pillguy
member
Reged: 04/25/09
Posts: 22
Loc: Houston, TX
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So Astromart is the place to shop for used gear then?
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Nexstar 6SE
10" Meade Lightbridge
Orion Expanse 15mm EP
Shorty Barlow
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cuzimthedad
Just Be Cuz
Reged: 04/09/06
Posts: 3722
Loc: Sonoma, Northern California
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You also have the CN Shop and Swap and the CN classifieds. Astromart has a larger buying/selling base but you have to pay $12 to join if you are a new member. CN is free. It just depends upon if you want to spend the $12. Most folks usually end up saving that much with a couple of sales or purchases.
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Dan
20" f/5 Obsession
Antares 1529
TV102
Various Naglers, Ethos, UO Orthos and TV Plossls
The Off Fisher Lane Irregulars
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monchito
journeyman
Reged: 06/02/09
Posts: 5
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thanks for some real good info,
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Scott2526
super member
Reged: 04/16/09
Posts: 174
Loc: Cincinnati
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This is sound advice and used it to assist in the purchase of 3 scopes this year (kept 2, resold 1). One place I do not see many comments on for finding nice equipment at good prices is Craigslist.
The benefit to Craigslist is you can search your local area (i.e. check it out in person) and frequently I have found the seller gave the hobby a try but it didn't work for them. Now they are just looking at clearing out some space in thier garage or basement.
I have found 6'' Meade Refractor and 10'' Celestron Newt both on Goto's with Plossl EP sets plus an 8'' Dob and so far my outlay is just under $1,000. I sometimes feel like I should keep the secret to myself, but in reality the more 'eyes on the skies' the better. Happy Hunting....
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LX 200 10'' (Classic)
AR-6
AR-5
8'' Hardin Dob
ETX 90
More EPs than I need
Telrads!
Therma-Cell
A bunch of nicks and knacks
______________________________________________
Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler. - A. Einstein
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bsim
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/04/08
Posts: 1060
Loc: New York City
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I've used eBay, Craigslist, CN Classifieds/Shop & Swap, and AstroMart.
I find them all valuable when I'm looking for things to purchase. Craigslist has the best deals if you're lucky. I found a brand new in the box Intelliscope XT8i for $300 a couple of years ago.
But when I sell stuff, I find AstroMart to be quicker and without transaction costs like eBay. In fact, eBay is my last resort for selling anything.
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369
member
Reged: 01/03/09
Posts: 29
Loc: indiana
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do you think a ho3 atco 80mm 1200mm hino optics. looks in good shape is worth 350.00. thank you comes with the box and all the extras. thank you
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cuzimthedad
Just Be Cuz
Reged: 04/09/06
Posts: 3722
Loc: Sonoma, Northern California
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Maybe you could get a better answer from the scope specific forum. I've never heard of the one you are mentioning.
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Dan
20" f/5 Obsession
Antares 1529
TV102
Various Naglers, Ethos, UO Orthos and TV Plossls
The Off Fisher Lane Irregulars
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groundLoop
journeyman
Reged: 08/30/09
Posts: 6
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Thanks to all the previous posters for the encouragement and advice on buying used equipment. After reading this thread and keeping a close eye on Craigslist for a couple of weeks, I scored a very good condition Meade 390 refractor with two eyepieces, for only $50.
The seller lived the next town over; he purchased the scope a dozen years ago or so to share with his son, now a teenager. The scope has been collecting dust for the last five years, perhaps longer. Now, however, the 390 has seen starlight for four nights in just three weeks. Were it not for clouds and the beginning of kindergarten, the scope would surely have been out even more.
My own son, only five, was entranced by 40x views of the moon. He really enjoyed chasing the moon around the sky with the Alt-Az's slo-mo controls. Just being out after dark was novel and exciting for him; he looks forward to star gazing now, when its not a school night.
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tertullian2009
newbie
Reged: 02/20/09
Posts: 1
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Just picked up an 8" Orion Dobsonian for $100 from Craigslist. Its a little older but still for the price I couldn't pass it up. That was with a 10mm 17mm and 25mm 1.25" eyepieces. 8-)
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Astraforce Paul
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/05/05
Posts: 1879
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groundloop, great story! Great buy and great tale about your son getting involved.
I better start looking at craigslist! My usual venue is Astromart, which I highly recommend as buyers/sellers are rated and if you buy from someone with a dozen or more 5-star ratings, you'll be quite secure in your purchase. Prices are great, too.
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