New addition to the family ... has arrived!

marc4darkskies (Marcus) · #1 19-01-2011, 05:33 PM

I'm a happy chappy.

The planets have aligned for me!! Paramount MEs are ON SALE for the bargain basement, throw away price of US12.5k (2k discount) AND the dollar is high. Peer pressure has also come into play with seemingly everyone undertaking some sort of upgrade these days, so I couldn't resist and have taken the plunge. With the blessing of SWMBO as well!!

What's even better, it will ship tomorrow - less than a week from placing the order!

Cheers, Marcus

Octane (Humayun) · #2 19-01-2011, 05:58 PM

I envy you. Congratulations, on the new baby. : )

H

strongmanmike (Michael) · #3 19-01-2011, 06:01 PM

Niiiiiiiiice

Just out of curiosity, the EM400 is certainly no slouch and with the AO to boot

... so I asume you are planning an upgrade in scope too for such a solid mount?

Mike

mill (Martin) · #4 19-01-2011, 06:06 PM

Mike stop tempting people

h0ughy (David) · #5 19-01-2011, 07:00 PM

glad you jumped, i am envyous

marc4darkskies (Marcus) · #6 19-01-2011, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Niiiiiiiiice

Just out of curiosity, the EM400 is certainly no slouch and with the AO to boot

... so I asume you are planning an upgrade in scope too for such a solid mount?

Mike

You're right, my EM-400 is definitely no slouch. It's a gem of a GEM but it may not be able to carry the weight if my future plan for a 12.5" perhaps tandem mounted with my TOA come to pass. Maybe by the time I can afford a new OTA Planewave will have a 14" so the more capacity I have the better. It's not just about having a solid mount either. The PMEs robotic features, seamless integration with TheSky, higher accuracy and persistant TPoint model are also good drawcards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octane

I envy you. Congratulations, on the new baby. : )

H

Cheers H! Many sleepless nights ahead too!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mill

Mike stop tempting people

Nah that's OK. One day soon Mike will also want to upgrade HIS mount

They're on sale Mike - but only while stocks last!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

glad you jumped, i am envyous

Thanks Dave - funny thing though - the pier and scope adaptor plates are a month away so my baby will be sitting on the bench for a few weeks!

I'll be sure to give it plenty of coochy coo, who's your daddy baby talk though while it's waiting!

h0ughy (David) · #7 19-01-2011, 10:43 PM

maybe your missus agreed to get video of you doing just that - then commit you LOL

RobF (Rob) · #8 19-01-2011, 11:12 PM

Mmmm, Paramount.
Where is the emoticon for wolf-whistle?

Paul Haese · #9 20-01-2011, 10:10 AM

Ah well done on the purchase. The EM400 is a fine mount but like you said there are other considerations. My EM400 is on its way to its new owner now.

You could get the adapter plate from OPT and the versa plate should come with the mount. It all goes together pretty easily.

Wait till you hear these mounts in action. Spooky is the best descriptive word I can use.

marc4darkskies (Marcus) · #10 20-01-2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

maybe your missus agreed to get video of you doing just that - then commit you LOL

I'll be sure to post that video

BTW, I'm an Amateur Astronomer = certifiable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobF

Mmmm, Paramount.
Where is the emoticon for wolf-whistle?

Wolf whistles are not PC you know ... but it's pretty enough to deserve one!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Ah well done on the purchase. The EM400 is a fine mount but like you said there are other considerations. My EM400 is on its way to its new owner now.

You could get the adapter plate from OPT and the versa plate should come with the mount. It all goes together pretty easily.

Wait till you hear these mounts in action. Spooky is the best descriptive word I can use.

Yes, David Fitz-Henry has one and it sounded to me as though it couldn't make up its mind what to do. I thought my EM-400 sounded better

gregbradley · #11 21-01-2011, 08:20 PM

Congrats Marcus.

I am sure you will love it.

The seamless integration with the Sky is a nice plus for sure.

Fast slewing is also a big plus. A home position is a great thing.
Its sheer strength and accuracy is the main thing.

Greg.

batema (Mark) · #12 22-01-2011, 11:01 AM

Hi Marcus,
I have heard nothing but the best comments about these mounts and the $12 500 is a great price but if you buy one of these then do you have to pay any import tax or something or when it lands at your door will you have only spent the 12 500. Of course shipping but does the govt stick you.

Mark

gregbradley · #13 23-01-2011, 10:35 AM

It should only be GST which is calculated on the invoice price pus shipping plus a small % add on which I don't know what that is, so assuming shipping cost of about $800 then
I'd estimate it would be around $1375. Then again there may be extras on a new mount like adapter plates, piers or extra counterweights and so on. I am not sure how many counterweights
a TOA150 would need - perhaps only the 2 the mount comes with.

As far as I know there is no import duties on mounts (we have a free trade agreement with the US and the GST replaced a lot I think). There isn't any for scopes and pretty sure none for
CCD cameras. GST on imported goods both new and second hand kicks in at $1000 threshold. So items under $1000 have no GST hence the recent Harvey Norman debacle where he was
pushing for reform so GST would be included on overseas purchases under $1000 so local retailers don't get bypassed by internet sales.

There is a guy called Jim Miller who sells custom parts for the ME very inexpensively. He advertises on Astromart. I got a 10 inch shaft extender which means I need less
counterweights for the CDK17. I use 3 stainless steel ones and 2 x 5kg gym weights I got in Sydney and they are very cheap. His part was something like $95 and was very well made
and works nicely. He has other tools/parts for it which so far I have not found a need for. The stainless steel counterweights are really expensive plus cost a lot to ship as they are so heavy.
Planewave also sells a 40lb counterweight for less than Bisque just for info. Jim also sells nice looking tripods for the ME for US$975. Seems like a bargain. That would make your PME field portable.
It is a big mount but it is reasonably manhandleable - you know, take a deep breath and lift it, make a little grunt and its on the mount! Mike Sidonio could pick it up with one hand!

Greg.

marc4darkskies (Marcus) · #14 23-01-2011, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregbradley

Congrats Marcus.

I am sure you will love it.

The seamless integration with the Sky is a nice plus for sure.

Fast slewing is also a big plus. A home position is a great thing.
Its sheer strength and accuracy is the main thing.

Greg.

Thanks Greg. I really couldn't think of any negatives at all (except price)! Nothing but practical benefits really! I bought an extra counterweight too so I'm pretty much future OTA-proofed

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by batema

Hi Marcus,
I have heard nothing but the best comments about these mounts and the $12 500 is a great price but if you buy one of these then do you have to pay any import tax or something or when it lands at your door will you have only spent the 12 500. Of course shipping but does the govt stick you.

Mark

Yes, I had to pay shipping ($US1,250) & GST ($AU10%). I bought locally too for convenience and peace of mind (through Peter Ward). Local warranty service and knowledge cannot be overstated IMO.

marc4darkskies (Marcus) · #15 29-01-2011, 02:32 PM

Nicked down to "The Shire" today to pick up my new baby ...

Proud, still-in-the-box dad photos here: http://www.pbase.com/gailmarc/paramount_me

Funny, there are even instructions on how to take it out of the box!

Cheers, Marcus

h0ughy (David) · #16 29-01-2011, 02:54 PM

so have you named your new baby yet?

RobF (Rob) · #17 29-01-2011, 04:17 PM

Wow, that's one cute baby

renormalised (Carl) · #18 29-01-2011, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc4darkskies

Nicked down to "The Shire" today to pick up my new baby ...

Proud, still-in-the-box dad photos here: http://www.pbase.com/gailmarc/paramount_me

Funny, there are even instructions on how to take it out of the box!

Cheers, Marcus

Marcus, make sure you've got gloves on when you lift her out...gotta be really careful with the paint job and getting dents!!!!

marc4darkskies (Marcus) · #19 29-01-2011, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

so have you named your new baby yet?

Hehehe ... I was thinking of Bertha

... Rose? ... Pammy? ...

Hey, they gave me TheSkyX as well! ... but I think I'll give that a wide birth for now (pun intended

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobF

Wow, that's one cute baby

Cute yes, but what a handful!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by renormalised

Marcus, make sure you've got gloves on when you lift her out...gotta be really careful with the paint job and getting dents!!!!

Forgot about that before I touched her - sweaty fingerprints have now been removed!

Still haven't finished reading the how-to-remove-from-box instructions anyway

!!

strongmanmike (Michael) · #20 29-01-2011, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc4darkskies

Funny, there are even instructions on how to take it out of the box!

Cheers, Marcus

Yes lift her out by her feet and give her a short couple of smacks on the back, if she cries she's yours, if not... I will take her

That looks like a (big

) thing of beauty mate, sheesh, the TOA will look like a kids fishing rod on her

Mike