Are U an astro-equipment hoarder?

[Tropo-Bob (Bob)]

I am and the final proof came last night.

As a recent retiree, space in my house has become more important to me. I really have far too much gear for one person. Knowing that parting could be difficult, I though I would start small by selling some of my not often used EPs. I have a Meade-Series 5000, 26mm in excellent condition and had saw the box for it, so I planned to advertise it in the classifieds, but then I made 'the mistake'.

You probably all realise that my mistake was to give it one last burl. Suddenly I was thinking, this is quite a handy EP, very pleasant to use, in excellent condition and I won't get that much for it.

Yep, I am a astro-equipment hoarder.

[codemonkey (Lee)]

I'd love to be an astro-equipment hoarder, sadly I have one thing that prevents this with extreme prejudice: my wife! Also, my bank account...

I'm also a bit like Lewis, only with mounts instead of with Tak refractors. Speaking of which, if someone could just buy my Avalon Linear, that'd be great. I need to pay back some of the > 9k I just laid down on my new mount...

[Atmos (Colin)]

I'd say I'm a half hoarder, I don't mind selling stuff that I am not going to use BUT where I struggle is with what I'm not going to NEED in a years time

[multiweb (Marc)]

I use all the gear I have. Depends on the conditions and the mood. So technically I'm not a hoarder.

[Kunama]

No, well maybe

I set a budget some years ago for my total astro equipment arsenal.....
That budget was reached rather quickly so now whenever I decide I need to buy a new gadget (which has been known to happen occasionally ) something else has to go.

This way the Chief Financial Comptroller stays happy as well......

[LewisM]

+1 what Matt said.

Just what are you implying Lee?

[xelasnave]

I would like someone to take all mine off my hands so I could start again.
I would let it all go cheap to someone starting out..
Its not good gear its been neglected...
Alex

[Slawomir (Suavi)]

Lee, is it Mesu or something else?

I think initially, when entering this hobby, $50 spent on an eyepiece or a filter was a humengous amount of cash. But as we gain experience we also increase in an ability to differentiate mediocre from good. I was infinitely thrilled with "perfectly round stars" in my first astro images (1.2m FL on EQ3), one such example is here: http://www.astrobin.com/214226/?nc=user

Unfortunately, quality tools cost, unless one is capable of making own thus saving some cash.

At this stage I'm happy with what I have, but would also like to expand into other areas such as visual astronomy and solar imaging, so it seems that collecting more astro rig will continue. Having said that, I reduced the amount of equipment about 6 months ago and now have only what I use.

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by multiweb

I use all the gear I have. Depends on the conditions and the mood. So technically I'm not a hoarder.

For me, this also includes gear I intend to use in the future, so yes, I'm not a hoarder either.
Now where did I leave that TOA 150?

[codemonkey (Lee)]

Originally Posted by LewisM

Just what are you implying Lee?

Just that we have certain reputations

Originally Posted by Slawomir

Lee, is it Mesu or something else?

The Mesu 200 is reportedly a pretty impressive mount, but it hasn't been around long enough or been in enough people's hands for me to be confident with them. I went the AP route

[LewisM]

Ah AP...I see a Mach 1 in my future

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

If you mean hoarding gear that you don't use...then yes count me in. I was pondering this same question whilst looking at a EM200 USDII mount I purchased a while back. Yep...need to look at moving that item on but I don't think there is much of a market for non GOTO mounts. Four APO refractors, multiple eyepieces, a few astro cameras...yep...it got out of hand at some point.

[Slawomir (Suavi)]

Originally Posted by codemonkey

The Mesu 200 is reportedly a pretty impressive mount, but it hasn't been around long enough or been in enough people's hands for me to be confident with them. I went the AP route

When a hardened TakMan abandons his beloved telescope after just getting a taste of AP quality - it tells something for sure

I'm confident you will enjoy using your new AP mount Lee as much as I enjoy using mine. Lewis may have to wait for a looooong time before he may get a chance of getting your AP mount off your hands...these are basically keepers for life, unless one upgrades to a bigger AP mount.