Wanted: 80mm William Optics APO (or similar)

MortonH · #1 27-09-2007, 03:02 PM

Considering second-hand WO scope as my travel/terrestrial scope. Have discovered I can't reach focus with my ZS80 f/6 and the new 2" erecting diagonal, so I'm probably looking for one of the 80mm f/6.9 models, either Megrez 80 FD, Zenithstar 80 FD or maybe Zenithstar 80 II ED.

Will consider trade with my ZS80 semi-apo, bought used recently and in excellent condition.

Thanks

Morton

paninaro · #2 08-10-2007, 03:28 PM

Hi Morton don't have a WO 80mm for you, I bought the petzval off you, all going well there.

But something of interest I did do is purchase off WO direct an ZS 80mm II ED + full binoviewer package + 1.25 diagonal for US$699 off there website, with the exchange rate hovering around $0.88 I got the lot for US$839 which translated to A$950!

If I was to buy the same thing off andrews it would have cost me $899 + $320 + $130 = $1350 !

Wow, jump in now while the exchange rate is low!

MortonH · #3 08-10-2007, 05:59 PM

What about the charge for delivery? If I select the ZS80 II OTA it's $528 US, but then they want another $245 (US) for delivery. That brings the total to approx A$880, compared to $899 at Andrews, so there isn't a worthwhile saving. Did I miss something?

Morton

paninaro · #4 09-10-2007, 12:47 PM

Yes, the site says US$255 for freight, but that is for USA, to AUS from taiwan it is only $140, which means $528 + $140 (may be less as I also got the binoviewer package and diagonal).

So for the bare scope it is US$668/0.88 = AUS$759 delivered, bit better.

The package I go really showed a diff as i got the binoviewer, diag and the scope as above.

I payed by paypal

MortonH · #5 16-10-2007, 05:59 PM

Telescopes-Astronomy.com.au has quoted me $740 for the ZS80 II ED ota. Pretty good price. Just feel that I'd rather have the FD model...

Morton

Miaplacidus (Brian) · #6 16-10-2007, 06:35 PM

Would a 1.25 inch erecting diagonal reach focus. (Anything would be better than doubling up on the same aperture, wouldn't it?)

And no, you can't have mine! (I use mine with binoviewers, which is heaven on a stick.)

Cheers,

Brian.

MortonH · #7 16-10-2007, 09:20 PM

The whole point is that I want to use 2" eyepieces for terrestrial viewing.

Morton

MortonH · #8 26-10-2007, 08:55 PM

FOUND: have acquired ZS80 II ED. Focus problems solved, and scope is beautiful.

Stephen65 · #9 27-10-2007, 02:45 AM

Keep an eye on ebay, every year WO sell off surplus new stock at very very attractive prices and its on right now, for example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/William-Optics-M...em150176047675

I bought one of these yesterday, they are the scope Sky & Telescope reviewed so favourably earlier this year.

citivolus (Ric) · #10 27-10-2007, 03:36 AM

I kept my eye out and bought the one a few days before that. You got the better rate on postage, but mine went for less.

They also had some 66's, 80's and 110's, as well as the last of the Zenithstar 110s. It was a difficult week to not spend money. I failed as usual.

Stephen65 · #11 27-10-2007, 09:53 AM

I didn't actually buy the one that was sold at auction recently (went for about $905 IIRC), I bid $875 and lost but WO offered to sell me another one at that price and I took it. I assume they must have had a few units to clear. I wasn't willing to go over $875 as I wanted to keep it under the A$1000 limit to avoid GST on importation.

If you got the one earlier this week that went in the low 8's you did very well, I was lurking ready to snipe it but I couldn't get my bid in fast enough after you pounced.

Great pricing compared with the WO list price and especially the Australian distributor price.