Quote:
Originally Posted by tailwag
Hey Gary, were you actually selling the AN over there, how was it received?
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Hi Ron,
Thanks for the question and indeed we were selling there.
Keep in mind that there are a very large number of Argo Navis units in use
around the world and that North America is our largest market. A few years
back, U.S. Sky & Telescope made it one of their much coveted "Hot Products
of the Year". We also have several Argo Navis re-sellers in the United States
and this includes a network down to the telescope shop level. However, we
also sell a large number of units online which ship ex Sydney to North
America and the rest of the world.
Therefore, Argo Navis is already a popular astronomical product in the U.S.
For example a walk around the observing fields of the Texas Star Party
or RTMC at night reveals a considerable number of units in use.
Owing to the email support we provide and forums such as the Argo Navis
DTC Group hosted on Yahoo, there are also a considerable number of customers
I have interacted with over the years and who expressed they were glad
to meet me, which was nice, as it was equally gratifying for myself to put
so many faces to names. It was great to shake hands with so many fabulous
people and to be made felt so welcome. "Got one of your units and absolutely
love it!" was a common remark.
It was also important to meet with some of our re-sellers.
The Tuesday afternoon at TSP provided me with an opportunity to
give a presentation which was an introduction on telescope
pointing, mount errors and mount error analysis. This
dove-tailed half-way through the presentation with an
introduction to the Argo Navis Telescope Pointing Analysis
System (TPAS). Later in the week, a couple of people asked
whether I would give a tutorial in the field on the use of TPAS.
This quickly grew into a modest gathering of Argo Navis owners
and before long we migrated to Pop's Grill
(
www.popsgrill.com) to finish the talk over burgers
and sodas.
Like many star parties, there were lucky door prizes. So much gets given
away at TSP, it takes two nights in the "Great Texas Giveaway". On the
second night, an Argo Navis unit, which Wildcard Innovations had donated,
was the Grand Prize.
However, for all those people that know about Argo Navis, there is always
someone who doesn't it and there was ample opportunity to demo and
sell units at the all-day vendors displays at Texas Star Party and at RTMC.
At RTMC, Wildcard Innovations co-shared an outdoor pavillion in the main
vendors area, where you will find organizations such as Meade, TeleVue
Software Bisque and so on. So we were there along side leading astronomical
manufacturers and suppliers.
Finally, I was there to have a great time with fellow amateurs, many of
whom are good friends and to keep the finger on the pulse of what is
for us a very important part of the world with regards it being a major
market for Argo Navis.
Thanks again for the question which allowed me to talk about this aspect
of the trip a little.
Best regards
Gary Kopff
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.