Telescope Transportation

[steve000 (Steve)]

Hi All,

I would like your opinion on transporting telescopes ranging from 6" to 16" reflectors. Imagine this, the scope transported in a box 100% covered in foam to stop it bouncing around. Would it better (safer) to remove the primary mirror especially on the larger scopes and transport it flat in padded area e.g. back seat or do you think it would be OK.

Also transporting on a trailer, too much bouncing around?

Keep in mind remote locations of some observing sites

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by steve000

Hi All,

I would like your opinion on transporting telescopes ranging from 6" to 16" reflectors. Imagine this, the scope transported in a box 100% covered in foam to stop it bouncing around. Would it better (safer) to remove the primary mirror especially on the larger scopes and transport it flat in padded area e.g. back seat or do you think it would be OK.

Also transporting on a trailer, too much bouncing around?

Keep in mind remote locations of some observing sites

Steve, It all depends on the type of scope, if it is a tube type reflector it is better carried lying down and covered and packed so it doesn't roll around as you have suggested
Truss type scopes are best carried with the mirror resting on it's back in the mirror cell.
I am not a fan of carrying any thing with optics in a trailer, Maybe scopes of 20"and above are the exception
Hope this helps
Cheers
if

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

My ota's were usually transported , wrapped in a couple of doonas, and laid across the back seat, with the seat belts looped around it to stop it moving.

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

My Skywatcher 12" DOB, I use the original foam packing and glued it to a 3mm MDF board. I can slide it in an out of my van very easily. I also used the same setup when I had my holden SW.

There are many different ways depending on the vehicle.

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

Hi Steve,

Are you planning a scope or deciding on a particular size of commercially made one?

[steve000 (Steve)]

Hey mate, already got the scopes. My problem is I only own a lancer but id love to come out to some starparties with my 12". the 6" isnt an issue.

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

I don't see a problem with packing a 12" soundly in a Lancer.

A mate of mine has taken his 12" GSO dob in his sedan to a dark site where the last 3km of road is an eroded unsealed one, where going too fast and you could leave your transmission behind. The mirrors are held securely in place, with only a tiny tweek of the collimation knobs needed! As long as the scope is kept from rolling around like a loose Malteaser, it should be fine.

[Louwai (Bryan)]

I use a 6x4 trailer. Fully enclosed. It permenantly houses my 20" & when I'm heading out I can also fit the 12" Dob & the 8" SCT in as well. The latter packed in it's original cartons.

While everthing is out & set up the trailer is my accomodation.
http://www.wlcastleman.com/astro/qld...s/IMG_1590.htm

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

Inspirational stuff!

I can see me now as an astro hermit with an arsenal to boot! Ommmmm...

[floyd_2 (Dean)]

Years ago I helped a friend put his 25" Obsession together. Even built him a custom observing platform and fitted out a trailer for him for transportation. It all went really well until the trailer hit a massive pothole. The mirror bounced up and hit one of the retaining pins, breaking out a section of surface it bit larger than a 50 cent piece at the edge. The scope must have only been a few months old. If you're transporting a larger scope in a trailer, please be very very careful.

Bryan, that's an awesome fit out!

Dean

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

Solar powered telescope. Let me see... What's wrong with this picture..?


Joking, though. Excellent set-up. Wish I was single again... Or "dink" maybe. A few years yet. Thanx for the idea.