740 replies to this topic

[Allan Wade]

I use a Pelican/Storm iM3300 case. It's a fairly large case, but I picked that size because I can fit my entire eyepiece set in there and it means one trip out the door or into the car with everything I need. They aren't cheap, but really only cost about 1% of what's inside the case, so it's money well spent for the peace of mind. 

 

[Dunkstar]

Crikey Allan   now you’re gonna tell us you get away with that as carry-on 

[Allan Wade]

Crikey Allan   now you’re gonna tell us you get away with that as carry-on 

Well mate you know I get to make the rules.

[Dunkstar]

  

[Jon Isaacs]

I use multiple cases plus a camera bag for my lesser used eyepieces.  

 

My main eyepiece case is a high quality aluminum clad equipment case.  I gave up using pluck type and use solid Kaizen foam, It handles the heavy eyepieces without coming apart.  This case has the 31mm and 16 mm Type 5 Naglers, the 11mm, 9mm, 7mm, 5mm and 3.5mm Type 6s plus the 21mm, 13mm and 8mm Ethos and a 2x Barlow, my filters and the Paracorr.  That one case pretty much covers all my needs. 

 

The eyepieces lay flat and if the scope doesn't have an eyepiece rack, then I set the case on a table, or chair or rolling cart and it provides easy access plus dew protection.  

 

Everyone has their own system.  If one has heavy, expensive eyepieces, the case is not the place to cut corners.. A latch that is not secure.. that can be expensive.  

 

 

Jon

[sickfish]

2 pelican cases.

Cut the foam with a knife.

Doesn't have to be exact just cut the spaces smaller than the EP so they are snug.

[epee]

They ARE beautiful.  But eyepieces are very heavy and I don't see the practicality of lugging them around in wood.  

 

I also don't like anything to do with foam.  GN

Not saying that I don't agree on both counts; but out of curiosity, what do you use? 

[Ryan555_1]

I use this. It is not expensive, and it is solid. 

Edited by Ryan555_1, 28 February 2019 - 10:07 AM.

[Matt78]

I just use a small plastic case we were throwing out at work, with some egg crate foam. I haven’t made cutouts, but the foam makes enough pressure that they won’t roll when it’s closed. It’s just a basic hinged nylon case. Nothing too fancy, but it’s very durable.

[russell23]

Right now I am using three different Sterilite type boxes as my cases. They latch tightly and each box is light enough that they hold just fine.   I only observe at home so this works fine.  However, Last month I bought a real nice wood case for $25 at a local antique store.  I have not done anything with it yet because I’m still deciding which eyepieces to put in it.  Inside dimensions are 8 1/4” wide by 17 1/2” long by 7 1/4” deep.  I’m not sure if I want to go with pluck foam or try something different.

 

 

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[russell23]

Inside the box:

 

 

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[jaraxx]

A plastic brief case I found at the Goodwill. $5 out the door, picked up a little foam and good to go. The case goes inside a plastic tub for 4x4 travel. 

Kinda like the idea of old camera bags, tho...

[JCasey]

Apache from Harbor Freight here.  Works great so far.  When it wears out I won' t be out much

[buddy ny]

The H.F. Apache case for 40$
95% as good as a Pelican. I have both.
Ditch the pluck & pull foam. Buy some Kazian foam, I got a 2 ×4 55mm sheet for 29$ locally,, thats about 70$ + enough foam left over for at least 2 other case's
Absolutely worth it 

BTW look at the kazien foam videos

 Just to see how u can work this foam. I made the tool that kazien sells my self..

Eazy

Edited by buddy ny, 28 February 2019 - 03:50 PM.

[droid]

 

I use multiple cases plus a camera bag for my lesser used eyepieces.  

 

My main eyepiece case is a high quality aluminum clad equipment case.  I gave up using pluck type and use solid Kaizen foam, It handles the heavy eyepieces without coming apart.  This case has the 31mm and 16 mm Type 5 Naglers, the 11mm, 9mm, 7mm, 5mm and 3.5mm Type 6s plus the 21mm, 13mm and 8mm Ethos and a 2x Barlow, my filters and the Paracorr.  That one case pretty much covers all my needs. 

 

The eyepieces lay flat and if the scope doesn't have an eyepiece rack, then I set the case on a table, or chair or rolling cart and it provides easy access plus dew protection.  

 

Everyone has their own system.  If one has heavy, expensive eyepieces, the case is not the place to cut corners.. A latch that is not secure.. that can be expensive.  

 

 

 

Jon

 

which filters do you use Jon?

[rowdy388]

I use a large pelican case but I have an old wooden telescope case with dovetail joints that

I'm considering switching to. I'd probably need to upgrade the handle and latches.

[yeldahtron]

I keep each eyepiece in its own bolt case (e.g., https://agenaastro.c...er-42x60mm.html) and transport the EPs I wish to use in the tool tray of the large, wheeled Stanley tool box that supports my Lightbridge. (Box holds cooling fans, charts, extra clothes, radio, power connectors, laser pointer, sometimes some wine, etc.)  I use the same strategy for my ST80, except that its support tool box is much smaller.

 

The nice thing about using bolt cases is that they protect each individual EP, so the bolt cases can be dumped into whatever container is on hand. No need for a purpose-built box.  Furthermore,  it's easy to take an EP out of its case and to return it to  its protective cocoon -- even in the dark.  As such, I keep the encased EPs I'm using at the scope in a front-mounted fanny pack while I'm observing, knowing that they're protected from dew, dirt, and cold when they are not inserted in the focuser.  

 

Having each EP in its own case means that I can create a purpose-built EP "case" on the fly to suit the needs of the observing mission, the font mounted fanny pack and the two tool boxes mentioned above being examples.  Sometimes I even take my EPs on observing trips while leaving my own scopes at home -- when I want to use my EPs in someone else's scope.

[buddy ny]

Kazein foam tools
Can be made from a hacksaw blade & a belt sander
A 1/2" copper pipe with cap & rough
Wood handle & go buy an Olfa knife
Cost 12$

[BRCoz]

The first case I had was from a device used before projectors were used with computers.  If you remember overhead projectors with transparencies.  The case has hard sides and I used foam from all of the computer equipment used at work.  This was about 20 years ago and I still use it.  

 

The next is an aluminium case. Used with the same foam that I cut custom for eyepieces and diagonal.

I have two others that are smaller used for eyepiece sets that had equipment used in a Hospital. 

[Arthur NY]

I'm big on the apache cases. Eyepieces, cameras....

 

I think they have a new big one that I might get for some pro audio gear I have.

[pierce]

i'm on my 2nd pelican.  my first one turned out to be too small, so now I have a 1500.   I figure I have a few $1000 in eyepieces and accessories, its worth keeping them in a secure sturdy case.    its bright yellow so I don't misplace it in the dark.

 

the real pelican pluck foam works just fine for me.

[Jaimo!]

I'm somewhat handy... This is an older picture, but I am still using this case in a similar fashion, although some of the eyepieces have changed over the years.  It's a winge top with the constellation of Orion inlaid with appropriate color woods to match their stellar classification.

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy,

Jaimo!

[pierce]

my pelican 1500 (from before I added the 11, so there's now one more in the lower row)

 

[Greyhaven]

Draw

[SandyHouTex]

Hello,

What is everyone using to store there eyepieces in?

I have looked at some of the cases made for eyepieces but find them a bit on the expensive side.

What would make a good case or box that others are using that could be modified or used as is?

 

Thanks!

I like the Televue grey soft case, but like you said, that’s expensive.  You can get a very similar Zhummel case for a lot cheaper.