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OTA Storage and Transport

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#1 Martinbruce

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Posted 19 January 2025 - 03:36 PM

I found this old thread and there was a picture of a tube rack for storing a refractor on a bench (pic and idea by Houndsbourgh) https://www.cloudyni...ng/page-2#entry

 

So, in my winter bordom I made one for myself for my AT115EDT. Went to Lowes Hardware store and bought the tubing and connectors all for less than $20.00. They can be sized based upon your needs.  Works great and I hope this may help others looking for a solution. IMG_0549 (1)OTA Stack and Store.JPG

 

Hope the attached picture worked. 


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#2 triplemon

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Posted 19 January 2025 - 04:02 PM

For bench testing folks usually use wooden v-blocks, its mechanically a much more stable and also a lot cheaper.
I wouldn't want to store it that way in the open, for dust and grime reasons.



#3 chvvkumar

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Posted 19 January 2025 - 04:56 PM

I use Losmandy plates on all my scopes and use 4 x furniture legs/vibration mounts as stands. Bonus, don't have to remove them when transporting in various bins as they only add about 0.5" to the height of the scope.

 

https://www.amazon.c...duct/B07L6B64FY

 

PXL 20241104 134757528

 



#4 ShaulaB

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Posted 19 January 2025 - 05:09 PM

That's a great quilt! Home-sewn?


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#5 Martinbruce

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Posted 19 January 2025 - 05:43 PM

I live in Amish country so the quilt is actually hand sewn. Beautiful craftsmanship. Some quilts can be more expensive than a Takahashi scope!


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#6 kfiscus

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Posted 19 January 2025 - 05:51 PM

Please post a horizontal shot.  It looks like the ends are X-shaped.  Is that correct?



#7 Martinbruce

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Posted 19 January 2025 - 06:19 PM

Here you go. You are correct. By the way it is very stable and weighs nothing. Good luchk

 

        

 

Attached Thumbnails

  • Stack and Store 2.JPG

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#8 luxo II

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Posted 20 January 2025 - 12:41 AM

I throw a wrap over my smaller scopes when sitting on a shelf, for two reasons - keeping dust and grime off the scope, and so it doesn't attract fingers that may tempted to fiddle with it, or worse. The larger ones have padded wraps.


Edited by luxo II, 20 January 2025 - 12:54 AM.


#9 Jon Isaacs

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Posted 20 January 2025 - 07:00 AM

My refractors all have cases, either hard cases or soft cases.  The cases have handles to carry them.   When not in use or waiting to be used, they are in their cases.  This is not the best photo but the two bottom shelves are telescopes, eyepieces, tools, accessories, all in cases. Each scope has it's own diagonal. The eyepieces are all in their place in the case.  When I get ready to head out to darker skies, I just grab the cases I want. 

 

Scope Room 2024- 1.jpg
 
Jon

 




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