I set my scope horizontal to allow the roof to close, snug up the locks on the mount so it won't tend to drift, take the EP out. put all the dust caps on, and pull a mylar "space blanket" over it all to help keep things dust-free. My red-dot and raci finder stay right in place. My medium-quality mount is approaching 10 years old, and shows no sign of unhappiness at the situation...........