Celestron telescope

[Ken Olum <kdo cosmos phy tufts edu>]

Hi, Tom, Mike, Mike, all.  I got the telescope working.  It is very
nice.  Mike and Mike, if one of you would like to use it, I could bring
it to the meeting a week from Saturday.

We got everything we ordered, and none of the equipment was damaged,
even though some of the boxes were in poor shape.  I think we chose
well, except in the matter of carrying cases.  First of all, I
misunderstood the way in which the telescope would come apart.
Apparently with the computer-controlled telescopes, you can't detach the
optical tube from the mount.  Thus you have one piece, weighing 59
pounds, that you have to carry.  It would not fit in the case we bought,
and in any case I don't think we want a case, which would make it even
heavier and more awkward to carry.

I certainly could not carry the telescope myself, so I could only use it
if I had another person to help me.  Maybe one person with a strong back
could do it alone, but you'd also have to lift it and set it on top of
the tripod.  It would be possible to get a large case with wheels on one
end and a handle on the other, which would enable one person to
transport the telescope easily.  But you'd still have to get it onto the
tripod, so I don't know if it is worth it.

The tripod (27 pounds) does not fit in the carrying case we got for it
either, even though they were supposedly compatible.  The problem is
that the tripod has a large accessory tray (which also acts a
stabilizer), and it doesn't fit.  In any case, I don't think we want the
case for the tripod either.  It is easy to carry by one of the legs.  If
you grab it at the balance point, it's quite comfortable.

So I suggest we return both carrying cases.  Instead, what it turns out
that we need is a case for organizing, storing, and carrying all the
accessories: eyepieces, finder, star diagonal, power cords, etc.  I will
try to identify the right thing.

Tom, is it best if I bring these cases to the meeting and you can get
someone there to return them?

                                        Ken