Upgrading to New Telescope

[Moonman (Michael)]

To all

I,m looking now for a good bascis reflector eq of dobs with a budget probably about $500 to $800 max. I'd like to spend thousands of course but I already have a mortgage.

I.m interested in suppliers around Melbourne but if there a good deals elsewhere I'm happy to look at that too.

What are the pitfalls at looking at second hand stuff i.e EBay etc.

Looking forward to some interesting replies

:

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Michael in your price range the usual recommendation is a Guan Sheng (GSO) dobsonian as being by far the best bang for the buck.
The optical quality is right up there and just as good as some of the far more expensive options such as Meade SCT's.

If you use this sites search function youll see many discussions about this scope.

http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm

The same scope as the Bintel BT- series
https://www.bintelshop.com.au/

What are the pitfalls at looking at second hand stuff i.e EBay etc.

Many !
Unless you really know your stuff you are very likely to spend your money and come away with a scope that dissapoints you.
Ebay is a real minefield when it comes to scopes and theres very few pearls amongst the trash.

[acropolite (Phil)]

Michael,
A fellow Launcestonian,

As stated previously one of the dobs from Andrews would be a good choice. It would be worth getting some advice on eyepiece options from others more experienced.
The problem will be freight to Tas as most freight handlers will destroy the dob before it gets here (I freighted solar panels and batteries to Tas for years and the damage rate was 1 in 3 mostly minor once total destruction). I was planning to get Lonny removalists Watkins Removals to pick up on one of their removal runs (they do a run once a week on average from Sydney) at a cost of $220 for the 10 inch dob. That way it should get put on a truck and stay there until landed in Lonny. Lee Andrews refuses to ship to Tas as he has had too much equipment damaged in the past.

Good Luck.....

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Michael,

As Andrews are very cheap it would be worth buying from him and organising your own pick up using the companies that Phil suggests. Even at $220 added for pick-up and delivery it is still cheaper than most shops.

Avoid ebay scopes. most of them are just junk but the advertising is well worded to make them sound like bargain 'top quality' gear.

The good stuff doesn't come up all that often and when it does it is snapped up quickly by someone who knows their products.

It would be good if you and Phil could get together so he can assist you in your purchase.

[Vermin (Tom)]

Originally posted by acropolite
Michael,
I was planning to get Lonny removalists Watkins Removals to pick up on one of their removal runs (they do a run once a week on average from Sydney) at a cost of $220 for the 10 inch dob. That way it should get put on a truck and stay there until landed in Lonny. Lee Andrews refuses to ship to Tas as he has had too much equipment damaged in the past.

This makes me mad!

I recently shipped some gear in from the US and it got suck in customs in Sydney for a while. While speaking to the courier I got the impression that it had all arrived there in good condition. By the time it reached Hobart it looked like it had been run over with a truck.



PS: We need more Tasweegens here!

[iceman (Mike)]

PS: We need more Tasweegens here

Well the 3 of you need to do some local marketing at your local clubs!

$220 for shipping within australia is ridiculous!

But if that's your only option, the 8 or 10" dob is certainly the best medium-range big aperture scope around at the moment.
When compared with your 76mm refractor, you'll be blown away.

[acropolite (Phil)]

I know where you'r coming from Tom. The old phrase "We are not a common carrier" is usually what's quoted i.e. They don't care and take no responsibility. It's time the government legislated to make freight handlers responsible for the damage they cause.

[Striker (Tony)]

OMG $220 shipping....I had no idea.

Easy Fixed.......move to the mainland......lol

[ving (David)]

$220 is criminal, they souldnt be able to get away with that!
could you arange to pick it up yourself from melb or sumpin? might fiar better that way.
I have no idea of costs for a melb return by ferry or whatever tho

[vindictive666 (John)]

thats a bit rough $220
i paid $150 for my 12 inch from andrews door to door and i live in geraldton w.a.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

At $220 to cross the Tasman on a ferry the scope should get a private cabin and all meals supplied.

It was only $60 to get my huge 12" here to South Western Victoria.

So it's $160 extra to cross the Tasman! Get some quotes from companies willing to pick-up in Sydney and deliver to your door INSURED. Or ring Bintel and see what they charge, as they insure their deliveries.

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

Ringing Bintel is a good Idea ...
Looking at both Andrews & Bintel web pages.
Their prices (on 12" Dobs at least) are the same.

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Lee Andrews likes to keep a few aces up his sleeve... meaning that the prices on the website are generally overstated. I suspect this is a standard selling tactic so Bintel might do the same.. Best to ask.

[acropolite (Phil)]

You're missing the point guys, Lee Andrews refuses to ship to Tasmania. He's simply had too much stuff smashed. Bintel I'm not so sure about but my last conversation with them indicated that they have insured freight (but I'd get it in writing first). I have been quoted $120 by Bintel to freight an LX90 to Tas insured but that's a lot smaller than a 10 or 12 inch dob. The $220 I was quoted was for a removalist to pick up the dob and bring it down in one of their trucks. No extra handling between Sydney and here, one truck all the way. Minimal chance of damage. You could of course get fly by night freight services to bring it here most likely in several pieces and not necessarly the pieces you ordered. Ask Tom what freighters did to his kit. I know, I've experienced it first hand; $600 Solar panels shattered and useless, a case of lead acid batteries tipped on their sides letting all the acid out, power supplies with the trannies smashed out. You may think that $100 is worth saving but not when your new toy is bent and broken.