[Jaybee76 (Jason)]

Hello all,

I have been doing a LOT of searching for an Orion dobsonian. The prices in the 'states are great, but of the few who will ship to Australia, shipping cost is a killer. It appears to come to (approximately) the same total price as if I were to buy one here in Oz.

Then I found this joint in Indonesia...


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A suitable protective carry bag US$42
12.13in. ID Orion Full Aperture Solar Filter US$80
Orion LaserMate Deluxe Telescope Collimator US$52
Black 9x50 Orion Achromatic Finder Scope US$45
1.25in. Orion Variable Polarizing Telescope Filter US$25
Orion Deluxe 6-Piece Optics Cleaning Kit US$12
Orion Beginning Stargazers Toolkit US$22

Orion SkyQuest XT10 Classic US$275
Orion SkyQuest XT10 IntelliScope US$345


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These prices seem too good to be true! Has anyone had any experience with a mob called CV. Alam Sutra Jaya? At these prices (cheaper than the US), am I likely to get genuine Orion gear? I know Orion (or the company that now owns them) manufactures their gear in places like China and Indonesia, but is it common to get 'fakes' when buying telescopes?

I had my heart set on an XT8, but with these prices I may be tempted to upsize... I have heard nothing but good press on the Orion dobsonians, but purchasing one here in Oz is WAY too expensive.

It it worth paying for an 'intelliscope', or would a 'classic' suffice (for a complete novice)?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Regards,

Jason