48 replies to this topic

[PFJs Customs]

Hello All, I was laoding up my telescope onto the car when the handle gave out and the telescope dropped. In looking at the case it seems that the fabric on one end frayed and thus breaking. Has anyone gone through a similar experience? Open to possible modifications to replace and upgrade the handle so this won't happen again.

I know a simple solution is to buy a new case, but I do like the size of the stock case. Any other ideas?

[Phil Perry]

That's an interesting failure.I have seen nylon web straps fail before in that way, including the end carrying handles on my kayak hung from the garage joists. I'm not sure if mice hadn't been nibbling on the one that failed, but fail it did. I note that spending most of the year hanging, the webs were under constant tension, unlike a Seestar's handle. You should be careful not to jerk these straps, nor leave them in the Sun (UV light) nor exposed to ozone and other chemicals. Now I'm wondering what's going to happen to all the wristwatches secured by "NATO" style nylon web straps?

 

Regarding a replacement, look into screwing plates (with loops) into the sides (near the front) and finding camera straps that will go through the loops. A long enough one could even let you carry it from your shoulder. You might want to detach the strap if you're going to check in the case as luggage.

 

I hope your Seestar didn't suffer damage -- that case seems pretty well padded. Was the case itself undamaged?

[PFJs Customs]

Thanks for the idea phill, will look into the sceew plates with loops! Yeah my Seestar sits inside my house, definitely not exposed to the sun or any rodents so I guess just wore out?

[DeepSky Di]

Hello All, I was laoding up my telescope onto the car when the handle gave out and the telescope dropped. In looking at the case it seems that the fabric on one end frayed and thus breaking. Has anyone gone through a similar experience? Open to possible modifications to replace and upgrade the handle so this won't happen again.

I know a simple solution is to buy a new case, but I do like the size of the stock case. Any other ideas?

Can you share a photo of the broken area?

[sevenofnine]

I'd try contacting ZWO customer service...I bet they will ship you one for free. Good luck! 

[PFJs Customs]

Can you share a photo of the broken area?

 

Here you go.

 

[PFJs Customs]

I'd try contacting ZWO customer service...I bet they will ship you one for free. Good luck! 

That might be so, but that would mean that I would be susceptible to the same thing happening to the new case and thus dropping my telescope again. Not sure if this would be the smartest solution.

[geoffl]

I wanted to add a support and fixings so that I could use the over-the-shoulder strap supplied with my Dwarf 2 bag.

 

Using some sticky film, I attached a piece of webbing, with metal end rings, round 3 sides of the case. To ensure that the ends were secure, I drilled the case and glued-in plastic wall plugs, then used screws, with washers, to fix the ends.

 

Base

Sides

wall plug in place

 

Geoff

 

Edited by geoffl, 15 January 2025 - 12:02 PM.

[PFJs Customs]

 

I wanted to add a support and fixings so that I could use the over-the-shoulder strap supplied with my Dwarf 2 bag.

 

Using some sticky film, I attached a piece of webbing, with metal end rings, round 3 sides of the case. To ensure that the ends were secure, I drilled the case and glued-in plastic wall plugs, then used screws, with washers, to fix the ends.

 

 

Base

 

Sides

 

wall plug in place

 

Geoff

 

 

Thanks for sharing your solution Geoff! Will look into these different solutions to best decide how to address this.  

[GabeRossi]

My Seestar case handle snapped walking down my stairs. Luckily the scope was okay and worked fine. I replaced the case with a Harbor Freight Apache 4800. Best thing I ever did for the s50

 

 

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[Digital Don]

I use a larger tripod than the one included with the Seestar so I never used the original case. I wanted something that could carry the telescope, my tablet, and other accessories as well.  I store and transport my Seestar S50 in a Plano 701 toolbox.  I used polyethylene shipping foam I had on hand to create the compartments to hold the telescopes. 

 

The 701 is light weight and large enough to accommodate both the S50 and my S30 - whenever it arrives!   The 701 was designed to carry power tools so the weight of the little Seestars won't faze it!

 

I have several of the Harbor Freight Apache cases and they are excellent!  But for my setup, the 701 is a better option.

 

Don

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Edited by Digital Don, 18 January 2025 - 04:43 AM.

[Phil Perry]

Hmm. A larger case with pre-cut foam sounds like a nice upgrade, even before the handle fails. I could fit my tablet, 20Ah external battery, dew shield, tripod leveler, notes/field guide book, small flashlights, and anything else I accumulate over time. Currently, plenty of other stuff to schlep along in a backpack.

[Digital Don]

Hmm. A larger case with pre-cut foam sounds like a nice upgrade, even before the handle fails. I could fit my tablet, 20Ah external battery, dew shield, tripod leveler, notes/field guide book, small flashlights, and anything else I accumulate over time. Currently, plenty of other stuff to schlep along in a backpack.

Before I ordered an S30, the original layout for my Plano 701 included a FlashFish portable power station. 

 

 

Don

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[StargazerLuigi]

My Seestar case handle snapped walking down my stairs. Luckily the scope was okay and worked fine. I replaced the case with a Harbor Freight Apache 4800. Best thing I ever did for the s50

Do you think an Apache 3800 would work as well? Twenty bucks is twenty bucks

Edited by StargazerLuigi, 19 January 2025 - 11:41 AM.

[Digital Don]

Do you think an Apache 3800 would work as well? Twenty bucks is twenty bucks

I just tried putting my S50 in a 3800 case.  The lid will not close with the S50 inside if you have any of the supplied foam in the bottom of the case and the 'egg crate' foam in the top.  I would want some foam on the top and bottom to protect the scope.  It would be possible to use a very thin piece of foam on the bottom, but you'd have to supply it yourself.

 

The specs show that both the 3800 and 4800 have an 'inside height' of 6 1/8".  The height of the S50 laid flat is 5.1" so it will definitely fit without foam.  Maybe Gabe can tell us what he did with his setup.

 

Don

Edited by Digital Don, 19 January 2025 - 07:33 PM.

[StargazerLuigi]

I have seen conflicting specs for the 4800. While I'm out today I'll stop by Harbor Freight and see if the 4800 has a larger inside height.

[Digital Don]

I have seen conflicting specs for the 4800. While I'm out today I'll stop by Harbor Freight and see if the 4800 has a larger inside height.

Looks like the specs vary depending on what color you look at! Some show 6 1/8" others show 6 1/4",

 

Let us know what you find out.

 

Thanks!

 

Don

Edited by Digital Don, 20 January 2025 - 03:18 PM.

[StargazerLuigi]

See photo .. it shows depth of 7-5/8 inches, so I grabbed one. They were having a get ten dollars off of 50 dollars or more purchase, so it was only 50 bucks. I got orange so I won't lose it in the snow

 

I haven't had time to see how the Seestar fits.

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Edited by StargazerLuigi, 20 January 2025 - 05:59 PM.

[Phil Perry]

HF is having a clearance sale on Voyager aluminum cases with foam inserts, 18x13x6 inch (presumably outside dimensions) for $30. I may stop by while in town tomorrow and take a look at one, if they're still in stock.

 

Are broken handles common on Seestar cases? So far these are the only two reports I've had. If they break easily (other than from abuse, such as yanking them hard while picking them up), I might preemptively replace mine. Room for extras, too.

[Digital Don]

See photo .. it shows depth of 7-5/8 inches, so I grabbed one. They were having a get ten dollars off of 50 dollars or more purchase, so it was only 50 bucks. I got orange so I won't lose it in the snow

 

I haven't had time to see how the Seestar fits.

That seems more like it to me.  Apparently Harbor Freight has different product writers with different information available to them.  Below is taken directly from the Apache 4800 specifications section of the product page on Harbor Freight's website.

 

You got a bargain!  Let us know how the case works out for you.

 

Don

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[geoffl]

 

Are broken handles common on Seestar cases? So far these are the only two reports I've had. If they break easily (other than from abuse, such as yanking them hard while picking them up), I might preemptively replace mine. Room for extras, too.

The first picture in this thread clearly shows that the mounting hole removes most of the webbing material, so making it very weak. A sudden jerk could break it very easily. The weakness is not obvious from the outside, and "looks" robust at first glance. Normally, I do not have to move mine far, so I tend to leave the handle body stowed in its case cut-out, and just grip the sides of the case. I developed my shoulder-strap modification (2nd set of photos in this thread) for portability, rather than to replace the handle.

 

Geoff

[Paulie M]

I got my 3rd S50 today for outreach, a lovely new "Red" handle is on the clam case 

 

You gotta love ZWO, looking forward to the arrival of my S30

[Digital Don]

I got my 3rd S50 today for outreach, a lovely new "Red" handle is on the clam case 

 

You gotta love ZWO, looking forward to the arrival of my S30

Nice!  I wonder why they changed the color.

 

Speaking of S30s, I just got an update today.  Mine will arrive next Monday along with clear skies and temperatures that actually have 2 digits!

 

Wait, that can't be right, can it?

 

Don

[Phil Perry]

HF is having a clearance sale on Voyager aluminum cases with foam inserts, 18x13x6 inch (presumably outside dimensions) for $30. I may stop by while in town tomorrow and take a look at one, if they're still in stock.

Yesterday I did take a look at the case. While quite rugged, I'm not too enthused about it. Unlike the Apache x800 cases, this one was shrink-wrapped and I had to go by the descriptive card. It shows a tool "belt" in the top cover that may be removable, but I can't see if it has padding behind it. Nor is it clear just how the foam is arranged, and whether it's diced for easy customization. Depending on the actual inside dimensions and what the foam looks like, it might be possible to put the standard tripod cross-wise rather than fore-and-aft, but it might be a close call. On the plus side, it does come with lock & keys.

 

I took a quick look at the Apache 4800 while I was there (all the other x800's are too small). It has about 1 inch of foam top and bottom, and two layers of diced foam (each about 2 inches thick) for customization. No lock is provided, but it has two reinforced holes through the lid and front for padlocks. I think I'll wait until they go on sale, or my current Seestar case handle breaks, whichever comes first. Exemptions may apply; tags and taxes extra.

 

There are also metal or plastic "ammo can" boxes (roughly 11x10x6 inch inside) that could fit the scope itself, but probably not the tripod. You would have to provide your own padding and a more comfortable carrying handle or strap. A plastic box that size is only about $5; metal a bit more.

[StargazerLuigi]

That seems more like it to me.  Apparently Harbor Freight has different product writers with different information available to them.  Below is taken directly from the Apache 4800 specifications section of the product page on Harbor Freight's website.

 

You got a bargain!  Let us know how the case works out for you.

 

Don

The 4800 has a layer of foam at the bottom, two layers of pick and pluck, and the eggshell foam at the top.

 

To fit the Seestar, I had to remove foam from both of the pick and pluck layers. Even with that there is a fair amount of compression when closing, which I think is okay. By the way, I am not a fan of the latches on the side and on the front ...

 

There is plenty of room for other accessories. I need to print a case for the Baader solar filter holder I printed and find a place for the USB cable, but, as you can see plenty of room.

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