How much of your spend is on used equipment?

[g__day (Matthew)]

I was just wondering today how much of their total spend folk are placing on used gear?

I did a quick tally today:

2 OTAs
2 eyepieces
1 mount
1 * dovetails
1 * rings
1 * CCD

That's a saving of over $4,000 versus new - and the gear is top notch. So it got me to wondering how many seasoned folk now direct a large part of their purchases towards pre-loved gear?

[citivolus (Ric)]

Durable hardware, yes. Optics, a different story, unless I have been able to see the equipment ahead of time (bought my 8" LX200 classic that way).

Out of my astronomy spending in the last 7 years, I would say it works out to around 30%. For camera gear, it probably works out to around the same.

[erick (Eric)]

A quick tally suggests 75% on pre-loved equipment in the 14 months I have been buying.

[citivolus (Ric)]

Come to think of it probably 90% would be pre-loved if that equipment were available when I needed it and not being sold for near retail prices, ie, by a vendor. If I can't find something in very good condition on the used market within a reasonable time frame, I buy new.

I used to spend a whole lot more on used back in California due to the availability of used components there. Astromart was my friend.

[madtuna (Steve)]

Probably close to 90% of my gear is pre loved.
Usually I buy via forums likes this as you find the equiptmet is generally cared for like you'd care for it yourself

[DJVege]

About 85% pre-loved here.

[kljucd1 (Daniel)]

Hi,

Very interesting topic for a new guy.

Regards

Daniel...

[CoombellKid]

1 x ep
1 x book

probably about 5% of my gear is used.

regards,CS

[rumples riot]

I don't think I have bought anything second hand, although I have sold a lot of gear which from what I understand everyone is happy with. I have sold

1x Lx200 10"
1x wedge
1x field derotator
1x ED80
1x barlow
1x powermate
1x DMK
1x double stacked PST
2x eyepieces
1x CGE counter weight
1x off axis guider

Hmmm and maybe a few other things that I have forgotten. Yep the used market is good for some people. I hope all those items are still working and going strong.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

3x eyepieces - 4mm, 30mm and a 40mm
1x 2" GSO barlow
1x O111 filter
2x CS mount lenses, thanks Bert.
Heaps of books ( I love the LifeLine Bookfest )

That's all so far.

[space oddity]

Many items are fine bought used, eg eyepieces, wedges, it depends on the saving to be made. I buy second hand where ever possible, after checking out prices new on the net. Most of my library is used. Many recently released items simply do not hit the used market, eg, how many Ethos eyepieces do you see second hand ? Really popular items , eg Nagler eyepieces will command prices close to new prices and waiting for a special can work out cheaper than buying used! 80% of my gear is second hand

[abellhunter]

Been trading up & down scopes for 30 years! my ONLY regret is not keeping them ALL! Heck i've let go a 3" and a 4" Unitron Refractor, then a 5" comet catcher, a truck-load of 8", 10" & 11" SCT's, and even a 17 1/2 inch dob.... don't even talk about EP's, heck the good ones cost a fortune!

Aloha, Lance aka "abellhunter"

http://www.anzaobservatory.com