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codemonkey
journeyman
Reged: 09/16/08
Posts: 8
Loc: Lafayette, CO
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Hi, new poster here. Figured I should get my first dumb question out of my system.
I just bought my first scope, a LXD75-AR5. I hope to combine my new hobby with another one, exploring the 4WD forest service roads of Colorado. A typical weekend for me would be doing 4WD trails - bumpy, sometimes 4-lo rockcrawling stuff - on Saturday and then camping or hoteling it Saturday night, someplace dark. Sat night I'd then be observing.
My problem is that I'd be carrying the scope with me during the day, and even though I think refractors are less prone to shifting internals (one reason I went that route) than most reflectors, I still worry that a day of pitching and bouncing won't be good for the scope.
Am I worrying too much? My current plan is to use the box that it shipped in, with original foam, strapped down in the back seat. I'm tempted to wrap it in a few comforters for good measure. Is this a good plan? Overkill? Not good enough?
Thanks,
Dave
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werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 7408
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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Yah, as much cushioning as possible. Try to keep the objective end of the box from getting smashed too. Dunno if the AR-5 has a collimatable primary cell, or not. Wouldn't want to decollimate the scope.
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Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55 - "The Beast"
Starhopper 6" Dob - "Shiva"
Spaceprobe 130 EQ - "Spacey"
Bushnell Fatboy
The Abomination
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
10X25 Bushnell Camo Roofies
7X35 Tasco Classic Plastic (good views though)
7X42 Tasco Rare Bird
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters - "DroolMeisters"
One ratty old IBM 600E LapTop
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Jim Haley
sage
Reged: 07/04/07
Posts: 252
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Are you using a 4-wheeler or a 4 wheel drive vehicle? I would think slow going over rocky roads in the backseat of an automobile would not be a problem. Especially if you have an on board air compressor so you can deflate your tires for better grip (which gives a smoother ride).
It is the 40 mph washboard dirt roads that I would worry about. Even then a strapped in refractor in the back seat should be o.k. if you slow down a bit.
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Jim Haley
12.5" f6 Starsplitter Dob
Orion 8" XTi (with computerized object locator)
Orion 114EQ reflector
80mm f6 refractor
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bdjeep
super member
Reged: 01/29/07
Posts: 179
Loc: Bolton, MA
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Hi Dave...welcome to the forum. Sounds like a good way to enjoy both hobbies.
I just got back from a trip up to northern Maine where I took my 90mm Mak. I packed it in its soft carrying case and put it inside a rubbermaid tote with the mount and some other astro-gear. We spent several hours on washboard logging roads and the scope held collimation fine (as Maks typically do.) Just keep it packed well and don't let anything fall on it. Have fun!
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BluewaterObserva
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/04
Posts: 4763
Loc: Zuni Mtns, NM
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He did say RockCrawling? Hmmmm......
I usually take my 25x100 binos with me crawling. But, I am hitting up Penrose, Carnage BV, RD21, Montrose, ect..ect... I'm not sure an AR5 would make it. I mean these trails are rated VD and VDL... I mean, the vehicle doesn't make it often. 
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codemonkey
journeyman
Reged: 09/16/08
Posts: 8
Loc: Lafayette, CO
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The vehicle is an LR3 with air suspension - a step up in ride comfort from the lifted XJ it replaced, but overall still a bouncy ride.
Most of the trails I do are a 5 or less on traildamage - I think I'll just pack it well and stick to easier stuff when I plan to bring the scope.
Thanks for all the info!
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BluewaterObserva
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/04
Posts: 4763
Loc: Zuni Mtns, NM
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If you ever want to run something mildly tough and want to camp and observe? Hit me up with a PM...
Maybe Red Cone or Spring Creek or something. Farher away? Maybe Chinaman's gulch, but if given the choice after getting hte crawler that far away, between Chinaman's or Carnage since they are right next to each other, I would probably pick Carnage.
Large open field there at the two trail heads though for observing. Minor LP from the truckstop.
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Bob Griffiths
Post Laureate
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 4130
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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Quote:
Yah, as much cushioning as possible. Try to keep the objective end of the box from getting smashed too. Dunno if the AR-5 has a collimatable primary cell, or not. Wouldn't want to decollimate the scope.
I believe some were collimatable...my AR-5 is NOT...and I wish it were and it does not do any 4-wheeling of any type on or off road...
I carry the scope in a hard case made to carry a golf bag ..it has wheels and now is FOF (full of foam) ...
Bob G.
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CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
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