How often do you upgrade your telescope?

[Terry B]

I have only "upgraded" when the current scope has not been suitable for the purpose.
I bought my C11 as I needed more aperture for my spectrascope. My 127mm refractor is sitting on the floor. Maybe I should sell it.
My other scope is my VC200L and it was my first propper scope. I'm not sellinig it ever.

[DJT (David)]

Whenever my none smoking fund hits the amount I want to spend on the piece of kit I really really want (there is a plan) ;-)

Gave up smoking last year when I realised how expensive this lark could get. Admittedly my spreadsheet has a fair number of IOU's from the last 12 months but am on a roll now. $9200 so far since quitting and totting it up every week. More importantly, there is food on the table and I havnt hocked the wifes camera kit to get the next scope ..oh yes, and am healthy and dont keep loosing my night vision whenever I spark up!

Upgrade..naah, get it right first time! ooh, then change your mind...

[dannat (Daniel)]

i don't think I've held a scope longer for a year -but then i forgot I've had a pst now for nearly 2 yrs -sometimes its just months

i have recently just had 1 working scope - but now 2 ore will soon be on the way

[LewisM]

After outlaying for the initial gear, I have actually spent quite a small amount on the upgrading - I continually trade, or art-trade with people.

All told, in the last 2 years:

5 mounts

10 scopes

And a truck load of odds and ends.

Settled on 2 scopes, 1 mount, one CCD, and 4 EP's. No need for anything else - in fact, time to sell all the DSLR bits.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by DJT

Whenever my none smoking fund hits the amount I want to spend on the piece of kit I really really want (there is a plan) ;-)

Gave up smoking last year when I realised how expensive this lark could get. Admittedly my spreadsheet has a fair number of IOU's from the last 12 months but am on a roll now. $9200 so far since quitting and totting it up every week. More importantly, there is food on the table and I havnt hocked the wifes camera kit to get the next scope ..oh yes, and am healthy and dont keep loosing my night vision whenever I spark up!

Upgrade..naah, get it right first time! ooh, then change your mind...

I had a discussion with someone recently who said that I was wasting money buying more scopes. Yeah, right!!! Well, actually, he might have a point, but only to a degree.

But then, we worked out what it was costing him for booze and smokes in a year. He hadn't really considered what it was costing him on a yearly basis, or simply was in denial about it, not sure which However, he was more than a little surprised by how much he was spending on an annual basis. It worked out around a conservative estimate of $12,000 a year Let alone the cost of being a social pariah.

Furthermore, I pointed out that my scopes won't kill me, unless I am hit my a meteorite or freeze to death in winter.

So, who is the one really wasting money? Not I

And no, I don't smoke and I rarely drink alcohol.

So DJT, good on you for giving up smoking, you will be the richer for it.

Cheers Peter

[omegacrux (David)]

Myself I started with an 8in Dob
Sold that purchased a 6in acro , then a 127 mak sold it about a year later , just didn't do it for me , don't know why
Now have a 10in Dob , still have the acro , thinking of a ed80 now
Each scope has its pros and cons , I'm finding out .
All over about 2 to 3 years
A learning curve but enjoying it !

David

Ps a big thanks to all those members I acquired stuff from !

[multiweb (Marc)]

Haven't changed my gear in over 5yrs. Just added bits and pieces to it.

[Gem (Grant)]

1985 - 50mm refractor
1995 - 10 inch dob
2009 - 80mm achro
2011 - 9.25 SCT
2012 - 16" dob and 80mm apo

Still got the lot except for the 50mm. The 10 inch is interstate in a shed though...
When you look at that cost over a 28 year period as my only hobby... much cheaper than getting a boat and going fishing!!! Besides which I only bought one of the scopes myself, the rest were given to me as presents.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by Gem

1985 - 50mm refractor
1995 - 10 inch dob
2009 - 80mm achro
2011 - 9.25 SCT
2012 - 16" dob and 80mm apo

Still got the lot except for the 50mm. The 10 inch is interstate in a shed though...
When you look at that cost over a 28 year period as my only hobby... much cheaper than getting a boat and going fishing!!! Besides which I only bought one of the scopes myself, the rest were given to me as presents.

Totally agree Grant, you don't have to convince me. 'You got to spend your money on something'; there is really no point in being the richest man in the graveyard, as the saying goes. Besides, there are a lot of worse things you could do. at least, that is how I justify it

Cheers Peter