Skywatcher refractors

Martin - what's the price differential between goto and non-goto?

If its not a lot, have a serious think about it. Of course, there may be a delay but I suspect after three months of trying to find your way around the heavens, you may wish you'd gone for the hand-controller goto option...

FWIW

Dave

A comment on the delivery/certification dilemma.
On 1st July the RoHS regulations came into effect in EU. These are environmental legislation ( reduction of hazardous substances) which limit content of certain materials in products. They are colloquially known as the "lead-free"regulations because they limit the lead conten in solder to 0.1%. Many imports are affected because this is only applicable in EU at present and some countries eg Germany are making a big drama about the transition period. The whole thing is really overdone and generally if the supply chain is "clean" in a year or two this would be considered a success. So this may be the reason for the delay - changing the electronics to lead-free solder is a costly and time consuming task. And the biggest problem is to get lead-free components.
Anyway there are several options if this is the case -
1)offer to buy the thing as is anyway - its really no big deal now.
2) offer to buy at a reduced price to shift the stock. May be other opportunities /items which have similar difficulty.
3) there should not be a delay if there is a stock before 1st July as this is considered to be already placed on the market.
4) go to another distributor - they probably got the same problem maybe seek an amenable solution.
Or i could be completely wrong about the root cause.
This EU directive will add 6% to the overall costs of the electronics industry in Europe and you and me will be paying for it.

Nosmo

Hi Martin

I'm of the same opinion, a GoTo is not something that appeals to be, my main interest is the observing and photopraghing the moon and planets and if I can't find them without GoTo, then there's no hope for me. :mrgreen:

Therefore it looks like I'll set my sights on the 152/1200 f:8 refractor of the EQ6 mount.

Now, to talk nicely to the bank manager

Dave said

what's the price differential between goto and non-goto?

Just checked and the difference - between a Goto and non-Goto mount - is €600.00 . However the upgrade (from non-goto to goto) kit is €588.00 which is a bit strange as usually it is more expensive the buy a mount and an upgrade kit seperately then buy them together as one package.

I won't complain though as it will allow me to try out the cheaper non-GoTo option first and if I get fed up of it I can upgrade to goto without a heft cost penalty :idea:

Though still negotiation with SWMBO
Aside "Darling, dontcha think that corner of the sitting room looks very bare, I think a large telescope would compliment the rest of the room very well" :twisted: