Is it a good deal for SW ED80?

[Ironh59]

I am looking to buy my first telescope for DSO astrophotography. I came across this deal on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Sky-Watche...s%2C611&sr=8-2

Is this a good price for SW Ed80? What's the difference between this and one that is usually sold for lot more:

https://www.testar.com.au/products/8...blet-refractor

Thanks

[astro744]

Looks to be a very good price to me. Prices on Amazon AU for various products change without notice. Good to check often but I don’t think you’ll get much better than that. You will need a field flattener/reducer too for astrophotography.

I have the early gold coloured ED80 model and am happy with it. I have used for visual only so far but have the William Optics WE-FLAT-2 flattener/0.8x reducer which apparently is THE flattener/reducer of choice according to the guy that sold me the package. There may be other offerings now that are a better match for the EVOSTAR.

The SvBony SV503 is another option for you at $719. Not sure how it compares though. Note it is $719 from Amazon AU from their AU warehouse but $818 from Amazon with international delivery. You have to watch this with Amazon AU so you don’t buy at the wrong price. You get a few more accessories with the Skywatcher.

[Rod-AR127 (Rod)]

You found yourself a good deal there.
For your first telescope this would be very good.
You will need a tripod as well don't forget.
Enjoy and look forward to hearing of your viewing success.
R.

[Marko of Oz (Mark)]

Am I missing something? That amazon link shows me a price of $1600. Way over priced.

[iborg (Philip)]

Hi


Missing no! Missed yes!!!


It was about $750 this afternoon.

[Ironh59]

Wow.. it has gone up. Lucky to order it before the price went up. Got it for $747.

[astro744]

Originally Posted by iborg

Hi


Missing no! Missed yes!!!


It was about $750 this afternoon.

I wouldn’t be surprised if someone else bought one and the price changed immediately. I’ve seen it happen before. I was looking at some binoculars and thought the price was good. I was tempted to get two but to keep cost down bought just one. A few hours later I decided to buy an extra one and the price was double. I ended up contacting Amazon and they said prices are volatile and depend on the source of the product.

Perhaps consider the SvBony SV503 and SV193 field flattener. Looks a nice telescope, not sure how it performs though.

[AstroViking (Steve)]

Amazon's pricing algorithm is evil. If people start looking at (or for) something, the price starts to creep upwards. If a large number of people all look at the same item in a short space of time, the price rockets upwards - as you've seen here.

Given how Amazon treats is's customers (and the fact they nuked my decade-old account with no explanation or warning) I am never buying anything more from them, ever.

V.

[astro744]

Originally Posted by AstroViking

Amazon's pricing algorithm is evil. If people start looking at (or for) something, the price starts to creep upwards. If a large number of people all look at the same item in a short space of time, the price rockets upwards - as you've seen here.

Given how Amazon treats is's customers (and the fact they nuked my decade-old account with no explanation or warning) I am never buying anything more from them, ever.

V.

That’s interesting and good to know. I did not know this. I think the moral of the story then is if shopping on Amazon don’t ask anyone on a public forum for an opinion first.

[Rod-AR127 (Rod)]

Originally Posted by astro744

That’s interesting and good to know. I did not know this. I think the moral of the story then is if shopping on Amazon don’t ask anyone on a public forum for an opinion first.

Yeah I'll admit l added one to a cart to double check the price.
Sorry OP. On the bright side though, l just checked and it's $1600. Holly Toledo Batman.

[AstroViking (Steve)]

At that new price, you might as well just walk into a local retail shop and buy it.

[meltaxa (Dennis)]

Like these bargains. Save 5% at checkout too!

HEQ5 for $27K: https://www.amazon.com.au/Sky-Watche.../dp/B07TGFKSJ9
12" Dob for $27K too: https://www.amazon.com.au/Sky-Watche.../dp/B004Q78OK6

With that 12" dob you are sure to observe a black hole...forming in your wallet.

These are perhaps extreme glitches in the pricing algorithms, so it's worth checking historical prices on Amazon, for when there are indeed real bargains to be found: https://au.camelcamelcamel.com/search?sq=telescope

[Ironh59]

Originally Posted by astro744

That’s interesting and good to know. I did not know this. I think the moral of the story then is if shopping on Amazon don’t ask anyone on a public forum for an opinion first.

Good I bought it first. With Amazon’s return policy, it makes sense to buy now and think later.
Looking at the new price, I am not going to return it. I will now now look for a deal for a reducer/flattener. It is going to cost me almost as much as the telescope itself.

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

If you struggle finding the reducer/flattener, FLO have them:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/pro...-for-ed80.html

The UK price includes 20% “gst” (called VAT), which is not applicable outside the UK. If there is a Royal Mail postal option, that’s usually reasonably priced.