Crystal Ball - GOTO Dob Prediction

[Stu Ward]

So who has the Crystal ball out there and willing to make a prediction as to when we will see the prices start to fall a little.

I really would like to upgrade from my 8" conventional Dob to a larger GOTO Dob, but the cost is just too much to justify atm

Stu

[robz]

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm?...............have n't they already: Skywatcher, Meade.

You can also ask for ''their best price''..............you may be pleasantly surprised;)

[jenchris]

They've done it as a sort of Xmas sale - but they really aren't anywhere near the prices they have in the USA.
It's slower but cheaper to get someone over there to put one in a container that is coming this way!

[Stu Ward]

I haven't seen any significant drops in GOTO prices.
Forgive me if i'm wrong though, it certainly wouldn't be the first time

Stu

[jenchris]

I got quite peeved with the Canon people when they said they weren't reviewing prices when the dollar reached parity - Right snotty letter they sent me.
Considering the RRP for a 550D in Oz is almost twice that in the USA, someone is making a gouge somewhere.

[robz]

Remember that some major brands (Meade:rolleyes:) can not be purchased on Ebay and some overseas retailers due to import laws and local distributors.......bla, bla, bla.

Then there's duty, G.S.T. when applicable.
It still may work out cheaper, but I sometimes wonder if it's worth the effort:question:

[andrew2008]

To be honest i don't see prices getting much better. In the few short years i've seen Skywatcher prices fluctuate wildly which in my experience has had more to do with the price of our dollar. For instance my first 10" dob was $550, they went to near $1000 and are now back to $750ish. EQ6 pro mounts have gone from $1500 in 2008 to $2000 last year and back to around $1500.

Personally if i were in the market for one i'd be getting in before the dollar drops back to 80-85c.

[Stu Ward]

I was thinking based more on the fact the the technology becomes older and early adopters always pay more.
The general price cycle of goods

[andrew2008]

This isn't new technology though. These are simple motors/encoders that have just been adapted for dob mounts. R&D costs would have been miniscule. We aren't talking high tech electronics where the technology is constantly evolving.

[Stu Ward]

True Andrew but the concept is still new therefore prices would be at a premium

[robz]

I agree Andrew.
Everyone that sells scopes and some financial advisors I know say NOW is the time to buy.

If the dollar drops................the prices WILL go up!!!!!!!:rolleyes: