I have a 1979 Orange C8. My brother bought it new and I bought it from him a year later so I kind of keep tabs on their sales. The sad truth, I see them listed as high as $1500 but kind of doubt many ever sell for $1,000 or even close to it. Mostly because there appears to be no shortage of them offered in the $500-$650 range (with wedge, tripod, and original EPs) and it seems like many buyers won't pay a penny more no matter what else comes with them. If I was to sell one that had lots of separate accessories like extra EPs, and drive correctors, etc. I'd think about selling them separatelly. That said, some sellers also make the mistake of thinking useless outdated camera adaptors are valuable.
Yes you will sometimes see them for $450 or less but many of those don't have a wedge, a tripod, or anything else. Many of the high priced ones are listed by original owners who think they must still be worth a lot or by people who really don't know telescopes. There probably is the occasional collector who will pay higher for ones in mint condition. That said, unless they collect all things Celestron, I'd think a collector is more apt to want and pay more for an earlier Sand Cast model.
As for schools, I agree with those who say don't do it. Someone at a school who knows how to use and care for it is extremely hard to find. Also, from what I've heard many Astro clubs don't want them thinking they are too old and sometimes just sell them cheap to dispose of them.
Of course there are exceptions to any of these statements.
Edited by Kasmos, 13 January 2022 - 08:04 PM.
