Depending on the size of your car or truck, you can safely transport a 8" easily. I carry my 10" f/5 with no problem. It's total weight with base and OTA is 48 lbs. So carrying each component is easy...for me anyway.

12" scopes are in my opinion the "edge" of easy portability. Some are easy, some are not. Truss types can be easily broke down and transported then reassembled, then again some aren't. I once transported my old 13.1" (tube) in my car. Barely fit. Setting up was OK, but sometimes handling big "fragile" objects in the dark can be "tricky". I would say 8" to 10" scopes are the most reasonable without too much effort. Just start eating spinich and do alot of pushups for those bigger scopes.

I one setup a C-14...they are big buggers (SCT)

Should have had someone make a video of me doing this...I would have titled it "What not to do with large cumbersome heavy expensive telescopes in the dark by yourself"....not a pretty sight. Never did that solo again let me tall ya..

Good luck!!

• Aperture fever - gcarr - January 18, 2002 - 02:51 UTC
  • Yes... - comet61 - January 18, 2002 - 03:18 UTC