Telescope Reviews: Eyepiece case closeout

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David E
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/25/06

Loc: North Carolina

Eyepiece case closeout
#5727492 - 03/12/13 06:02 AM

SmartAstronomy has a closeout on their eyepiece case on EBay. I ordered a couple for myself (he combines shipping), they are nice cases and hold 2" eyepieces very well. (They also hold 1.25" eyepieces).

Post Extras:

Hilmi
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/07/10

Loc: Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: David E]
#5727592 - 03/12/13 08:01 AM

Looks good for the price

Post Extras:

bryguy27007
super member

Reged: 03/09/09

Loc: Minnesota

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Hilmi]
#5729624 - 03/13/13 02:56 AM

I second Hilmi's post. Tempting. I think I would like a case that has room for my collimation tools, flashlight, and maybe my star charts too. Need to do some thinking and figuring before I pull the trigger on this one.

Post Extras:

Jon Isaacs
Postmaster

Reged: 06/16/04

Loc: San Diego and Boulevard, CA

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: bryguy27007]
#5729744 - 03/13/13 06:34 AM

Quote:

I second Hilmi's post. Tempting. I think I would like a case that has room for my collimation tools, flashlight, and maybe my star charts too. Need to do some thinking and figuring before I pull the trigger on this one.

In the long run, one case is not enough... I keep my eyepieces in separate cases, my collimation tools and such in another case, lights, gloves, charts, binoculars, more tools, etc in another case.

Jon

Post Extras:

Doc Willie
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 03/31/10

Loc: Mid-Hudson Valley, NY, USA

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Jon Isaacs]
#5729897 - 03/13/13 09:07 AM

I have one of these. The problem I found is that the glue used to old the foam together oozes out at the edge of the bottom of the holes, and has to be cleaned off the bottom end of 2" eyepieces or (hopefully) their covers.

Post Extras:

chrisking0997
journeyman

Reged: 05/08/12

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Doc Willie]
#5730054 - 03/13/13 10:35 AM

Quote:

I have one of these. The problem I found is that the glue used to old the foam together oozes out at the edge of the bottom of the holes, and has to be cleaned off the bottom end of 2" eyepieces or (hopefully) their covers.

the glue isnt dry?

Post Extras:

jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan

Reged: 02/28/06

Loc: Petaluma, CA

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Jon Isaacs]
#5730085 - 03/13/13 11:03 AM

Yeah, I think that's right, Jon. This is more of a case designed to hold the eyepieces and Barlow you actually use during a particular session. I like that it provides a bit of insulation and cover, unlike the eyepiece holes in tripod spreaders.

For tripods that lack accommodation for eyepieces it would be especially handy. I rarely use more than three or four eyepieces in a given session and my new alt-az mounts lack any form of eyepiece tray.

- Jim

Post Extras:

Jon Isaacs
Postmaster

Reged: 06/16/04

Loc: San Diego and Boulevard, CA

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: jrbarnett]
#5730104 - 03/13/13 11:12 AM

Quote:

Yeah, I think that's right, Jon. This is more of a case designed to hold the eyepieces and Barlow you actually use during a particular session. I like that it provides a bit of insulation and cover, unlike the eyepiece holes in tripod spreaders.

For tripods that lack accommodation for eyepieces it would be especially handy. I rarely use more than three or four eyepieces in a given session and my new alt-az mounts lack any form of eyepiece tray.

- Jim

Usually run the gamut, low power wide field views, to splitting doubles upto the seeing limit, I use 6-7 eyepieces or more every night.

The spreader trays are not much. What I do is get a large Rubbermaid food storage bowl/container.. I attach it to the center of the spreader with a single bolt. It's polyethylene so it doesn't mar the eyepieces and if dew is a problem, I put the lid on...

Jon

Post Extras:

John Kuraoka
sage

Reged: 12/12/12

Loc: Sunny San Diego, CA

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Jon Isaacs]
#5730116 - 03/13/13 11:19 AM

Ah, Rubbermaid! That neatly solves a problem since the demo Porta II I just received was missing its eyepiece tray. I called Mr. Star Guy and they're sending one right out, but from the looks of it I'm not sure missing it is all that bad a thing. The Rubbermaid solution sounds better!

(See, Cloudy Nights can actually help you save money!

)

Post Extras:

Sarkikos
Postmaster

Reged: 12/18/07

Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: John Kuraoka]
#5730132 - 03/13/13 11:32 AM

The $10 shipping brings the total price to $18.46. So you need to ask yourself: "Do I want this case for $18.46?"

Actually, I already have one of these cases that I bought years ago but I haven't used it in at least two years. They are bulky, kind of cumbersome. Why does it need to be that deep? IME, not very practical.

For grab-n-go, I prefer the smaller type of case that Orion sells. However, I wrap the case around the tripod. I don't do the fanny pack.

Orion Waist Case Accessory Holder

For trips to the dark site with my big 82 degree and 100 degree eyepieces, I prefer hard equipment cases. So this biggish squarish cumbersome case is in a way neither fish nor fowl. This case seems like overkill for just five eyepieces.

Mike

Post Extras:

Sarkikos
Postmaster

Reged: 12/18/07

Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Jon Isaacs]
#5730164 - 03/13/13 11:47 AM

Quote:

The spreader trays are not much. What I do is get a large Rubbermaid food storage bowl/container.. I attach it to the center of the spreader with a single bolt. It's polyethylene so it doesn't mar the eyepieces and if dew is a problem, I put the lid on...

Jon

I have some spreader trays which have a raised lip around the edge. I cover up the bottom of the tray with a sheet of doped black foam core and put a layer of gripper sheeting over that. Works great to hold eyepieces and other accessories while you're switching them in and out of the telescope. The gripper sheeting holds them securely. You don't have to futz around with holes in the tray.

Mike

Post Extras:

Midnight Dan
Postmaster

Reged: 01/23/08

Loc: Hilton, NY, Yellow Zone (Bortl...

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Sarkikos]
#5730626 - 03/13/13 04:18 PM

For grab and go, I use a Tamrac hip bag similar to this:
http://tinyurl.com/crgng72

It's high quality, and the dividers (rather than foam) make it extremely easy to put eyepieces in and out. It handles 3 large EPs easily, or each of the 3 divided sections can handle a couple of smaller EPs or a small EP and a barlow. Smaller accessories, like filters or EP caps that have been removed, can be stored in the front pockets.

This is a quality padded Tamrac camera bag, and the price in the link I provided is so low I'm wondering if it's a typo. Normally these sell for $49 to $69. If this strikes your fancy, you may want to jump on it! (In fact, the compulsive bargain-hunter in me is having a hard time resisting this, even though I already have one!

)

-Dan

By the way, I just looked again and noticed it was FREE shipping! Somebody restrain me!

-Dan

Edited by Midnight Dan (03/13/13 04:20 PM)

Post Extras:

Bob Myler
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 05/18/06

Loc: St Louis, MO

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Midnight Dan]
#5732280 - 03/14/13 01:40 PM

Thanks for that heads-up!

Just ordered the Tamarac case - which will hopefully work well in the field using eyepiece bolt cases.

And I loved the free shipping!

Post Extras:

herrointment
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/12/11

Loc: North of Hwy. 64

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Bob Myler]
#5732312 - 03/14/13 02:07 PM

Easy, Big Fellow!

Post Extras:

Sarkikos
Postmaster

Reged: 12/18/07

Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Midnight Dan]
#5732353 - 03/14/13 02:36 PM

Quote:

For grab and go, I use a Tamrac hip bag similar to this:
http://tinyurl.com/crgng72

That link is broken. The webpage looked like a mess when I tried to go to it.

Mike

Post Extras:

core
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 02/23/08

Loc: Mostly in Norman, OK

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Sarkikos]
#5732609 - 03/14/13 05:30 PM

Just got my SA case in the mail - that was nice and quick on shipping! (fwiw, it went out via Priority Mail at around $8.5, so shipping is reasonable imo). A couple of notes:

* comes with 2x square filter case, which normally run around $4 a piece elsewhere, took that into account since I'm in need of a few.

* very tight fit for 2" eyepiece (and even some 1.25"), won't fit Baader MkIII Zoom or Pentax XL's

* I'm getting it mainly as my G&G case that I can sling around the legs of a tripod (ie, mounts that don't have a ep tray).

Will post some pics later today.

Edited by core (03/14/13 06:13 PM)

Post Extras:

Midnight Dan
Postmaster

Reged: 01/23/08

Loc: Hilton, NY, Yellow Zone (Bortl...

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: core]
#5732690 - 03/14/13 06:29 PM

Quote:

That link is broken. The webpage looked like a mess when I tried to go to it.

Mike

Not sure what the problem is. Works for me. And it looks like it worked for Bob Myler above too.

-Dan

Post Extras:

Sarkikos
Postmaster

Reged: 12/18/07

Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Midnight Dan]
#5732799 - 03/14/13 07:27 PM

Now it works for me. Maybe it was just some temporary SNAFU with their server.

I'm ordering one of the cases. Looks good!

Mike

Post Extras:

Doc Willie
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 03/31/10

Loc: Mid-Hudson Valley, NY, USA

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: chrisking0997]
#5733149 - 03/14/13 10:27 PM

Quote:

Quote:

I have one of these. The problem I found is that the glue used to old the foam together oozes out at the edge of the bottom of the holes, and has to be cleaned off the bottom end of 2" eyepieces or (hopefully) their covers.

the glue isnt dry?

Nope. Sticky stuff like thick rubber cement.

Post Extras:

David E
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/25/06

Loc: North Carolina

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: core]
#5733503 - 03/15/13 05:46 AM

Quote:

Just got my SA case in the mail - that was nice and quick on shipping! (fwiw, it went out via Priority Mail at around $8.5, so shipping is reasonable imo). A couple of notes:

* comes with 2x square filter case, which normally run around $4 a piece elsewhere, took that into account since I'm in need of a few.

* very tight fit for 2" eyepiece (and even some 1.25"), won't fit Baader MkIII Zoom or Pentax XL's

* I'm getting it mainly as my G&G case that I can sling around the legs of a tripod (ie, mounts that don't have a ep tray).

Will post some pics later today.

I got a couple of these also. These are different on the inside than the ones he sold years ago. The older version I have has foam inserts that you can pull out for 1.25" or 2" eyepieces. This new one has a single hole with no insert. The size of the hole makes 2" eyepieces a very snug fit at the least. The older version was much more 2" friendly. I also got the filter cases, nice idea. Yes, the case is deep which is great for long eyepieces. But for shorter ones I stuff the hole with scrap foam pieces or put the bottom eyepiece cap in the bottom upside down to give the eyepiece something solid to rest on. I also have several of the Orion fanny pack linked to above. These are great, really convenient to have the eyepieces protected on your waist, especially at star parties. They have a number of side compartments for small accessories. But they don't accommodate 2" or large and heavy eyepieces very well. Overall though, I think the SA case is still a great bargain. (I'm wondering, maybe Victor Q. got a bunch of eyepieces cases with the wrong foam inserts, and decided to sell these on EBay rather than return them? There's no mention of a closeout on his website and they are priced higher.

)

Post Extras:

David E
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/25/06

Loc: North Carolina

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Doc Willie]
#5733511 - 03/15/13 05:57 AM

Quote:

I have one of these. The problem I found is that the glue used to old the foam together oozes out at the edge of the bottom of the holes, and has to be cleaned off the bottom end of 2" eyepieces or (hopefully) their covers.

Hmmm, I have a couple of older ones and I now see what you are talking about. I never noticed it before because I always put something at the bottom of the holes for the eyepieces to rest on, like scrap foam, upside down eyepiece cap, or a Styrofoam wafer such as what comes in eyepieces bolt cases. (I do this to keep the eyepiece from "sinking" into the hole making it harder to grab out of the case.) With the Orion fanny pack, I pull out the foam insert and cut it to the proper length to support the eyepiece, putting the barrel cap over the foam to give the eyepiece something clean and solid to rest on. That way the eyepieces are always "on top" for easy grab and view.

Post Extras:

ThreeD
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/23/08

Loc: Sacramento suburbs

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: jrbarnett]
#5735853 - 03/16/13 10:12 AM

Quote:

Yeah, I think that's right, Jon. This is more of a case designed to hold the eyepieces and Barlow you actually use during a particular session. I like that it provides a bit of insulation and cover, unlike the eyepiece holes in tripod spreaders.

For tripods that lack accommodation for eyepieces it would be especially handy. I rarely use more than three or four eyepieces in a given session and my new alt-az mounts lack any form of eyepiece tray.
l
- Jim

Or while it does cost more, you could always join the "Brotherhood of the Faint Fuzzies" and pick up an observing vest to hold your EPs during your observing session. It does a great job and serves another purpose as well...

Post Extras:

ThreeD
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 12/23/08

Loc: Sacramento suburbs

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: jrbarnett]
#5735873 - 03/16/13 10:19 AM

Quote:

Yeah, I think that's right, Jon. This is more of a case designed to hold the eyepieces and Barlow you actually use during a particular session. I like that it provides a bit of insulation and cover, unlike the eyepiece holes in tripod spreaders.

For tripods that lack accommodation for eyepieces it would be especially handy. I rarely use more than three or four eyepieces in a given session and my new alt-az mounts lack any form of eyepiece tray.

- Jim

Or while it does cost more, you could always pick up an observing vest to hold your EPs during your observing session. It does a great job and serves another purpose as well...

Post Extras:

Sarkikos
Postmaster

Reged: 12/18/07

Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: ThreeD]
#5736030 - 03/16/13 11:22 AM

I have a Dark Sky vest, but I never use it to keep my eyepieces in while I'm observing. I don't like the idea of reaching in for the eyepiece and getting a fingerprint on a lens, or scratching it with a pencil, etc. Also, I don't like having the eyepiece lenses exposed to the fabric inside the vest.

I never thought it was a good idea to keep eyepieces in the vest. I know that observers with monster Dobs like having eyepieces in the vest while they're on top of the ladder, but I will never have a monster Dob. I'm not interested in owning any telescope that requires a ladder as an astronomical accessory.

Instead, I keep eyepieces I'm switching in/out of the focuser in an eyepiece tray on my Dob mount. I use the vest to store things like pencils, notebooks, flashlights, warming packs, eyepiece caps, etc.

Mike

Post Extras:

JayinUT
I'm not Sleepy

Reged: 09/19/08

Loc: Utah

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Sarkikos]
#5736186 - 03/16/13 12:27 PM

No, I don't need a vest where I observe, it is more than dark enough. If I need a monk I have a black towel I modified for this that works great and cost about $8.

In terms of eyepieces, since I use 14" in the field I purchased a small plastic Task Force Case at Lowes and then cut out some thin wood sheets that fit inside (two of them) which allow me 2 2 inch eyepieces and 2 1 1/4 inch eyepieces or if I insert the second one, 1 2 inch eyepiece an 3 1 1/4 inch eyepieces. They sit on my observing table.

I have like 3 or 4 projects I need and want or have started to finish. An equatorial platform, an eyepiece case, a filter slide and an observing table. I have designed and now need to build a table that folds down for transport but has a place built in for 5 eyepieces (2 2 inch holes and 3 1 1/4 inch holes) with a drawer to hold star charts or the Sky Atlas 2000 and two side compartments that hold my printed sky maps that I use in the field and another to hold my clipboard and other sketching supplies. Part of that depends on my class load over the summer also. Time man, I thought as I got older I'd have more of it!

Post Extras:

nevy
sage

Reged: 02/07/12

Loc: UK

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Sarkikos]
#5736242 - 03/16/13 01:02 PM

Quote:

I have a Dark Sky vest, but I never use it to keep my eyepieces in while I'm observing. I don't like the idea of reaching in for the eyepiece and getting a fingerprint on a lens, or scratching it with a pencil, etc. Also, I don't like having the eyepiece lenses exposed to the fabric inside the vest.

I never thought it was a good idea to keep eyepieces in the vest. I know that observers with monster Dobs like having eyepieces in the vest while they're on top of the ladder, but I will never have a monster Dob. I'm not interested in owning any telescope that requires a ladder as an astronomical accessory.

Instead, I keep eyepieces I'm switching in/out of the focuser in an eyepiece tray on my Dob mount. I use the vest to store things like pencils, notebooks, flashlights, warming packs, eyepiece caps, etc.

Mike

It won't be a problem if the eyepieces have proper fitting caps , I put my ethoses & plossls in my vest pocket sometimes but they have good caps and to be sure to be sure I have one eyepiece on its own in its own pocket.

Post Extras:

beatlejuice
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 04/05/11

Loc: Hamilton, ON,Canada

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: nevy]
#5736440 - 03/16/13 02:40 PM

Quote:

It won't be a problem if the eyepieces have proper fitting caps

Same here. Only catch is remembering which pocket has which eyepiece. I usually go in sequence from longest to shortest focal length starting with the larger bottom pockets. Usually 6-7 eyepieces + powermate + filters + flashlight.

Eric

Post Extras:

Sarkikos
Postmaster

Reged: 12/18/07

Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: beatlejuice]
#5736529 - 03/16/13 03:38 PM

If I set an eyepiece in the eyepiece tray, I only need to keep the top cap on loosely to prevent dewing. The bottom cap can remain in the eyepiece's slot in the equipment box. It's too much of a bother to me to keep both caps on the eyepiece and to have to take off both caps if I switch to that eyepiece, and put both caps back on the first eyepiece. Or I could keep an eyepiece in a bolt case in the vest, but again more bother than it's worth - for me.

I've tried keeping a couple eyepieces in the vest, but it didn't seem worthwhile to me. I can sit at my telescope, no standing necessary. If I want to switch out an eyepiece, I just reach over a few inches to the eyepiece tray on the Dob mount. IME, that's much easier and less risky than keeping an eyepiece in the vest.

Mike

Post Extras:

Midnight Dan
Postmaster

Reged: 01/23/08

Loc: Hilton, NY, Yellow Zone (Bortl...

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Sarkikos]
#5736538 - 03/16/13 03:44 PM

Same here. When using a normal EP case, I take the caps off and leave them off during the session. I just open and close the case lid to keep the dew off. With my grab-and go case in the link above I do the same. I don't have to solidly close the lid, just let it flop down to cover the top and keep the dew off. I find it to be too much trouble to keep putting the EP caps on and off.

-Dan

Post Extras:

Bob Myler
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 05/18/06

Loc: St Louis, MO

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Midnight Dan]
#5741513 - 03/18/13 07:34 PM

Just received that Tamarac hip pack #3456. Definitely NOT a "normal eyepiece case" - and re-positioning those two velcro dividers is not for the faint of heart.

But not bad for $19.99 delivered - and its belt even extends enough to fit my waist.

Post Extras:

Sarkikos
Postmaster

Reged: 12/18/07

Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Bob Myler]
#5741592 - 03/18/13 08:03 PM

I received my Tamrac case today. Looks good to me. I have much previous experience with Velcro.

I don't think I'll wear it around my waist, though. It goes around the tripod.

Mike

Post Extras:

Midnight Dan
Postmaster

Reged: 01/23/08

Loc: Hilton, NY, Yellow Zone (Bortl...

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Sarkikos]
#5741919 - 03/18/13 10:10 PM

In that Tamrac case, the dividers have a flap at the top which is meant to cover the top of a camera lens so that the camera body doesn't rest on them and scratch them.

But for astro use, I flipped the dividers upside down so that the flap is towards the bottom, bent over, and laying flat on the bottom. That keeps it out of the way of putting eyepieces in/out, and adds a little extra padding at the bottom.

It is a bit of a pain to remove the dividers and reposition them, but you only have to do it once.

-Dan

Post Extras:

Midnight Dan
Postmaster

Reged: 01/23/08

Loc: Hilton, NY, Yellow Zone (Bortl...

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Midnight Dan]
#5741924 - 03/18/13 10:12 PM

By the way, I actually bought one too. (Yes, I know, it's a sickness with me!

)

But I like the way that the top of the case opens away from me instead of towards me like my old one did. Makes it easier to get things in and out. I'll probably use my old one for a camera case.

-Dan

Post Extras:

audioaficionado
sage

Reged: 05/24/12

Loc: Medford, Orygun, USA

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: Jon Isaacs]
#5762759 - 03/28/13 05:24 PM

Quote:

Usually run the gamut, low power wide field views, to splitting doubles upto the seeing limit, I use 6-7 eyepieces or more every night.

The spreader trays are not much. What I do is get a large Rubbermaid food storage bowl/container.. I attach it to the center of the spreader with a single bolt. It's polyethylene so it doesn't mar the eyepieces and if dew is a problem, I put the lid on...

Jon

Jon

I like the Tupperware case idea. I have a metal tray with 3 corner bolts that goes with my Celestron CG-4 GEM tripod, but it's a PITA to bolt on and off. It also prevents me from folding up the tripod until I take it back off. I'll get a Tupperware container and permanently mount a bolt through the bottom to slip into the center hole in the tripod spreader arm array. Should be an easy task to pop it in and out as needed.

Post Extras:

Thomas Karpf
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 02/09/09

Loc: Newington, CT

Re: Eyepiece case closeout new

[Re: audioaficionado]
#5765265 - 03/29/13 04:55 PM

I have one of these and I do not use it. It's top heavy if you have largish eyepieces.

Post Extras:

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