New ebay supplier?

[glend]

I ran across a telescope supplier on ebay that is based in Sydney:

Adventure Products Universal

http://www.ebay.com.au/usr/adventure_products_universal?rt=nc

Anyone deal with them before?

They seem to be offering Skywatcher scopes for up to $200 less than Andrews (based on looking at the Skywatcher 190mn Mak-Newt) and more on Skywatcher ED100s. I did note that the ED100s are the older model ones with a single speed focuser. As always becareful and ask questions.

They are also accepting offers on their scopes, which is pretty unusual.

Still worth a browse if your interested. The price on the Mak-Newt is the best I have seen on that great little scope.

[yoda776]

Prices do seem reasonable but you do need to read the fine print such as their HEQ5 mount and EQ6 mounts, which 'can be upgraded to the SynScan controller.' Some of the other items look interesting though and going through ebay they have to use Paypal so at least there is some safety net if it goes pear-shaped.

I always check the seller's ratings by peoples' feedback, including when it is 100% to get an idea of the seller.

Thanks for the heads up on the seller. Worth keeping an eye on.

[raymo]

It states that the HEQ5 can be upgraded to full Synscan operation
simply by changing to the Synscan hand controller. Considering that the V.4 hand controller is $249, that would make the full cost $1185 inc
postage. If all is legit, that would be great buying.
raymo

[Aussie_Dave]

Funny you should mention this seller as I stumbled across them too while looking for bargains the other day.

Offers are often just under the buy it now prices so I would get too excited about that unless you're saving a lot.

Some of their items are not the cheapest either. What they make more on with some items will even out with items they make less on. Good luck to them I say. Competition is always good. In fact I have noticed a price drop with some scopes with some of the sellers there recently.

Those Mak Newt's are looking nice to me to add to the collection :)

[glend]

I had a message discussion with them about the ED100s and their specs - turn out they are the single speed focuser versions but legit ED100s with Flourite glass. I was going to upgrade the stock focuser anyway to a William Optics DDG, so it didn't matter to me. So I ended up buying a Blue ED100 for $749 using the "Make an Offer" system, pretty reasonable I think.
When I was sent a receipt from ebay, it said it was from Tasco which I think indicates a drop ship operation or a retail store for Tasco, which historically has been a wholesaler. If you look at the ebay tranactions number they have had only 260 so this indicates a fairly new operation I would think. Still the prices are good if you pick your item carefully and ask questions, in some cases it maybe superceded stock being disposed of, in other cases your getting real bargains on new stock - like that beaut Mak-Newt.

[Sylvain]

Looks like they sell a bit of everything, some astro equipment but plenty of other things too from batteries to underwater camera housing - not exactly specialised in the astro things - no eyepieces or filters for instance.

[glend]

Have a look at Tasco.com.au and you'll see all the products there. This ebay seller is an online retailer for Tasco products. If you go to Skywatcher.com.au you will find the contact info directs you to Tasco, who is a long time distributor. I don't know if Tasco has an exclusive arrangement for distribution because Andrews website recently indicated it had a new Skywatcher supply arrangement.
Competition is good for us.

[LewisM]

Just being pedntic, the ED100 uses FPL53, which is fluorite enriched glass, it is NOT Fluorite (which is a crystal, not glass). But ya knew that :)



Unfortunately not. The non-GOTO/Synscan HEQ5 requires a complete HEQ5 Synscan upgrade kit which replaces the motors, motorboard, switches and the Synscan itself. It costs around $700 for the upgrade, depending who you buy it from (myastroshop is the cheapest I can find in Australia, being at $629 last I checked, compared to some rogues asking $900!). See details here:http://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/details.asp?id=MAS-022H

So, the advertising is deceptive. I was TOLD the same when I bought my basic HEQ5 a few years ago froma Melbourne company. The comm cable is not even compatible with the basic HEQ5! So, no, it is a LOT more involved than hooking up a Synscan handset, and a LOT of extra money.

[AG Hybrid]

Oh Lewis.

[LewisM]

;) :)

[AG Hybrid]

HA! I even read it in Sly's voice. :lol:

[basketcase07]

I had bought ed80 from them for 650$ but I had it personally inspected first before buying and i could say it was really a bargain considering its brand new.
I was actually pondering in getting eq6 from them but its basic version so I had to pass from it.

The seller told me that those stuff are from a telescope ship that has closed down and they just wanted clear those stuff.

Cheers!

Ed

[LewisM]

Well,your results may vary, but I just ordered some more Baader 1.25" imaging filters for significantly cheaper than was available in the US, let alone from one of the "South of QLD" suppliers - I am talking $200 difference.

That's not chump change.

[glend]

Ha ha, another plug for your mate Steve eh Lewis?

[AG Hybrid]

So what is actually being sold here? Surplus, superseded, previous unsold stock?

[LewisM]

Does it matter which retailer? He was cheaper, I ordered there. I have never even met Steve - he's just been one of those retailers who actually seems to care (I know about the incident you had Glenn).

If it is Tasco selling direct, that would seem to indicate excess stock clearnace on items that don't move much any more, like non-GOTO HEQ5's, OLD ED80's (non-dual speed focuser, maybe even gold tube ones).

[basketcase07]

Unsold stock probably,

Ive got the dual focuser ed80.

Ed