5 replies to this topic

[FredWagner]

I have a question about this kit. I was thinking of purchasing one to install on my Celestron StarSense Explorer 10” Dob. I know it locks both the swivel and the wheels, but I worry it will knock the Telescope out of Collimation when wheeling through a grassy yard. Anyone have experience with this kit?

[Jethro7]

I have a question about this kit. I was thinking of purchasing one to install on my Celestron StarSense Explorer 10” Dob. I know it locks both the swivel and the wheels, but I worry it will knock the Telescope out of Collimation when wheeling through a grassy yard. Anyone have experience with this kit?

Hello Fred,

I guess it depends on how bumpy the trip is to the viewing area. Looking at this from another perspective. Collimating a Dobs primary mirror (I rarely have to mess with the secondary mirror) is much easier than hand carrying a Dob and the base. 

 

As a side note: If you replace the primary mirror collimation knob springs with much stronger springs (Cheap at Hardware stores) will go along way to keeping the primary mirror in collimation. As a benefit to replacing the springs, you can get rid of those pesky locking knobs

 

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

Edited by Jethro7, 28 April 2025 - 03:44 PM.

[sevenofnine]

Hi Fred!, I've been using this 6 wheeled stair climbing hand truck for a few years now and I'm quite impressed with it. It's very smooth on hard floors and concrete. After moving the scope including up several steps to my deck, the Dob rarely needs anything more than a minor tweak in collimation. The hand truck folds up very small for storage too. It's useful in other applications as well 

 

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[Dave Novoselsky]

Quite frankly, quite a bit of money for something there can be obtained is a “generic” item through Amazon or in a hardware store.

[FredWagner]

I did the math on some generic 8” wheels that locked both casters wheels and swivel however I didn’t want bolt heads sticking up between the bottom of the base and rocker box. So the next option would be a 3/4” piece of board that extends beyond the base with hole for the feet of the telescope. Everything together was very close to the Apatura easy roll kit. The kit will be in tomorrow. By the way the 8” wheels alone were $145 plus tax.

[FredWagner]

Hi Fred!, I've been using this 6 wheeled stair climbing hand truck for a few years now and I'm quite impressed with it. It's very smooth on hard floors and concrete. After moving the scope including up several steps to my deck, the Dob rarely needs anything more than a minor tweak in collimation. The hand truck folds up very small for storage too. It's useful in other applications as well

rsz_img_2089.jpg.

That’s quite the cart you have there.