australian geographic scope=GS scope??

[garymck]

Hi,
Australian Geographic have apparently got an 8inch f4 scope on an eq mount with polar scope for $699 that sounds suspiciously like a GS scope. Haven't seen it yet - can anyone confirm the GS heritage before I rush down and tempt myself with one one??

cheers
Gary

[matt]

Don't do it!

Bottom line. Buy your scope from a specialist astro shop (if possible).

[garymck]

My experience with specialty astro shops on the whole has been appalling....I now buy from wherever I can get what I want cheapest :-)

If the scope really is a GS then I'll probably buy it as a second scope.......
cheers
Gary

[chris lewis]

No it is not a GSO scope. It is from Chinese manufacture called 'Hi optic' [link below]. I have had some dealings with these scopes a year or so back and basically they are best avoided.

The primary issuse was the mirror which is spherical and obviously gave very poor images. An F/4 scope has reasoanably severe coma to start with and they reqiure a well made parabolic mirror - like the one GSO does sell.
Collimation is also crucial with a 'normal' parabolic F/4.

One observer here in NZ exchanged the mirror with a GSO parabolic version with much better results. The aditional cost makes it prohibitive really.
The mount is a GSO Skyview 1 / EQ-3 'clone' which is also at the limit for this 8 inch.
Best to avoid.
http://www.hioptic.com/telescopes/reflector/Newtonian/

[garymck]

thanks chris,
just the info I needed - I will not even bother to go and check it out

cheers
gary

[Ric]

I was looking at a few weeks back out of interest at Oz Geographic while waiting for Kee to finish her shopping and one had a big dent in the tube.
I thought I'd have a bit of fun with the shop attendant and play dumb :evil:,
he assured me that the dent would in no way affect the quality of the optics as they high quality and as good as the Celestron that was set up next to it :rofl:. He would also knock $150 of the retail price.
I had to excuse myself and told him I would think about as I was about to wet myself from trying not to laugh.
Kee thought I was mean to wind them up ;) but when your waiting for your wife to finish shopping for new dresses you have to do something to amuse yourself.

Cheers