Transporting collapsible 12 inch goto dob

[Gem]

Hi all,

Anyone got a Skywatcher 12 inch goto dob? If so, how easy does it fit in the car? I am thinking mainly of the base. Does it sit on the back seat? I have a sedan not a hatch, so I was curious.
For everyday use, how easy is it to get in and out of the house for backyard observing?
Thanks!

[CometGuy]

Grant,

The base might be a bit of a problem at 660mm diameter and 630mm high. IMO they should have gone with a box design.

Terry

[barx1963]

Jen has moved hers in a little Huyandai I think. The bases was on the back seat and OTA in the boots with her other scope. Was a wrestle to get the base out again but it worked!

[CometGuy]

BTW...the OTA when collapsed is 930mm long and a bit less than 400mm diameter. Malcolm, interesting to know, I'll be doing the same in a Ford Focus, but then its a hatch.

Terry

[Gem]

Thanks all!

[noswonky]

I have one.

I was able to get the base on the back seat of a Magna sedan, but only just.
I had to lie it down. But the real problem is not the space - it's getting it through the door. The doors on cars are a funny shape and fitting the mount through is like solving a jigsaw puzzle.

That car was due for replacement so I got a Subaru Forester 4WD specifically to transport the scope. Even with the 4WD the base is difficult to fit in the back standing up. Again, although the ceiling is high enough, the tailgate opening is a little smaller and it's a struggle to get it in. So again, I lie it down in the back.

For observing at home, I keep it in the garage and wheel it out on a trolley. Lifting the whole thing (base and tube) together is out of the question. Two people could probably do it. On the trolley it's pretty easy. Here is a video which shows me moving the scope on the trolley...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnC6oXuY8No

[Gem]

Nice clip! Is it possible to align it on stars rather than level and north?

Based off what people are saying, a 12 inch would be difficult by oneself in a hatch back? (Thinking of buying a small hatchback soon).

[mbaddah]

Brilliant clip absolutely loved it, quite funny too :D:thumbsup:

[noswonky]

The scope in the video is auto-tracking (not goto) which is why the alignment is done like that. I have since upgraded it to goto by replacing the hand controller. For the goto system the alignment is done using two bright stars.

Regarding the hatchback, I think it can be done, but it might not be easy. I have squeezed mine into my wife's Beetle, which is a hatchback. I had to fold the front seat forward making it impossible to carry a passenger in the front seat. See the following post where I attached some pics...

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=635263&postcount=7

[Louwai]

I have a Skywatcher 12" GO-TO. I usually transport it in the trailer with my 20" SDM. But when I'm not taking the trailer I fit it into the car.
THe base lays on the back seat (being carevul not to cut the seat with the EP holder)- I must remember to remove that thing......

And the tube goes into the boot.

My tube doesn't fully colaps due to a mod that I've done, so it JUST fits in.

I have a Honda legend & the back doors open fully 90deg to the car body, so getting stuff in & out of the back seat is reasonably easy.