Taking the plunge

[OCULUS]

Gday everyone!
Presently I have a Bushnell Northstar OTA mounted on a equatorial mount. This have given me views in the northern hemisphere (UK) and now from the southern (NZ). The time has come to upgrade! I have not looked through any other telescopes so I am gonna go for the GSO 12 Dob as this seems to have fantastic reviews.
From your recommendations I have looked at Bintel and Andrews Communications and they price out at way less than any NZ retailer, even with the slight increase in GST and shipping costs!

Does anyone know anywhere in NZ where I can get this DOB for a non ripoff price?

I really am also at looking at a binoviewer so that the missus and the kid may show a little interest (thats my excuse!). Which budget binoviewer and where should I buy it from?

soz about all the questions.

PS I am very fortunate to have pretty dark skies here (weather permitting!) in Waimate South Island.

[gbeal]

Gidday Oc.
so you have checked here http://www.astronomy.co.nz/pub/TelescopesTemp.asp I guess??
My money is with the 12" LigfhtBridge, I saw one in Bintel late last year and it looked swell.
I have stuck with the 10" f5 newt however as the 12" sizes seem just that little bit too big to fit well in a family car.
Gary

[OCULUS]

I have looked at those prices, little steep to say the least :eyepop:


I am gonna go for the 12 inch and cant wait to track down those DSO's. To be fair, the bushnell scope seems to return a resonable view with a superview 20mm, although I havent compared it to anything, and it has kept me outside in all weathers. It just coughs and splutters if you try to increase magnification, (only 4.5inch)

I can just imagine a 12 inch Dob will burn my retinas out with its light gathering properties !

[casstony]

Regarding the binoviewer, buy this from OPT http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=105-120-127-8763&tb=4 I don't think the BVA and extension tube are still included in what was an introductory deal, but don't pay extra to get them if they're not included. To reach focus and get lower magnification in the dob, ask Harry Siebert which of his correctors would best suit your particular scope and binoviewer http://www.siebertoptics.com/SiebertOptics-OCA.html

I gave one simple recommendation as choosing binoviewers can be very confusing. I have the stellarvue BV3 and it reaches focus in my 10" f/5 dob with the included stellarvue adapter and extension tube(introductory deal), but the magnification is fairly high. You can get lower magnifications with a Siebert corrector. Stellarvue have a good reputation for quality control, but any of the other clones would be fine if you can purchase locally, so you don't have to ship them overseas if there is a defect.

[OCULUS]

cheers for the info Tony. I look into that.

[Jim McAloon]

Can I just defend the honour of Astronz? I certainly wouldn't describe $1900 as a ripoff price for a twelve inch telescope, especially if the optics are as good as they are in my Astronz ten inch. You need to realise that New Zealand is a smaller market than Australia and a greater distance from Taiwan, where the telescopes are made. I think astronomers are obliged to the folks at the Auckland Astronomical Society for establishing this company and securing this equipment. On one level comparisons with the past are irrelevant, but try looking back twenty or thirty years and seeing what you'd have paid for a telescope then.

Enjoy those dark skies.
cheers
jim

[OCULUS]

okay perhaps rip off is a little strong but when you can get the telescope from across the tasman for 810 aussie dollars. Convert that to NZ which is about 910 nz

Add 12.5 % GST $1125


Okay there is a little further travel distance but I would not think $750 worth difference. How much markup would you assume they are making? There is acceptable markups and there is being silly in my opinion. I dont think I am missing any other import taxes, correct me if I am wrong

I still havent got a shipping price from AU to NZ yet (air freight is pricey!) so I cant comment on that yet.

ps I have bought items from ASTRONZ.

[OCULUS]

no luck with shipping the product but all up delievered to house $1410 NZ by air freight. It is ordered but wont be here until early april.

[gbeal]

As a spectator here, I have a foot in both camps. I agree with Jim, we should be looking at local, not overseas, but if Jason is right, and the same product is available in Australia for a significantly lower price you have to question this.
Both AstroNz and Bintel (as well as other Aussie dealers) presumably source their respective products from the same place. The distances, and duties etc are similar (ignore the 10% vs 12.5% GST for a moment).
So the same product should be very similar in price whether in NZ, or Aust, surely. If not, then why not. I don't have any desire to make this a slanging match, and class myself as an AstroNz customer as well, but find the mentality that just because we are a smaller market we need to pay more. Is it all down to quantity, that is Aust dealers buy bigger amounts, and therefore attract a better price?

[OCULUS]

I will still use ASTRONZ where I can. I suppose what I should of done is at least give ASTRONZ a ring and ask if they would match the price. Anyway its done now.

Cheers

[ballaratdragons]

The difference in prices around the world for the same item still amazes me.

Take Mercedes Benz for example. In Australia, England etc they are classed as a luxury car and cost anywhere from $3000 for a 2nd hand one to $80,000 for a new model.

But if you go to Saudi Arabia you can buy an excellent condition 2 year old Mercedes for a few hundred bucks!!! They even use them as Taxis!

Pricing is all over the place with many items and freight doesn't really change prices that much when you ship in bulk.

But, congrats on your 12" purchase. You'll love it!

[gbeal]

Hey, I gotta Benz, good car too.