5 replies to this topic

[catlover73]

I'm considering an upgrade to a Celestron Evolution 8, and have found a used one, originally purchased by the owner in 2014, upgraded with StarSense in 2016. Does anyone know if that equipment would have been upgraded in any way between then and now? For example, would the tripod be the same, or would Celestron have tweaked it with upgrades? Would the computer software (if the firmware was updated, as he said it has been) be the same? I suspect I could expect the battery to not be as long-lived.  I see a brand new one is on sale at Celestron, so I might prefer to spring for a new one, but this used one has a number of extras that I wouldn't get if I bought new. Any advice for me?

Edited by catlover73, 10 November 2024 - 09:14 PM.

[mlord]

The difference will be in the main circuit board:  newer editions have successively improved the onboard WiFi.  And the oldest version of the Evo had an issue where it used the wrong voltage for charging the internal battery, resulting in reduced lifetime of the battery.

 

That said, the Evo is an awesome mount, and that part hasn't changed.

[catlover73]

The difference will be in the main circuit board:  newer editions have successively improved the onboard WiFi.  And the oldest version of the Evo had an issue where it used the wrong voltage for charging the internal battery, resulting in reduced lifetime of the battery.

 

That said, the Evo is an awesome mount, and that part hasn't changed.

Thank you so much for your opinion! I'm leaning toward brand new. I could maybe get the telescope and all the accessories he's added to it, for $1500, but I wouldn't have a warranty, I'd have an old battery, and per your answer, I'd probably have wifi that would drive me crazy. On top of that, it would take me 12 hours round trip to go get it. (So, $200 in gas and meals). Maybe the better solution is to buy it new, and add on things if I decide I need them.

[GTom]

I suspect for near that budget you could get a well used c8 ota + AM3 harmonic drive. Latter gives you an EQ setup in a lighter package (lighter than the evo mount itself, MUCH lighter than the evo+wedge)

[whizbang]

The Evo is on sale right now.  So unless the extras are a bunch of TeleVue eyepieces, buy new.

[Iceshot]

Thank you so much for your opinion! I'm leaning toward brand new. I could maybe get the telescope and all the accessories he's added to it, for $1500, but I wouldn't have a warranty, I'd have an old battery, and per your answer, I'd probably have wifi that would drive me crazy. On top of that, it would take me 12 hours round trip to go get it. (So, $200 in gas and meals). Maybe the better solution is to buy it new, and add on things if I decide I need them.

If you are in or around Minnesota, Im selling my 9.25 EVO with Celestron 1.25 eyepiece and filter kit and Optical Tube carry bag for $1700. All of it in out of the box new condition. Three years old, so it has the newer improved electronics in it. Something to consider...