Kolenka
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/01/08
Posts: 1009
Loc: Seattle Area, WA, USA
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As I intend to do some traveling this summer, as well as some camping, I am looking at a case for my ETX-125.
What sort of travel cases do people use for their ETX-125?
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Orion XX12 / Orion 80ED OTA / AT66ED
Nagler 7T6, 9T6, 13T6, 17T4, 26T5
Canon XS, TIS DMK 31AF03, AstroTrac TT320X
Northwest Astro Photoblog
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Stephen S
sage
Reged: 08/21/07
Posts: 214
Loc: San Diego, CA
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I use the Meade made case 7609. It's specifically designed for the ETX125 so everything fits perfectly. It can also handle the controller, power cord and several eyepieces. As such, when I'm traveling with this scope, I usually use this case (and the tripod case) and nothing else.
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C9.25 XLT (Arges), Vixen ED100sf (Liberty), Coronado PST (Sunny)
Celestron CG-5GT, Vixen Porta Mount
40mm Pentax XW, 27mm Panoptic, 13mm Ethos, 12mm Cemax,
7mm Pentax XW, 4.7mm Meade UWA, 8-24mm Celestron Zoom
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rcd47
sage
Reged: 03/15/08
Posts: 259
Loc: East Texas, USA
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I was thinking about asking the same question.  I like the looks of the Meade case, but I was kind of hoping for something cheaper. 
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Randy
Edmund Astroscan
Meade ETX125PE
Skywatcher 102mm F5 & Alt/Az Mount
Orion ST80/Mini EQ1
Tasco Starguide 114/Celestron Hand Paddle
Pentax 10x50 Binoculars
Philips SPC 900NC
Stellacam EX
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Dangermouse
member
Reged: 02/13/08
Posts: 85
Loc: 170.5E; -45.9S
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I'm interested in this too. I'm too mean to fork out for the astronomically overpriced Meade aluminium case (at least its a ridiculous price outside of the US but pricey either way methinks for what it is...).
I'm thinking more along the lines of a stout wooden chest with convenient carry handles used with foam cutouts, doesn't need to be terribly precise. I hope to pick something up secondhand.
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Ian Cole
journeyman
Reged: 05/11/08
Posts: 6
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I use the Craftsman "Sit/Stand/Tote Truck" from Sears. It is model# 59627
Its $59.99, available locally and is ideal for carrying my 125, skycout and misc accessories. I grab this case, my eyepiece case, tripod bag and I have EVERYTHING I could need.
I used some extra pluck foam for the entire bottom of the case, then the etx sits in an outline of pluck foam. The tray then sits above the telescope (I don't have the PE model, don't know if the smartfinder would fit).
With the 125 laying in the case, there is approx 1.25" on each end of the 125 - I slide a piece of foam in each end for extra cushioning. If I didnt carry so many other accessories around, eyepieces could easily be carried with me.
The best part about this case is that it is strong enough to sit or stand on. This past weekend, I used it as a step for my 8 year old so I wasn't lifting him to the eyepiece.
This case is MUCH bigger and heavier than the meade case, and would not work well for air travel - but for the back of my truck, its perfect (And much cheaper!).
I can send pictures if someone is really interested. I just took the scope to home depot and sears and found the model that fit best.
Ian
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rollout
member
Reged: 03/25/08
Posts: 85
Loc: Broken Arrow, OK
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I would LOVE to see your setup Ian. I am considering getting one of those Coleman coolers with wheels and cutting foam to pad the 125PE. HOWEVER, the Coleman w/wheels has a note to not sit or stand on it.
Bill
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Meade ETX-125PE
Purchased 4/7/8...I am a newbie
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Ian Cole
journeyman
Reged: 05/11/08
Posts: 6
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This is WAY better looking than a rolling cooler 
Here's a link to some photos I took this morning - http://picasaweb.google.com/ian.cole/ETXCase
I forgot to mention , this case also has holes in the handles for padlocks, although they could likely be broken off by hand, or with any blunt object, its just plastic.
I want to cut a custom foam outline, but the pluck foam is working for now.
The warning graphic on the side (just noticed it today) says it cannot support more than 250 lbs...Good thing I lost weight last year 
Edited by Ian Cole (06/10/08 10:08 AM)
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Kolenka
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/01/08
Posts: 1009
Loc: Seattle Area, WA, USA
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Quote:
I use the Meade made case 7609. It's specifically designed for the ETX125 so everything fits perfectly. It can also handle the controller, power cord and several eyepieces. As such, when I'm traveling with this scope, I usually use this case (and the tripod case) and nothing else.
Since you have the hard case, can you give me some idea on its external dimensions? One concern I have is that if I go backpacking and lug the scope, that I want something a bit smaller.
While I like the idea of the DIY pieces that a couple others have put together, I am wondering if I can find something that sorta fits both wants, or if I should just create a padded carrying piece for backpacking specifically, and go cheap on the larger hard case for travel (mostly by plane or train).
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Orion XX12 / Orion 80ED OTA / AT66ED
Nagler 7T6, 9T6, 13T6, 17T4, 26T5
Canon XS, TIS DMK 31AF03, AstroTrac TT320X
Northwest Astro Photoblog
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Stephen S
sage
Reged: 08/21/07
Posts: 214
Loc: San Diego, CA
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While I like the Meade case, I would not consider it backpack size (then again, I'm not sure you can find something to handle the ETX125 that will fit in a backpack).
The dimensions of the Meade 7609 case are as follows:
25.62" L x 11" W x 14.62" H.
The case itself (without telescope and other pieces) is 15 Pounds. It's good for car transport. However, this is not something I would want to be carrying any distance. 
Hope this helps.
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C9.25 XLT (Arges), Vixen ED100sf (Liberty), Coronado PST (Sunny)
Celestron CG-5GT, Vixen Porta Mount
40mm Pentax XW, 27mm Panoptic, 13mm Ethos, 12mm Cemax,
7mm Pentax XW, 4.7mm Meade UWA, 8-24mm Celestron Zoom
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Kolenka
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/01/08
Posts: 1009
Loc: Seattle Area, WA, USA
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Yeeouch, okay. The size isn't so bad, but adding 15 lbs to the weight of the scope is not so good.
Too bad Orion stopped making the bags that happened to fit the ETX-125. It looked like it would make for a good bag that would add padding to put inside the larger backpack I have.
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Orion XX12 / Orion 80ED OTA / AT66ED
Nagler 7T6, 9T6, 13T6, 17T4, 26T5
Canon XS, TIS DMK 31AF03, AstroTrac TT320X
Northwest Astro Photoblog
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Stephen S
sage
Reged: 08/21/07
Posts: 214
Loc: San Diego, CA
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Interesting you mention the Orion bags. I have one for my C9.25 and I really like it. Provides decent protection, not as good as a hard case but much lighter. And, they are quite a bit cheaper then the Meade hard case model. I had not thought of this approach but now that you mention it, I like the idea quite a bit. The extra weight of the Meade case is a bit of an issue.
It might be worth contacthing them to see if they have one that would fit the ETX125. They provide fairly clear information concerning sizes on the website so you might be able to figure it out just by looking there. And, if it does not work, they have a fairly good return policy (as long as it's within 30 days). Interesting idea.
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C9.25 XLT (Arges), Vixen ED100sf (Liberty), Coronado PST (Sunny)
Celestron CG-5GT, Vixen Porta Mount
40mm Pentax XW, 27mm Panoptic, 13mm Ethos, 12mm Cemax,
7mm Pentax XW, 4.7mm Meade UWA, 8-24mm Celestron Zoom
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Kolenka
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/01/08
Posts: 1009
Loc: Seattle Area, WA, USA
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I noticed that their 8" SCT OTA bag is right about the best size to hold the ETX125 while it is still attached to the fork. The downside is that they charge 130-140$ US for it. Makes it almost as expensive as just the hardcase.
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Orion XX12 / Orion 80ED OTA / AT66ED
Nagler 7T6, 9T6, 13T6, 17T4, 26T5
Canon XS, TIS DMK 31AF03, AstroTrac TT320X
Northwest Astro Photoblog
Edited by Kolenka (06/11/08 12:49 AM)
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Rob_G
sage
Reged: 10/12/06
Posts: 247
Loc: Syracuse, NY
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Quote:
I noticed that their 8" SCT OTA bag is right about the best size to hold the ETX125 while it is still attached to the fork. The downside is that they charge 130-140$ US for it. Makes it almost as expensive as just the hardcase.
I noticed that as well.
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Rob
Bausch & Lomb Legacy 10x50
Meade ETX 125-AT
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rollout
member
Reged: 03/25/08
Posts: 85
Loc: Broken Arrow, OK
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Quote:
This is WAY better looking than a rolling cooler
Thanks Ian...off to Sears today to pick one up.
Bill
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Meade ETX-125PE
Purchased 4/7/8...I am a newbie
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rollout
member
Reged: 03/25/08
Posts: 85
Loc: Broken Arrow, OK
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Went to Sears, got ticked off at Sears....ordered online (paid $9.95 shipping....wish I had done that 1st!).
Bill
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Meade ETX-125PE
Purchased 4/7/8...I am a newbie
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Rob_G
sage
Reged: 10/12/06
Posts: 247
Loc: Syracuse, NY
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Don't keep us in suspense. What happened at Sears? 
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Rob
Bausch & Lomb Legacy 10x50
Meade ETX 125-AT
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rollout
member
Reged: 03/25/08
Posts: 85
Loc: Broken Arrow, OK
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Quote:
Don't keep us in suspense. What happened at Sears?
LACK OF, and then BAD, Salespeople.
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Meade ETX-125PE
Purchased 4/7/8...I am a newbie
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Ian Cole
journeyman
Reged: 05/11/08
Posts: 6
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I have the almost opposite experiences - I will ONLY buy in stores now, and never again from sears.com.
The telescope went 500+ miles over the last week in the bed of the pickup truck, across parking lots, over curbs, and in & out of elevators (I was on vacation...)
I had to adjust the finder scope a bit - everything else was safe & sound. I had someone ask me if I "did this professionally" - so I guess the ETX & case looked ok
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rcd47
sage
Reged: 03/15/08
Posts: 259
Loc: East Texas, USA
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I'm seriously thinking about the Sears case too. I'm pretty sure I can get all my ep's, cameras and other stuff in it along with the scope. It will be a real hog though. I'm not needing it so much for travel, just mainly a safe storage for the scope. Most of the time it will only travel about 100' into the backyard.
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Randy
Edmund Astroscan
Meade ETX125PE
Skywatcher 102mm F5 & Alt/Az Mount
Orion ST80/Mini EQ1
Tasco Starguide 114/Celestron Hand Paddle
Pentax 10x50 Binoculars
Philips SPC 900NC
Stellacam EX
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Ian Cole
journeyman
Reged: 05/11/08
Posts: 6
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I have a 5 year old boy, an 8 year old boy and a Great Dane - everything in my house NEEDS "safe storage", especially the telescope.
One other benefit is that once you drag the case outside (and it is bulky), you have a place to sit once you unload the scope. In my case, the kids also stand on it to see in the eyepiece.
One nice thing about buying it at Sears - take it home, load it up and if you dont like it, you can easily return it.
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rollout
member
Reged: 03/25/08
Posts: 85
Loc: Broken Arrow, OK
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My Sears "telescope case" is out for delivery today.
I need to go get some foam tonight.
Bill
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Meade ETX-125PE
Purchased 4/7/8...I am a newbie
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rcd47
sage
Reged: 03/15/08
Posts: 259
Loc: East Texas, USA
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Just got back from Sears with one. I looked last weekend but they only had one left and the handle wouldn't pull out all the way. Tonight they had three of them. I picked up some foam on the way home. Now, just need to get it all set up. Looks like a nice box that will hold telescope and plenty of accessories.
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Randy
Edmund Astroscan
Meade ETX125PE
Skywatcher 102mm F5 & Alt/Az Mount
Orion ST80/Mini EQ1
Tasco Starguide 114/Celestron Hand Paddle
Pentax 10x50 Binoculars
Philips SPC 900NC
Stellacam EX
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rcd47
sage
Reged: 03/15/08
Posts: 259
Loc: East Texas, USA
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Okay, don't buy the 1" thick Morningglory 24x96" foam sheet from Walmart sewing section. It leaves little white pieces of itself everywhere it touches. So bad that I'm sneezing my head off! The funny part is it says it's hypo-allergenic.  I don't want all that white dust in my expensive optics, so I guess I wasted that $12.95.  Where are yall getting the pluck foam?
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Randy
Edmund Astroscan
Meade ETX125PE
Skywatcher 102mm F5 & Alt/Az Mount
Orion ST80/Mini EQ1
Tasco Starguide 114/Celestron Hand Paddle
Pentax 10x50 Binoculars
Philips SPC 900NC
Stellacam EX
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rollout
member
Reged: 03/25/08
Posts: 85
Loc: Broken Arrow, OK
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I bought 2 packages of 3x22x22 Poly foam at our local Hobby Lobby (regular price $5.99 each, but was on sale for 40% off).
I did put 2 pieces on the bottom for 6" of padding. Foam cuts easily with an electric knife.
I think I will cram a bit more foam on both sides of piece E2.
Here are some pictures:
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rcd47
sage
Reged: 03/15/08
Posts: 259
Loc: East Texas, USA
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I'm going to check with Hobby Lobby tonight and see what they have similar to yours. Thanks.
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Randy
Edmund Astroscan
Meade ETX125PE
Skywatcher 102mm F5 & Alt/Az Mount
Orion ST80/Mini EQ1
Tasco Starguide 114/Celestron Hand Paddle
Pentax 10x50 Binoculars
Philips SPC 900NC
Stellacam EX
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rcd47
sage
Reged: 03/15/08
Posts: 259
Loc: East Texas, USA
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Our Hobby Lobby had it 40% off too. I picked up some of the green high density kind. Their foam didn't seem to have any
loose particles like the foam from Walmart. When I get home I'll try it in the case. The case is nice. I put all my regular accesories and eyepieces in it with room to spare.
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Randy
Edmund Astroscan
Meade ETX125PE
Skywatcher 102mm F5 & Alt/Az Mount
Orion ST80/Mini EQ1
Tasco Starguide 114/Celestron Hand Paddle
Pentax 10x50 Binoculars
Philips SPC 900NC
Stellacam EX
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rcd47
sage
Reged: 03/15/08
Posts: 259
Loc: East Texas, USA
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Got my Hobby Lobby foam installed. I hot glued it in place. It's kind of a hack job and doesn't look very good, but the ETX fits nice and snug.
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Randy
Edmund Astroscan
Meade ETX125PE
Skywatcher 102mm F5 & Alt/Az Mount
Orion ST80/Mini EQ1
Tasco Starguide 114/Celestron Hand Paddle
Pentax 10x50 Binoculars
Philips SPC 900NC
Stellacam EX
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rcd47
sage
Reged: 03/15/08
Posts: 259
Loc: East Texas, USA
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I got to test my case this evening...it's first night out. It was great having all my accessories in one box. I used the box for a desk for my laptop and rigged an umbrella to the handle to keep the dew off the computer. Best part was when I was finished, I just packed it all up and rolled it back in the house!
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Randy
Edmund Astroscan
Meade ETX125PE
Skywatcher 102mm F5 & Alt/Az Mount
Orion ST80/Mini EQ1
Tasco Starguide 114/Celestron Hand Paddle
Pentax 10x50 Binoculars
Philips SPC 900NC
Stellacam EX
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13803
Loc: CyberSpace
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Looks functional... 
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Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's 
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