Astrophysics 1200 GTO mount

Folks - as some of you know, my name recently came up on the Astrophysics waiting list for a 1200GTO mount.

Unfortunately, it seems that I won't be able to get the money together to pay the required 50% order deposit.

But, I still have my name on the 900GTO list and I'm hoping that will come up soon. Along with the 160 Starfire Hopefully not at the same time :shock:

So, I have one more tactic to try (beg for an extra 3 weeks) but I reckon they'll knock me back.

Here's the deal - this really is the amateur mount of a lifetime (well, apart from the Paramount). It would a real shame to lose the opportunity entirely - it looks like I have - but if anyone out there would like me to act as an 'agent', for want of a better term, then I would be happy to asist.

By the way, I guarantee that I will NOT make a cent out of this should you choose to go ahead. I hate to think of the mount being lost at least without giving everyone the opportunity... I will not, and indeed cannot, 'sell' my position on the list. I would have to do the deal (since its my 'name' on the list) - you pay the money.

Strictly first-come-first served, though I suspect not too many out there would be interested. If you know of anyone else who may be interested, feel free to forward this on.

Cheers

Dave



Basic details are:

www.astro-physics.com/products/mounts/1200gto/1200gto.htm
Price $9400
(Note - expect to budget another $1000 for accessories - you will absolutely need some of these)
Order to be made 12 p.m. CST on Wednesday, November 24, 2004. 50% deposit required at time of order.
Estimated delivery will be scheduled beginning in December 2004 and will continue through March 2005. You will receive your estimated delivery month when you place your order. Please note that the remaining balance of this mount will be due prior to shipment.

Its not a matter of interest, I'd be very interested!

Unfortunately it more of a matter of been able to afford it , I hope someone takes up your generous offer.

Oh my God - I don't believe it! - AP have given me a three week extension :shock: :shock: :shock:

If I can get the finance together, I'm afraid I'll have to withdraw the offer above. If however Mr. Bank Manager is not in good humour then the offer will stand. Whatever happens, I'll keep you informed.

Now I have a decent mount to put the ETX70 on :lol:

Dave

Dave,

Can I please get from you the date you first placed your name on the list for the AP1200GTO? I am on the same list and I would like to get a very rough idea how close/far I am from being notified.

Thanks in advance.

Anthony.

PS. I am posting this request publically in the event the information is also of interest to someone else on the board. The recent massacre of the US dollar is adding to my anxiety to get the mount now as well. Thanks again!

Hi Anthony - I received notification from Astrophysics that my name was added to the 1200 GTO list on 6th February 2003. I applied a couple of days earlier (3rd or 4th).

My name went on the 155 Starfire EDFS at the same time. They have apparently just notified folks whose names were on the list in 1999! So I guess I still have a 3 year wait!

Interestingly, my name went on 900GTO list on 8th Feb 2003 but I've had no notification of being able to purchase one. So, either they are making more 1200's than 900's or there are more people on the 900 list (its cheaper after all and still capable of handling most scopes, so presumably a bigger list because of the bigger popularity).

Judging by some of the posts I have seen, there's a few folks 'selling' their positions. This I will not do. I am going to try and get the finance for the mount but if I can't, I have promised AP that I will not buy the mount on behalf of someone else - contrary to what I posted earlier. Since they've been good to me, I have to be fair to them...

Think positively - if I can't get the finance - you could be getting a mail from AP!

The cut-off date was 24th Nov for deposits. I got a 3 week extension. Those whose names couldn't be traced etc will bump everyone else up the list. I'd say that if you were close to Feb or March, you may get a call or mail. If not this time, maybe March/April 2005 - that's the delivery date for the current run so presumably they'll start notifications when they've made and delivered the current run.

Hope this helps...

Cheers
Dave

Hi Dave,

A very big thank you for the information. In fact, I am delighted to see that the wait is not great as I feared and with the expanded facilities under construction, I should get the call way earlier than I imagined!

I placed my name on the list for the AP1200GTO on Feb 2/2004, almost precisely a year after you did, which means I should be getting the notification email some time next year ... and this is something I can certainly live with. Since I have a C14 SCT, my hands are tied and must pursue the AP1200GTO whose capacity is 140 lbs and can handle my C14 and forthcoming AP160 together or individually whereas the AP900GTO is not sufficient to handle my C14.

As for the AP155 EDFS, I placed my name on the corresponding list on Aug 31/1999 and was amongst the first to be notified on Nov 3/2004. Yes, that translates to a five-yr 2-month wait?!

Thanks again for the delightful news in relation to the AP1200GTO !!!

Anthony.