Telescope Reviews: Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real?

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Equipment Discussions >> Refractors

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WarrenS
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/04/08

Loc: Orange County New York

Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real?
#4912685 - 11/12/11 07:48 PM

I'm not in the market for anything costing more than a few hundred bucks right now but I still peruse the refractor section of Amart every now and then. Much to my astonishment there's a listing for a 7" AP refractor for $35,000! $35,000 buys a BMW, maybe a nice condo in todays real estate market, maybe a 24" RC complete with observatory and a top of the line CCD camera! Am I missing something or this ludicrous? I realize it's an Astro Physics, but it's still a 7" telescope. Oh, and the buyer pays shipping. Roland must be laughing his @#$ off right now. Gonna watch this one to see if it ever sells and if so to who.

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pstarr
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 09/17/04

Loc: NE Ohio

Re: Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real? new

[Re: WarrenS]
#4912715 - 11/12/11 08:04 PM

It's only worth 35 grand to someone who is willing to pay it. Even if it had the most accurate lens ever made, it's still only 7" and limited by that to what it can show.

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JIMZ7
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 10/22/05

Loc: S.E.Michigan near DTW

Re: Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real? new

[Re: WarrenS]
#4912732 - 11/12/11 08:13 PM

I saw that ad also,but I can't find it now. I did see a Astro Physics 8" for $18,000. For that much money you can get a large dob. for sure with money left over for a good

used vehicle.

-------------------
Jim

Bosma 4" f/9.8 refractor-SkyWatcher EQ-2
U.O.24mm Konig-1, GSO 15mm Superview
Minolta 10x50mm SWA, Jason 7x35mm UWA

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Paul G
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/08/03

Loc: Freedonia

Re: Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real? new

[Re: WarrenS]
#4912856 - 11/12/11 09:43 PM

There were only a dozen made, and at least two have sold at that price. It will appreciate in value when Roland retires, that BMW will eventually be worth nothing. There's a Traveler + 400 GTO package for $10,000 listed, too. It is what it is.

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mikey cee
Postmaster

Reged: 01/18/07

Loc: bellevue ne.

Re: Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real? new

[Re: JIMZ7]
#4912866 - 11/12/11 09:54 PM

Quote:

I saw that ad also,but I can't find it now. I did see a Astro Physics 8" for $18,000. For that much money you can get a large dob. for sure with money left over for a good used vehicle.

-------------------
Jim

Bosma 4" f/9.8 refractor-SkyWatcher EQ-2
U.O.24mm Konig-1, GSO 15mm Superview
Minolta 10x50mm SWA, Jason 7x35mm UWA

Well one thing is for certain you'll see much better than a large glob through a large Dob!

Mike

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Illinois
Pooh-Bah

Reged: 12/18/06

Loc: near Chicago, Illinois USA

Re: Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real? new

[Re: mikey cee]
#4912880 - 11/12/11 10:08 PM

35,000 dollars for 7" refractor .... no thanks! I see some a lot more than 35,000 dollars if you check out large refractors in Scope City website! S & T magazine Jan. 2004 Astronomics sell TMB 10" f9 refractor for $39,000! But also selling 12", 14" and 20" but prices on request! I wondered is how much the cost is TMB 20"? Thats half size of the world largest refractor!

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skyward_eyes

Reged: 12/12/06

Loc: California

Re: Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real? new

[Re: WarrenS]
#4912885 - 11/12/11 10:11 PM

The AP180 f/7 EDF is one of the rarest telescopes to come out of Astro-Physics. With only about a dozen ever made it is truly one of the most coveted scopes for AP collectors. Now is it work $35,000? I think its a bit high actually, especially in this economy. One could buy a gorgeous TEC 180 f/7 on an AP900 or AP1200 and still have a bit left over if they truly wanted a 7" f/7 Apo.

In the end its still a 7" telescope no matter which way you cut it. A VERY pricy one at that.

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t.r.
Post Laureate

Reged: 02/14/08

Loc: Upstate NY

Re: Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real? new

[Re: skyward_eyes]
#4912895 - 11/12/11 10:21 PM

The TEC 180 for $19K is where I'd put my money.

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WarrenS
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 03/04/08

Loc: Orange County New York

Re: Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real? new

[Re: skyward_eyes]
#4913003 - 11/12/11 11:47 PM

Quote:

The AP180 f/7 EDF is one of the rarest telescopes to come out of Astro-Physics. With only about a dozen ever made it is truly one of the most coveted scopes for AP collectors. Now is it work $35,000? I think its a bit high actually, especially in this economy. One could buy a gorgeous TEC 180 f/7 on an AP900 or AP1200 and still have a bit left over if they truly wanted a 7" f/7 Apo.

In the end its still a 7" telescope no matter which way you cut it. A VERY pricy one at that.

I get the collector aspect, I had a small collection of Leica cameras at one time. The shame of it was anything "collectible" had to stay safely at home or risk damage which would take a bite out of resale value. It'd be a shame not to get full use out of a great scope having paid a huge sum in order to maintain it's value and collectibility.

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cloud_cover
sage

Reged: 08/17/10

Loc: Restaurant at the End of the U...

Re: Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real? new

[Re: WarrenS]
#4913026 - 11/13/11 12:28 AM

You saw correctly; here it is:
http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=753413

Well, you know, it includes the hardcase, feathertouch focuser and a 2" to 1.25" adaptor! Shipping and insurance extra.
I dunno though, if I had $35,000 to blow, would I get a 8-9" refractor or should I get a Webster C28? Always the choice between obstructed vs. unobstructed with glass quality going to the smaller refractor (by virtue of the relative ease of shaping smaller pieces of glass and of course, Roland's outstanding reputation)but sheer light gathering ability going to the large dob. Mounting will probably be almost the same when you compare the full weight of the refractor + mount vs. large dob, with plus point being the dob can be wheeled....

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jrbarnett
Eyepiece Hooligan

Reged: 02/28/06

Loc: Petaluma, CA

Re: Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real? new

[Re: Illinois]
#4913068 - 11/13/11 01:44 AM

The 12" f/12 APM/LZOS triplet is 295,000 Euros (about $400k).

Kinda makes 7" for $35k look like a bargain.

My dream set-up is a solar powered, off-the-grid observatory in southern Utah (Everett Ruess country), with a mighty big refractor. That 12" f/12 LZOS would be just the thing. If it wasn't so danged expensive, that is.

- Jim

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Lew Chilton
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/20/05

Loc: SoCal

Re: Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real? new

[Re: jrbarnett]
#4913088 - 11/13/11 02:12 AM

Did AP ever make a 9-incher?

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Bryguy
super member

Reged: 12/12/06

Loc: Frederick, MD

Re: Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real? new

[Re: Lew Chilton]
#4913114 - 11/13/11 02:42 AM

Quote:

Did AP ever make a 9-incher?

One, they are posting about it in the classic telescope forum. It is the Pearl.

I believe there are two, maybe three 10 inchers. I think one of the 10 inch refractors is folded.

B.

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Ira
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 08/22/10

Loc: Mitzpe Ramon, Israel

Re: Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real? new

[Re: Bryguy]
#4913130 - 11/13/11 03:21 AM

There are people for whom that kind of money is just rounding error on a day's expenses. But I am not one of them.

/Ira

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Maverick199
Postmaster

Reged: 02/27/11

Loc: India

Re: Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real? new

[Re: Ira]
#4913235 - 11/13/11 07:17 AM

I think this has more to do with collectors, like rare item or antique collectors. I know of people who spend a fortune to buy a vintage car or paintings so why not a scope.

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LLEEGE
True Blue

Reged: 03/03/05

Loc: Cloud-chester,NY

Re: Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real? new

[Re: t.r.]
#4913295 - 11/13/11 08:24 AM

Quote:

The TEC 180 for $19K is where I'd put my money.

Me too.

However, if I were in a position to buy the AP, I would.

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skyward_eyes

Reged: 12/12/06

Loc: California

Re: Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real? new

[Re: Lew Chilton]
#4913339 - 11/13/11 09:01 AM

Quote:

Did AP ever make a 9-incher?

There is actually two 9" AP scopes but there is only one that is an f/12 or what ever the Pearl is in the classic forum. The other is a folded 9" that was custom made. It sold on Astromart a couple years ago.

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vahe
professor emeritus

Reged: 08/27/05

Loc: Houston, Texas

Re: Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real? new

[Re: jrbarnett]
#4913404 - 11/13/11 09:49 AM

Quote:

My dream set-up is a solar powered, off-the-grid observatory in southern Utah (Everett Ruess country), with a mighty big refractor. That 12" f/12 LZOS would be just the thing.

12" air spaced triplets are only useable in tropical climates where cooling is a non issue, in Utah forget it, ask Markus about the problems.

Vahe

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Paul G
Post Laureate

Reged: 05/08/03

Loc: Freedonia

Re: Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real? new

[Re: skyward_eyes]
#4913527 - 11/13/11 10:48 AM

IIRC, didn't Anacortes or Herb sell a new AP 180 f7 fairly recently, a new objective with the newest coatings and tube/paint? Wonder if this is the same scope?

Markus Ludes observed through one during a WSP and called it a magic scope. Maybe he can step in here and describe his observing experience.

I was offered a spot on the production run for this scope when I was ordering my 155 f7 EDFS. Marty at Company 7 told me it would be only 48" long, a "sweet scope," and at $8200 not hugely more expensive than the 155. Not really knowing how AP works I declined because it wouldn't fit as well on my G11 as the 155, and I could upgrade later to the 180.

Lesson learned. I had an opportunity several years later for a private purchase but the going price was already $35K so I had to pass.

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David Pavlich
Transmographied

Reged: 05/18/05

Loc: Mandeville, LA USA

Re: Is this $35,000 7"refractor deal for real? new

[Re: LLEEGE]
#4913703 - 11/13/11 12:15 PM

Quote:

Quote:

The TEC 180 for $19K is where I'd put my money.

Me too. However, if I were in a position to buy the AP, I would.

+1! Can you imagine the imaging potential? Some of the stuff Tony Hallas did with his 8" AP is phenomenal.

David

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