When to buy - before or after X'mas?

[miafey]

Hiya, first post on SGL I believe and this may be just another dumb question...

I'm very close to buying a SW Explorer 150P DS and a HEQ5 pro for visual and imaging (later) (had looked around for other options for the mount but looks like there is nothing in the similar or lower price range that is lighter but equally able for imaging purposes....   )

Weight is a concern because I'll have to travel and move the gear for each session, hence not planing to go beyond 6inch. 

Will need to get accessories as well - at least a power tank to power the mount. 

I'm very new, have looked through a telescope before but not operated by myself. Research wise, I think I've read too much (forum posts, magazine articles, etc) that I'll just confuse myself if I don't go out and get first-hand experience....

So my question is, as it is not too far away from X'mas and because I will have limited availability for using the scope before the end of the year (I do have a SG party in November though), will it be worth waiting until the X'mas or the New Year to grab a good deal? Does the sweet "X'mas and New Year sale" ever exist in the world of astro equipment?

I don't want to buy something now, have not much chance to use it very soon and find out before or after X'mas that the price has dropped....

Thanks!

[Charic]

So my question is, as it is not too far away from X'mas and because I will have limited availability for using the scope before the end of the year (I do have a SG party in November though), will it be worth waiting until the X'mas or the New Year to grab a good deal? Does the sweet "X'mas and New Year sale" ever exist in the world of astro equipment?

I don't want to buy something now, have not much chance to use it very soon and find out before or after X'mas that the price has dropped....

Thanks!

Not sure the vendors are that generous around Christmas, and a telescope can be for life, not just for Christmas, so choose wisely.

Your Star party is the best option to see what's available too you, and for you to decide what's best for your needs.

I have the simple 8" option, no setting up, so to speak, no power requirements, just place and view, but I don't image, so this solution is fail-safe for my needs and  the Moon is easy to photograph through this system.

The longer Winter nights are a few Months away still, so there is no rush to buy into any system, first without assessing first. Get to that Star party, get a good look and feel, take your time, because the Stars will still be there when your ready.

You could do no harm in buying some 8x40ish to 10x50 binoculars, and download the freeware program called Stellarium. Its your  fully configurable planetarium guide to the night sky.

No questions are too stupid/dumb........ only  the ones you don't ask, and finally Welcome to the SGL.

[John]

Hi and welcome to the forum !

I'm not far from you - Portishead

Astro dealers do have sales occasionally but their quiet season tends to be the Summer months.

Good idea to take some time over the decision and ask lots of questions - you will find Stargazers Lounge very responsive and helpful I'm sure

[LukeSkywatcher]

Personally i cant and dont wait for sales. Not saying i have cash to burn, but im an impulse buyer. I dont think astro retailers really buy into christmas sales (they may have periodic reductions throughout the year). The second hand astro gear market tends to come alive with bargains a few weeks after christmas with unwanted gifts and gear that has been used for a few weeks by people who have become disappointed with astronomy because they dont see hubble like images through their scope.

As said above, the right scope can be for life.........not just for christmas. One of the hardest things as an astronomer to do is pick the right scope for yourself. 

8 yrs ago i bought a 6 week old puppy after thinking about it for 2 mins. I spent about 2 months researching my 8" SCT scope before i bought it.

*note*

i didnt buy my dog for christmas. Ive been around and owned dogs all of my life and it took me 10yrs since the death of my last dog to bring this one into my life. Love her to bits but damn do we push each others buttons.

[sheldondave]

Hi,

If you can wait till after Xmas, then you might find a good price on the kit you want from one of the vendors at Astrofest in London in Feb. Some of the dealers who exibit at these shows will be giving special show discounts, which can amount to a substantial saving, for example, I saved over £100 on a scope and mount I was after at the International Astronomy Show last year, and £50 off a Star-adventurer this year. So if you can wait it may be worth your while, but whatever you do, I hope you enjoy this great Hobby.

Dave.

[laudropb]

The problem is that if you wait too long the star gazing season will be over.

[triton1]

If you can wait till after xmas all well and good but then you have to contend with the Brian Cox effect (Stargazing live) so timing may be important.As said before it's the summer months that are quiet.

[LukeSkywatcher]

The problem is that if you wait too long the star gazing season will be over.

My season is mid Sept-early june.

Typically.

[miafey]

Thanks everyone for getting back so quickly. 

I have indeed got my binoculars out for a couple of nights and it was amazing how much you could see from it. I WOWed more when I first saw the moon through them than I did when I first saw saturn through a telescope - afterall saturn was small in the field of view there but the moon was big and bright and with every bit detail!!

Aha, I'm a bit surprised that summer months are quieter because I'd think winter nights are cold.... 

Dave: I thought about Astrofest 2016, unfortunately I will most likely be in Sri Lanka for that week so will have to miss it sadly. 

Mmmm, sounds like I should perhaps just go and grab a bundle, use the upcoming months for observing and once I get some experience, I can then maybe do a bit more learning/upgrading next summer when it's quiet. 

John: nice to meet someone "local"! I've been to the Somerset Hall in Portishead many times when the Avon Dancers Club have their practice night there!!

[happy-kat]

Good deals can be had on returns, check out for example the clearance section on First Light Optics, the gear is often still with warranty and can be as simple as an open box.

[happy-kat]

I never do double posts! sorry.

[RT65CB-SWL]

Hi miafey and welcome to SGL.   I would first visit your local club/society and see what the members are using.

I purchased my TeleVue Ranger during mid/late 1998, and it is a keeper. As soon as I saw the adverts in S & T, I knew it was for me and I had to get one. Not everybody likes 70mm refractors in a textured light green finish with a helical focus. (it was either that, white or brass).  Take your time. The stars will be there tomorrow and the following nights. 

 

FLO (site sponsor) does not let 'us' members down either. You may get the odd discount 'here & there'/'now & again'. I have found that most of the respected astro-dealers prices are very much identical as this is a very competitive/niche market. It is normally at the big gatherings... ie AstroFest, IAS, etc... you may get the 'bigger' discounts.

[LukeSkywatcher]

Aha, I'm a bit surprised that summer months are quieter because I'd think winter nights are cold.... 

Winter nights can be cold but at the same time calm and clear. Dress warm and the sights are very rewarding. Ive observed in -11c and loved it.

[miafey]

Aha, I'm a bit surprised that summer months are quieter because I'd think winter nights are cold.... 

Winter nights can be cold but at the same time calm and clear.

Hi Paul, 

I am very sorry that I addressed you as "John" in my last reply when I meant "Paul"!!

   

And I did not find a way to edit my last post so... my apology!

Again nice to see you here and hope to see you sometime in one of the many astro events

Mia

[mcolbert]

Mia I think someone mentioned a short while ago that you have to post 10 (or is it 50?) comments / questions before the editing facility is active.  You will then see it on the bottom right corner of your post.

Someone please confirm this number as when I check the Welcome sub forum it mentions 250 posts before editing!

michael

[LukeSkywatcher]

Hi Paul, 

I am very sorry that I addressed you as "John" in my last reply when I meant "Paul"!!

   

And I did not find a way to edit my last post so... my apology!

Again nice to see you here and hope to see you sometime in one of the many astro events

Mia

Did you?. I think you were addressing John, as i am hardly local to Bristol and cant see myself at any local events there in the near future.

LOL.

[miafey]

Did you?. I think you were addressing John, as i am hardly local to Bristol and cant see myself at any local events there in the near future.

LOL.

Ouch.....

Triple checked all the posters and yes It's John who is in Portishead....

     

I'd better head off to bed as I'm obviously baffled....

[ollypenrice]

Markups in astronomy are not huge and people need to live. This is a community. It would, I think, be a shame to see the astronomy world turn into a kind of supermarket world in which people scrutinize the price of beans at this, that and the other supermarket and say, 'I'm going to buy there!' A telescope is not a can of beans. It might have a problem, it might present you with something that you don't understand, and at this point you might regret buying from someone who, when you ring them up, plays Greensleeves for twenty six minutes before telling you that your call may be recorded for training purposes before passing you to someone whose knowledge of astronomy is limited to your consignment number...

Olly

[John]

Yes it's me thats in Portishead. Paul / LukeSkywatcher is in Ireland. Don't worry about muddling posters up - there are a lot of us about

You might be interested in the public mini-star parties that the Bristol Astronomical Society organise at Tyntesfield House which is near Bristol.

[miafey]

Yes it's me thats in Portishead. Paul / LukeSkywatcher is in Ireland. Don't worry about muddling posters up - there are a lot of us about

You might be interested in the public mini-star parties that the Bristol Astronomical Society organise at Tyntesfield House which is near Bristol.

I've been with BAS on their public observing night at the observatory before and it was great. I'll be joining the society very soon - as soon as I can find my checkbook and a C5 envelope...

I think I've just missed this month's Tyntesfield which was on Wednesday this week but the SG party I talked about is also with them - the one they will be doing with the Wild Place Project. 

[John]

I've been with BAS on their public observing night at the observatory before and it was great. I'll be joining the society very soon - as soon as I can find my checkbook and a C5 envelope...

I think I've just missed this month's Tyntesfield which was on Wednesday this week but the SG party I talked about is also with them - the one they will be doing with the Wild Place Project. 

I've just joined - this evening was my 1st meeting

I believe they will be running another one next week because the weather this week was a bit dodgy and the turn out was low.

[miafey]

I've just joined - this evening was my 1st meeting

I believe they will be running another one next week because the weather this week was a bit dodgy and the turn out was low.

I won't be able to make the Friday evening meetings but I'll try to make as many observing nights as possible. 

Thanks for the information - I'll keep an eye on their website

[LukeSkywatcher]

Just to let you know miafey............

If you decide to go down the second hand astro gear market.............the unwritten rule is that you should only pay about two thirds of the retail price for stuff. Obviously this depends on age and condition.

2/3rds is a good price guide to stick to.

p.s..........no worries about confusing me with John. To be honest there are too many Paul and Johns on this site. 

[brantuk]

A lot of newbies picture astronomy as something nice to do on warm summer nights. The reality is that is the worst time due to heat currents and short nights. Astronomy is really a winter hobby and long dark nights can be spent standing in a field in the middle of nowhere, to avoid light, doing it.

There's no real buying season - so now is as good a time as any to purchase gear. You can make up to 10% saving at special astro events like the International Astronomy Show (Warwickshire), Astro Fest (London) and various star parties where retailers turn up (eg Kelling in Norfolk).

Best advice is to get yourself down to an observing session with your local astro society and get a feel for the hobby and a look through some scopes and eyepieces. Talk to the folks and ask lots of questions here - you'll save a lot of money avoiding mistakes and get the right future proof scope for yourself. Hth

[miafey]

Just to let you know miafey............

If you decide to go down the second hand astro gear market.............the unwritten rule is that you should only pay about two thirds of the retail price for stuff. Obviously this depends on age and condition.

2/3rds is a good price guide to stick to.

p.s..........no worries about confusing me with John. To be honest there are too many Paul and Johns on this site. 

Thanks

I'm working towards my 50 posts to reveal the SGL secondhand market!

Mia