Making the Heritage Mount + OTA easy to transport.

[Naemeth]

After a long time of searching through the various options of making the Heritage 130P more portable (mostly including getting a new mount), including asking many people (FLO mainly, Moonshane has been very helpful too!) I have decided on using a hold-all (a big one!) as it will be a fairly cheap option. However, I am making this thread to design my hold-all (which I will buy) to be heavily padded (don't want to knock anything though transport) so it will have one "section" for the mount, and one section for the (collapsed) OTA, if I can get a bag big enough I'd like to add somewhere to keep my eyepieces, but that's optional. I'm probably looking on spending a maximum of around £30 - £40.

Essentially, the padding will probably consist of many layers, probably as follows:

Cardboard, Neoprene, Carrier Bag Layer, Neoprene, Cardboard, Neoprene.

The bag really needs to have these features:

Ability to hold 10kg (Mount and OTA is about 7kg, and eyepiece box is about 1 - 1.5kg probably) and not break

Shoulder strap or wheels

Around 50cm (L) x 40cm (W) x 30cm (D) minimum

Good value

I might add red lights too if I'm feeling bold at some point.

Has anyone got any other ideas of a good shock absorbent material?

[rowan46]

This is such a simple idea it's probably stupid. could you not wrap the tube in bubble wrap and put it in a sports holdall

[Naemeth]

This is such a simple idea it's probably stupid. could you not wrap the tube in bubble wrap and put it in a sports holdall

While I could do that, I want it to be easy to put in and take out, so I will slightly modify the holdall so I don't need the bubble wrap .

[rowan46]

Do you mean something like a tube that you can slip it in and out of like a sort of extended dew shield

[Naemeth]

Do you mean something like a tube that you can slip it in and out of like a sort of extended dew shield

Think of an eyepiece case - it has compartments you can put your eyepieces in, in the same way, this will have two main compartments, one to put the OTA in and one for the Mount.

[rowan46]

Are we talking car transportable or truly portable?

[rowan46]

Sorry Naemeth I am a bit dimmer than usual tonight could you put a pic of the type of holdall you are buying

[Naemeth]

Sorry Naemeth I am a bit dimmer than usual tonight could you put a pic of the type of holdall you are buying

Probably this one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Extra-Large-Wheeled-Trolley-Holdall/dp/B009DNUDWK/ref=pd_sim_sbs_ap_9

I'm talking truly transportable (i.e. Walking), it's already fine for car portability, very compact in it's box, but that box is bigger than the Mount and OTA, and is not too easy to walk with.

HTH .

[rowan46]

Those wheels make a hell of a noise at night and if you intend to carry it why have wheels at all it's just extra weight

[Naemeth]

Those wheels make a hell of a noise at night

A bit of greasing and I'm sure they'd be fine .

[rowan46]

I used something similar for my nexstar for a while it's the noise they make on pavements that's the problem. Have you thought of a backpack it doesn't jolt the optics as much a solid wheels

http://www.amazon.co...ref=pd_sim_sg_2

you then fill the space with cheap foam pillows cut to fill out the bag

[Carbon]

DJ gear transporters already come padded. Have you looked at those?

[Naemeth]

DJ gear transporters already come padded. Have you looked at those?

I must admit I hadn't, but I like the idea of modding a hold all. Have you got an example of one I could use?

[Naemeth]

First things first, the Holdall I am going to modify is firmly on the Christmas list as a present to me. I'll probably be able to start modifying around January .

[Moonshane]

I think this is definitely the way to go for your particular scope. another aspect to consider is something a little more robust as then you could potentially set the scope on top of it and it would raise it to a more convenient eyepiece height. just an option but might make it more tricky. when we discussed this, I had in mind a sports holdall as they are light and can be quite big.camping mat would be a good liner.

[Naemeth]

I think this is definitely the way to go for your particular scope. another aspect to consider is something a little more robust as then you could potentially set the scope on top of it and it would raise it to a more convenient eyepiece height. just an option but might make it more tricky. when we discussed this, I had in mind a sports holdall as they are light and can be quite big.camping mat would be a good liner.

I had thought about a sports holdall, but most that I found were too small, and I wanted plenty of extra space.. I'll try and give camping matt a go if I can get some cheaply .

[JamesF]

I'd be tempted to look at making a rigid insert for the OTA that could act as storage for eyepieces and so on. There's a fair bit of space inside the OTA doing nothing useful.

James

[Moonshane]

what about http://www.karabars.co.uk/Shop/Casual-Bags/All-Casual-Bags/3412-Urban-Sport-Foldable-Medium-60-Litres-Cargo-Backpack/Holdall.html?utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=Product+Search&gclid=CIyghIWDm7QCFefMtAodqlAA6g or http://www.theluggageandbagshop.co.uk/outdoors-c36/gear-bags-c40/caribee-caribee-hawk-60-sports-holdall-in-red-p762?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=caribee-hawk-60-sports-holdall-in-red-56801&utm_campaign=froogle#762 or even better / bigger http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0010AFDHY/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B003ANBT8G&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=140C1PY9FH7HBCSD2QS2

[Naemeth]

I'm not sure how I'd do that James if I'm honest...

[Moonshane]

or go mad and get http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gelert-Cargo-Bag-Black-140lt/dp/B0027MJQSG/ref=pd_sim_sg_1

[Moonshane]

one thing to check is how strong the bag looks and whether it would take the weight. I suspect the handles will be stronger thank the strap but you could always work out a support for the strap.

[JamesF]

I'm not sure how I'd do that James if I'm honest...

Me neither, but working these things out is part of the fun

James

[Naemeth]

or go mad and get http://www.amazon.co...ref=pd_sim_sg_1

I looked at that one actually, it would definitely be a tight squeeze, and I needed extra to make sure I didn't make a mess of the measurements, postage back would be a pain.

[Moonshane]

there's loads available, you just need to decide on the size you need

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/big-Large-holdall-Luggage-Travel-Bag-light-200-litre-40inch-l-17-x-16-/160895798671

[Naemeth]

there's loads available, you just need to decide on the size you need

http://www.ebay.co.u...6-/160895798671

I've found one that's big enough, and at about £20 it's pretty good value, wheels too .