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Originally Posted by wavelandscott
Not trying to derail this thread...and I too anxiously await the review as I've enjoyed reading Paul's past postings and experiences.
I'm not sure that these scopes have had a negtive impact on the high end manufacturers and would be interested to know if there is any data to support this theory.
Although I don't follow pricing closely, I am not aware of a sustained big drop in the price of "competitive" high end gear. No doubt this price point has expanded the market for folks who could not otherwise afford larger RC scopes but I don't think it has caused any to adjust their pricing. I could very easily be wrong. Having "dabbled" in the Astro equipment business in the past, I can tell you that there are not huge margins available for suppliers at any step of the chain.
By all accounts the smaller brothers of these scopes represent "good value" and seem to perform well, but I reckon people that are dead set on owning "the best" will not be seduced by these more affordable optics. I speculate that those who want to avoid any doubt as to quality will stick with the high end makers...technically this maybe expensive vanity but what is the price for "knowing" the gear is not the weak link?
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Scott before GSO started making these scopes where could you go to buy a 12" RC for under 4K? You are right about the bigs boys as those with enough free cash to buy their scopes will go on buying them for the prestige and 5% extra they offer and that has always been their market in any case. The biggest problem they face is that the US is on the bones of its RS right now as you would well know. My thoughts are based on the way companies like RCOS have reacted to competition in the past particularly with the meade debarcle in mind. If they are immune why did they bother launching a lawsuite against a company that does not have the expertise to make the hyperbolic mirrors needed? Yes they were not true RC's but these manufactures can hardly claim to have invented or have sole guardianship of the design. Meade don't even target the same market. They are very aware of what is happening me thinks, how they respond is still to be seen I guess.
Mark