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Is this the usual eBay cheap and nasty stuff?



 
 
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  #1  
Old December 19th 04, 12:34 AM
Pete Badham
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Default Is this the usual eBay cheap and nasty stuff?

Hi all,

After my usual cruise on ebay, I came across a range of telescopes made and
supplied by a German company called Optrons. Does anyone out there know who
they are or what these scopes are like for people just starting out?

Thanks

Bads


  #2  
Old December 19th 04, 09:55 AM
A.Lee
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On Sun, 19 Dec 2004 00:34:29 +0000, Pete Badham wrote:

After my usual cruise on ebay, I came across a range of telescopes made and
supplied by a German company called Optrons. Does anyone out there know who
they are or what these scopes are like for people just starting out?


I was looking for a cheap scope recently,and there was nothing available
from ebay that was any good.
In the end I got a refractor scope from Sherwoods for £120 inc. post,
which I'm very pleased with(Skywatcher Capricorn):
http://www.sherwoods-photo.com/sky_w...atcher_fs.html

They will try to sell you a Newtonian as better value, but TBH, if you are
a beginner(like me), then you will not want to spend time setting up the
mirrors, you will just want to take the scope outside and look through it.
Alan.

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  #3  
Old December 19th 04, 01:45 PM
Pete Badham
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"A.Lee" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 19 Dec 2004 00:34:29 +0000, Pete Badham wrote:

After my usual cruise on ebay, I came across a range of telescopes made
and
supplied by a German company called Optrons. Does anyone out there know
who
they are or what these scopes are like for people just starting out?


I was looking for a cheap scope recently,and there was nothing available
from ebay that was any good.
In the end I got a refractor scope from Sherwoods for £120 inc. post,
which I'm very pleased with(Skywatcher Capricorn):
http://www.sherwoods-photo.com/sky_w...atcher_fs.html

They will try to sell you a Newtonian as better value, but TBH, if you are
a beginner(like me), then you will not want to spend time setting up the
mirrors, you will just want to take the scope outside and look through it.
Alan.

--
To reply by e-mail, change the ' + ' to 'plus'.
http://www.dvatc.co.uk - Off-road cycling in the North Midlands.


Hi Alan,
Thanks for the info. I already have a Celestron Firstscope 114 which I
purchased about 6 months ago, so i know what you mean about setting up the
mirros etc. Perhaps I should have been more specific about my needs. I am
looking to go up a size, if that's the right terminology. I haven't really
considered refractors before, I put this down to a bad experience with a
cheap and nasty department store cheapo some years ago.
How have you found yours copes with light pollution and deep sky veiwing?

Cheers

Bads


  #4  
Old December 19th 04, 04:06 PM
A.Lee
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On Sun, 19 Dec 2004 13:45:42 +0000, Pete Badham wrote:


"A.Lee" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 19 Dec 2004 00:34:29 +0000, Pete Badham wrote:

After my usual cruise on ebay, I came across a range of telescopes made
and
supplied by a German company called Optrons. Does anyone out there know
who
they are or what these scopes are like for people just starting out?


I was looking for a cheap scope recently,and there was nothing available
from ebay that was any good.
In the end I got a refractor scope from Sherwoods for £120 inc. post,
which I'm very pleased with(Skywatcher Capricorn):


Thanks for the info. I already have a Celestron Firstscope 114 which I
purchased about 6 months ago, so i know what you mean about setting up the
mirros etc. Perhaps I should have been more specific about my needs. I am
looking to go up a size, if that's the right terminology. I haven't really
considered refractors before, I put this down to a bad experience with a
cheap and nasty department store cheapo some years ago.
How have you found yours copes with light pollution and deep sky veiwing?


Your scope will be better than the average 'starter' scope.It is certainly
better than the refractor I have.I've only had mine a week, and less than
an hours use, but I'm happy with it, though I dont think it will be much
use for deep sky at all - it is only 700mm f11?. I think you'll have to
pay £300+ to get better than you have now, and probaby £500+ for a
decent upgrade.
Alan.

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  #5  
Old December 19th 04, 09:21 PM
David Sewell
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"Pete Badham" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

After my usual cruise on ebay, I came across a range of telescopes made

and
supplied by a German company called Optrons. Does anyone out there know

who
they are or what these scopes are like for people just starting out?

Thanks

Bads


Surely common sense should dictate that an unknown brand name is best
avoided?! - and further investigation usually proves this to be true.

David


  #6  
Old December 19th 04, 09:51 PM
Chris
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Pete,

I saw there scopes on Ebay a few months ago, I sent them an email asking for
some background on the company and where I could find reviews of the scopes
and got nothing back.
I also posted a question here, one kind chap said that he had purchased a
telescopic site from them which seemed ok but he couldn't vouch for the
telescopes.
I have not managed to find anything by doing internet searches apart from
loads of auctions sites selling the scopes!

It sounds like a good deal but until I can get good evidence i'm not going
to touch :-)

If you do find anything i'd be interested to see it.

Cheers,

Chris.


"Pete Badham" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

After my usual cruise on ebay, I came across a range of telescopes made

and
supplied by a German company called Optrons. Does anyone out there know

who
they are or what these scopes are like for people just starting out?

Thanks

Bads




  #7  
Old December 20th 04, 01:06 AM
Pete Badham
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Posts: n/a
Default


"Pete Badham" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

After my usual cruise on ebay, I came across a range of telescopes made
and supplied by a German company called Optrons. Does anyone out there
know who they are or what these scopes are like for people just starting
out?

Thanks

Bads


Thanks for the feedback everyone.

I think I will just keep an eye open for a branded telescope at the right
price rather than risk my pennies. My firstcope is fine for what I have been
doing with it so far, but a larger scope is a must now I think.

Apparently, my wife thinks I pick expensive hobbies, Amateur radio bieng one
of them. I keep trying to tell her that they pick me, but she won't buy it!

Cheers and Happy Christmas

Bads


  #8  
Old December 20th 04, 08:23 PM
Sayf Connary
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Default

Pete Badham wrote:


Thanks for the feedback everyone.

I think I will just keep an eye open for a branded telescope at the right
price rather than risk my pennies. My firstcope is fine for what I have been
doing with it so far, but a larger scope is a must now I think.

Apparently, my wife thinks I pick expensive hobbies, Amateur radio bieng one
of them. I keep trying to tell her that they pick me, but she won't buy it!

Cheers and Happy Christmas

Bads



Why don't you combine the two and try amateur radio astronomy! :-)

--
-Sayf
  #9  
Old December 23rd 04, 05:39 AM
gp.skinner
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Apparently, my wife thinks I pick expensive hobbies, Amateur radio bieng
one
of them. I keep trying to tell her that they pick me, but she won't buy

it!
Why don't you combine the two and try amateur radio astronomy! :-)


I agree, I think Skypipe software is a free download.

Graeme



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