averen
super member
Reged: 01/20/09
Posts: 180
Loc: Austin TX
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Hey All,
I'm looking for a case for my CPC1100. I don't need anything extreme like the JMI case. Mainly just something to provide some minimal protection from bumps and bruises. I've been contemplating the case from Cases and Covers (http://www.casesandcovers.com/) I think the Orion one is pretty much the same thing.
I'm wondering how well this case fits the CPC1100 and if anyone happens to have some pictures of the interior of the case. How well does it support the forks and ota, or is it just a padded coffin with no structural support?
Thanks,
Jared
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Some Glass...
Some Mirrors...
Some Photon Collectors...
Way too much aluminum.
Astro Photos on Flickr
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KerryR
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/05/07
Posts: 1422
Loc: SW Michigan
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I have the Cases and Covers case for my cpc11. I don't think Orion has one that'll fit, do they?
I don't have pics-- there's not much to see anyway.
The case fits the CPC11 perfectly, with a little room to spare; you'd be able to leave a reducer/corrector attached to the rear, but not a diagonal. If you use a flat counterweight as opposed to a 3d weight, you could likely leave it attached as well.
There's a pocket on the front which could hold a 2" diagonal and/or some other accessories, like the handbox and bracket, but not the finderscope (I think), so you'll need a separate case for whatever you don't put into the small pocket. I typicaly don't use it.
There's no room for a dew shield inside the case.
The case has no structural support-- just the 1" thick (or so) medium density foam and fabric walls, and two 2" or so wide nylon webbing bands that encircle the entire case and attach to the 2 carrying handles (closed with fastex buckles once the ota is zipped up inside), so that they, and not the fabric/stitching of the case itself, take the majority of the load when you lift the case by it's 2 handles.
The 2 handles are located at the top, near the zipper, if the case is viewed laying flat-wise down, with the large 'door' facing upwards. Thus, the ota 'hangs' downward from each hand when you lift the scope up. This is great for 2 handed carrying, but not for one hand carrying with the ota/case in a vertical position, as you might when holding a door open with one hand and carrying the case in the other. You can do it, but the location of the handle is off-center, making it mildy awkward, as well as puts a lot of longitudinal stress on the fabric and foam.
The handles make the ota MUCH easier to get in and out of doors and cars.
It works fine for storage and light transport, and for keeping the ota clean, dent/scratch free, and is also very usefull for preventing moisture accumulation inside the ota when the ota is broght from a cool/dry environment to a warm/moist environment.
It's far smaller than the JMI hard case, as is the only case (unless Orion really does have one that fits-- if so, I think this is a new developement-- be sure to distinguish it from a C11 case which doesn't have room for the drive base and forks) that'll fit through the side door of a passanger car.
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Kerry
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averen
super member
Reged: 01/20/09
Posts: 180
Loc: Austin TX
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It looks like orion doesn't have one that fits. I was thinking they did for some reason.
Thanks for the info on the cases and covers model! It helps a lot. I have one of their cases for my 8" SCT and it's a nice fit and good quality. I like it a lot for the 8" but was a little hesitant about getting one for the CPC since it's a good deal larger and heavier!
Interior pictures (with and without the OTA) would be appreciated if someone happens to have some laying around.
I likely will be using a 3D weight system, not a big deal as I can just detach the weight from the rail and store it else where. Maybe in the pocket.
Thanks!
Jared
--------------------
Some Glass...
Some Mirrors...
Some Photon Collectors...
Way too much aluminum.
Astro Photos on Flickr
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lipman
member
Reged: 03/20/09
Posts: 68
Loc: San Carlos, CA
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I have a CPC1100 and use the Cases & Covers soft case. I'll echo Kerry's comments above - I primarily use the case for transporting the scope in my car and it is perfect for this purpose. I have the Starizona counterweights. When transporting, I leave the top weight attached to the scope and facing up in the case and I remove the bottom weight from the rail and either store it in the pocket or elsewhere in my car.
Paul
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Celestron CPC 1100
Orion Q70 38mm
Stratus 21mm
Ethos 13mm
Orion 2x Shorty-Plus Barlow
Starizona counterweights
http://lipmanastronomy.blogspot.com
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mikiek
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/10/07
Posts: 1265
Loc: SE Texas
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I think the Case & Covers is your only commercial option, but it is a good one. It's very well made. I am able to keep the Crayford and microfocuse focuser attached.
I believe the 8" case you have will be a little different than the 11". The 11" is a clamshell design. It is fairly easy to get the scope in the case.
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___________________________________________________________
May there always be starlight on the path - R.Burnham
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Celestron CPC 1100
TV NP-101(riding the CPC)
SV-80S
Radian 3mm,5mm,8mm,12mm
Panoptic 22mm,27mm,35mm,41mm
Nagler 3-6 zoom,T4 17mm,T5 31mm
Ethos 8mm,13mm, 21mm
Everbrite Diagonal 2", Powermate 2X
FeatherTouch Crayford, Microfocuser
Telrad Finder, SV 9x50 RACI
Kendrick Dew System
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BGreenstone
member
Reged: 11/20/09
Posts: 70
Loc: Austin, TX
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I've been debating between the Case&Covers soft case and the JMI hard case, but I'm not sure which to get. The JMI has the benefit of the large wheels which I think would be great, but the C&C has the benefit of smaller size and lower cost.
How much extra room is there in the JMI for accessories such as eyepieces, weights, et. al.?
-Brian
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mclewis1
Thread Killer
Reged: 02/25/06
Posts: 4478
Loc: New Brunswick, Canada
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Brian,
There really shouldn't be too much of a debate between the two cases. The JMI case if very heavy but provides the best level of protection. If you think the scope/case will subjected to some rough handling then it's one of the best options. But IMHO if you don't need that level of protection it's not a particularly good choice.
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Mark
C11, C6, APM/TMB115, and AT80ED - Tandem mount CGE and CG-5A, WO EZ-Touch and AT Voyager
25x100s and 8x56s, T-Mount Light, Mark 1 eyeballs - Modded 350D, DSI-P, SPC900, Mallincam
Just because you can doesn't necessarily mean that you should
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b1gred
Enginerd
Reged: 04/01/04
Posts: 16287
Loc: Castle Rock, CO 6677' MSL
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+1 to what Mark said. Best protection is the JMI, anything else is just a "carrier".
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"Dark Skies & Great Viewing"
RandyR / W0RDR
GPS 9.25 XLT/Sky Align /FeatherTouch
TV85 w/FeatherTouch
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aglaaluk
super member
Reged: 07/28/09
Posts: 117
Loc: Rio Rancho, NM, (U.S.A.)
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The JMI case is great.
I am able to fit, besides the scope, my finder scope, power cords, HC, HC cradle, laptop cables and I just setup a way for it to carry my Lymax cooler as well.
It is a bit pricy but I saw a guy show up for a star party with his CPC1100 just rolling around the back of his SUV, that almost made me sick.
If the JMI case is overkill for your situation get the other.
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Jeff
CPC 1100
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BGreenstone
member
Reged: 11/20/09
Posts: 70
Loc: Austin, TX
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I think I just wish that someone made a soft case with wheels... like most luggage. That would be the perfect mix for what I need. Maybe I can rig a wheel assembly for the soft case from parts at Home Depot.
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brianb11213
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/25/09
Posts: 3315
Loc: 55.215N 6.554W
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Quote:
I saw a guy show up for a star party with his CPC1100 just rolling around the back of his SUV
And totally unnecessary; sit it upright in the passenger seat with the seat belt on and possibly an extra bungee cord round the scope & seat back to prevent it toppling if you thing it's not well enough supported. In many vehicles the seat sides will provide enough support.
Sit a hat on its top & use the car pool lane ... 
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letimotif
No Complaints
Reged: 05/20/07
Posts: 2446
Loc: No Idea, but I know my speed!
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Quote:
I think I just wish that someone made a soft case with wheels... like most luggage. That would be the perfect mix for what I need. Maybe I can rig a wheel assembly for the soft case from parts at Home Depot.
For those times when I have to haul my CPC soft case a ways I just picked up one of those collapsible two wheel carts from the hardware store. They run <$30. Add a strap to hold the CPC case on the cart, and you're good to go.
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Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a Heaven for?
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KerryR
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/05/07
Posts: 1422
Loc: SW Michigan
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The soft case isn't, of course, very heavy. The handles on each side make it easy to lift and carry. Unless you have trouble lifting the CPC11 by itself, carrying the CPC11 in the soft case should pose no problem for you. In fact, it's a little easier to carry in the the case, owing to it's horizontal postition.
The JMI cases are quite heavy on their own. They're also VERY bulky (a good thing in terms of protection). A lot of what you need wheels for on the JMI is the mass of the case in addition to the scope. Not so for the soft case. Be sure, if you get the JMI, that it'll fit into whatever you transport your scope in-- the JMI won't fit into the side door or trunk of most 4-door passanger cars (sedan). Heck, the JMI case I have for my 5" f9 refractor won't fit in my car without significant effort!
Note, too, that there are plenty of folks who just put the scope in the seat and buckly it in. As long as your drive isn't particularly rough or dusty, this is fine. As long as the scope doesn't litteraly role around or get subjected to significant bumping or dirt and dust, little can happen. Get in a fender-bender, though, and the JMI is really going to be the only thing that is likely to protect the scope.
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Kerry
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averen
super member
Reged: 01/20/09
Posts: 180
Loc: Austin TX
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I think the soft case is probably the way to go for me. I don't know if the JMI would even fit in my vehicle! Plus I don't really need that level of protection. I'm sure I could just wrap it in a blanket and seat belt it into my vehicle...but I would really rather have something a that's easier to carry too.
Still looking for some interior pictures of the soft case if anyone has some or knows of a link where I can find some :-)
Thanks,
Jared
--------------------
Some Glass...
Some Mirrors...
Some Photon Collectors...
Way too much aluminum.
Astro Photos on Flickr
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lipman
member
Reged: 03/20/09
Posts: 68
Loc: San Carlos, CA
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Jared,
I don't have any pictures of my C&C soft case (won't be able to take any until tonight), but I can tell you that the CPC1100 fits reasonably snugly lengthwise in the case. I personally wouldn't put anything else inside the case, for fear of it knocking into the OTA during transport.
One other point to keep in mind - as you no doubt know, the CPC1100 is fairly easy to lift because of the excellent ergonomic design of the handles on the fork. Trying to lift the scope while inside the case is tougher IMO as you can't keep the center of gravity as close to your body. My usual approach is to lay the open case in the trunk of my car and then put the scope in at one end standing up. I then (gently) lay the scope down inside the case and zip it up. When I arrive at my destination, I lift the scope out of the case, rather than lifting the case itself. This allows me to take advantage of the scope ergonomics - making carrying easier.
If you have some distance to travel from your car to observing location, then you'll need some other solution. I once used a "radio flyer" wagon and put the scope (still inside the case) directly into the wagon. It fit very well and made transporting very straightforward.
Good luck!
Paul
--------------------
Celestron CPC 1100
Orion Q70 38mm
Stratus 21mm
Ethos 13mm
Orion 2x Shorty-Plus Barlow
Starizona counterweights
http://lipmanastronomy.blogspot.com
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averen
super member
Reged: 01/20/09
Posts: 180
Loc: Austin TX
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Thanks for the info Paul! I have a feeling my routine will be pretty similar to yours. The farthest I generally walk with the scope is maybe 10 feet from my vehicle to put it on the tripod. The only other time I walk farther is when I carry it up the stairs in my apartment but I generally try to avoid that!
Thanks,
Jared
--------------------
Some Glass...
Some Mirrors...
Some Photon Collectors...
Way too much aluminum.
Astro Photos on Flickr
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lipman
member
Reged: 03/20/09
Posts: 68
Loc: San Carlos, CA
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I hear you. I ran a star party at my kids' school a few weeks ago. I had to carry my scope about 100 feet from my car to the school field. Boy did my arms hurt the next day!
--------------------
Celestron CPC 1100
Orion Q70 38mm
Stratus 21mm
Ethos 13mm
Orion 2x Shorty-Plus Barlow
Starizona counterweights
http://lipmanastronomy.blogspot.com
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BGreenstone
member
Reged: 11/20/09
Posts: 70
Loc: Austin, TX
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While we're on the subject of transporting... my CPC 1100 arrived this afternoon, and I just finished setting it up. It's HUGE 
The one thing that baffles me however, is how to properly lift the thing. One of the things that persuaded me to buy this model was that people kept saying how easy it was due to the "ergonomic" handles. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't get it. There's only one handle on one fork arm which I suppose is okay for carrying the tube around, but lifting it onto the tripod is torture. Am I missing another handle on the other side which would have made mounting it a breeze? I see another small handle on the back of the tube itself, but that one doesn't seem to have much useful purpose.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
-Brian
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averen
super member
Reged: 01/20/09
Posts: 180
Loc: Austin TX
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There is a handle on the opposite fork as well. It's down towards the bottom of the base on the bottom of the fork arm. When holding this handle your arm will be straight and all the weight will be on that arm. Then the other arm is holding the telescope close to you and providing balance.
It really is extremely easy to carry in that configuration. I was really surprised it weighs 80lbs!
Jared
--------------------
Some Glass...
Some Mirrors...
Some Photon Collectors...
Way too much aluminum.
Astro Photos on Flickr
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averen
super member
Reged: 01/20/09
Posts: 180
Loc: Austin TX
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I should mention that it's not so much a handle as it is a hand hold. It's kind of hidden just look on the opposite fork arm from the handle toward the bottom of the fork.
Take that thing out to Mansfield Dam one of these nights :-)
Jared
--------------------
Some Glass...
Some Mirrors...
Some Photon Collectors...
Way too much aluminum.
Astro Photos on Flickr
|
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