Anyone help with info please ?

PCH (Paul) · #1 11-03-2007, 06:54 PM

Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie to astronomy and on the forum, so greetings to you all.

I'm probably posting on the wrong forum, but I guess it won't matter too much, as I have a general question about scopes.

I recently bought a pair of AOE 20x90 bins together with a matching heavy duty tripod, rather than jump straight in with a scope, after reading similar advice offered to other newbies on these forums.

Sometime soon I anticipate moving up to a scope, and would love one of the fancy goto scopes (perhaps either Meade ETX125PE, or Celestron Nexstar 6 or 8 SE).

Does anyone know where any of these can be purchased in Perth? I haven't been able to find a dealer, the nearest being eastern states. I don't mind paying postage to get it to me, but if it should need attention, it will be the best part of $300 or $400 round trip to get it sorted out.

So, - my question is this, - just how reliable are these beasties? Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
PCH

iceman (Mike) · #2 11-03-2007, 07:04 PM

Hey PCH!
Welcome to IceInSpace.

I think BTOW is in Perth? Shipping from Eastern states generally isn't that expensive - I think both Bintel and Andrews have cheaper rates with carriers, obviously due to the amount of stuff they send through them.

Give them a call and get a quote.

PCH (Paul) · #3 11-03-2007, 07:35 PM

Hi Mike,

thanks for the words of welcome, and advice.

I checked with both Andrews and Bintel - they're the guys I got the $200 freight cost from. MyAstroShop in Manly will ship the Celestrons for just $25, but that's only for the initial purchase obviously. When it comes to shipping it back for repair, that's when the full cost would override. I suppose I was just wanting to hear some sort of confirmation either way. For example, either "they're always going wrong - don't risk it!", or "don't worry about it, they never go wrong !".

Incidentally, AOE charged $66 freight for the bins/stand, - but the parcel arrived with a $38 stamp on !?!

Cheers,
Paul (PCH)

DobDobDob (Ron) · #4 11-03-2007, 07:40 PM

Hi Paul, welcome to the forum, it rox here, you'll love it

WadeH (Wade) · #5 11-03-2007, 07:55 PM

Hello PCH, its great to have another on the forum from this side!!
In answer to your question, try Keith at BTOW in Malaga. His web address with all contact details is: http://www.btow.com.au/ Also he has a try before you buy policy which is very useful.

PCH (Paul) · #6 11-03-2007, 11:42 PM

Hi All,

many thanks for the kind words of welcome. Have already received an invite from a forum member to go and visit him as he has the very two scopes I mentioned, and he lives right around the corner (with a bit of imagination).

Here's looking forward to years of fun and fascination !

Cheers,
Paul