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Bag Suggestions for Air Travel w/ Small Refractor

Equipment Star Tracker Portable Setup
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Mike Coates avatar
Mike Coates avatar
I've got a Raptor 61, and I've got a couple trips to see family in the deserts of the South West this fall. I have the cheap-o bag that came with the scope, and it'd be fine for car camping or local day hikes, but it's far too small to hold more than one body and a tracking mount. I'm looking at options that will hold the scope, along with two DSLR bodies, and a couple of lenses for daytime and milky way shots, along with my 17" laptop. Anyone have any suggestions?

I'm looking at the Lowepro ProTactic 450 AW II bag, but figured I'd pose the question to the hobbyists before pulling the trigger.
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Ryan avatar
Ryan avatar
Pelican are Incredible.  They’re not cheap but neither is your scope.  It’s the only container I can put it in and feel confident it’ll survive whatever.  

I bought a cheaper Plano brand first and in the photo they look similar but in person the quality isn’t even close.  Also get foam instead of padded dividers and you can cut out the shape of your scope.
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Christopher Stobie avatar
Christopher Stobie avatar
I use this bag https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07S8RJ8R9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and would highly recommend it, I use it also with a Radian Raptor and my laptop fits just fine (but mine is a 15", so not sure it's apples to apples there).
Steven avatar
Steven avatar
Lowepro tends to be quite good. I have 2 camera bags of them. But, the smaller Lowepro 350 AW.
But mine can easily fit a DSLR, big telephoto lens (pretty close to raptor 61 size) and many other bits and bobs. So, a slightly larger size like the 450 should give you quite a bit of space, not a 17" laptop though. 

https://youtu.be/9FpMbMZWtRE

Maybe have a look at this video.

Mainly focus on the laptop size that is listed for any bag. That is probably the deciding factor on the size that you'll need, as it's the biggest object in the bag.  The bag in the video allows for a 16" laptop, And the lowepro you mentioned only allows 15". so you might need to consider sizing up.. or.. probably better, to consider ditching the laptop for a portable setup.. reducing weight and space you need.

Anyway, the video is a good way to check the layout, as he's using the Raptor 61 too! 
Wether you use the "Nomatic" or a Lowepro doesn't matter. But it gives a good idea of what kind of space you need.
Which includes the Raptor, star tracker, DSRL, other bits.


Hope that helps.
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