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Subject: Re: [M]: 10" Case - getting [OT]
From: David W. Bonnell
Reply To: mapug@shore.net
Date: Mon Mar 23 16:27:52 1998

At 08:32 AM 3/21/98 -0800, J. Willard Downs wrote:
>OPT (Oceanside Photo & Telescope) have (2) 10" hard cases for sell as of
>3/20/98 check it out at www.optcorp.com or call.
>
The cases I saw offered were listed as Meade Softcases - and I didn't see
anything about quantity -- did I miss the entry? The problem I have with
the Meade softcases (and similar arrangements) was that one has to strip the
scope to fit the original shipping foam. That just adds time to setup. In
my rather long experience with optics, it has been my experience that cases
used for routine handling are mostly for keeping the dust off, and maybe for
protection from cosmetic damage. Unless you go to full shipping foam, the
less case involved, the more likely you are to remember that it's FRAGILE,
and be careful accordingly. If others will be handling your scope, a real
crate is needed - the softside case may not protect against heavy things
dropped on its top. Meade uses double cardboard exterior protection which,
with the foam, is probably just stiff enough for most handling.

For routine between observing sessions, dust protection is a significant
problem, and any container that covers the scope will help. Unfortunately,
the 10" and larger scopes are bigger than any normal case (like
footlockers...). The www.starcase.com solution will cost a substantial
fraction of the scope! (probably at least $1000), and will still need to use
the original shipping foam. Also, they looked HEAVY! A great solution for
someone who travels around the world, but...

One solution would be to find a footlocker mfger who made oversized trunks
(with wheels), and then get a packer to foam a polyurethane insert. Anyone
know who mfgs footlockers? David
< < < < < < < < > > > > > > > > > > >
Dr. David W. Bonnell @ N I S T
301/975-5755 (Voice) Nat'l Inst. of Standards & Technology
301/975-5334 (FAX !NEW#!) 223/A215 (Div 852, MSEL)
Bonnell@nist.gov Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001 USA

Web site: http://www.ceramics.nist.gov/staff/bonnell.htm
& Gallery: http://www.ceramics.nist.gov/gallery/gallery.htm
PLD Workshop: http://amp.nrl.navy.mil/code6670/workshop.html 5/12-13/1998
Opinions expressed by the author may not represent official NIST Policy