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

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

"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

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

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

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?

These appear to be the same Short tube Newtonians that you were asking about
before. So the same advice applies. Spend your money somewhere else.


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


A nice EQ mount with drives that is adequate for the scope in question is a
great thing. These are not them.

If you want to buy a good scope, it will cost some money. The best deal on 6
inch scopes is the Hardin Optical DOB, $250 plus shipping. Otherwise
Astromart. There was a good deal on an XT-10 DOB yesterday in the
Wisconsin-Minnesota area, $375 and it included lots of extras, laser
collimator, padded case....

jon

jon

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

E-Bay is subject to swarms of peddlers trying to sell items, and the current
swarm seems to be telescopes. I have at time gotten good deals on E-Bay, but
it is NOT the place to buy a telescope! Just forget E-Bay for that purpose and
do your looking elsewhere.

Clear, Dark, Steady Skies!
(And considerate neighbors!!!)

You can find some good stuff on Ebay but you've got to know what you're
buying. Some well known vendors sell stuff on Ebay. Some sellers are
amateurs who've chosen not to use Astromart for whatever reason. Maybe they
tried Astromart and the item didn't sell there?

I wouldn't recommend never buying a telescope on Ebay but I would strongly
recommend approaching any large-ticket purchase on Ebay with caution.
Caveat emptor!

Ray

"Wfoley2" wrote in message
...
E-Bay is subject to swarms of peddlers trying to sell items, and the
current
swarm seems to be telescopes. I have at time gotten good deals on E-Bay,
but
it is NOT the place to buy a telescope! Just forget E-Bay for that
purpose and
do your looking elsewhere.

Clear, Dark, Steady Skies!
(And considerate neighbors!!!)