to several hours - an hour to work, then maybe 2 hours to Snake Valley at the end of the day. I find the collimation usually needs a tweak after I set up - I check it every time. Takes a couple of minutes using a laser, if I take my time.

Re your other posts, I'd recommend MPAS for your initial viewing.
To really get away from Melbourne glow, I head to Snake Valley. If I can cope with a little glow, I head to spots I've found up the Dandenongs (40 min from home) or north of Melbourne (1hr 15 min from home).

If you want to look at and through an 8" scope, you are welcome to come over to Knoxfield for a visit. We can see some stuff from my back yard - New Moon or in the next several days later after that is best. Heavens knows when we'll get a clear evening, however! Send me a private message, if you want.

Eric :)

[ballaratdragons]

My 12" fits across my back seat, but I have a Ford EB Falcon. :lol:

[Tannehill]

I've the 12" GSO Dob here in Sandy, you are welcome to PM me if you want to see if it'd fit in your vehicle. Otherwise, Bintel in Camberwell were nice to let me test fit it in my vehicle before purchasing...

st




I am interested in an 8", 10" or 12" dob (bintel or GS).
My question, though, is how do people transport the tube?
Do most people simply wrap them up snuggly and put them in the back of the car? Or do people have a dedicated carry-case/box for the tube?

With the back seats down my car would be big enough for either option.

thanks for any comments.

DJDD[/quote]

[Roy G. Biv]

I own a 4-door Honda Civic. With the front passenger seat back fully reclined it is a cinch to bring along my Zhumell 10-inch Dob tube. The cradle mount (including the turntables) fits snugly behind the driver. The seven-inch thick, 33-inch diameter wooden azimuth base that I fashioned fits inside the trunk. Obviously, there's no room for anyone else.

[jjjnettie]

I transport my 10" on the back seat of our Skyline wagon.
I put a feather doona under and over it to cushion and protect it from the heat, then loop the seat belt around the mirror end to stop the tube from rolling off the seat.

[DJDD]

Thanks, everyone!
It seems that you do not need to be too precious with the telescope- just sensible precautions (doona, blanket, or foam, etc.).

Also, collimation each viewing night seems almost mandatory but quick once you have the hang of it.

Erick, thanks for your offer to visit and have a look through your telescope. I may take you up on that offer some time in the not too distant future- well, probably in a few weeks.

cheers,
DJDD

[astro_nutt]

Hi DJDD
I own a 10" Saxon Dob and I transport it around in the boot of a EB falcon sedan..I made a boot insert from the original packing box by cuting down the packing foam and the cardboard box..use liquid nails to glue a piece of 3-ply to the bottom and then glue the foam bits in..the floor of the boot is a bit uneven so use the leftover foam to fill the gap and glue them under the box..to hold the tube in place an ocky strap at each end does the job and cover the whole thing with a blanket..I still have plenty of room behind the insert to put all my camping gear in which leaves me room in the back seat to fit the mount and accessories.
Cheers!

[DJDD]

thanks, astro_nutt, for the reply.
sounds like everyone has a similar method, although you have dotted the "i" so to speak on using the original packaging. :)


cheers,
DJDD