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Equipment Discussions >> Refractors

Pages: 1

jerwin
professor emeritus

Reged: 05/17/12

Loc: Romeoville IL

refractor case new

#5693939 - 02/22/13 02:11 AM

I'm looking for a case for a celestron 150mm F8 1200FL refractor. Something I can travel with in the back of my truck when traveling to dark sites without worrying about the scope too much, and something to keep it safe in the garage. But something that doesn't cost as much as the scope like the JMI cases. I read some post about a TOW missile case being about the perfect size, but my searches of army surplus stores have thus far turned up nothing.

Do the padded soft cases feel like they properly secure it, or would some padding in a golf club case work. Just wondering what you guys have done.

Also, Has anyone done pick and pluck for their EQ mount heads? I got a Advanced vx and my plano eyepiece case is perfect size, but I worry about it making a mess of the foam after a few months of use.

Thanks,
Jim

Post Extras:

RTLR 12
Post Laureate

Reged: 12/04/08

Loc: Capistrano Beach, Ca

Re: refractor case new

[Re: jerwin]
#5694083 - 02/22/13 06:47 AM Attachment (40 downloads)

Jim,

About the longevity of the pluck foam. I use a thin sheet of rubberized foam that I bought at Michael's Crafts store and make a template for the top of the foam. It helps to stabilize the foam and make it last much longer. I have done this with my eyepiece and mount cases with very good success.

Stan

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StarStuff1
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 04/01/07

Loc: South of the Mason-Dixon Line

Re: refractor case new

[Re: RTLR 12]
#5694091 - 02/22/13 07:01 AM Attachment (43 downloads)

For less than $40 you can make a basic case out of pine boards if you (or a friend) have a few woodworking tools. Not pretty but functional.

Post Extras:

neotesla
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 11/18/10

Loc: Canada

Re: refractor case new

[Re: StarStuff1]
#5694149 - 02/22/13 08:05 AM

How about something like this...

http://www.roadcasesusa.com/stands-and-tripods-1-4-medium-duty-ata-cases-3-si...

They also make custom cases pretty cheaply as well. Add a few cut foam blocks and you are ready to go.

Post Extras:

jerwin
professor emeritus

Reged: 05/17/12

Loc: Romeoville IL

Re: refractor case new

[Re: neotesla]
#5694339 - 02/22/13 10:01 AM

Stan, that's awesome,

Starstuff,
I thought about a DIY box. I probably have the tools to do it, I just don't know how great my skills would be keeping something perfectly square. 20 years ago it was a different story.

neotesla, not bad

Thank you all,
Jim

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Bob Myler
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 05/18/06

Loc: St Louis, MO

Re: refractor case new

[Re: StarStuff1]
#5695542 - 02/22/13 08:09 PM

Quote:

For less than $40 you can make a basic case out of pine boards if you (or a friend) have a few woodworking tools. Not pretty but functional.

Actually Terry - your case looks pretty good.

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tomharri
sage

Reged: 09/19/08

Loc: Arizona

Re: refractor case new

[Re: Bob Myler]
#5695672 - 02/22/13 09:23 PM

Those Road Cases look great! I currently have a hard plastic golf club case for my celestron C6R, not long enough to leave the dewshield on, but with the bulged bottom it stores inside also. $70 new but this was 7 years ago.

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bherv
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 03/10/06

Loc: WMass

Re: refractor case [Re: tomharri]
#5701032 - 02/26/13 05:34 AM

I'm in the process of building a wooden case for my 4" Celestron. Just have to make the pieces that the scope will rest on. Total material costs were around $30.
Barry

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steve-in-kville
super member

Reged: 12/24/07

Loc: Pennsylvania, USA

Re: refractor case new

[Re: bherv]
#5704049 - 02/27/13 06:57 PM

The golf case idea looks promising. I have to check that one out.

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Ennis
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 09/11/06

Loc: The Outer Limits

Re: refractor case new

[Re: jerwin]
#5706280 - 02/28/13 09:59 PM

IMHO, the Orion soft cases are excellent (well-padded, rugged, clean-able), although a bit pricey. I would get one of those, if your scope will fit in one (probably will), and be done with it.

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torsinadoc
member

Reged: 02/04/13

Loc: Fayetteville AR

Re: refractor case new

[Re: jerwin]
#5707443 - 03/01/13 04:21 PM

Quote:

I'm looking for a case for a celestron 150mm F8 1200FL refractor. Something I can travel with in the back of my truck when traveling to dark sites without worrying about the scope too much, and something to keep it safe in the garage. But something that doesn't cost as much as the scope like the JMI cases. I read some post about a TOW missile case being about the perfect size, but my searches of army surplus stores have thus far turned up nothing.

Do the padded soft cases feel like they properly secure it, or would some padding in a golf club case work. Just wondering what you guys have done.

Also, Has anyone done pick and pluck for their EQ mount heads? I got a Advanced vx and my plano eyepiece case is perfect size, but I worry about it making a mess of the foam after a few months of use.

Thanks,
Jim

I used a pelican 1560 case for my VX mount head. Just used the insert that was included in the original packing from Celestron and it fits pretty neatly into the case. I can send you a pic if you like? I use a JML bag for the tripod/legs.

Post Extras:

steve-in-kville
super member

Reged: 12/24/07

Loc: Pennsylvania, USA

Re: refractor case new

[Re: torsinadoc]
#5708471 - 03/02/13 10:20 AM

I gotta head out today to Dunham's Sports and check out the hard cases for gold clubs. I'm sure there's something that will work and not cost a small fortune.

Post Extras:

jerwin
professor emeritus

Reged: 05/17/12

Loc: Romeoville IL

Re: refractor case new

[Re: steve-in-kville]
#5708544 - 03/02/13 10:55 AM

torsinadoc, I think I've seen a picture of other mounts sitting in their origional packaging. I might try that after I get another case.

Thanks
Jim

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Rick Duering
member

Reged: 11/17/08

Loc: Austin, Texas

Re: refractor case new

[Re: jerwin]
#5708553 - 03/02/13 10:58 AM Attachment (16 downloads)

I picked up a real nice golf hard case at Academy for $75. I then
went to Foam and More in Clawson, MI and picked up a 3" piece
of their Charcoal Standard 24" x 72" $28. plus $12. S/H.

I used an electric knife to cut the foam to fit. The case holds my
Astro Telescope 102 f11 perfectly.

Edited by Rick Duering (03/02/13 12:30 PM)

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jerwin
professor emeritus

Reged: 05/17/12

Loc: Romeoville IL

Re: refractor case new