Bags so scarce for scopes!!

[redwarf (South Africa)]

Hi All,

I'm new to astronomy and recently bought a shiny new SCT.

What I have found up to this point is (Yes, I know you know) cases are horridly expensive and there is such a lack of bags for scopes it's not funny!!

I bought the following scope:
Advanced VX 8" EdgeHD Telescope

What an awesome scope but no decent carry bags to keep it in! I found a mafrotto bag that fitted my tripod but have not yet found a decent bag or case for my ota and mount.

Any ideas?

Thanks
Red

[Astro_Bot]

Many people use a Pelican case (or equivalent cheaper brand) with pluck foam to house their mount head or OTA. You could also use a large plastic container from a hardware store lined with foam cut to size, which works quite well. I've seen some people with custom crates made from wood or aluminium also foam-lined.

I agree the suitable pre-made cases or bags (that I've seen) are very expensive.

Take a walk around your local hardware store/warehouse to see if you can find a container/case that's about the right dimensions - they're usually not that expensive.

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Try JMI (Jim's Mobile Industries) website. They manufacture all sorts of cases. Also check OPT's website, as they stock many different bags.

[Kunama]

Check out the music shops online selling gig bags, drum bags etc.

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Congrats on your new scope I have the same and I'm really pleased with it. I hope it provides you with many years of fine observing!

To carry the scope, look for a plastic crate/box with a lid that the original foam inserts will slot into. They're relatively inexpensive compared to the Pelican cases, which while great, are crazy money for those of us outside the US.

I used to have one of the Orion padded bags for my old C8, but it never filled me with confidence, just the quality if the stitching let it down really.

[04Stefan07 (Stefan)]

I agree, it is hard to find something suitable down here. I ended up buying mine off eBay.

[noeyedeer (Matt)]

potato bags and some twine.. I mean hessian ans stitch them together ... that's what I would do

matt

[redwarf (South Africa)]

Thanks for all the replies peeps! I just can't believe that the scope manufacturers don't supply a decent case or two together WITH your purchase or at least offer you the opportunity to buy the bag or case built for that particular scope or a generic bag for certain scopes.

I have checked on optcorp and telescope.com etc and just cant find something decent for this particular unit!

sigh....I guess the best bet is to go to my local plastic crate supplier or something.

Its just sad to think that that only decent protection for such an expensive item is some cheap plastic DIY box from the hardware store.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by Larryp

Try JMI (Jim's Mobile Industries) website. They manufacture all sorts of cases. Also check OPT's website, as they stock many different bags.

JMI Cases are nice cases, saw one at Stellafane. When I first looked at JMI cases a couple of years ago, the cost of the case was reasonable, however, the cost of freight made it horrendously expensive, as the weight is calculated on volumetric weight, and not actual weight. The 8" case is light, but a big case, by volume. I ended up having a professional instrument "road case" made here in Perth, for less than it cost to get the JMI case.

I had approached a number of road case manufacturers, and indeed, some were very expensive, quoting me over a grand, and that was a wood case with aluminium edges. It cost me $650 for this all aluminium case to be made, which I know seems expensive, but think about the equipment that you are protecting. Having had issues with substandard cases in the past where a telescope was damaged, I didn't think $650 was unreasonable. I protect all my gear, as I simply cannot afford to replace it, or send it away to get fixed, if it is damaged. When you consider those sort of costs, the price is cheap really. It just depends on how much you want your equipment protected.

This case was specifically made to fit my Nexstar (with JMI focuser attached), diagonal storage, counterweights and with the finder still attached, unlike JMI cases, which require removal. As you will note on the images below, the wedge shape also allows storage of the counterweights, which cannot move within the case. Also, all corners are protected with reinforcing, very strong butterfly locks (key lock) are used and it has recessed handles.

So, look around at other case manufacturers, as you may be surprised by the variability in pricing. I get all my cases made by Image Alloys Cases in Kewdale (Perth) as his prices are the most reasonable, without any loss of quality. He also made the case for my 80ED and accessory cases shown, for my Delos kit and Ethos kit..

Hope this is of help.

Cheers Pete

[MattT]

What ever happened to DIY?
It's not that hard to make a case with foam cutout lining is it?
Easy for me to say….DIY is my thing.
It is not good that most scopes arrive in a cardboard box.
I need to make a case for a 2100mm long refractor
Matt

[redwarf (South Africa)]

Hectic! Thats big!

[jamespierce (James)]

There are custom cases from the likes of ScopeGuard ... or if you are in Australia then someone like Transit Pack does some very good but still fairly light cases also. None of the options are cheap... Pelican or Custom... You just have to make a judgement about how often you're going to move your scope to a dark site etc.

[ZeroID (Brent)]

One user in USA toughened up the cardboard box his came in. Strengthened the corners with duct tape, I think painted the sides to waterproof, foam lined etc.

[stephenb (Stephen)]

Try these...

http://www.optcorp.com/sirius-tech-s...elescopes.html


And their website... http://www.siriustech.com/siriustech_products.htm

I've owned them and were extremely happy with the quality.
Not sure if the fit your scope but can't hurt to ask them.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

I grabbed a canvas tent pole carry bag from 'Rays Camping' for $19 and it holds my 127mm f8 Istar refractor perfectly 1050mm long and 200mm square , well made with quality build solid canvas handles and nice zips .
I just wrap the OTA in a picnic blanket ( $10 ) first .
Brian. '

Originally Posted by Kunama

Check out the music shops online selling gig bags, drum bags etc.

[OzStarGazer]

How strong are these bags?

http://www.careyou.com.au/assets/full/1100.jpg

I have one which is big enough for my scope (including its huge base!). My telescope is about 6 1/2 kilos. It seems to be strong enough (thin but really tough), but I was wondering if anybody here has experience with these storage bags. I also have 2 canvas bags on my eBay watch list, but I had one of the bags above at home with other stuff in it. So I tried it out and the scope fit in very well, but I wouldn't like a catastrophe to happen while I am walking to the beach...

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Solid canvas , quality zips and the one I have carries my 127mm f8 Istar well , and the price is great .
Way solid'r than the bags shown in your link
I also noticed the 'Swag Bags' ( 1000mm long x 400mm square ) and these will take up to probably a C11 SCT and 8 -10 inch Newt easily and only about $30 , the brand is
'BOAB' outdoor .
I will post a photo of mine tomorrow if I find the time .
I got mine fro Rays Camping as I said , take a look in the tent pole section .
Brian.

[OzStarGazer]

Thank you, I will have a look. The two bags I have on my eBay watch list are cheap too (about 34 dollars incl. postage).