David E
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/25/06
Loc: North Carolina
|
Re: Eyepiece case closeout
[Re: Doc Willie]
#5733511 - 03/15/13 05:57 AM
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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.
|
ThreeD
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/23/08
Loc: Sacramento suburbs
|
Re: Eyepiece case closeout
[Re: jrbarnett]
#5735853 - 03/16/13 10:12 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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...
|
ThreeD
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/23/08
Loc: Sacramento suburbs
|
Re: Eyepiece case closeout
[Re: jrbarnett]
#5735873 - 03/16/13 10:19 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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...
|
Sarkikos
Postmaster
Reged: 12/18/07
Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA
|
Re: Eyepiece case closeout
[Re: ThreeD]
#5736030 - 03/16/13 11:22 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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
|
JayinUT
I'm not Sleepy
Reged: 09/19/08
Loc: Utah
|
Re: Eyepiece case closeout
[Re: Sarkikos]
#5736186 - 03/16/13 12:27 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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!
|
nevy
sage
Reged: 02/07/12
Loc: UK
|
Re: Eyepiece case closeout
[Re: Sarkikos]
#5736242 - 03/16/13 01:02 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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.
|
beatlejuice
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/05/11
Loc: Hamilton, ON,Canada
|
Re: Eyepiece case closeout
[Re: nevy]
#5736440 - 03/16/13 02:40 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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
|
Sarkikos
Postmaster
Reged: 12/18/07
Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA
|
Re: Eyepiece case closeout
[Re: beatlejuice]
#5736529 - 03/16/13 03:38 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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
|
Midnight Dan
Postmaster
Reged: 01/23/08
Loc: Hilton, NY, Yellow Zone (Bortl...
|
Re: Eyepiece case closeout
[Re: Sarkikos]
#5736538 - 03/16/13 03:44 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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
|
Bob Myler
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 05/18/06
Loc: St Louis, MO
|
Re: Eyepiece case closeout
[Re: Midnight Dan]
#5741513 - 03/18/13 07:34 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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. 
|
Sarkikos
Postmaster
Reged: 12/18/07
Loc: Suburban Maryland, USA
|
Re: Eyepiece case closeout
[Re: Bob Myler]
#5741592 - 03/18/13 08:03 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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
|
Midnight Dan
Postmaster
Reged: 01/23/08
Loc: Hilton, NY, Yellow Zone (Bortl...
|
Re: Eyepiece case closeout
[Re: Sarkikos]
#5741919 - 03/18/13 10:10 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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
|
Midnight Dan
Postmaster
Reged: 01/23/08
Loc: Hilton, NY, Yellow Zone (Bortl...
|
Re: Eyepiece case closeout
[Re: Midnight Dan]
#5741924 - 03/18/13 10:12 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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
|
audioaficionado
sage
Reged: 05/24/12
Loc: Medford, Orygun, USA
|
Re: Eyepiece case closeout
[Re: Jon Isaacs]
#5762759 - 03/28/13 05:24 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
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.
|
Thomas Karpf
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/09/09
Loc: Newington, CT
|
Re: Eyepiece case closeout
[Re: audioaficionado]
#5765265 - 03/29/13 04:55 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
I have one of these and I do not use it. It's top heavy if you have largish eyepieces.
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
