Buying a Meade LX90 O'seas. Bad Idea?

FredSnerd (Claude) · #1 04-09-2009, 01:41 PM

If and when the $AUS improves I was giving some consideration to buying a Meade Cassegarin LX90 12" over the net from a US astronomy shop.

Any ideas on (i) whether this is a good or bad idea; (ii) an astronomy shop I should buy from; (iii) a shipping company I should use; (iv) import duty I can expect to pay.

Thanks for looking

Regards

Claude

andrew2008 · #2 04-09-2009, 02:01 PM

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=5549
That link should hopefully help with any duties and what you need to pay.

As for shops Optcorp (www.optcorp.com) seem to have some of the better prices i've seen from the US sites and a good rep with people here, there's been a thread on them just recently.

Whether its a good idea?

Meade US seem to be harder to deal with when it comes to warranty than aussie dealers. If you have no probs you're laughing, but if you do

Been strongly looking at doing the same myself so would love to know if it works out for you if you go ahead.

FredSnerd (Claude) · #3 04-09-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew2008

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=5549
That link should hopefully help with any duties and what you need to pay.

As for shops Optcorp (www.optcorp.com) seem to have some of the better prices i've seen from the US sites and a good rep with people here, there's been a thread on them just recently.

Whether its a good idea?

Meade US seem to be harder to deal with when it comes to warranty than aussie dealers. If you have no probs you're laughing, but if you do

Been strongly looking at doing the same myself so would love to know if it works out for you if you go ahead.

Hey thanks for this Andrew. I appreciate it. Are you looking at a meade SC and if so which.

I'm 4really waiting for the AUS $$$ to get stronger before i buy so I dont know when that will be. last time I looked sgipping would be about $750 Aust is that what you think

Thanks again

Moon (James) · #4 04-09-2009, 02:14 PM

Normally I would say no, try to buy locally.

But if you really want that particular scope (and you can't find a second hand one) the price difference is so big it would be difficult to justify not importing it yourself.

FredSnerd (Claude) · #5 04-09-2009, 02:17 PM

Thanks James, yeah the warranty thang worries me a bit

bmitchell82 (Brendan) · #6 04-09-2009, 02:24 PM

my thoughts on this is that if it has moving parts get it from the country you live in, if its not commonly imported already ask for a special order from a dealer here. then figure out the difference in price and if that is worth the difference.

non moving parts are fine, moving parts are bad....

FredSnerd (Claude) · #7 04-09-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmitchell82

my thoughts on this is that if it has moving parts get it from the country you live in, if its not commonly imported already ask for a special order from a dealer here. then figure out the difference in price and if that is worth the difference.

non moving parts are fine, moving parts are bad....

Thats is a good point Brendon. Hmmm not quite the news I wanted to hear

coldspace · #8 04-09-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredSnerd

If and when the $AUS improves I was giving some consideration to buying a Meade Cassegarin LX90 12" over the net from a US astronomy shop.

Any ideas on (i) whether this is a good or bad idea; (ii) an astronomy shop I should buy from; (iii) a shipping company I should use; (iv) import duty I can expect to pay.

Thanks for looking

Regards

Claude

PM, Mozzie on this site, I heard a rumor through the grape vine that he may be getting rid of his to get a 14 inch LX200.

Matt.

FredSnerd (Claude) · #9 04-09-2009, 05:42 PM

Heyt Thanks Matt. I appreciate you saying

marki · #10 04-09-2009, 06:58 PM

Claude only buy the small things OS, even some tubes may be OK if you are a risk taker. Mounts are a bit of a no no as they have many things that can go wrong. They will not sell you a new meade unless you have an address in the US to send it to. It is one of the many restrictive trade practices meade has to protect local dealers.

Mark

FredSnerd (Claude) · #11 04-09-2009, 07:11 PM

Thanks mark,

Yeah I think I'm just gonna have to put up with local prices. But I think I will still wait for the AUS doller to strengthen. Maybe for Xmas

marki · #12 04-09-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredSnerd

Thanks mark,

Yeah I think I'm just gonna have to put up with local prices. But I think I will still wait for the AUS doller to strengthen. Maybe for Xmas

Either that or keep an eye on the classifieds both here and astromart. The LX90 comes up often.

Mark

FredSnerd (Claude) · #13 04-09-2009, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marki

Either that or keep an eye on the classifieds both here and astromart. The LX90 comes up often.

Mark

The thing about secondhand, normally I would not hesitate with second hand but it seems from the reviews I have been reading the new meade ACF is really really great, practically no coma. I figure if I'm gonna pay that kind of $ (and it will be my first and last scope) I may as well do it right.

andrew2008 · #14 04-09-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredSnerd

The thing about secondhand, normally I would not hesitate with second hand but it seems from the reviews I have been reading the new meade ACF is really really great, practically no coma. I figure if I'm gonna pay that kind of $ (and it will be my first and last scope) I may as well do it right.

Brave is the man that says their first scope will be their last.

At the end of the day i'd side with the others and say anything with as many moving parts and electronics in them as the mounts on these i wouldn't be game to buy from overseas. An OTA on the other hand

marki · #15 04-09-2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredSnerd

The thing about secondhand, normally I would not hesitate with second hand but it seems from the reviews I have been reading the new meade ACF is really really great, practically no coma. I figure if I'm gonna pay that kind of $ (and it will be my first and last scope) I may as well do it right.

I have an LX200R which is what meade used to call the ACF series before they got sued. They do have nice optics I can vouch for that. There are a number R/ACF scopes coming up for sale on the forums. If you saw mine (3 years old) you would not know it from a new scope except for the big red R on the tube. People tend to take care of them. Since this is to be your last scope may I suggest you buy the tube only and fit it to a reasonable EQ mount. That way when you change your mind it's simply old scope off, new scope on

.

Mark

FredSnerd (Claude) · #16 04-09-2009, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marki

I have an LX200R which is what meade used to call the ACF series before they got sued. They do have nice optics I can vouch for that. There are a number R/ACF scopes coming up for sale on the forums. If you saw mine (3 years old) you would not know it from a new scope except for the big red R on the tube. People tend to take care of them. Since this is to be your last scope may I suggest you buy the tube only and fit it to a reasonable EQ mount. That way when you change your mind it's simply old scope off, new scope on

.

Mark

So Mark would you agree that there is a "significant" enough difference between the optics of the standard SCT and the ACF (R/ACF). Its not just promotional hype I mean.

I would certainly be happy to buy a secondhand R/ACF scope if and when one comes up.

I think I already regret saying that this will be my last scope. I'm getting the sense that no one believes me when i say that.

Thanks for your tips by the way

regards

Claude

FredSnerd (Claude) · #17 04-09-2009, 10:31 PM

Actually Mark I wonder if I could ask another thing.

Am I right in thinking that the LX 90 (as opposed to the LX200 - which is about $2000 more new) is fine for observing purposes and that I would only really need an LX200 if i was going to do photography. Or does the LX 200 have other advantages that I'm not picking up on at this stage.

marki · #18 04-09-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredSnerd

So Mark would you agree that there is a "significant" enough difference between the optics of the standard SCT and the ACF (R/ACF). Its not just promotional hype I mean.

I would certainly be happy to buy a secondhand R/ACF scope if and when one comes up.

I think I already regret saying that this will be my last scope. I'm getting the sense that no one believes me when i say that.

Thanks for your tips by the way

regards

Claude

Most advertising is hype IMO. Where the R/ACF tubes better the SCT is photography as they produce a fairly flat field free of coma. The SCT will not do this, you must add a corrector to the imaging line. You will not be disappointed with visual use either as they are pretty good value.

Mark

coldspace · #19 04-09-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredSnerd

So Mark would you agree that there is a "significant" enough difference between the optics of the standard SCT and the ACF (R/ACF). Its not just promotional hype I mean.

I would certainly be happy to buy a secondhand R/ACF scope if and when one comes up.

I think I already regret saying that this will be my last scope. I'm getting the sense that no one believes me when i say that.

Thanks for your tips by the way

regards

Claude

The acf optics on my scope are nice and sharp and compared to a few SCT there was a bit of a difference as long as the scope is properly cooleddown and colimated well otherwise you probally would not tell the difference.
Up at astrofest a few years ago there was a 200R when they first came out next to a couple of various Sct and it was sharper but this could have also been colimation issues as well.

If you are spending that sort of money you might as well get the latest optics for use now and possible resale value in the future.

Matt.

FredSnerd (Claude) · #20 04-09-2009, 10:39 PM

Thanks Matt/Mark

I appreciate your help