Airline case for a C8

Hello all,

I just got a good deal on a Celestar 8, and am
looking for a case to transport it in that will
be acceptable to airlines.

Any favorites out there? I believe Celestron's
is a Pelican 1650 - any other ideas?

Thanks.

Jack

"Jack Gibson" wrote in message
om...
Hello all,

I just got a good deal on a Celestar 8, and am
looking for a case to transport it in that will
be acceptable to airlines.

Any favorites out there? I believe Celestron's
is a Pelican 1650 - any other ideas?


It doesn't really *fit* in Celestron's case. I think you can get better
cases from JMI. There are companies such as Atlas Cases that make cases for
scientific equipment; you can get a *really* good case from them for
something like $300 or $400. What I'd do, in your situation, is contact
companies like Atlas (there are some in every big city) and ask about
possible bargains -- like a case that is slightly flawed, or left over from
another job, or didn't quite fit what it was supposed to.

What I actually use is a military surplus equipment case. But I don't fly
with my telescope. You would probably want a case with a handle and wheels.

Links:

www.jimsmobile.inc -- JMI -- excellent cases precut for popular telescopes

www.atlascases.com -- Atlas Cases -- custom-built, really strong cases


Enjoy!


--
Clear skies,

Michael Covington -- www.covingtoninnovations.com
Author, Astrophotography for the Amateur
and (new) How to Use a Computerized Telescope

"Jack Gibson" wrote in message
om...
Hello all,

I just got a good deal on a Celestar 8, and am
looking for a case to transport it in that will
be acceptable to airlines.

Any favorites out there? I believe Celestron's
is a Pelican 1650 - any other ideas?


It doesn't really *fit* in Celestron's case. I think you can get better
cases from JMI. There are companies such as Atlas Cases that make cases for
scientific equipment; you can get a *really* good case from them for
something like $300 or $400. What I'd do, in your situation, is contact
companies like Atlas (there are some in every big city) and ask about
possible bargains -- like a case that is slightly flawed, or left over from
another job, or didn't quite fit what it was supposed to.

What I actually use is a military surplus equipment case. But I don't fly
with my telescope. You would probably want a case with a handle and wheels.

Links:

www.jimsmobile.inc -- JMI -- excellent cases precut for popular telescopes

www.atlascases.com -- Atlas Cases -- custom-built, really strong cases


Enjoy!


--
Clear skies,

Michael Covington -- www.covingtoninnovations.com
Author, Astrophotography for the Amateur
and (new) How to Use a Computerized Telescope

"Jack Gibson" wrote in message
om...
Hello all,

I just got a good deal on a Celestar 8, and am
looking for a case to transport it in that will
be acceptable to airlines.

Any favorites out there? I believe Celestron's
is a Pelican 1650 - any other ideas?


It doesn't really *fit* in Celestron's case. I think you can get better
cases from JMI. There are companies such as Atlas Cases that make cases for
scientific equipment; you can get a *really* good case from them for
something like $300 or $400. What I'd do, in your situation, is contact
companies like Atlas (there are some in every big city) and ask about
possible bargains -- like a case that is slightly flawed, or left over from
another job, or didn't quite fit what it was supposed to.

What I actually use is a military surplus equipment case. But I don't fly
with my telescope. You would probably want a case with a handle and wheels.

Links:

www.jimsmobile.inc -- JMI -- excellent cases precut for popular telescopes

www.atlascases.com -- Atlas Cases -- custom-built, really strong cases


Enjoy!


--
Clear skies,

Michael Covington -- www.covingtoninnovations.com
Author, Astrophotography for the Amateur
and (new) How to Use a Computerized Telescope

Pelican is great and they have many models. See if you can find a
Pelican dealer or if you can get them online. My son transports up to a
half-million dollars (US) worth of video gear in Pelicans around the
world on location shoots and they protect their gear just fine. Other
brands may be good too but I have no experience with them.

Mike Simmons

Jack Gibson wrote:

Hello all,

I just got a good deal on a Celestar 8, and am
looking for a case to transport it in that will
be acceptable to airlines.

Any favorites out there? I believe Celestron's
is a Pelican 1650 - any other ideas?

Thanks.

Jack

Thanks to both of you for your thoughts.

I got out my tape measure, measured the OTA, looked
at Pelican and Atlas spec sheets, made some calls,
and my local pro camera store were happy to order
a Pelican 1660 for me. This is the next bigger size
from the 1650 Celestron sell, and the OTA will
fit comfortably.

I transport lots of camera gear in Pelican cases
myself. Ever read the fine print in their warranty?

Jack

Jack Gibson wrote:

I transport lots of camera gear in Pelican cases
myself. Ever read the fine print in their warranty?

Uh, I'm afraid to ask.

Mike Simmons

Mike Simmons wrote in message ...
Jack Gibson wrote:

I transport lots of camera gear in Pelican cases
myself. Ever read the fine print in their warranty?

Uh, I'm afraid to ask.

http://www.pelican.com/about2.html

It specifically excludes damage from bear bites, shark
attacks, and children under 5.

Jack

Jack Gibson wrote:

Mike Simmons wrote in message ...
Jack Gibson wrote:

I transport lots of camera gear in Pelican cases
myself. Ever read the fine print in their warranty?

Uh, I'm afraid to ask.

http://www.pelican.com/about2.html

It specifically excludes damage from bear bites, shark
attacks, and children under 5.

Oh, that's alright then. I rarely see either sharks or bears,
especially on airplanes. Children under 5 remain a serious hazard,
however.

Mike Simmons

Jack Gibson wrote:

Mike Simmons wrote in message ...
Jack Gibson wrote:

I transport lots of camera gear in Pelican cases
myself. Ever read the fine print in their warranty?

Uh, I'm afraid to ask.

http://www.pelican.com/about2.html

It specifically excludes damage from bear bites, shark
attacks, and children under 5.

Oh, that's alright then. I rarely see either sharks or bears,
especially on airplanes. Children under 5 remain a serious hazard,
however.

Mike Simmons