9 replies to this topic

[Y0_OY]

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to fly with a grab-and-go/travel kit that I had put together. I was quite happy with this first test, so I decided to post a couple of pictures here, thinking they might help newcomers to the hobby prepare for the starry summer nights to come.

 

For the tripod, I chose a smaller version of the INNOREL RT90C tripod, the LT324c ("little brother" of the series), because it fits in the carry-on backpack I bought to transport all my gear. Finding a proper travel bag was actually more difficult than finding the rest of the gear. 

 

The total package is heavier than I expected, especially with the binoculars, but it's still within most airlines' weight limits. One could choose a lighter mount, such as the Astro-Tech Voyager III or the TS-Optics AZT6, but I couldn't resist the Sightron slow-motion controls and higher payload capacity. Despite weighing 40% more than the previously mentioned competitors, it travels flat and is easy to carry and assemble.

 

I intend to upgrade the telescope once I outgrow it—that's part of the reason I wanted a higher payload mount—but for now, it's a lot of fun.

 

I did quite extensive research on the tripod, mount, and bag. I am still trying to find a well-padded bag for the scope and an EVA case that would fit the Sightron, but anyway here is my list of contenders for the travel bags, the tripods and the mounts.

 

 

 

Carry-on backpack/bags  (mine, the MEC Pangea 40L, is unfortunately no longer available)  

THULE Landmark 40 L 

OSPREY Farpoint 40 Travel Pack (Fairview 40 for women)

OSPREY Daylite Carry-On Travel Pack 44L (maybe too flimsy for the payload) 

 

Carbon fiber Tripod 

==>INNOREL LT324c (small RT90C that fits the 55cm/21.5” of most airlines)

ZWO TC40 (heavier and maybe a bit small)

VANGUARD Vesta GO 264 CV12

 

Travel alt-az mount
[with slow mo] 

==> SIGHTRON Japan ALT-AZ Mount (1.4 kg, 7 kg payload) 
DSV-Mb with slow motion controls (1.13 kg, 4.5 kg payload)
SKYWATCHER Mount AZ-Pronto (1 kg, 3 kg payload)

 

 

[w/o slow mo]

ASTRO-TECH Voyager III (less than 1 kg, 5 kg payload), similar to TS-OPTICS AZT6 and SKY ROVER

BERLEBACH Spica (1 kg, 5kg payload) 
BERLEBACH Castor II (1.3 kg, max payload 8kg)

OMEGON AZ Baby (1 kg, 4 kg payload) 

DSV-M (1.13kg, unknown payload)

DSV-1 (2 kg unknown payload)
STELLARVUE M002C ( 2,7 kg, payload 11 kg)
 

 

 

 

 

 

[Y0_OY]

A second picture

Edited by Y0_OY, 23 June 2025 - 11:28 AM.

[Hesiod]

I use a videocamera bag for my travel rig.

The bag is too small for the main tripod (it goes in the carryon bag) but holds everything else (plus, not shown here, eos r, rf24 -105, secondar tripod and a ballhead)

not 

[photoracer18]

I'm on my third generation travel scope. First gen was a Pentax 75EDHF and a modified Pocono Mountain Optics Cameratrak (Neihon Seiko) with a clock drive that worked on a Bogen 3021/3221  which I had a couple of due to my photography hobby over the decades. Second gen was a Vixen FL-80S but with a non-collapsible dew shield I replaced that with a TMB 80SS and modified a Twilight I mount to fit on a photo tripod. For the third gen I wanted a scope as close to the max size I could get in a SW airlines carry on case. Stellarvue had one of those C18 cases left so I bought it. Turned out it could be as big as in the 90mm-110mm range but had to be no longer than about F6.5. In that range all scopes are imagers as most visual scopes are F7. Did not really need an imaging scope as I stopped doing that about 10 years ago. It would add extra cost. Only scopes in that range would be the TMB 92SS and the later Astro-Tech 92 F5.5 triplet. Or the WO FLT91. Ended up getting a used WO FLT98 at F6.3. Got an iOptron HEM15 as the mount as its case was easy to put in my hard-shell check-in case with clothes used as extra padding. CF tripod fits in there also. Sent the Twilight I to my brother in New Mexico and will be sending him an older Stellarvue SV102D so I will not need to carry a scope and mount to see him.

[MadHungarian]

Several years ago i figured out I could just barely fit my Celestron 6SE ota (along with some ep's) into an airplane carry-on bag.  But the mount and tripod would have to go in checked luggage.

But i never actually did it, and i don't know if the ever-shrinking baggage sizes would still allow this.

[Y0_OY]

Several years ago i figured out I could just barely fit my Celestron 6SE ota (along with some ep's) into an airplane carry-on bag.  But the mount and tripod would have to go in checked luggage.

But i never actually did it, and i don't know if the ever-shrinking baggage sizes would still allow this.

It would work; most airlines accept carry-on luggage around those specifications: 21.5" x 15.5" x 9". My only concern would be losing the mount and tripod, but nowadays, that doesn't seem to happen as often as it did 20 years ago.

[ABQJeff]

Carry-on:

Oklop 6” SCT bag for my 150mm Mak, diagonals and finder scope.

 

Large camera backpack for 80mm F/6, Li-ion battery back, diagonals, filter wheel, eyepieces, and finder scope.

 

Checked:

SW AzGtiX mount, tripod, chair, other eyepieces, and durable items wrapped in clothes in gear/sports/deployment wheeled duffle bag. 

 

 

 

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[maniack]

My backpack setup is either the AT72EDII or 90mm SV48p in a medium size camera backpack with a Leofoto carbon fiber tripod hanging on the side. Mount options include the AZ-GTi, SkyRover AZ mount (Astro-tech Voyager III equivalent), or Omegon AZ-Baby clone. The backpack is well under carry-on size and can probably qualify as a "personal item".

 

[Spikey131]

TV76 and accessories in a Lowepro Flipside 300.  The backpack fits under an airline seat.  I put the AZ GTi and the Gitzo Traveler 2 in the luggage.

[Spikey131]

TV76 and accessories in a Lowepro Flipside 300.  The backpack fits under an airline seat.  I put the AZ GTi and the Gitzo Traveler 2 in the luggage.

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