ebay telescopes

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

The 12" 'Deluxe' Dob from Andrews is $1099 (acc. to ad in S&T). Andrews' prices are often lower than what's on the website. Either the site's not up to date, or it's a good bit of sales strategy to offer a discount over website prices when someone makes an enquiry (worked on me with the 8" ).

Only thing is, make sure the eyepieces are GSO not 'Series 500' if possible. You're better off with two GSOs than four 500s.

[davidpretorius]

thanks janoskiss

I assume you mean the Guan Sheng GS-980-BK7-CRF
$1249.00 AUD is showing as $1099.

with the lenses, what would be the preference as the must have 2, and if all are GSO, then what 4 would be the best to have.

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Originally Posted by davidpretorius

4 extra lenses for around $99, plus $40 for some lenses

Repeating myself... Don't get the series 500's (4 for $99). They are better than junk but not very good. Best EPs from Andrews are the GSO Ploessls. They are nice sharp, with good contrast. Superviews, or other wide angles will not perform well in the short focal length scope. Edge of field will be blurry with sharp area no more than a good Plossl.

Originally Posted by davidpretorius

thanks janoskiss
I assume you mean the Guan Sheng GS-980-BK7-CRF
$1249.00 AUD is showing as $1099.
with the lenses, what would be the preference as the must have 2, and if all are GSO, then what 4 would be the best to have.

Yes that's the one with crayford + fan. I doubt you'll get four GSO Plossls. You'll either get two GSOs and two 500s, or four 500s. Ask Lee what your options are. For me the 9 & 25mm GSOs were included with the scope and I could choose two 500s. I recommend the 15 & 20mm in the 500s.

[cahullian]

The 12" will give you a ton of more light gathering, therefore opening up a lot more DSO's.

[davidpretorius]

thanks for your help guys,

ok i shall ring lee and get prices and options on

GS-880-BK7-CRF and Guan Sheng GS-980-BK7-CRF with 9 & 25mm GSOs and then either choose two 500s or buy two GSO's in 15 & 20mm.

Are filters worth it for $40 odd. I am pretty sure you get some filters free with the scope.

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Don't know about cheap colour filters, but this recent thread is making me seriously think about ordering a Baader UHCS filter to use in my light-polluted back yard.

[iceman (Mike)]

Don't get the colour filters, even though they are cheap, they are just not worth it because you'll be lucky to use them once and once only. The only cheap filter you should get is a ND moon filter (not the green kind).

Other filters you should get are more expensive (UHC/OIII etc).

[asimov (John)]

The jury's still out on the baader UHC compared to the more expensive lumicon.

[ving (David)]

some sort of moon filter will be good but skip the colour filters...

an LPR filter of some sort may be beneficial too

[davidpretorius]

to quote lee andrews from andrews sommunications:

"Yes, the GS-980 Ltd. 12" Dob. has a Crayford focuser and BK7 optical glass, for $999.

GSO eyepieces sell for $10 and $20 (each) more than my Series 500 eyepieces, although they are of virtually the same optical quality (as the Series 500s were originally made for GSO under contract). No-one has disputed or proven otherwise that there are any optical differences.
To explain pricing; Series 500 Plossl eyepieces sell for $29 each. GSO Plossls sell for $39 each in 4mm ~ 25mm focal lengths and for $49 each in 30, 32 & 40mm focal lengths.
My 10" and 12" GSO Dobs. come with 9mm & 25mm Plossls...and you may choose any two Plossls from my Series 500 range...making 4 Plossls in total."
To test Andrews comment of not being proven that the series 500 and gso are different. Have any of you guys had the same sized eye piece in both styles and noticed a big difference to warrant nearly 50% increase in price?

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Originally Posted by davidpretorius

To test Andrews comment of not being proven that the series 500 and gso are different. Have any of you guys had the same sized eye piece in both styles and noticed a big difference to warrant nearly 50% increase in price?

I have the GSO 25mm and the 500 20mm. Believe me they are different. Different colour coating (GSO: green, 500: greyish blue). GSO also has better finish on the filter end (no chipping in the blackening/chrome, and threads run all the way to the edge), and also has soft foldable eyecups, not the harder plastic+rubber compound. The body of the GSO is recessed for focuser lock. But the main difference is in sharpness and contrast when you use it with your scope. At $39 the GSO plossls is superb value! Unbelievable really. Money well spent.

Remember that Lee is not an amateur (or pro) astronomer, so he only knows what his suppliers tell him.

[davidpretorius]

thanks for feedback, i will ask for what price to upgrade the two free series 500 to gso's