Telescope Reviews: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO!

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bilgebay
Post Laureate

Reged: 11/06/08

Loc: Türkiye - Istanbul and Marmari...

Re: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO! new

[Re: Starhawk]
#5195590 - 04/28/12 09:19 PM

I completely agree with you Rich. It is my next mount purchase for sure. Only the DEC part is beefier than the 1200. So, it is equally portable. It is more portable than CGEM DX or CGE Pro with the tripod I can claim.

Post Extras:

WadeH237
scholastic sledgehammer

Reged: 02/24/07

Loc: Snohomish, WA

Re: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO! new

[Re: bilgebay]
#5195627 - 04/28/12 10:00 PM

I mentioned earlier on this thread that when I got notice that the 1200 was discontinued, I ordered the 900. I also said that I expected the AP1600 to be lots more expensive than the 1200.

Boy was I wrong. I called AP on Friday morning and they hadn't shipped my 900 yet, and said that it would be a few more days. I asked them if I could switch the 900 for my place back in the 1600 line and they said it would be no problem.

So it's going to be the 1600 for me. It's more mount than I will ever need. But the value proposition was just too much to pass up.

Post Extras:

krzauber
member

Reged: 12/02/11

Loc: Shoreham, NY

Re: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO! new

[Re: WadeH237]
#5195671 - 04/28/12 10:24 PM

When the 900 receives the 1200>1600 improvements I will buy one ... I'm guessing it is in the works ...

Post Extras:

Dave M
Postmaster

Reged: 08/03/04

Loc: N.E.Ohio

Re: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO! new

[Re: Starhawk]
#5195740 - 04/28/12 11:12 PM

Quote:

I spent some time with the AP1600 today. Wow is it cool:

-Goes straight on any AP1200 pier. NO mods required.

-Tracks 6hrs past meridian.

-A software variant exists for alt-az operation, mounting arms are made to accept either 0-78 degrees or 90 (alt-az) operation.

-one or both axes can have encoders. Encoder price isn't known, yet. Encoders can be retrofitted. Mount without encoders is $10,900. Encoder price will be known in next couple weeks (in negotiation with supplier).

-Motors are common with AP3600.

-polar scope specifically designed for this mount. Versions for other AP mounts will be coming.

All in all, it's a lot of mount for the money.

-Rich

Glad to hear they will also offer a precision polar scope for other AP mounts, those passill-4 polar scopes are not what i would call precise.

Post Extras:

DeanS
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/12/05

Loc: Central Kentucky

Re: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO! new

[Re: Dave M]
#5360229 - 08/09/12 04:18 PM

Got my notification a few minutes ago for the 1600 mount. Mount price $11,700 however no price yet on the encoder options. That would be my only reason to upgrade the 1200.

Price for the RA and Dec encoder option about $7k.

Edited by DeanS (08/09/12 05:54 PM)

Post Extras:

Mirzam
Post Laureate

Reged: 04/01/08

Loc: Lovettsville, VA

Re: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO! new

[Re: DeanS]
#5360365 - 08/09/12 05:40 PM

If you go to the AP website the encoder prices are there.

JimC

Post Extras:

DeanS
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/12/05

Loc: Central Kentucky

Re: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO! new

[Re: Mirzam]
#5360386 - 08/09/12 05:52 PM

Yep, I see that now. That really puts this up there, really have to think about it then as my 1200 does fine with my medium F/L scopes.

Post Extras:

Mirzam
Post Laureate

Reged: 04/01/08

Loc: Lovettsville, VA

Re: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO! new

[Re: DeanS]
#5360446 - 08/09/12 06:23 PM

Yep.

I'm just going to get the basic mount for now. Glad they made it user upgradable though.

JimC

Post Extras:

jmiele
Patron Saint?

Reged: 12/04/10

Re: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO! new

[Re: Mirzam]
#5360679 - 08/09/12 08:59 PM

My order is paid. I went for the whole enchilada. Almost 19K... Crazy

Joe

Post Extras:

jmiele
Patron Saint?

Reged: 12/04/10

Re: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO! new

[Re: jmiele]
#5360680 - 08/09/12 09:00 PM

BTW it's cheaper to have them put the encoders on than to do it yourself... Joe

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blueman
Vendor Blue Sky Accessories

Reged: 07/20/07

Loc: California

Re: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO! new

[Re: jmiele]
#5360712 - 08/09/12 09:22 PM

Must be nice to be able to write that check.

Blueman

Quote:

My order is paid. I went for the whole enchilada. Almost 19K... Crazy

Joe

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DeanS
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 07/12/05

Loc: Central Kentucky

Re: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO! new

[Re: blueman]
#5360721 - 08/09/12 09:27 PM

I wonder what this will do to the used AP1200 market? Will they hold their value since the new 1600 is over $1k more?

I am torn on what to do as my 1200 works very well for what I am doing now. But the encoders sound sooooo sweet

Dean

Post Extras:

Peter in Reno
Post Laureate

Reged: 07/15/08

Loc: Reno, NV

Re: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO! new

[Re: jmiele]
#5360812 - 08/09/12 10:33 PM

Quote:

My order is paid. I went for the whole enchilada. Almost 19K... Crazy

Joe

Are you trying to win this contest:

"He who dies with the most telescope toys wins."

Peter

Post Extras:

blueman
Vendor Blue Sky Accessories

Reged: 07/20/07

Loc: California

Re: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO! new

[Re: DeanS]
#5360830 - 08/09/12 10:44 PM

Dean, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Blueman

Quote:

I wonder what this will do to the used AP1200 market? Will they hold their value since the new 1600 is over $1k more?

I am torn on what to do as my 1200 works very well for what I am doing now. But the encoders sound sooooo sweet

Dean

Post Extras:

Marke
member

Reged: 11/28/09

Re: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO! new

[Re: blueman]
#5360917 - 08/09/12 11:59 PM

The main advantage of encoders is for remote operation , if
your not using the mount from a remote site then they are a bit overkill imho.

Mark

Post Extras:

Starhawk
Post Laureate

Reged: 09/16/08

Loc: Tucson, Arizona

Re: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO! new

[Re: blueman]
#5360919 - 08/10/12 12:04 AM

I expect the pricing means the 1200s will hold their value just fine.

I just don't have any OTAs that size in my immediate future. Just not going to happen. I'd dearly love to have a true dark-site observatory. That would be a place for an AP1600.

-Rich

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jmiele
Patron Saint?

Reged: 12/04/10

Re: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO! new

[Re: blueman]
#5361544 - 08/10/12 11:27 AM

Everything has it's price, you don't have to listen to my wife.

Joe

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jmiele
Patron Saint?

Reged: 12/04/10

Re: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO! new

[Re: Peter in Reno]
#5361557 - 08/10/12 11:35 AM

Quote:

Quote:

My order is paid. I went for the whole enchilada. Almost 19K... Crazy

Joe

Are you trying to win this contest:

"He who dies with the most telescope toys wins."

Peter

Peter,
Na, I just respect the mountings as much as the optics. Nobody thinks it crazy that some have many scopes, but find it funny to have many mounts.

Dean,
IMO the value of the 1600 is ONLY there if you either need the capacity, or are getting both axis encoders. Given that fact, I think some smart shoppers will examine their needs and pass on the 1600. They will in turn be looking for 1200's. I say, the 1200 holds it's value.....however the market will shrink a bit. So, you can get your price but may have to wait a few weeks to do so. IMO that is.. However, IF you want to sell the 1200, do it before the replacement 900 is announced. It will most likely close the capacity gap a bit and could have the ability to add-on high res before or after....

Best, Joe

Post Extras:

Alph
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 11/23/06

Loc: Melmac

Re: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO! new

[Re: jmiele]
#5361560 - 08/10/12 11:37 AM

Quote:

My order is paid. I went for the whole enchilada. Almost 19K... Crazy

Joe

That will be an expensive paperweight unless you sell your PMX. I am always looking for bargains :-) A mount should not collect dust.

Post Extras:

jmiele
Patron Saint?

Reged: 12/04/10

Re: AP 1200 No longer Available-1600GTO! new

[Re: Alph]
#5361567 - 08/10/12 11:41 AM

My bother get's to "store" much of my secondary gear. He uses it and never pays me for it. I can use it remotely. He lives in the mountains. I did just sell my em-400 so you missed that one.

Unless we're related, you could be in trouble.

Base on your avatar, I do have you nose.

Best, Joe

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