OK, so hauling a 'scope and cute companion observer out to a dark-sky site is one of those Z-ish 'where can I drive now' kind of questions we all ask ourselves from time to time, right? What's the biggest (astronomical) instrument we're likely to be able to haul in the back of a Z? Smaller SCTs and refractors are no problem, but I'm thinking at least 8" aperture, and partial to Celestron for the Fastar CCD capability.

Having made a few quick measurements of the under-hatch area(s), I _think_ one of the new Celestron CGE-800s could be made to fit, with a little creative packing/padding. I'm less sure that a Nexstar 8 GPS would. Has anyone tried?