Did Celestron think its mount pricing through well?

[g__day (Matthew)]

I was skimming Andrews prices on Celestron (Edge and CGE Pro) and whilst the OTAs are gouge priced - the mounts are just as wierd:

CG5 Computerised Go-To Mount w/stainless steel tripod legs. Latest version - includes flash upgradeable hand controller. $1699.00
CGEM Computerised German equatorial mount and tripod. Handles 18kg. Has permanent PEC, Meridian tracking, all-star polar alignment.$3199.00CGE-PRO Computerised German equatorial mount and tripod $11,999.00

I've seen the CG5 at Andrews for under $1,000 for a long, long time. WIth the latest flash it is all sky tracking and it can do 18kgs for visual (though 15kgs is a better limit).

So charging almost triple what it has been for the CGEM - which isn't reading like a big step up (and not as good as a trusty EQ6 seems surreal).

But hats off to the CGE Pro being $12K - more expensive than a Losmandy Titan with far less capability. So who does this crazy pricing?

[Mike21 (Michael)]

I think it was only yesterday the I said the old addage "you get what you pay for" no longer applies. Rather "they get" what they can out of you. Again this comment is not directed at Andrews; they've always looked after me and seem to be doing their best at keeping others' prices down too. Celestron are seeing what they can get.

[g__day (Matthew)]

I have no issue with Andrews - they're great - is either the importer / distributor or Celestron being an ass here.

[Ian Robinson]

Wont be selling many or any at those prices.

I'm glad I bought my New Atlux when I did .... I'd not be surprised if it's replacement value has doubled since July last year .... should update my specially listed items' values on my contents insurance to take that into account.

[AlexN]

The CGE Pro offers quite good value for money in the USA... however here in australia, you're better off buying a Losmandy Titan, or waiting till the exchange rate gets back to 87~90c to the USD and buying an AP1200..

[renormalised (Carl)]

Nah....go pay $30000 US for a Meade MAX mount...400lbs carrying capacity!!!

or waiting till the exchange rate gets back to 87~90c to the USD

Let's go start a run on another US bank or securities firm

[g__day (Matthew)]

Well reading thru its specs at Optcorp - for a USD < $5K mount its reasonable. http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=439-278-12451

Its carrying capacity 90lbs or 40kgs is decent. Its raw tracking ability is +/- 9 arc seconds - so better than an EQ6, but not close to a Vixen or Takahashi. Its pointing ability isn't mentioned.

Bottom line - if this mount sold for < $7K AUD it woud be reasonablly priced. $12K makes it closer to 70% over-priced IMHO.

[marki]

Guys, perhaps this is bigger then just Celstron. I just had a squiz of the OPT site.

HEQ5 pro = $499US = $605AU sold in OZ at about $1500

The EQ6 equivilant is better

OPT $1199 US = $1455AU sold at all sorts of prices in OZ usually around the 2K mark.

Mark

[renormalised (Carl)]

Solution = emigrate to the US

[Ian Robinson]

Originally Posted by marki

guys, perhaps this is bigger then just celstron. I just had a squiz of the opt site.

Heq5 pro = $499us = $605au sold in oz at about $1500

the eq6 equivilant is better

opt $1199 us = $1455au sold at all sorts of prices in oz usually around the 2k mark.

Mark

.... Rip-off.

[Satchmo]

Originally Posted by renormalised

Solution = emigrate to the US

Absolutely , I think the US government should supply free emmigration tickets to all these guys and save us from all this _endless_ bleating

[marki]

Originally Posted by Satchmo

Absolutely , I think the US government should supply free emmigration tickets to all these guys and save us from all this _endless_ bleating

I would much rather our own gov't was more supportive of technical innovation in this country rather then relying on the mines and farmers to earn an income for the rest of us. That way we would not have to rely on other countries to produce these technologies for us. As for celestron, pffffttt who cares, would never buy one. This is just the iceing on the cake.

Mark

[Don Pensack]

It's really too bad Celestron discontinued the US-made CGE mount.
The gap between the CGEM (EQ6 clone) and the CGE Pro is too great.
They need a mount in-between.

[renormalised (Carl)]

Probably discontinued the CGE mount because it was too dear to produce. Celestron would rather pay some Taiwanese $20 a day to make it than pay someone in the US $150-$200 a day.

[AlexN]

Fingers crossed, lots of people with CGE's feel the urge to upgrade to the CGE Pro, and the second hand market gets flooded with CGE's... I know I'd like one...