cheap scopes in WA

[narky]

I recently moved to Perth. Where's somewhere cheap to get an AZ mount? Mine is in Sydney and I figured I might give it to a friend rather than ship it over.

Also I love my shorty refractor, but figured i could use it as a spotting scope for something bigger eventually. Wondering if there's anywhere local or should i just get Andrews in Sydney to ship something over (they were great to me last time).
:thumbsup:

[ballaratdragons]

One of the guys in here from Melbourne just bought his EQ6 and scope from Perth.
It was hundreds cheaper over there even with freight costs than getting it in Melbourne!!!

Hopefully he will jump in and say where he got his gear.

[alocky]

There's the binocular telescope and optical world out at Malaga, who I think used to be York optical. They've got the usual collection of Skywatcher and Celestron stuff. There's also a couple of guys who run small import business, presumably to get a tax offset on their own toys.
Adelaide isn't too far away, I've bought from both the Astronomy and Electronic Centre, and Telelscopes and Astronomy shops and can recommend either for fairly prompt responses and shipping.
Once you've lived in Perth for a while it will seem normal to get everything a month after you want it. Shops like Bintel and even Optcorp in the US are probably your best bet for anything small.
cheers,
Andrew.

[narky]

Woohoo! :eyepop:

Do you remember who it was? I'll PM them.

[narky]

They were my first link in Google, I was weary.

Cheers Andy.

I want something quick so i can take it deep sky with the ASWA boys/girls.

[alocky]

That cracks me up- one of my mates here in Perth just bought an EQ6 and scope from Melbourne for exactly the same reason!
There is a guy here on these forums who sells stuff locally in Perth, hopefully he'll pop up soon. Problem is nobody ever has any damn stock over here- just costs too much to have it sitting around when the volumes are so low.
Good luck, you've got a couple of weeks before next new moon anyway!

[MrB]

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=843665&postcount=20

Ignore.
See Sarge's post below.

[narky]

But Saturday is moonageddon according to SMH http://m.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/i-see-a-supermoon-rising-but-do-i-see-trouble-on-the-way-20110311-1bqrw.html

[Sarge]

It was me.
:cool:
Bought my NEQ6 Pro from BTOW (http://btow.com.au/Sky-Watcher_NEQ6PRO-MNT_Goto_Mount_Advance-Complete_Steel_Legs_Telescopes_prod ucts_from_Australia) in Perth. Best price I could find in Aus. Shipping was quite slow - courier issues not BTOW. Including the shipping from Perth to Melb - $1442, it was a couple of hundred cheaper that buying here and pick up. I notice their price has gone up a little since I bought, but still a good buy.

Clear skies

Rod
:D:D

[ballaratdragons]

Ahhhh that's right, it was you Rod :lol:

I notice their price is now about the same as Andrews Communication in Sydney.
Andrews have the EQ6 for $1499
I put Stuart in Sydney onto that mount at Andrews earlier tonight coz he wants to pick-up, not wait for delivery.

[rogerg]

I think you may as well ship it over. Most here buy from OS or interstate.

[alocky]

Something those Eastern States people should worry about. Won't affect us over here, mate. :thumbsup:

[bmitchell82]

BTOW had a special because Kieth got his hands on a few EQ6's at a good price for him. As for "the astro guy" i've had a lot of people say he has basically let it all go now as the website is now defunct and gone.

Generally though its as Roger said, prices really suck over here and you have to wait in any case for them to bring it in from another warehouse and generally it isn't local.

[OzRob]

I have had stuffed shipped to Perth by Andrews. There was no problem and it is quick.

[Blue Skies]

So you've renounced your roots, then, Andrew?;)

Anyway, I thought "cheap" and "Perth" was an oxymoron. Doesn't happen. You've just got to get used to the fact that everything a week or so away and plan ahead. That's the down side of living at the end of the supply line on the far side of the Nullabor. :rolleyes: But then's there plus side of not being buried under cloud for months on end... I think I'd rather have that.

[MrB]

Oh I dunno, sometimes you find the obscure things you want off-the-shelf at the right price...

I seem to remember when I needed some Gugolz polishing pitch, I was very surprised to find a little store in Nedlands that had it on the shelf at realistic pricing ;)
Also got a HB astroatlas there too! :lol:

[Blue Skies]

Yeah, well, that was another lifetime... :hi:

[brian nordstrom]

;) 2 of these for sale in the last 3 weeks , the ultimate ALT/ AZ mount..
Brian.

[alocky]

Hilarious - I got the other tin of Gugolz and HB astroatlas, and a copy of Hartungs for a sensible price!
Tongue in cheek Jacquie - I still refuse to get the lobotomy to become naturalised...
On a serious note - I wonder if the economics of such a store would have improved given the incredible change in population in Perth since those days? Not sticking my hand up to run it, mind you... I don't know how you kept the smile on your face.
cheers,
Andrew.

[rogerg]

I think it'd be worse now. You'd find RRP would be more than what people can easily buy it from the states for, due to currency conversion and competition, and I don't think relying on local loyalty would get you the volume required. :shrug:

[clive milne]

Some of my fondest memories are of the days that myself, Andrew & Stefan would swing by and say hello to Jacquie in her store in Nedlands, then spend a relaxing hour or two next door having a quiet pint or three to wash down a world class curry.

~Sigh~ I just have grey hair, fond memories and a deep sense of cynicism at the world that has replaced it.

[alocky]

So how come I ended up with grey hair, and all the beer and curry on my midriff? Alternatively, in my best Yorkshire accent: who'd have thought 15 years ago we'd be sitting here sipping Chateau de Chassily...

[clive milne]

Without someone to blame directly.... I'd default to Charles Darwin, Francis Crick or Newton for his pesky theory of thermodynamics.


.... There again, Bill Hicks or George carlin would undoubtably have a more entertaining explanation.


(excellent memory on the python reference, btw) :)

[Blue Skies]

I think you're a bit closer to the mark there, Roger. It was a bit of a vicious cycle that, imo, will require someone with a lot of money and nouse to break. People keep buying from a distance because it's cheaper and they can get what they want, which doesn't help the local retailer to improve their position. In hindsight I should have gone to an internet business, but that was back in the early days of such things. I'm not sure I could have kept up with the way the market has developed, anyway, especially the with the digital imaging revolution. I do feel for the guys trying to do retail today, it's just not economical to have stock lying around 'just in case' some one wants to buy. Which is why you have to wait for it to come in.

I do miss my "rent-a-crowd", though. They were fun times. :)