

I was finally able to get out and do some observing. Roll it out, unstrap it, and I'm ready to go. I could easily roll it through the house, but I usually take it around the side of the house to the backyard. The scope base still tips back a bit more than the leveling base, but not enough that I worry it will slip out. I put some heavy duty self adhesive felt strips on all of the places where the bracket touches the dob base and where it leans on the cart, just for padding and protection. The 7x14 piece is attached high enough that it clears the molded plastic of the cart. Measure yours to make sure it will fit, but I used a piece that's 7"x14" and two pieces that are 3"x12". To remedy the problem, I built a bracket out of some scraps of 3/4" plywood. Without the leveling base, this would probably be all that's needed, but with the leveling base, I found the scope would tip back much further than the leveling base and I was worried about the scope's feet slipping out of the holes in the leveling base.

Slipping the strap under the altitude bearings prevents it from slipping off. I used an inexpensive tie-down strap from Harbor Freight to secure the scope to the cart. I picked up a Magna Cart folding hand truck. I read on the forums about using a hand cart to carry it all in one shot, so I thought I'd give it a try. I could carry it all down the side of the house instead of through, but I wouldn't have anywhere to set the OTA while I retrieved the rest of the parts, and it still would take multiple trips. Not difficult, but it takes a few trips and there's always the danger of whacking the OTA, finder, or focuser on a wall or door frame.

There's no way I could carry them together. The base is about 31 lbs and the OTA is about 35 lbs. My Apertura AD10 Dobsonian telescope is pretty heavy and bulky.
