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RichD
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 564
Loc: Derbyshire, UK
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I have recently been following some auctions on a well known auction website and was surprised (pleasantly surprised in one case) by the relatively low prices that a Fuji 16x70 FMT and a 7x50 FMT sold for.
In the case of the 7x50, which was in near mint condition, it sold for just 200 UKP and another near mint 16x70 went for just 255 UKP! I appreciate that this is near the going rate for you guys in the States, but over here that is ridiculously cheap for these binos.
This is much less than I expected based on previous experience. I was also following the sale of a fuji meibo 10x70 in very good condition that went after a late flurry of bids for 430 UKP!
So why the huge difference? All auctions had plenty of people viewing the page so it's not lack of awareness. I would never expect to have to pay some 175 quid more to get a 70mm meibo over an FMT.
As an aside, despite not needing it I saw the low price that the 7x50 was going to sell for and sneaked it at the last moment with the 200 pound bid. It arrived yesterday and so far i'm very, very pleased with it. I'm not sure if my skies are quite dark enough to make the most of the 7mm exit pupil, but during the day it's a lovely bino to use.
I'll post a first light report this weekend hopefully and maybe do a comparitive review with the 10x50 FMT i have for those interested in the differences between these two under reasonably dark skies.
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Clear skies
Rich
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14732
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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I wouldn't say US prices are dropping. I would say they are holding steady or perhaps in the current state of the economy, as buyers dry up, prices are lowered a bit. I'd expect that to be temporary.
US used sales of the FMT-SX 16x70 have usually ranged between $400-$500 +/- delivery. FMT-SX 10x70 can be found occasionally slightly lower. Sometimes we see these offered for $600, a price at which they do not usually sell.
Sounds to me like someone was bidding on the Meibo who had no idea it's true value. That happens in auctions. To the buyer, it's worth what they paid for it, and ingnorance begets bliss.
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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RichD
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 564
Loc: Derbyshire, UK
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That's what I thought Ed. I bought my 16x70's from America for $450 and saw recently that they still go for around that. Here in the UK, these are £620 new with used prices maybe 3/4 of that normally.
The Meibo really surprised me though, perhaps a collector? It was a nice example.
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Clear skies
Rich
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ronharper
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/14/06
Posts: 1276
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Rich,
I watch the regular sales market here and on another popular astro site, and prices have been steady for years. $300 for a 7x50, $450 for a 16x70 or 10x50 most of the time.
Great if they're getting cheaper over there. I can't figure out why you English guys get your throats cut on binocular prices. Couldn't you have a tea party or something?
Congrats, and looking forward to your review.
Ron
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RichD
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 564
Loc: Derbyshire, UK
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I can't figure it out either, I think a tea party is a great idea - that or a revolution!
I've been reading past posts by yourself about the 7x50 and i'm interested to see if my experiences will be similar Ron.
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Clear skies
Rich
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 12907
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Good catch , Rich !
Congratulations !
Kenny
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RichD
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 564
Loc: Derbyshire, UK
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Thanks Kenny - hope everythings ok up in Lancashire
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Clear skies
Rich
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Mateyhv
member
Reged: 10/10/09
Posts: 57
Loc: 43°N
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255UKP for the 16x70 because it was not an international bid, in wich case it should have been sold a bit higher.
By the way, aren't the Meibo a chinese manufacture? I thought Fujinon has only japanese produced stuff.
Matey
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