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Astro-Physics the Best Brand?

Started by Bill McNeal , Sep 06 2013 06:00 PM

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427 replies to this topic

#151 Adam S

Gemini

Posts: 3,019
Joined: 21 Dec 2005

Posted 25 September 2013 - 07:34 PM

There is no deposit required until your name is called. From the date I was emailed a note that my name had come up I put half down on a cc and received my 130 in less than three months.

Optically I cannot say that AP is the best, at this level only a computer can likely detect Tak,AP and TEC differences regardless of what you'll read in forums. When considering build, AP is number one hands down. Considering customer service TEC and AP tie for first, this applies to both new and used scopes. Yuri and Roland back the scopes for a lifetime regardless of owner where applicable.

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#152 Ian Robinson

Voyager 1

Posts: 10,698
Joined: 29 Jan 2009

Posted 25 September 2013 - 07:34 PM

This may sound heretical, but really why would one wait years to a 5" refractor to use as a glorified telephoto , and pay an arm and leg for it ?

Better off getting 14" or 16" superfast newtonian + a great mount IMO.

You can go deeper faster, and have a wider fov and probably at a fraction of the cost of an AP.

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#153 PeterR280

Apollo

Posts: 1,302
Joined: 27 May 2013

Posted 25 September 2013 - 07:35 PM

There is no payment up front. Only when the notifications happen that they are getting ready to ship, usually within a few months.

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#154 hfjacinto

I think he's got it!

Posts: 18,964
Joined: 12 Jan 2009

Posted 25 September 2013 - 07:43 PM

So to me an Astro Physics isn't the best brand as one can't purchase a new one. I won't wait 10 years for one. Like I said I made my choices this year instead of spending $6000 on a telescope I got a new camera and a few good lens. If you want to buy used that's fine. That's your prerogative, but if I really wanted a new top of the line refractor at least a Tak is available.

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#155 Joe Aguiar

Vanguard

Posts: 2,145
Joined: 10 Feb 2007

Posted 25 September 2013 - 07:49 PM

that's what I thought about the deposit, so I wouldn't say its a investment then.
well iam getting to the point that I wanna purchace a high end scope and it can only be tak, then again I will try for a used model tho

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#156 Rinaldo

Apollo

Posts: 1,434
Joined: 28 Jun 2004

Posted 25 September 2013 - 08:10 PM

I'm on it for almost 5 years and was told by Roland that I won't get one so why lust for something you can't buy.

So Roland is calling it quits in less than five years? This is the first time I have ever heard that he is planning on this.

Maybe it's because he's going to make a 140 f/5 or some other optical configuration and offer them to the 130mm waiting list!

OK maybe not...

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#157 Derek Wong

Apollo

Posts: 1,282
Joined: 27 Apr 2008

Posted 26 September 2013 - 03:35 AM

Better off getting 14" or 16" superfast newtonian + a great mount IMO.

You can go deeper faster, and have a wider fov and probably at a fraction of the cost of an AP.

I agree with better deep space and planets, but how is a 14" Newt going to have a wider field of view? Also, premium Newts are expensive. A Parallax 14.5" is close to $8000 and the mount will be expensive. A decked out Teeter 15" with Servo Cat can be over $9000.

Derek

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#158 wormstar

Apollo

Posts: 1,190
Joined: 23 Nov 2009

Posted 26 September 2013 - 05:19 AM

I have owned only one AP scope,a practically new 130gt. I have owned several Taks, including 2 Toa 130s. Visually I don't have the eye or skies to tell which is better ( i think few do

) mechanically I would say the AP wins hands down - who else takes a thick wall piece of Aluminum and machines a tube and baffles! The gt tube especially being that it splits for transport is a work of art.

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#159 wormstar

Apollo

Posts: 1,190
Joined: 23 Nov 2009

Posted 26 September 2013 - 05:23 AM

I am also one of those guys( there are lots of us in the hobbY) that is willing to pay a premium for something that is mint or better- still new in the box. The downside of this is that it causes higher prices for people who don't mind a few signs of use.

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#160 Jon Isaacs

ISS

Posts: 113,009
Joined: 16 Jun 2004

Posted 26 September 2013 - 06:48 AM

This may sound heretical, but really why would one wait years to a 5" refractor to use as a glorified telephoto , and pay an arm and leg for it ?

Better off getting 14" or 16" superfast newtonian + a great mount IMO.

You can go deeper faster, and have a wider fov and probably at a fraction of the cost of an AP.

Exactly which super fast Newtonoian are you thinking of? I don't think you can do the wide field views with a Newtonian and get the good edge correction, coma correctors are good but not that good, that will require a specialized astro-graph.

Here's one:

Riccardi-Honders Astrograph

It's a 12 inch and seems quite capable of some wonderful widefield images. However at 12 inches and F/3.8, I don't think you will probably get the same wide field fields of view as one could with the 130GT operating at F/4.7.

And, I don't think it would be a money saver, a used 130GT with a field flattener is probably in the $6000-$7000 range, the 12 inch Riccardi-Honders more than twice that.

Jon

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#161 David Pavlich

Transmographied

Posts: 41,592
Joined: 18 May 2005

Posted 26 September 2013 - 08:07 AM

Being a small business owner and an unapologetic capitalist, I applaud ANYONE that buys new. Set a budget and if new fits, by all means, buy it!!

David

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#162 t.r.

Fly Me to the Moon

Posts: 6,829
Joined: 14 Feb 2008

Posted 26 September 2013 - 08:14 AM

No one can say Ap is better than tak they r both rated maybe even tied for 1st or best scopes.

Oh yes I can and I can say so without ever looking through the scopes...quality, fit & finish and customer support/service set the AP apart. There is good reason why AP scopes either hold their value or appreciate. NO OTHER manufacturers does. I have had a sample of each major apo manufacturer in my hands and the AP is indeed numero uno...My opinion, I'm entitled to it and no one will change it. :sumo:

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#163 FajitaJoe

Viking 1

Posts: 563
Joined: 06 Dec 2009

Posted 26 September 2013 - 09:04 AM

This may sound heretical, but really why would one wait years to a 5" refractor to use as a glorified telephoto , and pay an arm and leg for it ?

Better off getting 14" or 16" superfast newtonian + a great mount IMO.

You can go deeper faster, and have a wider fov and probably at a fraction of the cost of an AP.

Where can you get a 14 inch for astrophotos for the same price as an AP? Few people are buying APs for visual use. Its all about the photos.

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#164 SandyHouTex

Cosmos

Posts: 8,893
Joined: 02 Jun 2009

Posted 26 September 2013 - 09:12 AM

Totally agree with you. Plus I think Taks and TECs are the equivelant of APs.

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#165 SandyHouTex

Cosmos

Posts: 8,893
Joined: 02 Jun 2009

Posted 26 September 2013 - 09:14 AM

I totally respect Roland as an optician. But he doesn't do anything magical. Anyone with the determination, drive, and experience can create optics as good as he does.

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#166 Joe Aguiar

Vanguard

Posts: 2,145
Joined: 10 Feb 2007

Posted 26 September 2013 - 09:19 AM

There is good reason why AP scopes either hold their value or appreciate. NO OTHER manufacturers does.

as my post says the only reason taks lose some value is its mass produced so any and all mass produced produts no matter what they are will lose some, but the reason that maybe Ap dont is cause of the 10 yr wait and its not produced, SO u have to take that into account.

Also i was talking about image quailty THERS NO DIFFERENCE IN EITHER SCOPE AND IN THE EP.

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#167 SandyHouTex

Cosmos

Posts: 8,893
Joined: 02 Jun 2009

Posted 26 September 2013 - 09:23 AM

Yes and let's consider the disadvantages:

Did the original owner disassemble it to add a new focuser, etc.? How experienced was this person in this task. Did they scratch the scope while working on it? Did they mess up the assembly?

And most importantly - how did they treat the optics. Was the scope kept in an observatory out in the elements? Indoors? How did the original owner manage dew related issues? Did he bring a cold scope in from outside let the lens dew up and then put the cap on it? Did he keep the cap on the optics when the scope wasn't being used?

Was the seller honest about the scopes condition and optics. I had someone totally lie to me about the condition of an FS-128 I wanted. And when I tried to return it, I had to threaten him to get him to refund my money.

So I agree with hfjacinto, new is the way to go if possible.

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#168 SandyHouTex

Cosmos

Posts: 8,893
Joined: 02 Jun 2009

Posted 26 September 2013 - 09:28 AM

They appreciate because of the fundamental economic principal of supply and demand. Limited supply and high demand. Nothing more. It's not because they are necessarily better than other premium APOs.

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#169 Joe Aguiar

Vanguard

Posts: 2,145
Joined: 10 Feb 2007

Posted 26 September 2013 - 09:54 AM

well thats what i said b4 if r wants they can mass produce the scopes and he can do a final inspection but he doesnt want to so its a 10 yr wait if it was done this first way maybe it could be a 1 yrs wait not 10 but thats up to him, that would also put more of his scopes in the hands of people wanting to buy it, however being mass produced with no waiting lists will lower the value if one can get these easy.

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#170 FajitaJoe

Viking 1

Posts: 563
Joined: 06 Dec 2009

Posted 26 September 2013 - 10:14 AM

No one can say Ap is better than tak they r both rated maybe even tied for 1st or best scopes.

Oh yes I can and I can say so without ever looking through the scopes...quality, fit & finish and customer support/service set the AP apart. There is good reason why AP scopes either hold their value or appreciate. NO OTHER manufacturers does. I have had a sample of each major apo manufacturer in my hands and the AP is indeed numero uno...My opinion, I'm entitlted to it and no one will change it.

I disagree. APs used prices maintain only because of the lack of supply. It has nothing to do AP being better than anyone. Its a supply issue. Even if AP is the best, if they made 1000+ scopes a year, used prices would not maintain the way they do.

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#171 t.r.

Fly Me to the Moon

Posts: 6,829
Joined: 14 Feb 2008

Posted 26 September 2013 - 10:20 AM

And where does that demand come from? Because of the low supply? Do the majority of people feel compelled to pay the higher prices for something because it is rare only. I think not, AP's command the prices they do and the resale because of what they are, not how few are available. But you are certainly entitled to your opinion, I'll respect it, please respect mine.

One more thing...because I make this statement, MY opinion, why does it get peoples panties in a bunch? Why do you feel compelled to argue or contradict...a statement of personal opinion? And why does this only seem to happen with this particular brand? It seems to infuriate, segregate and isolate folks. Why? It is just a telescope afterall...the best in my opinion. Why should that cause anyone grief? :smirk:

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#172 Joe Aguiar

Vanguard

Posts: 2,145
Joined: 10 Feb 2007

Posted 26 September 2013 - 10:32 AM

TR i disagree
if they mass produced the scopes supply would not be an issue so used scopes would go down, i bought my tec for 5200 same would happen to AP if it wasnt 10 yr wait

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#173 t.r.

Fly Me to the Moon

Posts: 6,829
Joined: 14 Feb 2008

Posted 26 September 2013 - 10:40 AM

Yes, you already said that Joe.
:beat:

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#174 FajitaJoe

Viking 1

Posts: 563
Joined: 06 Dec 2009

Posted 26 September 2013 - 10:50 AM

And where does that demand come from? Because of the low supply? Do people feel compelled to pay the higher prices for something because it is rare only. No, AP's command tyhe prices they do and the resale because of what they are, not how few are available. But you are certainly entitled to your opinion, I'll respect it, please respect mine.

Oh I do respect your opinion, just giving mine. Rarity is not right word but more supply of these scopes, coupled with public perception, is the reason for the prices. Now the public perception is a result a APs outstanding quality but to say AP is unrivaled in their quality is not accurate. Infact there many drawbacks to using an AP scope like limited adapters and accessories and a narrow range of purpose specific models, something Tak excels at.