740 replies to this topic

[dryfly]

I have a 52" rifle case which hold everything, including finder scope and diagonals with room to grow. It has wheels on one end which is convenient.  The downside is the weight.  I'm debating whether I like the all in one or if it might make sense to split everything up by eyepiece collection.

 

Mike

[RoofMonkey911]

If anyone is looking, Harbor Freight currently has the Apache 3800 & 4800 cases on sale.

I use the 3800 for eyepieces and the 4800 has my old Orion ST80, diagonal, solar filter, finder and a few eyepieces.

[NY2KW]

If anyone is looking, Harbor Freight currently has the Apache 3800 & 4800 cases on sale.

I use the 3800 for eyepieces and the 4800 has my old Orion ST80, diagonal, solar filter, finder and a few eyepieces.

Based on your comment, I orderded the 4800 Apache and it looks as good as a Pelican for fraction of the cost.  The quality of the external case seems quite solid and the foam is precut into hundreds of 1/2" sections that should make customization a breeze.   My only concern is whether the foam plastic will de-gas chemicals that may be harmful to the optics.  Thinking maybe to keep the optics in the small eyepiece containers that Agena Astro sells.  

[mondo1948]

Based on your comment, I orderded the 4800 Apache and it looks as good as a Pelican for fraction of the cost.  The quality of the external case seems quite solid and the foam is precut into hundreds of 1/2" sections that should make customization a breeze.   My only concern is whether the foam plastic will de-gas chemicals that may be harmful to the optics.  Thinking maybe to keep the optics in the small eyepiece containers that Agena Astro sells.  

Just so you know, Harbor Freight sells replacement foam sets for their cases.  I only buy cases where you can get replacement foam because as you probably are aware, eyepiece collections are changing all the time and rearranging eyepieces in the case may require a new set of foam.  

 

Mondo

[Andrea Salati]

Just so you know, Harbor Freight sells replacement foam sets for their cases.

The last time I bought a case, the 4800, they were having a sale and the whole set was cheaper than the foam alone. During regular times, the difference is not much either.
Interestingly, I tried for months to give away for free (asking buyers to pay for shipping charges only) all the sets from my cases and it took that long for someone to finally reach out to me.

[Albie]

  I only buy cases where you can get replacement foam because as you probably are aware, eyepiece collections are changing all the time and rearranging eyepieces in the case may require a new set of foam.  

 

Mondo

Tell me about it . I am on my fourth set of foam in 18 years for my eyepiece case .

[davidgmd]

Just so you know, Harbor Freight sells replacement foam sets for their cases.  I only buy cases where you can get replacement foam because as you probably are aware, eyepiece collections are changing all the time and rearranging eyepieces in the case may require a new set of foam.  

 

Mondo

  
Spot on about having to change the configuration.

  
It’s possible to get a new set of foam for just about any case. Either custom cut ($$$) by a shop like My Case Builder or DIY with Kaizen or similar foam and a knife.

[Ligurdragon]

Today I was able to put some order and arrange my new case with some eyepieces and accessories (Goto mount and filters). 

 

The case brand is HMF ODK100 bought on Amazon and the dimensions are: 41 x 32 x 17,5 cm. It was priced €58,72.

 

It has a double layer of foam which allows you to store the eyepieces vertically, in order to spare some space. 

 

It's not a Pelican but sturdy enough for my need. 

 

Here after the link to the album with some pictures.

 

Album: Eyepieces 1.25 case

4 images

0 comments

 

The times that i stored all in each own box, pack and unpack, are finally behind!   

Edited by Ligurdragon, 09 March 2025 - 03:46 PM.

[Lentini]

When at home, I have been storing eyepieces in two wine boxes fromThe Third Twin. Not suitable for transport, but fine for storage.

[vrodriguez2324]

I like the Harbor Freight cases and use them for more than just EP's.

I like Harbor Freight cases for more than just eyepieces too. I put one together for my Solar Ha kit. I thought the orange color was fitting.

 

• Daystar Quark Chromosphere
• Orion Dielectric Twist Tight Diagonal
• Baader Sky Surfer (Solar Finder)
• 40mm Omni Plossl
• 32mm Omni Plossl
• 25mm Sirius Plossl
• 2" UV/IR Cut Filter

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[Maranatha]

I got this one from Amazon. No funky smells or issues. $20

 

https://www.amazon.c...in_title_1&th=1

Here is a pic of how I used the above case. You could potentially fit 20 EPs in here.

 

I was very surprised to get the diagonal in there. Happy with the case.

(click image for uncompressed version)

Edited by Maranatha, 12 March 2025 - 05:52 PM.

[Kefka1138]

Pelican 1450 here, which barely fits my main set. 

 

[Mr. Mike]

I have a somewhat cheesy Orion eyepiece case that I bought years ago when I first got into the hobby. It actually does a decent job and is all I need. I just use 4-5 EPs total so I don’t need a war chest or anything.  

[stomias]

Pelican 1150

[sanbai]

I changed the case for my "dob set". Now I have a Nanuk 935, which is wheeled. I use padded dividers (I think some from other bags). I grabbed it in a sale at a good price, those happen a couple of times a year, only a bit of patience needed.

I previously had a Pelican 1600 (see post #463), but I found that case too bulky and heavy, especially for quick sessions at home (OK-ish for field trips).
In the previous house I had already changed to the Nanuk, but for the transatlantic move I needed this one for camera lenses, so the eyepieces went back to the Pelican. Now, I'm in a two story house and the distance to the observing spot is longer: the first use of the Pelican 1600 quickly reminded me that I had to put the eyepieces again in the Nanuk. The new one, while still heavy with all the glass, is a bit lighter. Being smaller makes easier to go down the stairs, and the wheels help up to the observing spot.

 

Observations from home are usually quick, and competing against chores or sleeping time. The Nanuk case makes it a bit less of a hassle than the Pelican, which makes a bit more compelling going out.

 

For my other set I still use the Nanuk 930 (not wheeled), described in post #698. Being lighter makes possible some quick observing sessions (especially with the refractor) that otherwise I would say no.

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[Procyon]

After 10 years...I think I'm done with one case...

 

Nanuk 930 Case / 2" EP's ---------7 Hyperwides and a 40mm SWAN begging to be replaced by a 35mm Panoptic.

 

 

Went looking for a smaller Nanuk case this past week and prices have skyrocketed so I found these Meijia types. Pretty much the same type of case, better foam and at a very decent cost.

 

Mejia Case / 1.25" EP's w/binos/filters/etc, need to add the 25mm Zeiss W-PL pair and maybe add pair of Tak 18's soon and I'm done, I think. 

 

 

Edited by Procyon, 17 March 2025 - 05:35 PM.