Padded Bag for a 12"

[Scosmico]

Hi All, 

Does anyone know where in the UK I can find a padded bag for my 12" ES dob?

I am planning to take it to a trip later this month. The most appropriate one I found is from Geoptik 12". it fits the dimensions 90x45x45cm.

But I have not found in stock yet in the UK.

Cheers

 

 

[Carbon Brush]

If the trip is under your close suprvision (your car) a small sleeping bag or a duvet would do.
I usually grab one when travelling with any big scope.

It might come in handy while out late at night😄

[Scosmico]

Unfortunately the trip is by plane.

[Carbon Brush]

Oh dear. I would not trust a scope to baggage handlers unless it was in something like a pelicase.
Even then, the shocks while dropping on/off conveyors are a big consideration for a scope.
A refractor in a pelicase would be OK. Not a newt.

[adyj1]

Can you pay extra for handling of 'fragile' baggage? Unless you can find a hard padded case I would not trust it to baggage handlers... 

 

Here is a video you might want to watch...

Ryanair passenger films baggage handler ‘slamming’ his musical instruments onto... - Classic FM

Edited August 15, 2023 by adyj1
video link

[Mandy D]

37 minutes ago, Carbon Brush said:

Oh dear. I would not trust a scope to baggage handlers unless it was in something like a pelicase.
Even then, the shocks while dropping on/off conveyors are a big consideration for a scope.
A refractor in a pelicase would be OK. Not a newt.

I totally agree. But, do large Newts never get delivered to the customer by a carrier? Do they not go through hubs and get thrown around and dropped off conveyors? Yet by some miracle most arrive in one piece and undamaged. I suspect that the packaging may have something to do with this, as they tend to use substantial chunks of shaped polystyrene and all my new scopes have arrived packed in two double-walled corrugated cardboard cartons. It must surely be possible to pack them to survive most of this type of treatment.

When I transported my 250PX to France in the back of my Land Rover, a customs official lifted one end of the box it was packed in and dropped it from a good height!! I cannot repeat my words to him in here, but I was very, very angry. Amazingly, it did not even affect the collimation. It was in it's original packaging.

Having said all of this, I have to stress that I am not disagreeing with you and I would definitely not want to hand any large telescope over to baggage handlers, no matter how well packed it was. I've seen what they do in parcel hubs and it is not nice.

If the OP is serious about doing things this way, I would suggest talking to a specialist flight case manufacturer. This is who I use:

https://theflightcasecompany.com/

They have experience of making cases for large telescopes.

Edited August 15, 2023 by Mandy D
Dang typo!

[Carbon Brush]

Yes a proper stage/flight case would provide protection.
But not fall within standard flight size/weight limits.

Having had damage inflicted to my luggage on various flights, I know the baggage abusers are prevalent!
In a flight situation, you have no idea if your box is going to be at the bottom of a hold luggage container - with a ton of cases on top.
One of my (frequent business flyer) customers concluded it did not matter whether he paid £20 or £200 for a case. After a given number of flights, it was probably wrecked.

Next time you watch a travel or wildlife, or nature documentary filmed in furthest wilderness, see if you get a chance to look at the travel plans.
These people travel with lots of seriously strong flight cases. Definitely not worrying about a 20Kg luggage limit!

[adyj1]

2 hours ago, Mandy D said:

do large Newts never get delivered to the customer by a carrier? Do they not go through hubs and get thrown around and dropped off conveyors?

I do see your point, however the courier is accountable for damages in transit - if there is wanton damage wreaked on your insured package then the courier will be held liable, and so has a vested interest in improving their handling processes and encouraging their staff to treat packages properly.

And then there's baggage handlers... 😉 

[Mandy D]

58 minutes ago, adyj1 said:

I do see your point, however the courier is accountable for damages in transit - if there is wanton damage wreaked on your insured package then the courier will be held liable, and so has a vested interest in improving their handling processes and encouraging their staff to treat packages properly.

And then there's baggage handlers... 😉 

Read the terms and conditions carefully before deciding if the courier will be fully liable. Usually, you would need to take out separate insurance to fully cover the high value of light equipment such as telescopes. RHA compensation rates are something like £1.50 per kg. Yes, some will offer extended cover, but I have never seen one offering full value, certainly not as standard.

 

Yes, then there are baggage handlers! Have you ever been inside a parcel hub? I had cause to vist DHL's hub at East Midlands Airport. There were heavy parcels being thrown from the backs of vans, aimed at the conveyor belt, missing it entirely, then being picked up to be thrown at it again; rinse and repeat. Exactly the same process as used by airline baggage handlers. These people appear to be accountable to no-one. Your only safe plan is to package items to survive this type of handling. But, beware, if you over-package, you could fall foul of their terms and conditions and have your claim rejected. UPS require that all parcels are packaged in brand new double walled cartons and secured only with Kraft tape. Because one of our packages used the "wrong" but much stronger glass reinforced tape, ample high density extruded polystyrene foam and was packaged in a number of previously used cartons, the claim was rejected. Also, they will often only pay out on the actual weight of the part that is damaged. Further, you cannot claim for damage to the packing case or carton. That, apparently, is their's to wreck as they see fit.

[DirkSteele]

Personally I would never (and never have) leave a telescope to the mercy of baggage handlers. And certainly not a soft sided case. The bag could easily end up with hundreds of kilos on top of it in the hold, as well as being thrown around and dropped. If you are adamant to do this, you should remove the primary and secondary mirrors and carry them in the cabin and hope the truss structure is not damaged in transit but I would much prefer a hard case. I have those Geoptik bags and the padding is fine but not bullet proof by any stretch.

Personally, I would purchase a smaller scope than can go carry on such as  Skywatcher Heritage 130 or 150p and get a simple alt Az mount and tripod, both of which can go in checked luggage with less risk.

[Scosmico]

I hear what you are all saying, and thank you for that. But I am desperate to use a big telescope under dark skies. It is a though call. However, I am tired of being tired to take the dob out, or rain, or clouds or short gap that does not allow the telescope to cool etc. A big telescope that does not see the stars is sad.

Edited August 15, 2023 by Scosmico

[Carbon Brush]

On shipping scopes within the UK.

A lot of product (for example Skywatcher) is drop shipped from the likes of OVL, the wholesaler direct to the end user.
The retailers (FLO, RVO, etc) only handle the paper trail.
OVL have considerable commercial clout with a carrier. If they drop too many scopes, they don't get their contract renewed.
Further, the carrier knows that the truck load of boxes from OVL are fragile.
If things do go wrong, you quickly get another scope or repair parts that you agree with the retailer.
Big retailers who ship a lot also have some financial clout.

Now if you as an individual ship something, you are expected to pay extra for delicates and breakables.
Even then, some carriers refuse to insure glass - despite taking the money.
Some carriers refuse to pay full value on secondhand goods - it is 3/4 down page 7 of the small print.
You can shout and stamp your foot - but you are an individual.
I have in the past for work had long arguments with carriers about loss and value.
Basically some carriers are stupid, others are crooks. Though there are some decent ones around.

When selling any scope related kit, I have always accepted the risk that if the box is lost or flattened I will be out of pocket.
When buying from someone you don't have experience of, do they know how to pack for carrier survival?
£50 spent on fuel collecting a scope is often better than the stress and headache.
 

[josefk]

Just thinking out loud - at 90x45x45 would it be economically feasible to buy an extra plane (seat) ticket and make arrangements to take it on the plane with you (like someone would with a large musical instrument)?

On the other hand is there any chance to meet up with a scope at the other end - an astro oriented accommodation where scopes are on hand or a commercial business that rents scopes?

I personally wouldn't trust any packaging to be fit to survive the hold and handling - not even a peli case and i like and use peli cases 🙂

[moggi1964]

Alternatively, you could just package it up as if you are shipping it to someone and pack extra tape to seal it again for the return trip.

Did that myself when getting a large, relatively expensive scope to a star party in Canada.

[Starfazed]

Can you hire a scope in the place you are visiting?

[Scosmico]

I looked at that and for the whole period I could by another telescope. So it is not the best option..

[Scosmico]

On 15/08/2023 at 18:59, moggi1964 said:

Alternatively, you could just package it up as if you are shipping it to someone and pack extra tape to seal it again for the return trip.

Did that myself when getting a large, relatively expensive scope to a star party in Canada.

I am going with that option.

[adyj1]

Hope you get fantastic views - you've certainly got the right kit for it!

Where are you heading?

 

[Scosmico]

Tenerife

[moggi1964]

23 hours ago, Starfazed said:

Can you hire a scope in the place you are visiting?

Have a brilliant trip and let us know how it all worked out when you get back home.

[Scosmico]

Good news! the telescope survived the journey. Very happy that I did it. 12" under dark skies is priceless.

I think the biggest problem was the logistics at the destination, as not all airbnb pictures show to long and irregular steps to the houses or how far you have to carry 30kg equipment in the middle of the night because there is no parking spaces near by.

Edited September 4, 2023 by Scosmico