Help of a different sort, please :D

Esseth (Alan) · #1 02-09-2009, 11:24 AM

Ok, I must once again come and call in aid from IIS (it seems the more i read, see and hear about the more i want), however it is help of a different sort that I require this time….

I need to know any really great arguments to help me convince my other half to let me buy my first scope.

Went crazy with the research and thinking along the lines of an 8’ dob for $450/500ish I have seen them around so that’s not an issue, I just need help in convincing lol.

Help me become one of you

erick (Eric) · #2 02-09-2009, 11:38 AM

1) Happy contented partner most of the time (except after a week of cloud)
2) She gets the bed to herself most of the night - no snoring to wake her
3) You would spend a lot more money gambling and drinking the night away
4) She knows where you are - out in the back yard.
5) Keeps your brain active - she won't have a senile old man to look after in the years ahead
6) Good resale value
7) Can introduce the children (?) to science early in their lives
8) Well, if it is not a telescope, it has to be a jetski/hot car/aeroplane/launch etc.

Easy!

bmitchell82 (Brendan) · #3 02-09-2009, 11:46 AM

... the hobby is cheap ( belive it or not)

20k car. +insurance +fuel +rego +modifications +ect ect ect... 30+k later
5k international travel. lasts a few weeks with a few pictures for later

great experience you get the travel bug... a few more 5k + trips... few more pictures and some memories
500 dollar telescope travel the universe (take photos as well) show your friends your neighbors who ever. meet some good people. sell it for a good price when you want to upgrade.! yeow!

I now do astro photography and all up im under 3k taking some nice photos! if i spent 20k ide have the rolls royce versions of most things! that would resell for about the same...

lacad01 (Adam) · #4 02-09-2009, 12:25 PM

I'm sure that once you fork out that for the scope and they look through it for the first time seeing Jupiter or Saturn or a cluster with they're own eyes and have their first "Oh wow!!" moment, the initial financial outlay will be forgotten or at least agreed to be well worth the investment.
Whenever my wife shakes her head at my latest acquisition, my standard comeback is "Well at least I'm not gambling, snorting or injecting it away"

mental4astro (Alexander) · #5 02-09-2009, 02:49 PM

Hi there, Esseth,

Do you really, REALLY want to be like us? Joining the 'dark side' has its consequences.

An 8" scope can give a life time of faithful service, no pun intended. I suppose the main thing would be an assessment of your lifestyle & finances. The scope, along with a couple of good EPs would set you up for life. Apeture fever should not be discounted, so how disciplined are you?

Do you have a track record of jumping from one thing to another? This can be a real kicker!

If your better half can appreciate what you have achieved with the binos, it may be easier. My wife has known me for 12 years, all along with my astro thing. She still cannot understand my sniffing, injecting, drinking & the big bucks sunk into it.

Good luck, is all else I can offer.

erick (Eric) · #6 02-09-2009, 03:40 PM

I just made one mistake - I once said "This will be my last telescope", but I said it two, going on three telescopes ago.

Don't ever say that!

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #7 02-09-2009, 03:41 PM

There's little advice I can give, having been there, and still being there.

Make a stand, let them know that you are putting aside some money each week to make this purchase. Maybe sell something of your own that you value, the money going towards your scope, that will show the amount of commitment you have towards the hobby.

I've found that if your spouse is actively against you being in this hobby, there is little you can do about it.
There are a couple of us here on the forum that have this problem. Maybe we should start a support group or something.

Benno85 (Ben) · #8 02-09-2009, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

I've found that if your spouse is actively against you being in this hobby, there is little you can do about it.
There are a couple of us here on the forum that have this problem. Maybe we should start a support group or something.

My problem EXACTLY. My wife is so against it for some strange reason, and fair enough, I'm not forcing her to like it, but to simply respect what I like and not to put me down for it. I can't wait for my son to get a bit older, I feel the force is strong with him and at almost 3 he's already showing a healthy curiosity for what's up there.

Support group can be called AA, and I imagine it would operate similar to the Illuminati meetings!!!!

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #9 02-09-2009, 03:59 PM

Ben, I'll start a new thread on that rather than hijack Alan's.

Benno85 (Ben) · #10 02-09-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esseth

Ok, I must once again come and call in aid from IIS (it seems the more i read, see and hear about the more i want), however it is help of a different sort that I require this time….

I need to know any really great arguments to help me convince my other half to let me buy my first scope.

Went crazy with the research and thinking along the lines of an 8’ dob for $450/500ish I have seen them around so that’s not an issue, I just need help in convincing lol.

Help me become one of you

Do you have a seperate bank account? Probably a good idea to set one up, and have some of your wage go into it. Then, when a purchase is made, I usually "under quote" what I paid for it by a few hundred bucks.

Believe me, I know your pain mate!

cohiba (Robert) · #11 02-09-2009, 05:23 PM

Alan
The best way is save a grand spend $500 on the scope and $500 on a new handbag and you will never here a beep

Esseth (Alan) · #12 02-09-2009, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mental4astro

Hi there, Esseth,

Do you really, REALLY want to be like us? Joining the 'dark side' has its consequences.

Do you have a track record of jumping from one thing to another? This can be a real kicker!

Well when i think about it i have always been more in favor of the dark side than the light

But i have not really had a hobby in a long time, and through all the other things that i have been slightly interested i have always had an interest in science and space in the background, i just recently figured out that i could do something about it.

However, these are all great, i am compiling a list and i will perform an epic speech to convince her when she gets home.

Jen · #13 02-09-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esseth

Help me become one of you

Do you really want to do that we are the sleep deprived people that hate lights and clouds

Quote:

Originally Posted by erick

1) Happy contented partner most of the time (except after a week of cloud)
2) She gets the bed to herself most of the night - no snoring to wake her
3) You would spend a lot more money gambling and drinking the night away
4) She knows where you are - out in the back yard.
5) Keeps your brain active - she won't have a senile old man to look after in the years ahead
6) Good resale value
7) Can introduce the children (?) to science early in their lives
8) Well, if it is not a telescope, it has to be a jetski/hot car/aeroplane/launch etc.

Easy!

lol Erick i like your way of thinking
Oh and by the way i will have the hot car too thanks

Esseth take her to a viewing night somewhere that is close to you and next thing you will know she will be telling you to buy the 20inch

Screwdriverone (Chris) · #14 03-09-2009, 12:04 AM

Hi Alan,

I had an easy time when I looked at all the gear my kids had and all the "stuff" we had bought together like a dining room table setting which cost about $2K all up and is something WE NEVER USE.

Considering all the money tied up in everyday items and toys and games etc, I ended up saying to myself, jeez, if I can't spend $1500 on MYSELF to buy a 12" scope, then there is something SERIOUSLY wrong here.

The wife couldn't really argue with me on that one...

She still says "oh man, not ANOTHER astro accessory, when is it going to end?" when I decide to buy a new eyepiece or something though...

Still, worked for me, maybe try this. Not sure if you have kids though.

Cheers

Chris

astro_nutt · #15 03-09-2009, 01:07 AM

Hi Alan.
I should be so fortunate that I have a wife who does understand why I take off to pursue Jupiter rising or visit my dark sky site for a few hours..spend hours/days/weeks in my workshop trying to improve the optics etc...but I always remind her that SHE COMES FIRST cause sometimes you do have to sacrifice that clear night once in a while for the sake of peace..(and have a good cry after..LOL!!!)
But in your favor you will be part of one of mankinds oldest sciences, a noble and respected profession/hobby in the study of the heavens..by gaining understanding you will be recognized as a learnered collegue and partake in opening the minds of others, to show them the wonders of the Universe...(I know it's a bit waffled but I am exercising my poetic licence at this point in time)
Good luck Alan!

erick (Eric) · #16 03-09-2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen

Esseth take her to a viewing night somewhere that is close to you and next thing you will know she will be telling you to buy the 20inch

You wish! I did that and she got insect bites on her ankles that took a month to go away. Never been out since, nor looked through a scope. Not good

hulloleeds · #17 03-09-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mental4astro

Hi there, Esseth,

Apeture fever should not be discounted, so how disciplined are you?

Esseth, I lasted little over a month. 8" collapsible dob which was every bit convient and a great product. But, the taxeth man cometh and he say "here is some unexpected flashcash" and the fever struck.

I personally think an 8 isn't a great size for anybody with any potential for the fever. It is at the price point where you get it and think, oh, if only I'd have saved a couple hundred more I'd have a 10, same as a couple hundred more for a 12 (solid tube I'm talking). The difference between a 12 and 16 is enough that you wallet will calm your fever down. The difference between an 8 and 12 (space willing) is not especially expensive.

I had the opportunity to buy a 10" with an argo navis a couple of days ago or a new gso 12 and at the end of the day, despite the fact an AN would get me to places i probably couldn't normally, I realised "that little voice in the head" would torment if I did not appease the fever. So I went with the little voice. The little voice will never complain about hardships of locating an item, as that is a terribly manly thing to do, find items without a machine.

If you are stuck for cash like I was, it's easy to buy the 8 and be fine. But beware the unexpected flashcash, though, the fever will strike and you'll be selling that thing before you know it. It took me two weeks of ebay auctions to sell mine and I was selling it at a good price. I don't want to have to resell a big dob again, that wasn't fun.

hulloleeds · #18 03-09-2009, 07:19 PM

(I should point out that I don't want to sell a big dob again, but I will be next month when I buy my 16

)

Jen · #19 03-09-2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erick

You wish! I did that and she got insect bites on her ankles that took a month to go away. Never been out since, nor looked through a scope. Not good

Esseth (Alan) · #20 03-09-2009, 10:41 PM

Well guys and girls it worked! Ill be joining the dark side in about a month.

It was a great speech, so now ill just wait untill the BAS public viewing night to make sure i am thinking about the right scope for me before i buy lol.

I might get the fever, but that wont matter because i won't be allowed to upgrade until a birthday or xmas lol and 8' for a first scope is pretty decent.

Thanks heaps guys! IIS you now have me for life lol