Equipment suggestions for a motorcycle trip??

[Davi5678 (Dave)]

G'day all!
New to the forums and to astronomy. I'm planning a long, round Australia motorcycle trip for next year.
The last little trip I was on, I found myself camping outside of Buchan in Victoria. Spent the night sitting in my hammock and watching the moonrise over the hills, which was a pleasant surprise as I was thoroughly confused as to what was causing the brightening of the horizon, my first thought was a 4wd or spotlight shooters, but it became too bright... anyway I had plenty of time sitting in my hammock that evening to ponder the stars.

The iphone app 'starwalk' has also piqued my astronomical curiosity.

So now I've begun trawling forums to put together a kit for moto-astromomy, I want to start with a pelican case because they are fantastic as motorcycle luggage and offer great protection.

I'm currently looking at tripods, maybe a manfrotto 190cxpro, it's 1.3 kg and supports up to 5kg. Looks like a good compromise between sturdy-ness and weight.

Obviously weight and durability are going to be crucial factors in anything I buy, also size, needs to be compact!

I also want to do some photography on this trip, both celestial and terrestrial. Hence the need for equipment to serve multiple purposes.

Would a Manfrotto 405 geared head work as a mount for astronomy?

This brings us to the big question - What would you recommend for astronomy? Binoculars, Telescope (what sort?) or a spotting scope?

It needs to be relatively small and light, and able to withstand life on the often bumpy road. What can be used for basic astro-photography?

Yet another question, what camera's do people use as I'll be looking to add a DSLR to the kit, but it also needs to work for regular photoghraphy. My point and shoot doesn't cut it for much of anything.

Thanks in advance for all advice as I know little about this subject. In the meantime I'll keep trawling and gleaning!

[leon]

Dave, I have friends that do the sort of stuff that you are intending to do.

Just one word of warning, and this comes from a very experienced biker.

The instruments you take, be it camera, lenses, binos, they will virtually shake to pieces, from the vibrations of a motor bike.

My friend found that his 50mm lens he took vibrated that much that all the screws actually unwound and it fell to bits in its bag.

He literally had to pour the contents of his bag on a white bed sheet to find all the bits and repair it.

It all depends on where you carry it on a bike the rear pannier is not a great place.

Leon

[Davi5678 (Dave)]

Hmmm, that does not sound promising....
I was assuming a pelican case would solve that problem.
Hmmm...

[dannat (Daniel)]

If it was me I would take some bunks prob 10x50 or 12x50. ( though I love my canon 12x36 IS) I don't think they would survive the trip
Something waterproof which is sealed would keep out more dust though some is bound to get in I reckon

The other suggestion if you must have a scope look at Meade etc 90 it's compact & you can buy an adapter to mount camera on top so no need for tripod ( scope has it's own base) just plonk it on a table
The geared head is fine I have one & it works really well
As for tripod if you need one keep it small

The last option is a spotting scope the celestron regal 65 has Ed glass is light & small & waterproof ( a big advantage over the etc) it will help keep the dust out some, but on a bike I think it might still get in

For a Bino suggestion look at andrewscom at the 10x50 ultra they are an military copy & about as rugged as bins get

[sheeny (Al)]

G'Day Dave,

Welcome to IIS!

For motorcycle touring and astronomy you're really looking for small/compact and robust astro gear. My suggestions would be:

• 7x50 or 10x50 binoculars. If they are too big (I know what its like to pack a bike!) go for similar magnifications in say 38mm. There are apparently some excellent image stabilised binos about the 10x38 size that are reputed to perform as well as larger binos because they are stabilised.
• If you must go for a scope, I like the spotting scope suggestion. In my experience they are generally more robust that an astro scope, but if it was me I think I'd stick to binos.
• Get a planisphere and a red light torch and maybe some star charts or a compact book like the "Collins Guide to Astronomy", or "Astronomy with Binoculars" which have charts in them.

Best place to carry a camera/DSLR IMHO is inside a padded camera pouch in a tank bag. The tank bag will not vibrate as much as panniers or a top box.

I would probably limit any astrophotography in these circumstances to startrails, or existing light landscapes with the camera on a fixed tripod.

Al.

[cfranks (Charles)]

Not having any experience with riding bikes, but I would suggest carrying your vibration sensitive camera, binocs etc. in a backpack on your back. Might not be practical if you have a pillion passenger in which case get him/her to carry it. There's a lot of damping in a human body. Good protection in case of a crash too.

[acropolite (Phil)]

[QUOTEBest place to carry a camera/DSLR IMHO is inside a padded camera pouch in a tank bag][/QUOTE]If you're not carrying a passenger, it would also be an option to carry your camera and a couple of lenses in a backpack. The tripod could go elsewhere. You might also wasnt to consider the Benro travel angel series tripods, they're sturdy and fold up to amazingly short dimensions. Here's one that I have seen reviewed favourably. For example the 068 and o69 carbon fibre models fold to just 14.2 and 13.11 inches respectively.

[mercedes_sl1970]

Dave - looks like you've got some good advice. Binos and a planisphere would be a good starting point - 7x50 or 8x42 are easily handheld. A 10x50 is also very good, but may be a little shakier to hold.

Being on a bike, you'd probably want something robust, which may/will cost a little more. The Andrews Ultra binos are very good, but are individual focus which makes them more difficult to use during the day. The Vixen Foresta binos - roof prism and porros are well-regarded (Myastroshop). Porros are generally preferred for astro use, but a high quality set of roof prism binos will serve you very well and will probably be more compact.

A spotting scope is also a good option - 65mm is a good size, and then you need to think about angled versus straight (pros and cons for both).You would also need a tripod and the Manfrotto 190 you mention,I think, is an excellent tripod. Can't comment on the geared head. As an alternative to the spotting scope, you could go for a small refractor - eg a 66 or 70mm.

Re the spotting or telescope option - it would be good if you could have a look through someone's just to get a sense of the size and what you would be able to see. But, in dark areas any scope will give you great views.

Sounds like a fantastic trip.

Andrew

[Davi5678 (Dave)]

Thanks for all the replies!
I bought myself a Celestron c65 mini Mak on ebay yesterday, it will probably be pretty much useless but it's only cost me $140 and it will give me something to play with until next year when I head off and will be good to start learning the sky, not much to see this close to melbourne anyway.

I've settled on a Benro tripod which I've found a good deal on and will probably get the Manfrotto geared head. It will be a good setup for regular photography at least.
I'm leaning toward a spotting scope at this point, it will be able to serve during the day as well as night and possible also as a telephoto lens (?) with a camera mount.
Everything is a compromise.

Still researching dslr's at this stage, from what I understand Canon are the way to go for astro. The only thing I know is my little Olympus mju tough isn't up to the job.

[Davi5678 (Dave)]

Oh dear. This could become an expensive hobby. Bought a pair of Celestron Skymaster 20x80 binos. Will get the tripod next week. Now just need some nice weather.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Why not just use a Motorcycle trailer. Vibration is minimal. And space is not a problem.

35 years riding bikes has taught me what works and what doesn't