telescope mount dolly’s uk

[odyseus10]

Greetings,

I have a Skywatcher EQ6-R pro and I would like an easier way of moving it around my garden.

I like the look of the JMI wheelie bars or the scope buddy but these are only available in the US

Does anyone have any suggestions on alternatives available to the UK?

cheers John

[johninderby]

You can order the Scope Buggy from the US but shipping is $185.00 to the UK. Makes it very expensive when you add duties and taxes .

http://www.scopebuggy.com/Gen3/UntitledPandO.html

Edited July 27, 2021 by johninderby

[MarkRadice]

You can always make one from 2x4 and castors and a tie-down strap.  I use a homemade trolley to wheel C11 on an EQ6 from garage to driveway so I can catch low-down Jupiter in the morning sky. 

[dweller25]

13 minutes ago, MarkRadice said:

You can always make one from 2x4 and castors and a tie-down strap.  I use a homemade trolley to wheel C11 on an EQ6 from garage to driveway so I can catch low-down Jupiter in the morning sky. 

Can you post a photo please ?

[odyseus10]

Well it looks like postage to UK for the scope buddy is now ~ $380

[johninderby]

They do come up for sale on ABS occasionally. Here’s an expired ad.

Maybe place a wanted ad.

https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=173708

Edited July 27, 2021 by johninderby

[MarkRadice]

Here’s my home made version cut from old 2x4 and scrap boards. Not going to win any prizes but it carries a C11 and EQ6 from garage and back when the weather allows. The ratchet strap holds the scope down and the tripod feet are in predrilled holes above each wheel. 
 

I sometimes think I’ll make a more-gooder version but then it works fine so I don’t bother!

[johninderby]

Rustic but effective.👍🏻

Edited July 27, 2021 by johninderby

[MarkRadice]

9 minutes ago, johninderby said:

Rustic but effective.

Me or the trolley :-)? 
 

You’re right! It doesn’t have to look good just safely carry a heavy load a short distance and back in the dark. 

[lenscap]

2 hours ago, johninderby said:

Rustic but effective.

If johninderby made tripod dollys . . . . . 😀

[odyseus10]

3 hours ago, johninderby said:

Rustic but effective.👍🏻

Indeed - I guess it’s worth varnishing to protect it from the elements ?

[Deadlake]

I also found this option for build it youself

https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/build-a-rolling-telescope-dolly/

same time JMI etc seem out of stock at present….

[odyseus10]

Well I did buy the ScopeBuggy but as I said postage was $180 (£130) and I got charged another £90 customs+VAT.

I didn’t know that HMRC charge Vat on the postage as well as the actual item you bought

That all being said, it’s a very nicely manufactured and well designed buggy and my EQ6R-Pro sits on it perfectly. I also got the battery tray for my Jackory 500.

I bought a MIG welder a while Bach, as it was something I wanted to learn and I don’t think it would be too hard to make a close copy (but smaller) for my AVX mount or light Tripod with Skywatcher GTI??

Just need some steel tubes, steel rod for axles and trolley wheels

I do like the Sky At Night Dolley but wood it quite hard to completely weather proof.

Edited August 20, 2021 by odyseus10

[Deadlake]

On 20/08/2021 at 13:34, odyseus10 said:

Well I did buy the ScopeBuggy but as I said postage was $180 (£130) and I got charged another £90 customs+VAT.

I didn’t know that HMRC charge Vat on the postage as well as the actual item you bought

That all being said, it’s a very nicely manufactured and well designed buggy and my EQ6R-Pro sits on it perfectly. I also got the battery tray for my Jackory 500.

I bought a MIG welder a while Bach, as it was something I wanted to learn and I don’t think it would be too hard to make a close copy (but smaller) for my AVX mount or light Tripod with Skywatcher GTI??

Just need some steel tubes, steel rod for axles and trolley wheels

I do like the Sky At Night Dolley but wood it quite hard to completely weather proof.

How do you adjust the scope buggy for height?

I'm presuming the scope buggy has no adjustment, it's the tripod that gets adjusted?

 

[odyseus10]

On 24/08/2021 at 14:41, Deadlake said:

How do you adjust the scope buggy for height?

I'm presuming the scope buggy has no adjustment, it's the tripod that gets adjusted?

 

The height is fixed but you can spread the rear axle (although they are not locked). You can also adjust the distance of the front wheel to the rear axle. I found that with my EQ6-R pro tripod fully extended, I could mount it on the dolly, so had to reduce each leg length by about 6 inches. 
The only issue I have is that I have it on the lawn and when you screw down the anchor bolts, they just drill into the lawn. So I need to either get some wood off cuts to put under them or 3D some sort of feet, to spread the load.

I was also advised the bend the long handle into a curve, otherwise it keeps falling onto the lawn…

 

[johninderby]

Did modify one of the Scope Buggies to carry an OO 14” dob once.