Carry-on vs checking on airplane

I have some back problems and need to sell my LX200 and get something lighter. I've thought it would be nice to have something I could take on plane trips anyway, so at this point I'm leaning towards the small carry-on-able refractors or maybe a mak. But I'm wondering if it would be worth getting something a little bigger and checking it. Reasons I can think of for sticking with a carry-on are:

1) Damage. But I would think there would be relatively little risk with refractors, and even mirror scopes are shipped regularly through means that may treat them worse than airlines.

2) Theft. More important if the scope is not replaceable. Not sure what airline reimbursement limits are.

Is checking it really that bad of an idea?

Craig Smith said:

I have some back problems and need to sell my LX200 and get something lighter. I've thought it would be nice to have something I could take on plane trips anyway, so at this point I'm leaning towards the small carry-on-able refractors or maybe a mak. But I'm wondering if it would be worth getting something a little bigger and checking it. Reasons I can think of for sticking with a carry-on are:

1) Damage. But I would think there would be relatively little risk with refractors, and even mirror scopes are shipped regularly through means that may treat them worse than airlines.

2) Theft. More important if the scope is not replaceable. Not sure what airline reimbursement limits are.

Is checking it really that bad of an idea?

We have taken an AP Traveler to WSP eight times now. The OTA has always gone as carry-on. The head for the 400 mount has gone in a large King Pelican case. This was an early mount with slow motions. On one trip the mount arrived at WSP damaged. The case looked fine, and I could only assume it had been dropped a rather large distance and the momentum of the mount bent some knobs.

Fortunately, we are now able to send things down with some friends. I would not trust the airlines with anything I valued. I've seen them out there loading and unloading stuff - and they are often far from careful.

Clear skies, Alan

>>Reasons I can think of for sticking with a carry-on are:

1) Damage. But I would think there would be relatively little risk with refractors, and even mirror scopes are shipped regularly through means that may treat them worse than airlines.

2) Theft. More important if the scope is not replaceable. Not sure what airline reimbursement limits are.

Is checking it really that bad of an idea?
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I fly with a scope every so often. I would never consider checking a scope though I guess you could if you packaged it adequately. In my way of thinking that would mean double boxing it.

Jon

"means that may treat them worse than airlines."

I'm trying to imagine what "worse than airlines" could mean.

I've taken my Tele Vue 85 as carry-on many times with no problem. The soft case with the scope and a few eyepieces fits easily under the seat in front, or in the overhead bin (make sure another passenger doesn't toss something on top of it). An accompanying Tele-Pod mount gets checked with my luggage, in a padded case. I've also taken a Coronado 60mm H-alpha scope as carry-on.

This combination is ideal for casual observing while traveling, and I've never had any problems with security--even on overseas trips.

Ron

I fly with a TMB 115 CNC as carry on, and I check my GM8 mount head as luggage.

I keep a spare tripod, counterweight, and battery at the destination I fly to.

Last time, TSA damaged a servo motor on the mount. My best guess was they took it out to inspect it, and dropped it back onto the mount instead of putting it in it's cubbyhole. (though perhaps they threw it against the wall, the drive shaft on the motor was bent 30 degrees)

Fortunately, it was only a $50 repair, and it happened on the way home from my vacation.

But part of the problem is the GM8 won't fit into the Losmandy suggested case with the servo motors attached - so I had to remove them for shipping.

You can buy extra insurance for your luggage. You can also "schedule" your telescope equipment on your homeowners policy. (It's treated as "camera equipment" and I think I pay about $16/$1000 per year)

If you must check a scope, look into getting something like a scopeguard ATA case.