Mystery scopes on eBay

Hi,

Thanks for the useful info I got from you folks earlier, but I'm back for more...

I thought I'd check to see if there were any used scopes on eBay worth getting,
but before I go any further: would you buy a used telescope? Anything particular
to look out for?

Anyway, in the course of looking I noticed quite a few (new) telescopes being
sold by "Taximarket" on ebay: http://tinyurl.com/vli1
At current prices the 4.5" ones are going for about $150, and the 6" ones for
about $200.

The descriptions say: "This 6 inch reflector telescope was made by a major
telescope manufacturer. In fact, this telescope was manufactured in the very
same factory that makes optical products for Bushnell, Tasco, Konus and many
other name brands. This telescope is brand new and has never been removed from
the original factory packaging. "

So basically it's a no-name Chinese thing, I'm assuming. From what I gather,
saying it's made in the same factory as Bushnell isn't much of a selling
point....so should I steer clear of these too?

The other factor is that they are on tripods with equatorial mounts. I have the
impression that a Dob mount would be easier to handle, operate and understand
for a beginner, but that a well set-up EQ is good too, especially with a drive
to track objects automatically. Is it likely that a tripod and mount coming with
one of these no-name scopes will be any good?

Any advice gratefully accepted...

Cheers,

Boggis

--
-Take out Ron to reply-
Votre mère était un hamster et votre père a l'odeur des baies de sureau

"Dr. Boggis" wrote in message
...

From what I gather,
saying it's made in the same factory as Bushnell isn't much of a selling
point....so should I steer clear of these too?

Yes, I would steer clear of these. If you are looking for used astronomy
equipment, check out the classifieds on Astromart (www.astromart.com).

If you're new to the hobby and are looking for simplicity in use, a 6"-8"
Dobsonian is the way to go. Keep in mind that the larger the aperture, the
bulkier and heavier the scope/mount will be to transport.

Good luck!

Jackie

Listen carefully -- watch my lips: JUNK.

Now, I'll say that again, slowly this time: J U N K

Repeat after me: JUNK, JUNK, JUNK

Now, what was your question?

--

----


"Dr. Boggis" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Thanks for the useful info I got from you folks earlier, but I'm back for
more...

I thought I'd check to see if there were any used scopes on eBay worth
getting,
but before I go any further: would you buy a used telescope? Anything
particular
to look out for?

Anyway, in the course of looking I noticed quite a few (new) telescopes
being
sold by "Taximarket" on ebay: http://tinyurl.com/vli1
At current prices the 4.5" ones are going for about $150, and the 6" ones
for
about $200.

The descriptions say: "This 6 inch reflector telescope was made by a major
telescope manufacturer. In fact, this telescope was manufactured in the
very
same factory that makes optical products for Bushnell, Tasco, Konus and
many
other name brands. This telescope is brand new and has never been removed
from
the original factory packaging. "

So basically it's a no-name Chinese thing, I'm assuming. From what I
gather,
saying it's made in the same factory as Bushnell isn't much of a selling
point....so should I steer clear of these too?

The other factor is that they are on tripods with equatorial mounts. I
have the
impression that a Dob mount would be easier to handle, operate and
understand
for a beginner, but that a well set-up EQ is good too, especially with a
drive
to track objects automatically. Is it likely that a tripod and mount
coming with
one of these no-name scopes will be any good?

Any advice gratefully accepted...

Cheers,

Boggis

--
-Take out Ron to reply-
Votre mère était un hamster et votre père a l'odeur des baies de sureau

Any advice gratefully accepted...



Hi:

Advice? Don't buy used telescopes from Ebay. Buy from Astromart.

Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of _Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope_
Like SCTs and MCTs?
Check-out sct-user, the mailing list for CAT fanciers!
Goto http://members.aol.com/RMOLLISE/index.html

"Dr. Boggis" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Thanks for the useful info I got from you folks earlier, but I'm back for
more...

I thought I'd check to see if there were any used scopes on eBay worth
getting,
but before I go any further: would you buy a used telescope? Anything
particular
to look out for?

It seems like you're looking for telescopes in all the wrong places.
Nothing really wrong with buying a used telescope unless you buy it from a
huckster on ebay. While there are many honest sellers on ebay, the few
hucksters make everyone look bad. Why not just stick to astromart until
you're able to tell which of the ebay sellers are not completely honest.

Al



Anyway, in the course of looking I noticed quite a few (new) telescopes
being
sold by "Taximarket" on ebay: http://tinyurl.com/vli1
At current prices the 4.5" ones are going for about $150, and the 6" ones
for
about $200.

The descriptions say: "This 6 inch reflector telescope was made by a major
telescope manufacturer. In fact, this telescope was manufactured in the
very
same factory that makes optical products for Bushnell, Tasco, Konus and
many
other name brands. This telescope is brand new and has never been removed
from
the original factory packaging. "

So basically it's a no-name Chinese thing, I'm assuming. From what I
gather,
saying it's made in the same factory as Bushnell isn't much of a selling
point....so should I steer clear of these too?

The other factor is that they are on tripods with equatorial mounts. I
have the
impression that a Dob mount would be easier to handle, operate and
understand
for a beginner, but that a well set-up EQ is good too, especially with a
drive
to track objects automatically. Is it likely that a tripod and mount
coming with
one of these no-name scopes will be any good?

Any advice gratefully accepted...

Cheers,

Boggis

--
-Take out Ron to reply-
Votre mère était un hamster et votre père a l'odeur des baies de sureau

In article ,
"Al" wrote:

"Dr. Boggis" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Thanks for the useful info I got from you folks earlier, but I'm back for
more...

I thought I'd check to see if there were any used scopes on eBay worth
getting,
but before I go any further: would you buy a used telescope? Anything
particular
to look out for?

It seems like you're looking for telescopes in all the wrong places.
Nothing really wrong with buying a used telescope unless you buy it from a
huckster on ebay. While there are many honest sellers on ebay, the few
hucksters make everyone look bad. Why not just stick to astromart until
you're able to tell which of the ebay sellers are not completely honest.

Aye, well I wasn't really intending to buy a telescope off eBay, just get an
idea of prices etc. But thanks for the advice anyway, I've been checking
Astromart too, but probably will go for the Hardin 6" dob in the end.

--
-Take out Ron to reply-
Votre mère était un hamster et votre père a l'odeur des baies de sureau

Dear Doctor,
I'm a powerseller on ebay (platinum). My advice is, don't buy telescopes on
ebay.
Cheers.
Larry Brown
http://home.fuse.net/astronomy

"Larry Brown" wrote in message
...
Dear Doctor,
I'm a powerseller on ebay (platinum). My advice is, don't buy
telescopes on
ebay.

Any advice for would be buyers in Oz? We don't seem to have many
alternatives.
(New scopes seem to very expensive)

Geoff in Oz

On Thu, 20 Nov 2003 16:32:16 +1030, "The CO" ...reflected:


"Larry Brown" wrote in message
...
Dear Doctor,
I'm a powerseller on ebay (platinum). My advice is, don't buy
telescopes on
ebay.

Any advice for would be buyers in Oz? We don't seem to have many
alternatives.
(New scopes seem to very expensive)

Geoff in Oz

There's scores of decent, affordable telescopes out there,
and without having to resort to eBait.

Alan

On 11/20/03 15:06 +0900, Alan W. Craft wrote:

On Thu, 20 Nov 2003 16:32:16 +1030, "The CO" ...reflected:

Any advice for would be buyers in Oz? We don't seem to have many
alternatives.
(New scopes seem to very expensive)

Geoff in Oz

There's scores of decent, affordable telescopes out there,
and without having to resort to eBait.

Remember that "best scope for $3000" thread a while back? The
NexStar 11 GPS was often mentioned. Here in Tokyo, US$3000
doesn't even buy you a NexStar 8 GPS. I expect it to be much the
same down under, especially when one takes into account the
current valuation of the Aussie dollar.

trane
--
//------------------------------------------------------------
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