It actually went for $29,600, and even though I am an Astro-Physics fan myself, is way too much money for that scope!
As a comparison here is a link to a scope of the same design with more aperture, just as much heritage, and which sold new for ten times the price when new (over $100K for the OTA alone, instead of $10K for the AP)
Granted the questar was sold in 2006, but I think the comparison is still valid!! (the questar sold for $19,000 incase you don't have an account to see the sell price)
Would you be better of getting a 12" SCT (ACF) or a RC for that range? Is there someting about a MAK that I don't know?
It's not the type of scope that gives it that price, just the company that produced it and it's small production run. Most Astro-Physics scopes sell for more second hand than new price, even current models in production, because you have to wait up to 9 years on a notification list to buy one brand new.
My guess is that the person buying it will never use it. There is a 90% chance it was purchased simply as a collectible item.
Overpriced .... yes I know AP APO groupies think the sun shines out their ***s.
I have an Astro-Physics APO, so does my mate. We are both AP fans, they produce high quality scopes and great mounts. I don't think the sun shines out of our asses.
Hmm I agree with you Andrew. Astro Physics afficionados appreciate the work of Roland Christen, one of a few expert opticians supplying the amateur market with equipment made to a very high standard. Most users of his products quietly use his products and are not seen in forums. Mark
Astro Physics afficionados appreciate the work of Roland Christen... Most users of his products quietly use his products and are not seen in forums. Mark
In my experience, most owners of his work do anything BUT use those instruments for astronomy. They are either dining room trophies to be admired but not used, or they are short term "investments" to be quickly on-sold at a profit. ("Flipped".)
Somebody intent on astronomy would buy something much less expensive but just as good. And they can do that without being made to wait. A-P instruments are nice, but they aren't produced for astronomers.
In my experience, most owners of his work do anything BUT use those instruments for astronomy. They are either dining room trophies to be admired but not used, or they are short term "investments" to be quickly on-sold at a profit. ("Flipped".)
Somebody intent on astronomy would buy something much less expensive but just as good. And they can do that without being made to wait. A-P instruments are nice, but they aren't produced for astronomers.
Once again I don't think this is a valid point. While some people do buy the scope simply to flip it, and some may wrap them in cotton wool, the vast majority will use them. Don't let the actions of the minority effect your perception of the majority.
There will be speculators on any product, even the most mundane, given the right economic conditions. It does not mean that the majority of the users of that product are just collectors. Generally, though, a product has to have inherent value in order to establish a market in this way.
