Which Eyepiece Storage Case?

[Davestate]

So now I'm amassing several eyepieces, barlows, filters, coma correctors et al what is the best box to keep them safe and secure? I'm thinking along the lines of a foam-filled aluminium box but where does one buy them from...?

TIA.

[twotter]

I've got one from Maplins. They occasionally do sales on them for £25, usual price is £35.

[Eastridge]

http://www.maplin.co.uk/productsearch?criteria=flight+case

I got the rugged one as it was a good size and I think on sale, but plenty here to choose from. This is where most on here get theirs from if the want a good value general hard case.

The other option if you walk to rural sites with scope a lot is a photo backpack.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

There is a whole thread on that topic here

[Davestate]

I've got one from Maplins. They occasionally do sales on them for £25, usual price is £35.

Sorted, two of those will do just the job thanks.

[Davestate]

There is a whole thread on that topic here

http://stargazerslou...ye-piece-cases/

I did try a search, honest.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I did try a search, honest.

No worries

[Spec-Chum]

Am I the only one who uses a soft bag? I use a Starguider one from STL that looks identical to this one: http://www.televue.com/engine/TV3b_page.asp?id=64

To be fair, I like it.

[alan potts]

These are a little up market from Maplins, not that there is anything wrong with them before the whole site book a plane ticket and come and get me.

I have Peli and alsorts of cases for all sorts of expensive gear. I got a Geoptik case from TS before they rubbed me up the wrong way. There are three sizes and they are well priced, mine was 59 Euros for the mid sized one but they are almost as good as Peli without the price tag. Maybe there is an English delaer that has them?

Alan.

[Stargazer_00]

Here is the aforementioned starguider / TV clone bag. £55.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Starguider-Eyepiece-Carry-Bag-Eyepiece-Carry-Case-/380484368436#vi-content

[Spec-Chum]

Yep, we paid less tho cos I won it on one of Alan's auctions. 35 I think she paid.

It was an Xmas present so I shouldn't really know lol

[E621Keith]

The best case is subjective.

Maplin case mentioned is fairly cheap and give reasonable protection. However they don't have any moisture sealing and don't offer anywhere near the impact protection of a Peli or Peli Storm case. Soft sided cases give you the least protection against both impact and moisture. Personally I would choose a Maplin case over a TV soft sided bag.

I have never smash any eyepiece, telescope or any other optics. I accidentally scratched one telescope objective, one eyepiece, and one lens during cleaning many years ago. But I had fungus on one telescope, two eyepieces, and three camera lens. For me fungus is by far the biggest threat to optics, so nowadays I stored all my optics in moistured sealed box.

If you want to protects your eyepiece from random knocks and bump, a Maplin flight case would do. If you want to protect you eyepiece from fungus, you should consider a sealed case pack with some sort of moisture absorbing agent.

Just for your interest. Here is a more extreme examples

see Nevy's Ethos case

http://stargazerslou...s/page__st__820

[Stargazer_00]

I just keep a couple of silica gel packs in my eyepiece case. Win

[E621Keith]

Are you using silica gel that changes colour when it's absorbs moisture. If not, then you should and you will be surprise how fast it saturates in an unsealed case.

Moisture absorbing crystals found in cupboard dehumidifier is much better for extended storage. However, they can make some nasty spills, so it's best use it in immobile storage case. For mobile storage cases, such as eyepiece case, Silica gel is the best option, but they need to be changed or recharged at least once every fortnight.

[Matt Scunthorpe]

I use a maplins case. Works very well, and is easy to carry which is key when going up and downstairs etc.

[Tlawrence84]

These are a bit out there, I love wargaming, and these are used to protect very finely painted miniatures, so the foam is made to be non abrasive, and basically pokes out to size:

Bags: http://www.waylandgames.co.uk/feldherr/bags/cat_1179.html

Foam:

(full size) http://www.waylandgames.co.uk/feldherr/full-size-foam-trays/cat_1180.html

(half size) http://www.waylandgames.co.uk/feldherr/half-size-foam-trays/cat_1181.html

They have a showroom of sorts in Hockley, Essex, where a lot of these are on show. At the moment I only have 6 eye pieces, although I'm eyeing up either the rucksack or similay to carry my Binos, and other useful bits like torches and iPad etc.

Just an idea is all.

[alan potts]

I have to say I do not rate the Televue Ethos bag or it's copy, gross case of over egging the price ticket. Then of course there is the small matter of having 5 Ethos's to put in it.

Alan.

[Spec-Chum]

I have to say I do not rate the Televue Ethos bag or it's copy, gross case of over egging the price ticket. Then of course there is the small matter of having 5 Ethos's to put in it.

Alan.

I like it

Saying that, we paid about £35 instead of the £110 or whatever rip off price the actual TeleVue one is.

It's not just for Ethos sized EPs, I've got Plossls, orthos and Meade UWAs in mine. They all fit nice and snug.

[Charon]

Another vote for the Maplins case.

[jabberwocky]

I've just switched to a maplins case from a much bigger DJ CD case, much more compact and lighter but the cube foam is awful so I've covered it with purple velvet.