[vespine]

h0ughty.
I bought the 12" LB recently and have had it on a couple of trips already. At home, I am lucky enough to have a small shack at the back where the LB lives, I carry the OTA in and stand it at the back then carry the base in after it, it's handy that way because that's the same way I take it out to set up in the back yard.

As for taking it apart, the mirror box sits nicely in the back seat of a car and you can even seat belt it in and the secondary fits into the base which takes up less then half the boot. It was a bit of a squeeze but I got the base into a VW Polo hatch, that is NOT a big car The other time we were in a Ford Explorer, needless to say had no problems with that. Mind you, I still don't think we could have got a GSO 12" in there! Not without removing seats or something. I have a station wagon and was seriously considering the GSO, but really glad I got the LB since it means that I don't HAVE to take my car when I go for a trip with friends.

As for taking it apart and putting it together, literally there is nothing to it. After doing it two or three times it will take you less then 5 minutes and you chat or whatever while you are doing it. In my opinion they could not have made assembly simpler, I wouldn't even consider it a factor.

As for collimation, well, I made a 'sight tube' and have been giving it a shot. I'm pretty sure I have the 'theory' down and even trying to be overly precise, I have found it pretty easy. Collimation never takes me more then a few minutes (except the very 1st time) and has only ever been out a fraction of a turn on a couple of the collimation screws. BUT *disclaimer!* I AM actually a complete newb at this so still to find out how bad my collimation REALLY is That is once I find someone that knows what they are doing who can have a look at it for me. So that aspect someone else may have a better opinion on.

Should have taken a few pics when I was packing it into my friend's car..