Interesting problem.
Let's be positive and assume they have UFOs that they want to photograph.
Now I may be wrong but I think you can get binnos that have a built in camera and if there are non on the market there should be.
However what we really need is a super auto guide system such that it acquires the target and follows it taking photos and video.
The military probably have something and if they haven't they could be another buyer.
Alex
How bright are these theoretical UFO's? How fast do they expect them to be moving?
They're they key questions, AFAIK. Then you're dealing with their expectations, not yours. When they don't find them, you want to have supplied the scope for the job, that they specified and *could find them if they were, in fact, there.
As Matt suggested, an all sky camera would be a good point to start. If anything, it surely will provide some interesting images of clouds, night sky, meteors etc.
Then if a telescope is desired, I think a manually operated (not motorised) quality alt-az mount with good bionos or a wide field scope.
I think the concern is that if you make a recommendation, the customer may attempt to return the goods? And under Australian Consumer Law, if inn the course of discussion, you indicate that a piece of kit is suitable for a purpose, then if it turns out not to be, then you have to replace, refund etc.
If it was me I would simply be truthful, tell them that the gear you sell is suitable for astronomy and you are happy to advise on that, but for other purposes, he will have to do his own research.
That way, the standard required under the law would revert to "reasonable expectation", and if he didn't find any UFO's, it is his issue.
15,641 registered members in this forum and only a handful have seen something that resembled a UFO. You could always tell them where a good spot is then send up some hot air balloons.
1997 was a good year for these, which were taken on film by me. Also authenticated as genuine by Prof Gail Spring RMIT forensic science dept. They earned me a nice $15,000 and an interview on an Australian doco "OZ encounters" you can see it here- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAGqsA5Q3mA
A wide field detector that can slew a mount fast to a target object with multiple cameras for wide, narrow and filtered (for data collection), and video imaging. I'd want a dedicated spectroscope, photometer and at least one fast big aperture lens for a "closer-up" look. Of course it would need software to exclude known satellites, aeroplanes and other possible man made targets.
If a hunter fails to kill an animal because they found none or couldn't get in a good shot then they have no legal right to a refund.
Neither would UFO hunters.
AND fisherman have no right of refund if their new fish radar fails to locate fish that are not there.
The all sky camera is the best shot. Recommend they should buy at least 1,000 units.
True, but animals are known to exist.
If I sold you a depth sounder for finding schools of fish and it didn't detect any, you'd return it, right? The client's position is that UFO's exist. Let them define the specs for the job, and build the quote around that.The big question is what the client expects these UFOs to look like? That dictates the nature of the equipment required for the job of (most likely not) finding them.
The clause in law is "The product is reasonably fit for any purpose specified by the customer and agreed by the seller, at the time of sale."
(This is from the Vic government consumer website, but the rules are now Australia wide)
So the question would come down to "reasonably fit". One could argue that a retailer who recommended something would be joining in the unreasonableness of the expectation of their customer and so would then be liable for a refund.
In any case, I reckon the retailer is on a hiding to nothing!
I have had this conversation with my friend a couple of times over the years. As long as you were to word it as "IF you're wanting to find UFO's you are going to want a wide field of view so something like a 8x42 binos do this well. Plus they're good for dark skies."
What equipment would you need to hunt UFOs?
