I have come back to astronomy recently and am building up my equipment aiming at the impossible double, same kit for both visual and photography. Each time I decide on the next piece of equipment to save up for, it appears in IIS for sale. Off axis guiding; TAK FC-60CB, Camera[s]; Atik 11000 with filter wheels etc or the LE4000 or the 314L, Scopes; a whole heap of TAK equipment TOAs & Mewlon & FSQs, Mounts; EM-200, PM ME. Then a much loved Canon 15X50 IS binoculars in a case! All great but I have had no time to save up, what is a lad to do, not wish or dream about the kit needed or just hope that by next Christmas when my fun money pile is bigger there will be some of my wish list for sale. I think that an astute buyer could have set up a very nice system for visual and astrophotography for $1,000’s less than retail prices, I just hope a lucky buyer is out there getting some value for money from the IIS community, as I think the advertised prices are fair and reasonable, I just don’t have the spare cash right now.
Garth, still having fun in my back yard in the evenings looking at the heavens and being enthralled with the view.
Hello Garth,
One thing I have noticed about the equipment here is that once it enters the Matrix that is the IIS it is bound to it forever. It may move from person to person but it will always be there. So my suggestion is to buy a cheap 8" dob to keep you happy while you pile the $$$$$ into the mattress, ready to pounce on the bargains when they come, and come they will.
If I had bought my gear at new prices I would be like a starving artist. In the last 2 years my IIS purchases would have cost an extra $10K if bought new. (I hope my wifey doesn't read this !!!)
