6 replies to this topic

[Anthony_1138]

This is an odd question but I'm hoping someone has this figured out and can give me some tips.

Every 6 months or so, I drive a carload of equipment for about 9 hours to get to my favorite dark sky site (Joshua Tree).  It works great for me, but I hate the drive.  If it weren't for all of the equipment (I shoot from three rigs while I'm there), I could easily fly and be there in a couple of hours.

It's too much to pack as luggage, and shipping it via UPS would be hugely expensive, and of course I'd worry about damage.

Is there a reliable way to ship equipment that won't break the bank?  Ideally I'd ship it to the airport and want to pick it up there with a rental car.

Thanks in advance.

[Bruce K]

See if you can ship via railroad... probably get some decent pricing if you don't mind  crating it all up into 1 crate

 

Bruce

[NMCN]

Look into shipping it LTL via a trucking company. I have no idea what that would cost, but I'll bet its cheaper than UPS.

[Richie2shoes]

Depending how often you go, separate rigs stored in a self-storage unit?

NM - Just saw the every 6 months.  Not cost effective

Edited by Richie2shoes, 22 February 2025 - 10:47 AM.

[edwincjones]

I consider shipping to NewZealand when I went, but decided just too much of a gamble for loss or damage.

I would rather have the security of having with me than the potential of larger optics at location.

 

edj

[Paul Romero]

Hi,

 

I think there are ride-share like services for transporting goods. Like Uber for packages.

 

Clear skies,

 

Paul

 

PS off topic, but if you hwd one rig, you could pack your mount in the luggage and tripod shipped via pirateship.com at 1/3 the retail outlets of UPS.

[Keith Rivich]

Taking the time to pack everything and get it to the shipper, plus picking it up and loading it in the rental, plus the air travel time, would take longer then just driving.