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Advice for taking equipment on an aeroplane

Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2017 10:24 am
by Montana
I was hoping to take my Technosky 65mm refractor and camera equipment in the hand luggage.

However where do you store the mount?
The legs will definitely be going in hold luggage but what about the driven mount head? mine is a Merlin Acuter http://www.opticstar.com/Run/Nature/Nat ... 3_4_10_100

It is driven by batteries so the question is:
Is it 'electrical (plug)' and has to go in hold luggage, or is it allowed in hand luggage so it doesn't get broken?

I can't imagine trying to explain to the plane company on the phone what it is as they couldn't even understand I need a gluten AND dairy free meal on the plane. It wasn't on his script (didn't speak English).

Any advice would be great, I don't want it broken or confiscated.

Kind regards
Alexandra

Re: Advice for taking equipment on an areoplane

Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2017 12:08 pm
by Carbon60
Hi Alexandra,

Won't be a problem to take with you in your hand luggage. https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restric ... ical-items

:)

Regards

Stu

Re: Advice for taking equipment on an areoplane

Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2017 3:06 pm
by Montana
Mmm I thought if it was electrical it has to go in hold unless a laptop which has to go in hand.

What about the batteries (AA) x8, although I am taking 16 (spare set) do I carry them separately or install 8 in the mount, or do all go in the hold? the information on batteries seems to be all about laptops.

This is all too complicated ;) I'm scared to death at getting stopped in security.
Alexandra

Re: Advice for taking equipment on an areoplane

Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2017 9:06 pm
by rbenton
I defer to Stu's advice about transporting the hardware, but AA batteries are all the same the world over. Just buy them when (and wherever) you arrive. BTW, where are you planning to go?

Re: Advice for taking equipment on an aeroplane

Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2017 7:54 am
by marktownley
I've just put it all in my hold luggage in the past - taken a DSLR & lenses, 70mm scope and 20x80 binoculars (not all at same time!) with tripod to various places, and all has been alright. I just pack my grundies etc around so is snuggly packed. Don't take batteries out with you, just buy them out there, they will eat up precious luggage allowance.

Re: Advice for taking equipment on an aeroplane

Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 5:30 pm
by Montana
Thanks guys, I think I will try putting the mount head well wrapped in hold luggage to be on the safe side and I will include the batteries in there but turned round. I don't fancy looking for batteries on a Sunday in the US, are their shops open? I will be doing a practice flight to Spain in April to see whether it survives :)

rbenton, we are off to Silverton, Oregon :hamster:

Alexandra