HenryNZ
21-05-2016, 08:01 AM
Due to its size and weight it is really only practical and economical to sell locally in New Zealand. If it does not sell in NZ in the next 2-3 months, I will ask my brother who lives in Sydney to take it back with him and sell on my behalf.
The OTA is basically new, opened by the distributor and by myself (so twice) for testing only. Otherwise it is unused - see below for the reason why I am selling if you are interested. It includes everything that comes with it, including flattener, finder, diagonal, aluminium carry case and all the original packaging foam and cartons, so it is safe to ship - buyer pays postage.
Price is set to less than 90% new, because, it is basically 99% new. NZ$1950. Item is in Auckland. I am open to near offer, will consider lay by and will also consider a partial trade (or swap) if you have something I want for sale.
What it is?
A premium imaging refractor, APO triplet with dedicated screwed on flattener that is custom designed for it. If you are looking at this auction, I presume you know something about this refractor already. A quick iceinspace, cloudy nights, astobin or stargazerlounge forum search will yield many reports of the virtue of this scope as a premium imaging refractor. From my research, this is one of the best Chinese-made imaging refractors on the market, bested only by the non-Chinese made premium brands which naturally cost a lot more.
Why it has been opened and needed testing?
I bought this around early March from Melbourne because the 80 mm is not available in NZ when I asked a local distributor, and even if it is available, it is a lot more expensive than Australian price. However it has a rare but well documented fault with tight collimation screw. I had to return it to Australia and at the end of the day it could not be fixed so Tasco has sent me a new one. Before sending one all the way back to NZ, I asked them to test the scope first to make sure it is fault free. When I received it I have also tested it myself.
Why am I selling now?
My parents decided that they would visit Hong Kong and they agreed to buy a Takahashi FSQ85 on my behalf. The HK price is too good to be missed. I have just made the payment this week and it is ready for pick up next week when my parents get there... I am excited!!! The Skywatcher Esprit 80 as good as it is will now need to go as it is surplus.
I learnt about this upcoming trip while waiting for the processing of the warranty claim for the Esprit 80, so when I received the replacement I have not used it beyond the initial testing.
What about warranty?
The OTA is covered by warranty by Tasco. I am not sure if it is transferrable to the new owner, but in the unlikely event that this well-tested telescope needs fixing AND the warranty is not transferable, I can make the claim on behalf. It will however necessitate sending the scope back to base in Sydney and the new owner will need to pay shipping one way. The chance of you needing that service is pretty much nil though.
Why it may be better than you buying new?
1. it is cheaper, and it is basically new. New it is AUD1999.
2. the 80 mm is not available in NZ, so you need to import it (and pay shipping and GST)
3. you may get a defective one like I did, and you will have the hassle to send it back for fixing. My one has been well tested to be fault free.
Terms?
(1) Payment by cash or bank transfer
(2) Buyer pays shipping
(3) I can accept lay-by, terms to be negotiated.
(4) I am open to partial trade of items you might want to sell, at fair market value. Items I am interested in are:
(a) Imaging capable OTA of about 1500-2000 mm focal length, such as a 8" carbon RC or a 8" Celestron Edge.
(b) A more portable mount that is still good for light duty AP, such as HEQ5, AZEQ5, or possibly an iEQ45.
(c) Takahashi reducers / adaptors for FSQ85
The OTA is basically new, opened by the distributor and by myself (so twice) for testing only. Otherwise it is unused - see below for the reason why I am selling if you are interested. It includes everything that comes with it, including flattener, finder, diagonal, aluminium carry case and all the original packaging foam and cartons, so it is safe to ship - buyer pays postage.
Price is set to less than 90% new, because, it is basically 99% new. NZ$1950. Item is in Auckland. I am open to near offer, will consider lay by and will also consider a partial trade (or swap) if you have something I want for sale.
What it is?
A premium imaging refractor, APO triplet with dedicated screwed on flattener that is custom designed for it. If you are looking at this auction, I presume you know something about this refractor already. A quick iceinspace, cloudy nights, astobin or stargazerlounge forum search will yield many reports of the virtue of this scope as a premium imaging refractor. From my research, this is one of the best Chinese-made imaging refractors on the market, bested only by the non-Chinese made premium brands which naturally cost a lot more.
Why it has been opened and needed testing?
I bought this around early March from Melbourne because the 80 mm is not available in NZ when I asked a local distributor, and even if it is available, it is a lot more expensive than Australian price. However it has a rare but well documented fault with tight collimation screw. I had to return it to Australia and at the end of the day it could not be fixed so Tasco has sent me a new one. Before sending one all the way back to NZ, I asked them to test the scope first to make sure it is fault free. When I received it I have also tested it myself.
Why am I selling now?
My parents decided that they would visit Hong Kong and they agreed to buy a Takahashi FSQ85 on my behalf. The HK price is too good to be missed. I have just made the payment this week and it is ready for pick up next week when my parents get there... I am excited!!! The Skywatcher Esprit 80 as good as it is will now need to go as it is surplus.
I learnt about this upcoming trip while waiting for the processing of the warranty claim for the Esprit 80, so when I received the replacement I have not used it beyond the initial testing.
What about warranty?
The OTA is covered by warranty by Tasco. I am not sure if it is transferrable to the new owner, but in the unlikely event that this well-tested telescope needs fixing AND the warranty is not transferable, I can make the claim on behalf. It will however necessitate sending the scope back to base in Sydney and the new owner will need to pay shipping one way. The chance of you needing that service is pretty much nil though.
Why it may be better than you buying new?
1. it is cheaper, and it is basically new. New it is AUD1999.
2. the 80 mm is not available in NZ, so you need to import it (and pay shipping and GST)
3. you may get a defective one like I did, and you will have the hassle to send it back for fixing. My one has been well tested to be fault free.
Terms?
(1) Payment by cash or bank transfer
(2) Buyer pays shipping
(3) I can accept lay-by, terms to be negotiated.
(4) I am open to partial trade of items you might want to sell, at fair market value. Items I am interested in are:
(a) Imaging capable OTA of about 1500-2000 mm focal length, such as a 8" carbon RC or a 8" Celestron Edge.
(b) A more portable mount that is still good for light duty AP, such as HEQ5, AZEQ5, or possibly an iEQ45.
(c) Takahashi reducers / adaptors for FSQ85