How do YOU transport your OTA ?

[neilallison (Neil)]

For many years now, I've always transported my OTA on the back seat of my car padded with blankets with a seatbelt around it.
Having had a couple of weeks holiday, I came up with this.
As well as holding the OTA securely, I also have storage for the weight and weight bar.
Just thought I'd share this in case it inspires others to do the same.

[iborg (Philip)]

Hi Neil


I found an under bed plastic tub that fit my LX90. Some foam padding and it seems to transport nicely.


Philip

[Nikolas (Nik)]

Won't it slide around in the back? have you secured it with anything?
What about vibrations?

[Rerouter (Ryan)]

Bit of plywood with some dovetail slots in them with a little wedge that locks it in

[neilallison (Neil)]

Originally Posted by Nikolas

Won't it slide around in the back? have you secured it with anything?
What about vibrations?

By the time I have everything packed around it, it's going nowhere.
But I could easily strap it down if need be.
The OTA isn't sitting directly onto the wood. There's a 0.25 inch layer of foam which it sits on.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

That's much smarter, neater and more efficient than my approach Neil....

How do "I" transport my gear..?...hmmm?...well the pier and mount each weigh about 40kg...

Mike
..about $75K worth of equipment in that nice neat packing job

[AlexN]

I have a hard transport case I bought from bunnings with the pick & pluck foam inserts in it... I measured the size of my OTA with the dew shield extended, cap on, EAF on, focuser at approximate focus, camera fitted, all cabling intact etc, then went shopping.

The case I got has about 30mm of foam above and below the scope, with about 70mm of foam either side of the OTA. and 50mm at the front and rear. Thanks to the dovetail and my cutting job on the foam, the scope does not move inside the case, so no cable fittings are ever stressed or have any pressure against them. I can rock up wherever I'm going, set up the mount, slap the rig on top and be quite certain that once I add power to the power box, the whole thing is ready to go!

I do want to find a similar case for the G11, as the protruding motors scare me a little in transport.

Alex.

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

..about $75K worth of equipment in that nice neat packing job

Cute little mount.. do they make 'em for men?